Terminology Tuesday (Tricks of the Trade) – Flashing for Front Stairs

(Note: I think it’s important to know the terminology and words used when learning any new business including mobile home investing. I came up with ‘Terminology Tuesday’ as a way to go over the terminology used in the mobile home business. It’s important to know the terminology when talking to people in the business so you’re all on the same page).

**** Tricks of the Trade is a new series I have started that will be included with “Terminology Tuesday” posts. The goal of this series is to share with you the “tricks of the trade” I have learned in the mobile home business.

Recently, I had to get flashing installed for the front stairs of a home I recently took back.

(Note: Yes, there will be times when you will have to take homes back. In my experience, I’ve only had this happen once before . Though, it is part of being in the business. I’ll be doing a video soon on my most recent experience).

In any case, it was not that big of a deal because of my network. Since I have a good relationship with the maintenance guy in the park, he offered to do it for me. Good thing as I had no idea how!!

(Note: Parks have rules and regulations they have to follow which include monthly inspections to keep up to code. In actuality, the park issues notices for certain items to be fixed up and/or tended to in most cases to be in accordance with the city rules and regulations. If they do not keep up to code, the park will get fined. This is why parks have to issue these notices and fine their residents should these items not be followed. It’s nothing personal!)

In any case, we had to get some materials together. Here’s what we came up with:

Apart from the materials above (i.e. wood, top rail, bottom rail), we bought some screws (for the wood) and one panel of skirting. As for the skirting, we had to wait a few days for it.

One thing I didn’t know was that skirting could be bought at the local Home Depot near the park but only at that particular Home Depot in the entire area. This was something the maintenance guy had pointed out to me. (See the power of networking and being local!) I had no idea. Otherwise, the only other place I knew was a mobile home supply warehouse that I’ve worked with in the past – 2 hours away!

However, when we went to buy the materials all of the skirting had run out. Though, it only took a few days. One other thing, since I do not have a truck – we had to use the maintenance guy’s truck to transport the materials back to the park.

(Note: I have seriously been thinking of purchasing a truck for this business. Before going into this biz, I never pictured myself in a truck. Though knowing what I know now, it sounds kind of cool! Not to mention pretty practical).

In any case, once we had all of the materials together the maintenance guy was able to start work on the project. One thing I forgot to tell him was that I did not have power to the home. Though, it worked out in the end as a neighbor (which he knew) let him borrow electricity to cut the wood for the project.

(Note: Once you get more involved in the business, it’s best to work with contractors who have access to power. My handyman owns a generator and brings it along with him when working on projects for me).

Here are some pics so you can see step by step how the project progressed:

Before (side view)

Wood boards over stairs (using screws, not nails)

Side view (top and bottom rails installed, need to cover with skirting)

Side view (top and bottom rails installed)

Side view (skirting installed)

Finished project

Overall, the project did not take very long to complete. I was very pleased with the final outcome.

Now, the park wants me to paint the stairs (where the wood was installed). The maintenance guy offered to do it for free for me if I supplied the paint. But, I’m pretty sure I can handle it! 🙂

I hope this “Terminology Tuesday” post has been helpful and has given you some useful information – it definitely has for me.

Happy investing!

p.s. Feel free to leave comments on any post either here and/or my Facebook Page. Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading!