I just got a 'huge' Christmas present from an unexpected person. A gift...

[Breeze54]

I'm just blown away!! :D

I've been living in my townhouse now as a renter for going on seven years and have had a running 'hate/like' tolerant relationship with the owner. He's just a very difficult person, always on edge, hyper, argumentative, taxing and just grates on one's nerve's but I tolerated him because the rent was right, the schools are good (when I needed them) and the heat and hot water are included and the rent is way below the going rate. So, we helped each other in that way. But he's a wicked pain in the a$$. Nitpicking busybody and in my business when he shouldn't have been. So, last February he sent me a notice via his lawyers that he's selling (he had a heart attack) and we have to move come Nov. 30th.
I've been looking for a place to relocate to but haven't found anything to my liking yet. Anyway, I'm still here and my lease was up a couple of weeks ago and I told him that I was having trouble finding a place that I felt 'safe'. And at that time, he said I could stay until the end of December and that I shouldn't worry or panic. That floored me but then today... today... he said I could stay until the end of March AND he would pay for my security deposit at my new place AND he'll return all of my security that I gave him six years ago... $1150.00 !!! WOW!! He said, after I asked if we could relax and decorate for Christmas, "Yes! Go ahead and decorate and enjoy the holidays"!

Am I being suckered or is he just feeling better? :D (waiting for shoe to fall) :P

I thought that was a very nice thing for him to do... Merry Christmas to us!! :D

[AzDar]

1. I say take it for what it's worth and enjoy the holidays.

Goddess bless us...every one.:toast:

[Arugula Latte]

2. Whoa! That is great!

Congrats! :toast:

[1932]

3. When does your lease end?

[Breeze54]

10. It ended Nov. 30th.

:D

I guess I'm on a month to month but he doesn't seem worried and neither am I.

Although I should have something in writing...I sort of do...but not a new lease.

[Occulus]

25. I've seen this happen with one or two other people.

Piece of advice: relax, but make it a "watchful peace". Have an escape hatch; don't be lulled into thinking you're 100% safe unless you have something in writing.

ALWAYS remember: if you're on a month-to-month basis, your state law may allow him to say "fun's over" at any point in the current month as it relates to the next month. If he's had a heart attack, a judge very well may side with him, as his health reasons trump your "convenience" of not having to find another place.

For example (IANAL), the state tenant/landlord laws may only require his giving you two weeks' notice in a month-to-month agreement. He could decide to renege and oust you on 12/14. For example.

Of course, if he decides to be a complete jerk, the judge/magistrate probably wouldn't like that.

I don't know what state you live in, so I can't say for certain. Just make sure you can leave if you suddenly find you must.

[Breeze54]

28. Good advice! I live in MA and

it takes a long time just to evict someone here, even if it's a month to month.
But I'll have my escape hatch ready! ;) I really just wanted to get through the
worst of the winter and my surgery before I have to move. It looks like I'll be
able to do that now and also enjoy the holidays without feeling uneasy.

[Th1onein]

4. Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

And enjoy the season.

[SeattleGirl]

5. Don't look a gift horse, and all that.

Definitely relax, decorate, and enjoy the holidays! That's very cool of him to do that.

[Mira]

6. You must have been a good tenant, that's a lot of goodwill .

You might want to figure out what you could do for him. So he can have a red letter day as well.

[Wickerman]

7. So, he's giving you 13 months total to move

and going to take care of your security deposit at the new place? Sounds like the best landlord I have ever heard of. If that's suckered I wish more people would treat others that way. Last time I had to move I had the month of Feb to find a place and move because some family member wanted the house.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. I'd guess that he's having trouble selling it and knows that the winter will be slow

and that if you can leave in March he can use April to paint,etc and get it back on the market in best shape as an empty unit.

From your perspective though, it's a gift.

[Breeze54]

13. That's what my sister said but he's also giving me $$!

He is probably going to have trouble selling right now. This place needs updating from 1964!! :rofl:
And that will take time but he's renovated six of these places already... the one next door
just got new hardwood floors today, so I don't think that's the whole reason, although I did at first. ;)

[MagickMuffin]

9. Congratulations,

I'm glad for you. Sounds like you are getting a great deal. Maybe with him selling his townhouses and having a heart attack gave him new perspectives on life and what's important.

What an amazing Christmas present.:applause:

[Breeze54]

16. I'm so relieved! I was really bumming out...

Every place I've found that was available scared the crap out of me! :P

And I've been looking at my Xmas decorations and wanting to put them up,

to cheer us up but couldn't. This is just so cool! :D

I'm astounded by his change of heart. Maybe he liked me all along and is

now showing it? Maybe the heart attack did change him in some way.

He always would remind me that he and his mother lived in THIS townhouse

when he was a boy. Maybe my son and I reminded him of those days?

[riderinthestorm]

11. Heart attacks "change" people, from my observation

I'm not sure why it is true, it's a mystery, but from my own limited experience having a heart attack truly can be a catalyst for some major life changes.

