Jump to content

Menu
Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education
The Well-Trained Mind Community

Heather in OK

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,979

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Heather in OK

    Prenatal doctor appointments

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    As a midwife, I sometimes am fine stretching out a client's appointments to every 5 weeks before 28 weeks and every 3 weeks between 28-36 weeks.  However, I'm pretty picky about those last few weeks being weekly appointments.  There is so much than can creep up during that time which makes those frequent visits so important.

    • Like 3

    Any vacation rental condo owners here?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Not an actual owner--yet. But I have a couple of clients who do vacation rentals in various areas--I've learned a bit from them. Plus we looked hard at buying a condo on Galveston Island this summer. Here's what I've learned. 

     

    On the condo we looked at management fees took about 30%. That's more than I expected, frankly. They care for the cleaning, but it's wise to have someone else in to clean from time to time. 

     

    My local clients own property close by and do their own management. They hire a cleaning crew or two to see to the place between bookings. One of them says that one of the hardest things to do--find good, reliable cleaners. There's been times when she cleaned and laundered sheets herself. One of them also highly recommends you put as many beds as you can fit into a place. More beds--more dollars. 

     

    ​The more you can keep your condo booked, the better. There are some tax advantages to owning rentals. Check with your accountant for specifics. 

     

    ​With the amount of cash available to us, we passed up purchasing the condo. I just didn't have enough cushion--and based on Harvey, I'm kinda glad I'm not a brand new owner. In two more years, perhaps, we will have enough to buy a vacation rental. My clients buy rather high end homes and make very good money doing it. If you can make the numbers work, it can pay for your place. 

    Good info!  Thanks!!! 

     

    Do you mean something like this?  The Tides in Seaside OR. Each unit is owned by an individual and they can choose to put it in the vacation rental pool and have it rented by the night (two night minimum). The HOA and other fees provide for an office, management, and cleaning.  From the guest's side, it's like a motel/hotel on the beach. 

     

    We looked at this a year ago and didn't have the finances to purchase, but if we ever do have that kind of cash, I'd be interested.  I did call the lawyer or accountant or whoever they passed me to when I called for information, and I thought that -- while the regs were specific and the costs decent -- it sounded like it could work well if run well.  

     

    If you mean an individual unit, I am an Airbnb host with a pretty successful apartment in our small-ish town (18,000 people).  We live in an area where a lot of travelers pass through, plus we have a state university here and a great downtown area, and I keep pretty busy.  I do my own management and cleaning.  

    Actually that's the exact part of the country we are considering!  It's all still in the planning/dreaming phase (our hope is to eventually relocate to the OR coast) so I have no idea if we'd want to go through something like you posted or through AirBnB or VRBO.  We've had really good experiences getting places to stay via VRBO and it seems the coast books up well during tourist season. 

     

     

    You would want to roll all of the fees into the price your customers pay, right?  It's a business, so you'd want to keep your expenses low enough that you could make a profit when you charge a reasonable rate.  I don't mean to be obtuse, but I'd guess this is something specific to the area you want to buy, the going rate of property managers and cleaners, and what you invest and/or owe on your property.

     

     

    Regarding the tax advantages, it's my experience that is also dependent on your specifics.  A VRBO that you work at is a different tax situation than a passive income rental property.

     

     That's one thing that's part of the learning process...how most do the fees.  In our experience booking through VRBO,  it seems that many have the price per night then tack on the fees. 

     

    Good to know about the differences in tax situations of a VRBO vs an income property.  Again, we're still new in investigating this idea and haven't talked to our accountant yet.  Just getting feelers out there with people who have experience.

     

    Any vacation rental condo owners here?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted · Edited by Heather in OK

    Wondering if anyone here does this while living in a different part of the country.  Is the management company fee $$$$?  Do you roll most of the management/cleaning fees into the cost of the rental?  Do you actually make a decent income off the property?

    Nephew/ds piano teacher moving to a bad neighborhood..how to handle this?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Suggesting to "give it a try" because I may find it to be not that bad is not a helpful suggestion. I've been in that neighborhood/area of town before (during the day).  I DO NOT like being in that part of town during the day.  I certainly DO NOT want to be there at night.  Other people who live in this city might.  I am not one of those people.

     

    But Saturday or Sunday would be during the day time, right? Otherwise I don't understand why Saturday would be any better for you.

