A proposed building in downtown Emporia will carry a historical name and will bring promise of additional retail and living spaces, planners announced this morning.
Three families are coming together in Emporia to bring the dream of the building, Kellogg Plaza & Lofts, to reality in the 1100 block of Commercial Street. The families include developers Cory Haag and his father, Harry Haag; Mary Shepherd; and Joyce French. The Haags completed the Granada Lofts project in the 700 block of Commercial Street in 2009.
The three families began talking about the idea more than a year ago to develop the area which now includes a house and empty lots. The house will be torn down for the building and the empty lots will be included in the footprint.
The proposed 10,000 square foot, three-story building will face Commercial Street. It will be brick and limestone and include four ground-floor commercial spaces, including one ADA apartment and 10 one-bedroom apartments spread evenly between the second and third floors. The building also will have a zero setback with parking available on the east side of the building. There will be a large parking lot behind the building with 24 to 25 parking spaces and the potential of angled parking stalls in front of the building, which will increase the number of parking spaces as well.
Hurdles
With any building project, there are hurdles and challenges to overcome, Cory Haag said.
The first hurdle is to obtain a conditional use permit allowing one ground-floor apartment facing the alley side of the proposed building to comply with the Fair Housing Act. The development group will meet with the Emporia City Planning Commission at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. If approved, the application will head to the Emporia City Commission for final approval.
The next challenge is the alleyway behind the proposed building. The alley now is dirt and the Haags, Frenches and Shepherds are seeking an asphalt surface behind the proposed building.
“Most of the alleys on Commercial Street are currently asphalt,” said Casey Woods, director of Emporia Main Street. “And by upgrading the alleys on the east side of the 1100 and 1000 blocks of Commercial Street we can stimulate the development proposed by the Shepherd, French and Haag families, as well as other potential developments. We appreciate the foresight of the City Commission in these development matters and it is our opinion that continued reinvestment within the infrastructure of the downtown area will result in more development and positive net outcomes for area taxpayers.”
Haag said they have asked the city to resolve the alley issue.
“It just needs to be addressed,” he said, adding that when it rains the alley becomes mud and when additional rock is brought in to address that issue it elevates the alley, causing drainage problems. “We simply need the city to work with us in upgrading the alley behind the proposed project and we are ready to move forward.”
If hurdles are overcome, the families could break ground on the building by spring 2011 with a completion date of March or April 2012.
Joint effort
The French, Haag and Shepherd families have worked for more than a year on the project. They came to Emporia Main Street with their idea.
“I really wanted to commend Casey,” Shepherd said. “It’s a good example of how valuable our Main Street organization is.”
Woods said there’s a lot of value in having families working together on this project and the community will benefit from the efforts.
“It will not only benefit that area but there is a tremendous benefit for ESU and for the Black and Gold District that people have been envisioning,” he said.
The proposed building is named Lyman Kellog, the original president of Emporia State University, then known as the Kansas State Normal school. The developers are currently talking to the Kellogg family and have received positive reaction so far in naming the building after him.
Kellogg first came to Emporia to be the first president of the university and then later practiced law in Emporia. At one time he owned some of the property that the new building will stand on.
Woods said a survey was taken of the downtown area and one of the things the students talked about was housing upgrades. This project addresses that issue and also allows for businesses that target the 18-to-25 age range the opportunity to locate downtown in the retail space.
“I’m hopeful and confident that a lot of businesses recognize that,” Woods said.
The building already has some retail interest, Cory Haag said.
“We already have some interest from national tenants in the commercial spaces, and we think this development will really benefit the local area,” Haag said.
The project also helps foster a downtown hub where people live, work and play downtown.
“It revitalizes downtown when people live there, they have coffee, they eat breakfast downtown,” French said. “This is right there.”
The revitalization of downtown also makes ESU competitive with other universities in the state, said Harry Haag. It makes the university and town a place students want to come to and parents want to send their kids to, he added.