I am so glad you are reaping the gift of that "change" and have a merry holiday!

[Liberal In Texas]

12. Great! Free lunch! Oh, you have heard there is no such thing as that, right?

Unless his heart attack got him some kind of Scrooge out of body warning, I'm guessing there is a quid pro quo coming soon.

But maybe I'm cynical.

Let us know.

[Breeze54]

26. Well; not free. I am still paying the rent.

So, coming up with that every month is still there and I'm paying for the electricity,
as well as the phone. It's not free at all but he is offering to help me move by paying
my new security and returning the one in escrow and he's giving me more time.

[emilyg]

14. Maybe his heart attack mellowed him.

[SheilaT]

15. Have you considered

trying to buy the place yourself?

[Breeze54]

18. Yes and discussed it at length

with my real estate guru sister....

I'm just not sure if 'by law' we'd have to bring everything up to code to be able to buy it.

This place still has wiring from the 1960's, I swear!

He's offering it first to all his tenants at below market value.

That was before the sub prime fiasco.

He said i could have it at $195, 000.00

He's asking for $200K. on the open market.

[SheilaT]

29. I seriously doubt

it needs to be brought up to code for a sale to go through. You would definitely want an inspection, and then it's up to you if it's still acceptable to you at the price you agree upon. Is your sister an actual realtor? Does she live in your state? Or a real estate attorney will help you through the paperwork for not a lot of money.

[Breeze54]

30. Well, that's what I thought too but

I wasn't sure about all that. I've heard stories to the contrary. No, my sister
isn't an agent but might as well be. She's bought and sold multiple properties
and knows the 'ins and outs' like a glove. She just renovated an old townhouse
in Boston and then sold two floors for a million and then she paid off the mortgage
and lives on the other 3 floors. She's experienced and knows her stuff. ;)

[SheilaT]

33. Don't pay much attention to stories.

Your state will have a real estate commission that can answer questions such as needing to be brought up to code.

It sounds to me as though it might be a good idea to give serious thought to buying this place. If you like it, if the location is a good one, if the price is fair (and to determine this you absolutely must get input from a realtor who can look at comparable properties), if you can afford it, if you get it inspected, and several other ifs here, it could make a lot of sense.

Good luck to you.

[sandnsea]

17. Season of Miracles

Glad you got yours!

:hi:

[Breeze54]

19. Thanks sandnsea!

I think I did! ;)

[spag68]

20. I know this may sound crazy

but did you ever consider buying the place. I know real estate is goofy right now, but it may be your best chance to buy something. If you then can hold on for the next six years,you will be way ahead. What have you got to lose?

[Breeze54]

22. Not crazy at all.

;)

See post # 18.

[Warpy]

21. Dunno, but it would get him a nice gift basket from me

but not one stuffed with meat and cheese. It sounds like he's had some trouble selling and needs good tenants in place to get a deal finalized.

Selling an empty building can be more problematic than selling one that's at least partially occupied.

[Breeze54]

23. I've never seen the place shown to anyone.

Two other tenants did buy their places. Maybe three of them... I'm not sure.

He has 12 townhouses here and he pretty much owns all the property in this

town and a couple of other towns. He's selling it all, from what I understand.

This place isn't his only holdings, his only shot.

[Warpy]

24. That explains it

Houses are barely moving and condos and townhouses aren't moving at all.

Maybe he'll even give you a better deal down the line.

I'd still say thank you with a good gift basket.

[Breeze54]

27. Oh, I will give him and his wife something nice for the holidays.

I'm not a slouch in that dept. and I agree. Houses aren't moving, especially in New England.

People are scared and that's understandable. I already figured that he is also benefiting from

us staying here longer. Occupied probably does sell better but it still does help us out! ;)

[fed-up]

31. call an insurance company to find out if they will insure w/old electricity

also call a few banks to find out it they would make a loan

If listing price is $200K assume he would come down 10% making it $180K, then subtract realtor's commission if there is no realtor involved, about $10K



so a fair offer would be $170K if housing prices were NOT declining

then factor in a price decline of 10-20%

that makes a reasonable off of $155K right on the money

his discount of $5K is peanuts...

and glad he is letting you stay

have you looked up the price he paid for the unit?



my neighbor's house was listed at $225K, after 8 months it finally sold for $162K....

what did you rneighbors pay for their units? were realtor's involved? what upgrades if any were done to their units?

[applegrove]

32. That is good news.

[progressivebydesign]

34. Sounds like his heart attack affected him, that's a very nice gift.

I would consider baking him some cookies or soemthing like that, to send over to him for the holidays with a nice thank you card.

[Hoof Hearted]

35. Heart attacks have a way of changing some people. Merry Christmas!

I hope everything goes well for you!

[Diamond Dave]

36. Just be thankful Breeze, and question nothing. "Suckered", that is sad.

Give Peace and Goodwill a chance.

Happy Holidays to you and your family.