    I meant daytime during the week isn't an option because my nephew works a 9-5 M-F job. 

     

     

    I would not cave to largely irrational fear.

    Wow.  Just...wow. 

     

     

    How does your dh feel about you going there with your son at night?  If he's uncomfortable, I'd have him handle it.  I would probably see if nephew could come to our home.  Are you out of his way?  If so, I agree with paying him more, but if not, maybe you could send him home with dinner for his family or cookies or muffins?

    He's not happy about it and when I expressed my feelings on going over there for lessons at night he said he didn't want me to either.  I think I may have my husband have the discussion since he's already expressed his concerns about the area.  He has a good relationship with him (probably better than our nephew has with his dad) and can be straight with him in a way that our nephew will respect.  Not that he wouldn't respect it coming from me but I just think it may be better coming from him. 
     

     

    What did he say when your husband talked to him about your concerns? Did he agree it is an unsafe neighborhood? If he did, then I would just tell him that you want to come on the weekend due to safety.

    He directly asked him, "You know the reputation this area has, right?".  Nephew said that they know the area's reputation but they feel it will be fine.   They talked a bit more about our experience knowing people who have lived over there (and got out ASAP!) and my friend who currently lives there and desperately wants out.  My husband said he didn't belabor the point anymore because our nephew seemed confident in their decision so he just told him, "I wanted to make sure you were aware of the area you're moving into." 

     

    :iagree:

    Heather, if you're uncomfortable and you believe you or your ds would be at increased risk by being in that neighborhood at night, try to make alternative arrangements with your nephew.

    I know that people mean well when they suggest that you're being silly to worry because they have been safe in neighborhoods with bad reputations, but none of us knows the specific place you're talking about, so I will take you at your word and believe that you have a good reason to be nervous. I don't think you should have to be uneasy about your safety every week just to take your son to his piano lessons.

    Your nephew chose to move his family into that neighborhood and I hope everything works out well for them -- I'm assuming it's a transitional area and they are hoping more families will be moving in and renovating the properties to increase both value and safety -- but that doesn't mean that you have to think it's a great idea or that you have to visit him there. If the neighborhood has a reputation for being very sketchy, I'm sure you're not the only person who has expressed concern about it to your nephew, so I doubt he will be particularly surprised that you're not comfortable bringing your son there for lessons in the evening.

    Thank you for that understanding.

    No, the issue is they were in a rush to get out of their current place before their lease was up and found a good deal.  They can afford other, safer, areas of town and still live well within their means. 

     

    Just a thought, but maybe your husband can ride in the car with you?

    Possibly.  My husband has a very busy work schedule from Oct to June so I can't count on him to be available every week.  


    Thanks to those of you who had thoughtful and understanding replies. 

     

    • Like 3

    Nephew/ds piano teacher moving to a bad neighborhood..how to handle this?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Daytime isn't an option.  He has a 9-5 job. 

    I really don't want to change teachers and I know my son won't either.  My son and nephew are quite similar in many ways...including how they approach music.  So my nephew "gets" how to teach him.  It's also nice that he can have that time with his cousin. 

     

     

    Are you sure that it is really going to be an issue?  I've lived in a number of neighbourhoods that were supposedly "bad" and quite enjoyed living there. 


    We live in a "bad neighborhood". So far, so good.😉 And we even go outside at night. 😊

     

    Wonderful for you!   However, that really isn't the point of my post/question. 

    • Like 3

    Nephew/ds piano teacher moving to a bad neighborhood..how to handle this?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    My nephew teaches my son piano.  At the end of the month he and his family are moving to an area of town that has a *VERY* bad reputation.  There is quite a bit of crime, police helicopters often, horrible schools, etc.  My husband spoke to him about their decision last weekend.  They have a good relationship and dh can give it to him straight and nephew will respect him.  But they are convinced it is a good option, a good deal on the house, etc.

    My son has lessons in the evening and in the Fall, it will be dark when it's lesson time.  I am really not comfortable being in that part of town, especially at night!   My dh isn't able to drive so having him transport ds to the lesson is not an option.  The only thing I can think to ask is if he would be able to do a lesson on Saturday afternoon.  Not my ideal but I'm not sure if there are any other options.

    I could pay my nephew a little extra to have him come to our house for lessons but part of the fun and learning is ds going over to his place.  He gets that time out of the house to do something that is "his" and my nephew has several other instruments he can show him.  I also don't really want the extra expense. 