“Because this development is less than one block from Emporia State University, we believe our development could have a tremendous positive impact on ESU,” Shepherd said.
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Great project!!!
December 7, 2010 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
What fantastic news! I've come to expect nothing but good from those Haags!
December 7, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey reddog, Why not bring your family on board and do the same thing in the 1100 block? It is obviously a win win deal.
Just wondering if there are any plans in the works?
December 7, 2010 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiahelper (anonymous) says...
Any ideas of who will fill those retail spaces? I dont want a building thats empty...
December 7, 2010 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Another way to look at it is, even if they sit empty, the property tax collected by the city will be more than they take in on 2 vacant lots.
This is a win-win.
December 7, 2010 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
maybe town royal north?
December 7, 2010 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
We simply need the city to work with us in upgrading the alley behind the proposed project and we are ready to move forward.”
And who will pay for this alley work, it don't sound like the builders will, Next time one of you bitch about the city not having money, just say, but it will be sooo good for emporia. a win-win?
and casey boy, when was the last time you ;put your sandal's on and walked the alley east of commercial north ? maybe you should do that before you spout off about only tw0 blocks needing asphalt.I do not care who builds what, just dont expect the tax payers to do for you, if you want it do it your damn self. REMEMBER THE CITY IS BROKE, or maybe you dont give a damn. because it is a win-win? REMEMBER THE CITY IS BROKE!!!
And Steve, its a win-win? even if it sits empty, how much taxes will they have to pay to make the alley a win-win, and then who is going to keep the alleys in good shape after the garbage trucks drive up and down them,a few times, OH our tax money, but hell it will be a win-win right?? BUT this is already a done deal, maybe once again, people need to take their damn binders off, bring it on boys..
December 7, 2010 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MisterO (anonymous) says...
Hahahahah------------>justaflushaway
Hahahahah------------>justaflushaway
Hahahahah------------>justaflushaway
MisterO is pointing and laughing at justaflushaway. Sounds like he/she is really bitter about something. Someone tinkle in your Cheerios this morning?
December 7, 2010 at 5:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiahelper (anonymous) says...
Our taxes are meant for repairs like this in the city. Why are you complaining? The money is actually being used the right way and you. The alley back there is horrible and are in a need of repair. Sooo I dont get why you put anything about him walking the alley.. MAybe you should "flushaway" your post.
December 7, 2010 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
justaflush,
NOT BRINGING IT ON,
just want to discuss it.
I don't think this is a done deal. No way.
It doesn't sound like the developers are demanding anything outrageous, maybe they are willing to kick in with some of the costs of the alley work.
The city gave the Granada Lofts project some city parking spots as incentive, why not this? Maybe the developers will pay for the concrete work adjacent to their property lines? The city is paying to re-gravel the alley now, required city maintenance, which we do pay taxes for. Maybe they can look at paving just this block and wait for future development in the 1000 block to do that one?
By the way the house that is currently there, (not for long,the demolition permit has been issued), paid $493.54 in taxes to the county in 2009. I would think this $300,000.00 plus project would result in about 8-10 thousand a year in property taxes, unless they are tax exempt. I'm not sure if they would be. Maybe the city can use some of that sales tax money that was approved earlier this year?
I consider it a win-win because of this.
Private tax paying developers are investing quite a bit of their own money to fill what they think is a need along with improving Commercial Street. If that means some infrastructure improvements it's a good deal for all. I can think of worse ways to spend tax money, (think entrance stones and ads in "O" magazine).
December 7, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Or mothballing two schools and building a new addition on another one that sits on a river.
