Landlording Archives

When a ceiling light fixture doesn’t work

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording October 13, 2016March 13, 2021CFL, led bulbs

If your ceiling light fixture doesn’t work, let’s talk about one I worked on last weekend. It wasn’t my first time doing that. I ended up replacing the fixture, but then I fixed the broken fixture afterward.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

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What garbage disposals cost

Dave Farquhar Landlording September 22, 2016October 22, 2022hp, InSinkErator, Plumbing

My realtor called the other day and asked me what garbage disposals cost. The answer, of course, is that it varies, but it’s definitely possible to estimate.

Dave Farquhar

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Best color to paint a rental property

Dave Farquhar Landlording August 23, 2016July 16, 2017Benjamin Moore, Bennington Gray

What’s the best color to paint a rental property? You have some leeway, of course, but the color you paint it really does make a difference. Both the interior and exterior matter, but it’s more common that the interior needs a paint job.

Dave Farquhar

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Patch screw holes in wood fast

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording August 11, 2016January 28, 2019

I was working with a construction professional to fix some doors in a rental house. We had some holes that didn’t line up, which meant we needed to patch them before we could drill new ones. He asked me for some toothpicks. It turns out toothpicks are a fast way to patch screw holes in wood.

Insert a toothpick in the old hole, along with a drop of glue, then break it off flush with the surface. Insert additional toothpicks as necessary.

Dave Farquhar

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Self stick vinyl tile in a basement

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording August 9, 2016October 22, 2022

Someone asked me if you can use self stick vinyl tile in a basement. The answer, usually, is yes.

Vinyl can be ideal for basements because it is inexpensive and water resistant.

Dave Farquhar

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Why to avoid a flexible p-trap

Dave Farquhar Landlording August 1, 2016November 25, 2018hardware store, leaks, Plumbing, PVC

I guess it was inevitable that someone would make a flexible p-trap out of expandable, accordion-style pipe. I’ve written about that stuff before, and you definitely don’t want your p trap to be made of it.

Dave Farquhar

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What appliances should a landlord provide

Dave Farquhar Landlording July 21, 2016June 2, 2023hp, InSinkErator, saving money, whirlpool

What appliances should a landlord provide? Every landlord has a different opinion. I tend to be fairly generous. I’ll explain what I provide and why.

First, let me give you a hint: Often you have to spend money to make money, and a fully-stocked house can easily net you $20 additional in rent every month. Assuming a 10-year service life, that means you can afford to spend $700, and $700 buys a lot of used appliances. Also, if a tenant stays an extra year and your house isn’t vacant for a month while you’re getting a new tenant, that’s worth a few hundred dollars alone. Here are some tips on saving money on appliances if you need them.

Second: This isn’t what a landlord is required to provide. It’s what I recommend they provide based on my own experience.

Dave Farquhar

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Who makes Barracuda garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording July 7, 2016April 4, 2023Emerson Electric, EZ, home improvement, InSinkErator, Waste King

Barracuda is a private-label brand of garbage disposal you can find at Menards home improvement stores. They are usually the least expensive disposal on Menards’ shelf. But who makes Barracuda garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar

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Drain cleaner in garbage disposals

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording July 1, 2016February 17, 2017tin

Is it safe to use drain cleaner in garbage disposals? Generally, the answer is no. Unfortunately I speak from experience.

Dave Farquhar

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Pay off investment property

Dave Farquhar Landlording June 16, 2016May 20, 2017debts, discipline, interest rates, landlords, mortgage, paying off debt

Paying off debt involves some nasty math, and when you go to pay off investment property, it’s no exception. That’s why it’s so controversial. When I was in college, my university used this kind of math to weed students out, so it should come as no surprise that the lending industry booms, and so many hucksters make a fortune hawking questionable ways to get out of debt.

I have a better way, and you won’t pay me anything for the advice. Read on.

Dave Farquhar

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