    I'm just not sure what to do other than ask about a Saturday lesson.  I feel like if I tell him, "I'm not comfortable in that neighborhood at night so we can't come for an evening lesson any more.", it will hurt his feelings.  I guess I could have my husband handle it. 

    Any other angles I'm missing??

    • Like 1

    Who's going to tackle Thursday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    This morning was pretty uneventful.  My daughters went on an end-of-summer-sister-day-trip today.  :)  Got them all sent off then I took my son bowling. 

    Eating lunch now and trying to figure out the rest of my day.  I think ds and I are going to watch a movie then I'll get on with my afternoon.

     

    - Work on a protocol for a client

    - Clean the kitchen

    - Dinner

    - Ds piano lesson

    • Like 4

    Who's going to tackle Wednesday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    It's a pretty laid back Wednesday here. 

     

    - Tended to the chickens

    - Sorted some business receipts

    - Cleaned out my business email box

    I'm not really sure what else I need to get done today.  Tomorrow my girls are taking a little road trip so it will just be ds and I...I think we might go bowling.  :)

    • Like 3

    Who's going to tackle Monday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Oh Jean..I hope they get that cleared up for you asap!!! 

     

    I was MIA this weekend because we had three of our four visiting their Grandma.  It was my oldest daughter's first solo road trip.   :w00t:   Our 17yo had to work most of the weekend so it was just hubby and I.  We spent most of our time watching Netflix in the living room since when the kids are home, we don't/can't (not kid appropriate shows ;)).  

     

    We start our school year a week from today.  :thumbup:

     

    Trying to get it in gear today. 

    - Balance checkbook
    - Grocery errands
    - Make salsa, prep veggies for the week

    - Dinner

    • Like 5

    Who's going to tackle Tuesday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Halfway through the day but I'm here.  I spent most of yesterday putting together the Spring semester of Earth Science for my son and looking over Biology (and adding in some extra lesson/activities) for my daughter.  Today I've been tackling the school closet. 

    The rest of the afternoon I plan on going through new curriculum and doing more planning.  Yayyyy.....

    • Like 2

    Is there an herb for that?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted · Edited by Heather in OK

    Rescue Remedy!!!!!

    Valerian is good for calming a brain that won't be quiet, especially when trying to fall asleep.

    Scullcap and passion flower are good ones for calming and anxiety.  They also help promote sleep so you may experience drowsiness. 

     

    I really love WishGarden Herbs.  They have a tincture called Serious Relaxer that's a good one!  A couple others they make that might help are Emotional Ally, Deep Stress

     

     

    But Vodka is super awesome too!  :lol:

    • Like 2

    Who's going to tackle Wednesday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I'm late but I'm here!!  Today has been crazy!!

    * Car oil change

    * Errands

    * To my office to clean (not on my list originally but I got called in to do a few things b/c the chiro was swamped and needed it spotless for a guest this afternoon...free office rent and family adjustments with my chiro in exchange for cleaning so I can't complain)

    * Take dd2 for her driver test - SHE PASSED!!

    * Get her license

    * Stop by insurance office to add her to the policy

     

    I had a meeting an hour away that was hoping to get to even tho I was going to be late.  But the drive test took longer due to the wait (we had an appt but they were understaffed today) so I didn't mess with driving an hour to catch the last 30-45m of the meeting.

    Home now.  Need to make dinner. 

    • Like 3

    Who's going to tackle Tuesday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted · Edited by Heather in OK

    I'm caught up on sleep and I think I'm ready for Tuesday.

    Dd1 bought the car yesterday!!!  :driving: :thumbup1:

     

    - Work on insurance billing paperwork

    - Lesson planning

    - Pay a bill

    - Take dd3 to art class

    - Get dinner in the crockpot

    - Pick up dd3

    - Bank

    - WalMart

    - Client appointments

    • Like 3

    Who's going to tackle Monday with me?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    Amy - I do hope he is able to adjust well! 

    *yawn*  Regrouping a bit this morning after an unexpected call to a birth late last night. 

     

    Go with dd1 to look at a car she's interested in buying

    [if she decides to get it we'll have an errand to the insurance company]

    Take one of our cats to the vet this afternoon

    Make dinner

    Sleeeeeeeeeeeeep. 

    • Like 5
×
×
  • Create New...