December 7, 2010 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
sithoo o, , you seem to be like some of the others here, just jump on with who ever will let you ride. its taxes as#wipe., remember those taxes that everyone say were to high and you all have been bitching
about the last month every time you felt they should not be spent on stupid stuff, you do know stupid.
and emp. you need to read what was written, I did not say a word about gravel, now did I? your boy casey said that most all alleys were asphalt, go back and read or have someone read it to you. read between the lines, your boy said it was mostly done, get in the alley at 8th and go north get him to go with you, tippy toe through the big gravel and holes that is there now. he doesnt know what the alleys look like, he needs you to lead the way
and steve, now really I do know that its the citys responsitable to maintain the alleys, and the off-street parking will be on the property of the land owner, they can concrete the hell out of it for all I care, makes them pay more taxes, who pays for the upkeep of your off-street parking for your rentals upstairs? read the story again, read between the lines, you and I both know that it is already a done deal and the city will pick up a lot more of this than you and I will ever know, just like all the crap the last 3-5 years, wasted money.. you all keep this up I am going to vote for turf at sodens! ""I can think of worse ways to spend tax money, (think entrance stones and ads in "O" magazine)."" yep your words steve. and Steve thanks for the information, I appreciate it.
well. I will just sit back again and read how smart some of you think you are here, have a good evening
December 7, 2010 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiahelper (anonymous) says...
I have walked those alleys and yes he is right, most are paved down COMMERCIAL street. Maybe you should walk them and noticed how much isnt compared to how much is. I also never mentioned the word "Gravel" Now did I? Maybe you should start reading a big better. Read between the lines...persay. Now I will sit back and read your very smart comments. Have a great evening
December 7, 2010 at 7:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporiahelper (anonymous) says...
Also it would be the smartest choice to turf sodens. You ever played baseball there?
December 7, 2010 at 7:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I won't argue our disagreement on this issue. You have your opinion, I have mine. Continual butting of our heads won't accomplish anything but the raising of our blood pressure.
To answer your question about the parking lot maintenance for my upstairs tenants, (and the alley behind the building), the city has done nothing to maintain it. About a once a year painting of parking stripes is all. No resurfacing, no snow removal nada.
I think if I could figure out what some of my tenants have paid in parking tickets, the city would come out with a net gain from them.
Anyhow, nice talking with you.
December 7, 2010 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
Dont know if its a done deal for as the city paving this or what ever they claim needs done. If the city owns it city should take care of the paving or what ever.But does seem funny that the city cant take care of the streets or sidewalks because of lack of money but when the those with money need something done city finds the money?
December 7, 2010 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
caveman (anonymous) says...
Its a joke.....We cannot fill what is already downtown. there is empty space after empty space and even more empty apartments....and even lesss students to fill them. and if they do get more tax money what makes you think they will fix the alleys and not just build more roundabouts or over pay city people that dont even know the full spectrum of what it is they do. More new apartments???? you do realize that work in emporia is terribly awful to find, who is going to afford even more new apartments, haven't we learned anything from our country as a whole?
what you need to do is figure out how to get more business here and more companies even if it is "big business" get jobs here and then start to focus on the closed mindedness of our city and its officials and figure out a way to get more students in emporia that is a "WIN WIN" For all. More students mean more money in town for everyones business and more students means DING DING DING More aid and funding from the state as a whole due to higher attendance none of this garbage will matter when the campus shuts down due to under enrollment we already have entire dorms empty and they even force freshman to live there......and we need more apartments why???? and people are wondering why banks are failing????
December 7, 2010 at 8:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
This property is in a special tax district that will let the investors pay only 5% of the total taxes for the first 5 years and only 50% of the taxes for the next 5 years. This incentive has sparked new developments the past five years around the college. Across America 50% of commerical Real Estate is underwater so, I tip my hat to these folks for making a bet on the future of ESU and Emporia.
December 7, 2010 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
They didn't have any trouble recruiting new tenants for the Granada lofts, and given the state of some other downtown buildings, we need nicer places. Better options will spurr further renovation downtown, as we rebuild the downtown shopping district . It's the natural order of things., called progress. Go flush yourself
December 7, 2010 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
reddog,
Thank you for the above information. Even at the reduced tax rate for 10 years the development would bring in more tax revenue than it currently does.
December 8, 2010 at 6:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Would like to counter some of what caveman said.
