(no subject)

[vicarz]

Apt for rent, by me. Starting mid-September (date uncertain, can find out when she's moving out)
2 bedrooms 1 full bath - 1500 month, free parking ($100 move-in fee payable to condo)

1307 N Ode St #402 (1/2 story above ground, ground floor)
Arlington, VA 22209 (about 2 blocks from Iwo Jima)
Apt between Ode and N. Ft. Meyer, closer to and everyone parks on N. Fort Meyer Drive
Google maps clicky Aka 2 blocks from Iwo Jima Marine Memorial

Good:
1. Walk to Metro, Rosslyn Station - 10 minute NY walk, 15 minute DC waddle (slightly further from Courthouse)
2. Plaster walls (bad side - no holes, nails, pins w/o specific permission)
3. Landlord pretty flexible (but not with $), nearby, 1 building over and 2 stories up, who wants you happy (and the apt safe).
4. W/W carpet - clean but not new
5. Exposed wood Pella Windows (multiple panes, tilt for cleaning, energy efficient)
6. Cheap utilities (only utility is Elec, ranging from $30 - 150 max) (cable & phone optional)
7. Security main door entrance
8. Renovated bathroom (but small)
9. High ceilings
10. large master bedroom with large closet (2nd br only 11x11 or so)
11. No one beneath you to complain about stamping, upstairs neighbor historically quiet
12. Pets ok, but who-boy do you gotta pay for any mess/damage if it happens!

Bad & ugly:
1. Humid (ground floor issue) (note - dehumidifier provided). Due to humidity, mildew not tolerated - must maintain the apt! During winter cold snaps need to check for & dry any condensation in windows (easily maintained).
2. Not fancy - no gorgeous view, simple fixtures (but dimmer switches everywhere)
3. Sometimes you'll see bugs, some huge (Arlington ground floor issue) (extermination services are free but only available on the 1st Wed of each month)
4. Need at least 1 year lease (due to insurance requirement)
5. You need to get renter's insurance as term of lease - mandatory
6. Mandatory change the air filter monthly (Landlord can provide and/or will change for you if you wish, but it must be done)
7. Kitchen is old, narrow, and weird (but clean) (new dishwasher)

Odd:
1. NO SMOKING not even "I'll just smoke outside"
2. No walk out / patio - security door entrance only
3. May be flexible on rent for not giving a crap about wall paint
4. May be flexible on rent for performing renovations / work in exchange for rent - ONLY IF agreed by both landlord and tenant in writing before any such work performed
5. landlord doesn't care if you're a purple-sequined freak day-in day-out

Comparison rentals:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/373213129.html 1517 N Rhodes, 2br 1 ba $1750 (other side of Rt 50)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/371413926.html River place 1br $1500 (better location, but 1br)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/370656303.html Quinn & 14th St 2br 1 ba $1600 (very comparable building and general location, but other side of 50, and a tad ghetto - people hanging around outside)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/363484653.html Rosslyn heights 2br 1ba $1800 (2 blocks away, better view - over monuments probably, but otherwise same type of building and apt)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/apa/364714974.html Colonial Village, 1br $1550, People like these places more because they're next to Wilson...but the parking sucks horribly

Huh, maybe I'm not charging enough rent. Last time I saw a place renting a 2br here it was at $1700. I would like to rent to someone I know rather than face the teeming masses.

Comments

[dhairya.livejournal.com]

A little advice? I strongly advocate for checking references and credit if you can, and having a lease...especially with "friends". This is, at the end of the day a business transaction, and I recommend you treat it as such.

I've seen too many situations turn ugly between "friends" when money is involved. Perfectly sane, reasonable adult people can turn into hysterical spoiled monsters with a huge entitlement attitude when they feel you should them slide on their rent during a rough month (or two or three or five) or not charge them for drilling holes in the plaster, or replacing the carpet they/the ferret/the orgy destroyed.
While it's an unlikely scenario, were it to happen, the hassle and vexation to you would be enormous. By treating it professionally rather than personally, it would protect all involved and remove the potential stress factor as much as one can. You don't need any more worries on your shoulders.

I would seek out some of our mutual friends who own and rent property already and get their advice as well. The mileage on my advice/experiences varies.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Well yeah - but I'm a famous dick about money. There is no such thing as a friend who owes you money. Good point though.

Uh, we have friends who own property?

[dhairya.livejournal.com]

"Perfectly sane, reasonable adult people can turn into hysterical spoiled monsters with a huge entitlement attitude when they feel you should them slide on their rent during a rough month ..."

Oops, I didn't finish my thought here. I blame food poisoning. Shoulda finished off with "because they feel that as "friends" you should give them some wriggle room."

Yeah, Chief, for one, rents out a lot. Might contact Angie as well, see what her experience was if you are so inclined.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_blackjack_/]

Hell, we're reaching the point that we have more friend who own than not, although most of them don't have rental properties. I'm one of the few who never bought anything, and now I probably will never be able to.

ahem

[kitteblue.livejournal.com]

"Uh, we have friends who own property? '

Yes, some of us have owned so long that the mortgage is almost paid off.

Re: ahem

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Shh...mentally I'm still in middle-school, and so are my friends. Not sure if that is a legal defense for some of my um...activities...