It had to happen sooner or later, as we only live seven blocks from each other on the same street. I’ve been aware of him for some fifteen years or so, as I watched him renovate a couple of moved houses in the neighborhood shortly after I finished mine. And I know he owns some other rentals around here too.
And of course I’ve noticed his work truck, a 1970 Suburban. I shot it back in 2010 when I first did a CC on it at the old site. I’ve seen him coming and going to his rentals, just like I do. I assumed he knew of me my by my old truck, as I knew him by his old truck.
We finally met at the yard waste recycling dump. I pulled in next to him and introduced myself. Hi there other cheap-ass neighborhood landlord!
He introduced himself as Nick. He looked to be about ten years older than I am, so I guess I may still be unloading my truck here ten years from now.
Here’s how his ex-Forest Service Suburban looked back in 2010, in front of the recently moved house he was renovating at the time. It’s right between my house and my rental cluster. And he had another moved in one directly across the street.
After a few pleasantries came the inevitable: How many units do you have, Nick? Eleven.
And you? I have fourteen.
That puts us in the same ballpark. And it’s about as much as one old guy can maintain by himself. With one old truck.
I asked about his truck, as it’s been getting some body work and primer. You going to get it painted?
Yeah. I already bought the Forest Service green paint. I got a quote from MAACO about a year ago, for $400. I went back recently and now they want $800. I should have done it back then. I may hold off for a while. That’s a bit pricey.
For a cheapskate landlord, it is indeed.
What a great story. Thanks for the humor.
Where’s Earl Scheib when you need him?
Maybe he should just use a roller.
I’d use a brush and use up that last little bit of paint in this can, and this can, and this can, and this can…….
I love the fact that the guy is going to repaint the car – and will go back to the Forest Service Green.
It is amazing that you two have not run into each other before now.
Hail to the Cheap!
He has the paint just brush it on the flat sand it smooth and polish or not depending on the desired finish, I think I’d prefer Pauls pickup as a work vehicle easier access to the load area.
Not just landlords who are cheap assed. That’s why I painted my 76 f150 myself. And the paint is cheap too lol
Weren’t the Immigration and Natural Service vehicles a much lighter shade of green than this?
I had a friend who bought an old INS Suburban at a government auction at the Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado. There were some great vehicles at those auctions. My brother bought an IH USPS van to haul his photo gear and bicycles around. A friend bought a Forest Service Dodge Power Wagon and my roommate bought both a Forest Service Plymouth Valiant as a daily driver and 3/4 ton Dodge long-chassis van for camping trips. The ride was rough but worked well for BLM and National Forest backroads.
A bit unrelated, but equally noteworthy: a Dodge Grand Caravan AND a Chrysler Pacifica, both black, parked on either side of the grocery cart return area at the local Wal-Mart. A black Ford Edge wasn’t far away on the left, and just seconds after I took the shot & started leaving a Chrysler Sebring/200 (guess what color) pulled right into the spot I was standing in to get the picture. Coincidence? (Taken on July 16th)
I too remember the U.S.F.S. trucks being a lighter shade of green .
Is it a 6 or V8 ? .
Nate
My father used to borrow my beater Holden HQ wagon when dealing with tenants. The internal space wasn’t the only factor.