Granted there are empty store fronts downtown, take a look at the shape SOME of them are in. Like wise, look at the apartment rental market in town, and the shape SOME of those units are in. Then check out some of the rental rates on these somewhat distressed properties. Then look at the properties that the Haags' manage.
They actually care about their tenants.
And looking at the Granada Lofts, verses an old orange railroad car is sure an improvement.
Landlords in Emporia have had it pretty easy for a long time. Maybe this development will spur more revitalization and improvements.
And looking at this proposed building would sure be better than looking at empty lots on Emporia's "main street"
As far as more students coming to Emporia, it is the economy driving that problem. More and more people are looking at the cost of the college education verses the end result of employment. In this economy students, and their parents just cannot afford to get a four year degree along with thousands of dollars of student loan debt, only to enter a non-existing job market. On-line universities have also cut into the typical on site educational lifestyle. So maybe the schools should work just a little harder and reining in the cost of that education. That would do the most good in improving enrollment.
December 8, 2010 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Steve.....
Good job of keeping your cool earlier......I probably would not have had it in me.
December 8, 2010 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just like anyone else on here i have my opinions and they don't always jibe with others. Sometime I fall into the retaliatory mode of response, (usually after "happy hour"). Then I calm down and regret what was said.
It is obvious that some feel this development is a stupid idea. I don't, but even if I did, I am now trying to express my disagreement without certain adjectives. On another current thread I am really hot about the school boards blue plan but i think the strongest word I used was "dumbest". I'll have to go back and read the threads again, I may have to apologize.
I do have to get this off my chest.
My mom rents from the Haag family and has nothing but good to say about them.
As a downtown business owner I see The Granada Lofts every day and have nothing but good to say about them, (and I think they are all rented out).
As a Main Street member i have dealt with Casey Woods several times and have nothing but good to say about him, his staff and volunteers. Such a small group with a small budget doing such a great job of promoting not only Main Street, but all of Emporia.
December 8, 2010 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Wow does building some apartments merit all this coverage the Haags aren't doing it for the city they are doing it to line their pockets. Taking care of tenants is what your supposts to do,lets not put them on a sign entering Emporia just yet.
December 8, 2010 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
If there is a new development in town that requires new streets the city charges specials to pay for the improvements. Build it and pay like everyone else Big Pockets quit begging,.
December 8, 2010 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Tell,.
Sure they are in business to make money, what business isn't? The coverage is all about a new building being built in Emporia and resulting improvements and infrastructure needs, that is all.
December 8, 2010 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
How is the rent paid? Are these like the Broadview Towers?
December 8, 2010 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
The Granada Lofts was a HUGE improvement, and it sounds like this will be similar. I love the idea of getting young people living downtown, within walking distance of ESU, downtown businesses, etc. It's good for the town and good for the kids.
Dirt alleys? Does Emporia really still have "gravel roads" downtown? I guess I hadn't really noticed that. Those should have been upgraded long before now, and I don't see it being an unreasonable request.
This looks like a "go" to me.
December 8, 2010 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Thanks Steve, Yesterday I was a little pissed when I read the article, yes the first thing I thought about was that I could see that the city was going to spend money again, which we dont have.
I should really start being nice and not disagree or tell it the way I see it, this is the CHRISTMAS season!, biscuit, believe it or not I do have a string of lights actually hanging on my balcony and they are on, yes I now, Steve was calm yesterday, and I know you wanted to respond so bad! but you refrained from it.
Steve When I was younger I use to park
in the lot about every night, while I was drinking everyday, my health now keeps me close to the home, but had many great nights at your bar and I met a lot of very fine people there, even a wife!!, that was when it was OK to go in, smoke and enjoy the surrounding with out having to worry about breaking so silly law. often I think of the Bourbon Barrel,the Hideaway,, ya, even Johnny's across the river, anyway there was to many to remember, but only go banded from the Rope, broke a guys leg the one nigh, own a woman,but carp(had to change what I say) any way you all have a good Christmas , and yes I will be back with the same name, telling it like I want to and most of you all wont like what I say, thaT'S LIFE, YES I will not be politically correct and those who respond with smart ass remarks I will RESPOND , I can still kick your ass with my key board, , just start reading between the line of what is printed or talked about by the city goof balls, It is our tax money maybe after the first of the year, the republicans will be able to help the US catch up again, Obama has sit us back 10 years by spending spending, and spending more and giving it all away, damn democrats
December 8, 2010 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
The Hideaway........That's the name I couldn't come up with the other day when sail and I were going over the old bars in town. Thanks for mentioning it.
December 8, 2010 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
justaflushaway,
As another person who has never been accused of being either politically correct or agreeable i know where you are coming from. I have had many outbursts on these threads, Thank God they are harder to find now with the newer format. i don't expect everyone to agree with my views, that would be pretty boring. i love to argue, if you know me, you know that is true. I am just trying to be a little bit more diplomatic with my posts. it comes with old age, I think. But then again, my mom says it is nice to get older, you can say what you want to and people just think you are old and senile.
So let's keep arguing, or agreeing, whatever the case may be.
And a Merry Christmas to you and all the others on here !
December 8, 2010 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Hideaway was my first job to bar-tend, was ran by an x-police officer from Ark City, Jim Kinney ,he and Gary Burgess where friends before he can to Emporia He had a big guard dog that was kept in the basement when it was open, turned it loose to run all over when bar was closed, first job when went for a new day was to look all over and see where he took a crap.!!!. One of the first and most popular bands there was "Dave and the hot nuts" 1967~!~ and how many of you here went to see the TURTLES concert at the auditorium?
December 8, 2010 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
I meant to say old Gary Burgess, whom has pasted on, he was a good man, we went to KC many times and party-ed hard!!! those WERE road trips!!!!! anyone remember the name of the lady who had the bar were the east vet hospital is now? And oh, how about the Gavin girls, if you remember them, they were great to party with, very nice women!!!!!!!!!!!
December 8, 2010 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
IZZY'S
and the blue inn. I wasn't old enough to drink back then.
December 8, 2010 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"Obama has sit us back 10 years by spending spending, and spending more and giving it all away, damn democrats"
Please watch more of the news with an ojective eye. We just made billions on selling bank stock yesterday. Jeez!
December 8, 2010 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
flush, i do believe that it was a republican that sold the WMD pack of lies, for personal profit, and cost this country in excess of 3 trillion dollers and rising, and our credibility on the world economic and diplomatic stages. not to mention the lost lives. you are entitled to be a racist, a bigot, or if you prefer the term party loyalist. just don't drag it into an unrelated issue.
go flush yourself
December 8, 2010 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
The project will be great, but if they want to build it, they should pay to have the alley paved, not the neighbors.
December 12, 2010 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve says, "Landlords in Emporia have had it pretty easy for a long time. Maybe this development will spur more revitalization and improvements."
Do you just mean downtown, Steve? I ask this because I know of a couple of those buildings that are in horrible disrepair and the landlords don't and won't do a thing about it.
At the same time, with regard to rented space everywhere else, have you seen the list of evictions on the court dockets? I don't understand how people actually believe they can continue living in a space and not pay the rent for months on end.
I myself have had problems with renters where I did not have them before. As a result, I have now had to add a "Zero tolerance for crime" addendum to my lease agreements. They get tighter and tighter and the problems continue to grow. I am now considering pulling the rental from the market altogether. It is disgusting and frustrating. Ask any landlord who has had to deal with these kinds of problems.
If I have opened up a can of worms, I'm sorry, but those worms are all over town, not just in poorly cared for neighborhoods. I've seen a perfectly nice house in a decent neighborhood turned into total squalor by just one crappy tenant and it gets very expensive after awhile.
December 12, 2010 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
Nope i mean everywhere.
When i first bought my building there were 5 nice sized apartments in it. After remodeling there were 3 and the wife and i lived in the "penthouse", ;>)
No longer living there because of the stairs, and only 2 apartments are rented.
