Managing Rental Property

Posted on December 6, 2007
Filed Under Landlording | 1 Comment

If you own rental property long enough, there will come a day when you rent to a difficult or problem tenant. This person may cause you to make decisions that aren’t to your benefit as a business owner.

In times like this, I like to use a good management company.

Why?

I prefer to manage my good tenants myself. There’s no reason to pay a management company to collect rent from someone who has no problem paying.

But, I use a management company to manage tenants who:

When a tenant deals with you, they take it personal. Some take your kindness for weakness. When tenants deal with a management companies, it just business. Business is better.

Management companies worked out for me because:

What to look for in a good management company?

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Detroit Scam Artist (Otis D. Carr)

Posted on November 18, 2007
Filed Under Real Estate | 1 Comment

Otis D. Carr is a metro Detroit scam artist. He poses as a licensed builder, accepts money to do major repairs, but never buys materials or does any work.

If he is not arrested soon, he’ll probably continue his scam.

My family member found his business card at their insurance company. They needed a new roof and called otis. He gave them quote and took a sizable deposit but just made excuses for not showing each week. After hearing about him not showing up, I got involved.

I soon found out that:

  1. His phony company, Broadway Builder, Inc, had multiple complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
  2. Neither he nor his company are licensed with the state of Michigan.
  3. The address on his business card does not exist. His business card reads that he is CEO of Broadway Builder, Inc located at: 1346 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226. After we reported him to the Michigan State Police, investigators drove over to the business address and told us the address was closed down.
  4. How stupid he is. The day we made the police report the police called his cell phone. He didn’t answer. It went to voice mail and they left him a message. They called him multiple times throughout the night but he never picked up. A few days later he called them and said he would return the money on a certain day. He didn’t show up. They called him and he gave another day and didn’t show up. They issued a warrant for his arrest.
  5. His cell phone number (which 313-598-5569) is registered to a Jo Ann Taylor. What legitimate business man can’t get a cell phone in their own name?

He’s an older heavyset dark complexion black man in his mid 60s who claims to have diabetes and just had a knee operation. He has bottom teeth missing and breathe stinks from alcohol. He drives a late model blue Mercedes E320. He claims to have been in the home building industry for over 30 years, but remember he LIES like a rug. He is not a licensed builder. He often talks about being an honest business man, church, retiring (leaving his business to his son) and trying to give people a fair price.

He leaves his business cards in legitimate businesses around Detroit. So for instance if you trust your insurance person and see Otis’ business cards laying around, you might assume that Otis is trustworthy.

Then, he gives you a quote, priced below what a licensed contractor would charge. He asks for a sizable deposit or down payment. After that, he has your money and he’s gone. He may try and hang around to squeeze a little more money from you.

Otis last known address:

23778 W. Warren Ave
Apt. # 2
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

His driver’s license number is:

C600668134528

His cell number:

313-598-5569

If you are scammed by Otis D. Carr, you should:

  1. get his address from your canceled check
  2. keep a copy of his bill
  3. Go to your police department and fill out a report giving as much information as you can about him.
  4. file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau
  5. go online and fill out a complaint to the Consumer Protection Division (for Michigan it is https://www.ag.state.mi.us/cp_division/w3cp_c01_new.asp)

How can I protect myself from him or people like him?

  1. Do Not pay in cash. Create a money trail. Pay with a check.
  2. Do not pay for the whole job upfront. Pay in multiple payments. Maybe like 1/4 down.
  3. Get everything in writing.
  4. Get their license and call the state to inquire about it.
  5. Get a copy of their driver’s license (write down their car license plate number too). You might need it in the future.

Feel free to give Otis a call. Give him the run around if you want.

According to this US Court of Appeals document, Otis has served time for this before.
click here Otis US Court of Appeals