The building plans have been returned with comments that need to be addressed. One of them being that we have to hire both a mechanical and electrical engineer for specific reasons to which I am not privy. It has to do with the property changing from a duplex to a triplex with construction of the garage conversion. The architect is going to find some engineers for us. This project has been dragging. We started last June I believe.

Our six-month lease tenant will be moving out at the end of this month. We haven’t yet signed a new tenant and the rent is listed $50 less than the current rent. That run of rent increases was nice, but reality is setting in now. Hopefully, we’ll find someone this weekend. Vacancies are no good. In the other unit at this property, where the section 8 tenant resides, there have been a few headaches. She likes to wait until rent is due to tell me there might be a problem with payment. She is getting assistance from two agencies because she has reached the maximum assistance from the housing commission. She texted me and told me there is a “discrepancy” with the rent increase. According to her, the rent has increased over 40% in two years when the maximum increase is only 10% due to rent control legislation. She said the agency “is looking into it. Thanks!”. I referenced the section in the assembly bill where it states that these protections do not apply to people who receive government assistance. Of course, she didn’t reply.

I started writing letters to the owners of commercial multifamily properties that I see on my daily walk with the dogs. The properties can use a little love and I express my interest in purchasing the property in my letter. I have sent three, handwritten, letters thus far. It gives me something to do. If I find a good deal, hopefully, it won’t be too difficult to find some investors because we don’t have any money to invest at the moment.