With property taxes the way they are, it is cheaper for me to not rent the apartments and I am currently waiting for a contractor friend to have time to "gut" the smallest apartment to the studs and leave it that way. The other apartments will follow the same fate when those tenants move out I am afraid. Main street is pushing upper story development, and it makes since in some cases, just not mine.
I am not putting all landlords in the same category, there are good ones and then there are slumlords.
Good tenants and bad tenants The good ones will pay for nice housing. The bad ones will sooner or later end up with the slumlords. Those two groups deserve each other.
December 12, 2010 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sense
December 12, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I think there is enough blame to go around in the rental game. For every landlord that rents a squalid dump for big bucks and never makes any repairs there is a corresponding jerk that will turn a nice piece of property into a squalid dump then sue the landlord for needed repairs.
That is exactly what is happening to the young man that lives near me now. He rents two apartments out of the building he lives in. Both apartments are dumps. Both rentors are always two or three months behind in rent. Of late he has taken to withholding repair work on the apartments to encourage them to move. One of the renters is now threatening him with legal action for not making needed repairs.
But in an economy such as ours...... when jobs are very few and far between.....you have no money....you have no place to go......and what help as might be available is already stressed to the max......what is a person to do when the rent ccomes due? Just move their family into a cardboard box on a vacant lot?
It seems we are often so reluctant to fund government safety net help to poor people...and we damned sure don't want to be bothered to do anything on our own.....we just want them to get a job and quit pestering us. So where and how do we propose they do that when there are no jobs to get, or no place for them to go?
December 12, 2010 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
La Familia !
December 12, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yes, la familia.
"...what is a person to do when the rent comes due?"
What makes rent dead beats think they can just not pay the rent? Why is it my problem?
I have a very nice apartment that I rent out. It's in a nice neighborhood; the apartment itself is in very nice condition, new carpeting, new kitchen floor, gas, lights, and water paid. No yardwork. I wish I could have found a place like that to rent when I was first renting.
Recently, the last two tenants have been just pure sh**. One was running a brothel. A call to her parole officer got rid of her. The ones now are dealing drugs and leave the back door wide open on these very cold days. What the hell is that all about?
December 12, 2010 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Credit check, kasper search, employment history or have a real estate company handle the rental. i know this costs money but they may find you a good tenant.
It sounds like you may have to cut your losses and sell it.
That could open up a possibility, a contract sale. The prospective tenant / buyer puts a good sized down payment on the unit and they are less likely to trash it. it sounds like you have more than one unit that shares heating, utilities and water? That really sucks when you have a renter that doesn't care about the bills.
Next rental contract have it include utilities up to a certain amount, (and be reasonable about the amount), then anything over is added to the next months rent. Aside from metering each unit and having their individual heat and air units and own water meters, ( that's expensive), that may work.
I have found that higher rent USUALLY means, better renters.
December 12, 2010 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Gonna have to try a couple of your ideas, Steve. Here's the problem. The apartment is a duplex and I'm on the other side. Don't wanna sell my house.
Yes, meters are very expensive so don't want to go there.
Gonna do the credit check, employment history and kasper search from now on. Also references. Gonna raise the rent if I do decide to rent again. That's if I get rid of the ones in there now. I didn't find that zero tolerance for criminal activity addendum until after they were already living here. Am so pissed. Probable cause is not always easy to find.
December 12, 2010 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
create and Steve
It is not your problem. And I apologize if my post sounded like I was implying that it was.
But contained within all that large number of deadbeat renters there are a few people that are caught up in difficult situations with no easy way out. I guess during this holiday season I was just trying to express a little empathy to the people that had jobs that are now gone...... Had plans that are now on hold..... and dreams that are now nightmares.
Yes they should turn to family, assuming they have family that can be turned to. If not they can always go to a shelter or the cardboard box. But at least it wouldn't hurt to give them a nod or a pat on the shoulder and say.....Sorry man!
If you don't know anybody that fits into that category (if your renters are always hookers or drug dealers) then you have nothing to feel concerned about. Except perhaps the screening process you are using to decide who to rent to.
December 12, 2010 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
no man is an island.
So everything that goes on around us in this big old world affects us all. sorry if my la familia sounded contrite, it was not intended that way.
In these times you see more and more families going back to multi-generational households. Forced to do so by the job market and economy. Maybe not such a bad thing?
December 12, 2010 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
No it's not. When push comes to shove you begin to realize that family....that thing you often took for granted when you were young and strong and free......is one of those things that is really important in your life. Family is the one thing you hope you still have when all the dreams of gold and conquest have faded away. Ironically however it is the one thing we most often push away from as we seek our place in the world.
December 12, 2010 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I remember being a very young family living on one paycheck, a military one at that. Believe me, it was miniscule. But I knew four-thousand ways to fix hamburger and tuna. Our rent was always paid, and the utilities too. We never got shut off. Never. And we never went home to la familia. Never once.
Paying the bills have always been number one thing to do with income. Anything left over is for extras. My kids wore hand-me-downs and I sewed their new clothes with cheap fabric I might add.
My last renter was always late with the rent, but had sandwiches or pizza delivered EVERY SINGLE DAY! Now that's BS.
I guess I've become a Grinch, biscuit, and I'm sick and tired of being Mrs. Nice Landlady who understands a tenant's predicament. Had people been paying on time all along to begin with, then fall on hard times, yes, I'll wait for the rent. But don't go months without paying and expect to make the same sad excuse over and over again. Screw it! Go to the Salvation Army or SRS. I've had it.
December 12, 2010 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree with every word create. There are decent hardworking people that fall onto hard times through little or no fault of their own....then there are deadbeats who pay their bills last if at all. They are not the same animal. But often in our busy self-centered worlds they end up treated the same way. I guess all I am hoping for is that we try very hard to tell the difference....
December 12, 2010 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
If they can't afford a deposit and the first month's rent up front, they most likely won't ever be able to. If they don't have verifiable references, there's probably a good reason for that too. If they cannot refer you to two recent past landlords for additional references, you might want to send em down the road. If they show up with everything they own in one suitcase, and with the kids and dog they failed to mention previously, you made a poor decision.
The landlords I had always begged me to stay when I went to move out back in the days I rented. Most of them hadn't had someone that made improvements to their properties, paid the rent and utilities on time or early most months. The last one offered to sell me the house we lived in on contract, crediting me the previous year's rent as a down payment to the total price of the home. we were done with Emporia at that point.
December 12, 2010 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Well, neighbor, I wish I had you or your kind as a tenant. You are certainly the exception. The last tenant who made "improvements" laid an old carpet atop beautiful hardwood floors. When I heard nailing noises, I interrupted him to find out what he was doing. He was going to NAIL that carpet to the floor. It's a good damn thing I was home to interrupt him.
Don't get me wrong, folks, I have had some real nice tenants I wish would have stayed, but they have moved on for job reasons and one to buy a house. But the past three have been deadbeat pigs which have caused me to want to take my place off the market and just leave it empty. If I could find a way to make that profitable, I would.
December 12, 2010 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Damn Create, where were you when I was in college, we would have been buds=)
December 13, 2010 at 3:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
And I would have loved to have you, goodoleboy.
I've had a few college kids live here and they've been very good. I will only rent to one at a time, no roommate arrangements. I make it understood at the git go, no loud music, no drugs. Do your partying elsewhere. I also always ask for mom and dad's phone number. It always worked for me. Actually, it works best for grad students who are always so busy studying that they have no time for nonsense.
I had one young man about ten years ago who played classical cello and I didn't mind that at all. Best of all, his mom came once a week to clean the apartment and stock the refrigerator. He was a gem.
December 13, 2010 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Two engineering students were walking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said,
"Take what you want."
The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fitted you anyway."
December 13, 2010 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )