Dave Spooner

What to Know When Breaking a Lease Early When landlords and tenants sign a lease, each party expects the other to follow the agreed upon terms—but what if something major comes up that requires one of you to break the lease? Can you get out of a lease early, or are you stuck with the […]

Keeping Track Of HOA Violations As a property manager or a board member of an HOA, you’re in charge of a variety of responsibilities to keep your community running smoothly. One responsibility is tracking and enforcing HOA violations and consequences of broken policies, such as an overgrown lawn or prohibited political signage. Depending on the […]

Avoiding Nightmare Tenants  As a landlord, you may have heard (or experienced) enough tenant horror stories to create a TV show called “Landlord Nightmares” … and then film eight seasons. It’s a guarantee that you’d rather not evict a tenant for their behavior in your rental. If you or your property management company don’t choose […]

A Guide To HOA CC&Rs Are you moving into an HOA-governed neighborhood?   Before you settle in, it’s crucial to grasp the significance of homeowner’s association CC&Rs (covenants conditions restrictions). These regulations, designed to maintain property values and community standards, outline your rights and limitations as a homeowners association member and property owner within the community.  […]

A Guide To House Hunting Sites In today’s digital age, house hunting has become a much more streamlined process with the abundance of online resources available. However, with so many websites claiming to be the best for finding your dream home, it can be overwhelming to navigate the sea of options. That’s why it’s important […]

Guide To Creating a Property Management Company Are you considering starting a property management company?  From obtaining necessary licenses and developing a comprehensive business plan to understanding legal regulations and building a network, we know that starting a property management business can seem overwhelming. This article will help alleviate some of that stress.  Whether you’re […]

A Guide To Flipping Properties Most of us are familiar with the term “flipping properties.”  A lot of us know that it can be a great way to generate revenue. But a lot of us aren’t as familiar with the process and the basics of flipping properties.  If you’re someone who’s in this camp, this article […]

Is Property Flipping Worth It For You? If you’re on the fence about house flipping, it’s hard to know if you should try it or leave it alone.  There’s a lot of conflicting information when you search this topic on Google.  In this article, we’re going to try to point you in the right direction […]

Common Mistakes When Flipping A House House flipping can be a lucrative undertaking.  However, it’s important to know what you’re getting into if you want to make money.  Mistakes and poor decisions can hurt your profit margins.  Thus, you need to know what to look out for ahead of time.  In this article, we’re going […]

What Is The 70% Rule? Arguably the most important part of flipping houses is accurate estimating.   Buying low, getting the property ready fast, and selling higher is the name of the game. Spending too much upfront or overestimating what you can sell a house for can be devastating to your potential profit, which is one factor […]

Effective House Flipping Flipping houses, or the art of purchasing properties at a lower price, renovating them, and then selling them for a profit, is a mainstay in the real estate world.   The strategy attracts investors because of it’s ability to work in all types of markets, including a very competitive real estate market. While […]

House Flipping Tips Flipping houses has become a popular way for real estate enthusiasts to generate substantial profits within a relatively short period.   The idea of purchasing a property, renovating it, and then selling it for a higher price can be enticing, but it’s essential to approach this venture with careful planning and informed decision-making.   […]

Flip Or Buy And Hold Your Properties Trying to decide between buying and holding or flipping investment property can be difficult.  There are multiple factors to consider to figure out what is best for your situation.  One isn’t necessarily better than the other; they both have pros and cons in different real estate markets.  In […]

A Guide To Effective Flipping Renovations After you purchase a property to flip, the real work begins.  Renovation is one of the most critical steps in house flipping.  You need to boost the property value, so that you can sell it for more than you paid for it.  But you don’t want to renovate everything […]

Market A Property Effectively After Renovation As someone in the house flipping game, you know the importance of marketing.  However, what specific actions should you take to market your renovated property effectively?  In this article, we’re going to cover 4 great tips to help you do just that.  #1: Use High-quality Photography and Staging  Pictures […]

How To Flip Properties If you’re new to hosue flipping or considering entering this space, you’ve come to the right place.  In this article, we’re going to dive into a brief guide on what you need to know to have success.  So, without further ado, let’s begin.  The Basics  The best place to start is […]

A Guide To Landlord Insurance If you’ve recently acquired a new investment property, you may be wondering if purchasing landlord insurance is really worth it.   Unfortunately for those looking to save a buck, the truth is that every real estate investor needs a landlord insurance policy. Without one, you’re putting yourself at risk of paying […]

A Guide To Section 8 Housing If you invest in real estate or manage properties, you might be familiar with some of the affordable rental housing programs available to tenants. Federal affordable housing programs in the U.S. aim to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market to low-income families, the elderly, and […]

Screening Section 8 Applicants As a landlord, you may have heard stereotypes that Section 8 tenants will damage your property, default on rent, or bring crime to your neighborhood.  However, it’s worth noting that these are all risks you take on when renting to any tenant—not just Section 8 tenants. As a Section 8 housing […]

How To Advertise Section 8 Friendly Rentals For most Section 8 landlords, marketing and advertising vacant units isn’t a major problem. Many cities have long waitlists of tenants seeking Section 8 assistance, which means there will always be renters interested in a property listed as Section 8 friendly.   However, some circumstances call for more directed […]

The Section 8 Eviction Process Many landlords choose to participate in the Section 8 program and take advantage of the assured rent subsidy payments the program offers.  But what happens when a tenancy established through this program doesn’t work out? Whether the tenant seriously damaged the property, stopped paying their portion of the rent, or […]

A Guide To Fair Market Rent As a prospective Section 8 landlord or tenant, there’s much you must understand about this federal program before signing a contract or lease. Since Section 8 housing differs from public housing units and other housing assistance programs, it’s important to understand how it works in detail. One important component […]

The Key Responsibilities Of A Section 8 Landlord A Section 8 landlord is any landlord who accepts families with housing vouchers from the Section 8 program. As a Section 8 landlord, you have several responsibilities that differ slightly from your typical property management duties, such as keeping the property up to code and negotiating the […]

A Tenant’s Guide To The Section 8 Program Does rent consume a massive amount of your income each month and year? With rent hikes easily outpacing wage increases in many cities, it can start to feel like you’ll never get ahead enough to escape a rent-burdened lifestyle.  If you make 30% or less of the […]

The Steps To Getting A Property Section 8 Approved For many landlords, housing Section 8 tenants is a great way to secure guaranteed rental income while maintaining access to a reliable pool of prospective renters.   However, before you can start accepting housing vouchers through the Section 8 program, you must get your property approved. This […]

Answering Common Questions About Housing Vouchers Housing vouchers and the Section 8 program are one of the most poorly understood rental options for both parties in a rental agreement. As a landlord, you may or may not have accepted housing voucher tenants before, and it’s likely that you have questions or concerns about it.  In […]

Debunking Myths About Renting To Section 8 Tenants For many people, the term “Section 8” has a certain stigma attached to it. Some landlords refuse to rent to Section 8 tenants at all, even in states where discrimination based on source of income is illegal.   However, not every stereotype about Section 8 housing investing is […]

Is Becoming A Section 8 Landlord Right For You? The term “Section 8” can be a controversial one in many real estate circles. While we can all agree that affordable housing is necessary and beneficial for society, not every investor wants to take the risk to make affordable housing a reality. Plus, plenty of stereotypes […]

The Steps To Becoming A Section 8 Housing Landlord As a landlord, you may have heard opinions about the Section 8 program from other investors and property managers. You may be wary of the government red tape involved in the program, worry about the potential risks involved, or wonder why you should accept Section 8 […]

The Similarities And Differences Between Section 8 And Public Housing As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to screen a variety of applicants for eligibility to rent your properties. From time to time, you might encounter a tenant with a government subsidy for rent. It’s important to understand how those subsidies work and what they mean […]

What Factors Determine Who Is Eligible For Section 8 Housing? For many low-income families, renting a decent home in the current market is an unrealistic goal. When rents rise faster than wages can accommodate, affordable housing via Section 8 is often the only option.  However, not everyone is eligible for subsidized rent. In fact, Section […]

Important Section 8 Terms Are you interested in reliable rental income, guaranteed on-time payments, and long-term stability? If so, you may benefit by participating in the Section 8 affordable housing program. As the largest federally subsidized housing program in the U.S., Section 8 has many benefits to offer both participating landlords and the tenants who […]

A Guide To Affordable Housing And Rental Assistance U.S. renters have seen their rents rise an average of 18% over the last five years according to Pew Research. For many renters, wages aren’t increasing enough to compensate for the inflation of goods, services, and rent combined. In fact, the pressure of maintaining a household in […]

An HOA Member’s Guide to HOA Fees If you join an HOA, you must pay fees to live in the community.  These recurring fees cover different services (and amenities) depending on the specific HOA.  If you join an HOA, it’s important to understand how these fees work.   In this article, we’re going to talk about […]

A Guide To The Different Parts Of HOAs HOA is short for homeowners association.  These organizations create and enforce rules to maintain a neighborhood or community. Homeowner associations also require fees from members to operate and improve common areas and sometimes offer amenities.   Obviously, though, this is a general description. HOAs are nuanced and aren’t […]

What You Should Know About HOAs What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?  If that’s a question you want to know more about, you’ve come to the right place.  An HOA is a self-governing organization that oversees communities where homeowners pay fees to maintain the units or the neighborhood.  Obviously, though, there’s a lot more to […]

A Guide to Self-Managed HOAs When it comes to HOAs, it can be difficult to decide between keeping the management in-house or hiring a property management company.  A self-managed HOA relies on board members to oversee the community.  This requires a lot of time and effort.  Thus, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons […]

What To Know If You Buy A Home In An HOA If you’re thinking about purchasing a home in an HOA, it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for.  HOAs follow their own set of rules, which can make them more complicated than other dwellings independent from HOAs.  And just because you know what […]

The Most Important Rights For Homeowners To Be Aware Of If you move into a Homeowners Association, it’s important to understand your rights.   You don’t want to get taken advantage of and you want to be able to exercise your rights, as needed.  It isn’t wise to blindly believe in anything your HOA says or […]

A Guide To HOA Legal Power Even though every HOA is different, most have similar legal powers under law.  These laws allow them to enforce rules and regulations, collect fees and dues, and impose fines.  Enforcing Rules  One of the most significant responsibilities of an HOA is to enforce the rules and regulations established within […]

A Guide To HOA Loans Not every homeowners association (HOA) has the funds to afford unexpected expenses or repairs.  While it’s always better for an HOA to avoid external financing, this isn’t always realistic.  In certain situations, it may be necessary for an HOA to procure a loan.   Loans require proper planning and a clear […]

What To Know About HOAs What is a homeowners association?  Ironically, this is one of the most common questions asked about HOAs.   Approximately 74 million Americans live in one (which shakes out to about 26% of the American population), so it’s not a bad idea to gain familiarity if you don’t know much about HOAs.  […]

HOA Software And How It Can Help You Managing an HOA isn’t easy.  You have an entire community to consider and take care of.  That said, great software can make things much easier.  With the right technology, you can automate tasks, allowing you to focus on more important matters.   In this article, we’re going to […]

The Best Way To Collect When Homeowners Pay HOA Fees HOA fees are an integral part of every HOA.  The fees help the board keep the community clean, safe, and livable.  But what is the best way to collect these fees?  The rise of technology presents many new, efficient options.  In this article, we’re going […]

The Most Important Jobs For An HOA Manager An HOA manager takes care of several key responsibilities to ensure an HOA functions properly.  If you’re about to become a manager or your HOA is about to hire one, it’s important to understand these responsibilities.  Being an HOA manager is a massive challenge. It requires working […]

A Guide To Different Kinds Of HOAs More than one quarter of American citizens live in HOAs, condo associations, or other kinds of private communities.   Homeowners association (HOA) is an umbrella term for several different kinds of associations.   People often use terms like condo associations and HOAs interchangeably; however, the different associations aren’t identical.  Each […]

A Guide To Community Association Insurance Community Association insurance is insurance designed specifically for community associations and community groups like HOAs.  This insurance provides protection for the community and its members against liability and risks that may arise in the community.  There are four main components of community association insurance: Property insurance, directors and offices […]

A Guide To Unenforceable HOA Rules Every HOA has rules that you, as a member, must abide by.  These bylaws govern things you can and cannot do.  That said, it’s important to understand your rights as a homeowner in an HOA.  There are some rules that are unenforceable.  What makes an HOA bylaw unenforceable?  Let’s […]

What you Need to Know About Accounting as a Landlord It may not be the most glamorous part of any job, but accounting is critical to every business.  Things like understanding the terminology, knowing how to track income and expenses, planning for the future, and preparing for taxes are foundational to the success of your […]

9 Financial Record-keeping Tips for Landlords Record-keeping is a key part of being a successful landlord.  Taxes shouldn’t require a last-minute panic to find everything you need.  Instead, you should prepare for them throughout the year.  Exceptional record-keeping will save you valuable time and effort when tax season inevitably rolls around.  So, with that in […]

Why is a Rent Roll Important for Landlords? A rent roll is a key report for a landlord, property manager, or property management company because it provides information on every rental in your portfolio.  The rent roll acts as a snapshot of expected rental income and key elements of the leases for each unit you […]

Why should you have Separate Bank Accounts for your Rental Business Was that a personal or business expense?  This and questions like it are ones you want to avoid when tax time rolls around.   As a landlord, it’s critical to keep your personal finances and business finances separate.   It makes your life easier.  Separate bank […]

The Differences between Cash and Accrual Accounting Cash-basis and accrual-basis accounting are the most common accounting methods to track revenue and expenses for landlords. One approach will probably be better than the other depending on your specific rental business.   It’s important to find the best bookkeeping methods and ensure your business model meets government requirements.   […]

Why should you Hire a CPA for your Rental Business? The DIY movement continues to grow in popularity across all industries.  It makes sense; we have more information at our fingertips than ever before.  That said, don’t let your independence prevent you from looking for help.  Sometimes, especially for those of us who love doing […]

Which Financial Metrics Should Landlords Track? Tracking and understanding key financial and real estate investing metrics are critical parts of being a landlord.  If you want to build a better business, you need to know where you’ve been and where you’re going.  Financial metrics allow you to assess the financial health of your business and […]

What are the Best Accounting Practices for Landlords? As a landlord, you need to understand rental property accounting if you want your business to be successful.  We know it’s not a fun or glamorous topic, but it’s a critical one.  Managing your money well leads to tax savings, enhanced rental income, fewer costly expenses and […]

Important Rental Property Accounting Terms for Landlords When it comes to rental property accounting, it’s good to know the language.  The terminology can be complicated, and some people spend their entire lives learning about accounting.   In this article, we’re going to focus on key terms every landlord should understand.   The more you know about accounting, […]

All you need to know about Tracking Rental Property Expenses Every landlord knows that tracking expenses is one of the most burdensome responsibilities when running a rental business.  That said, keeping accurate records is pivotal for your operation.  Anything you can do to simplify your tax returns is a good thing.  And keeping track of […]

Everyone is more prone to err when they’re stressed, and landlords are no exception.  Evictions are stressful events and even the most conscientious landlord can make mistakes under pressure.  Thus, it’s important to know what to look out for when you must evict a tenant and how to avoid common mistakes.  Let’s look at the […]

In the nine states in North America that Eviction Lab tracks for evictions, there have been around 1.8 million evictions since mid-March 2020.   As you can see from this limited sample size, there’s a decent chance you may have to evict someone as a landlord.  Not only is it important to understand how to evict […]

Ask any landlord, and they’ll tell you evictions are one of the biggest headaches of the job.   Not only is the effort required taxing and mentally draining, but the financial burden is heavy.  So, with that said, how much do evictions cost?  Let’s break it down below.  Cost Breakdown  Serving and Filing Fees  Serving a […]

If there’s one thing every landlord wants to avoid, it’s evictions.  They can be expensive, time-consuming, frustrating and mentally exhausting.  One of the best things you can do for your business is prevent them.  With that in mind, let’s look at seven specific ways to prevent evictions and improve your business.  Screen Tenants Thoroughly  Avoiding […]

One of the worst parts of any landlord’s job is evicting tenants.  They’re costly, time-consuming, and taxing on your mental health. However, they’re often a necessary part of the business. And every eviction will involve an eviction letter. This is the first formal step in the process. Thus, it’s important to understand how to write these letters because without […]

No one wants to deal with an eviction court hearing.   However, as a landlord, it’s a situation you could find yourself in.  And it’s critical to prepare ahead of time if you do.  In this article, we’ll go through the process you should follow and key steps to make sure you put your best foot […]

A lengthy and costly eviction process isn’t your only option if you need to get rid of a bad tenant.  Cash for keys is a quick way to get a tenant to vacate your property.  This alternative can be a win-win for landlords and tenants.  Let’s look at how cash for keys works and why […]

Sometimes, you may have to evict a tenant.   No landlord wants to find themselves in this situation, but sometimes you must play the hand you’re dealt.  The process doesn’t have to be a complete nightmare, though.  By following the guidance in this article, you can evict tenants in the best way possible.  Evictions are never […]

An eviction is never fun.  There isn’t a landlord on the planet who wants to deal with one.  However, they’re sometimes necessary.  And, if you need to evict a tenant, it’s critical to have a valid reason.  In this article, we’re going to look at six legal reasons you can evict a bad tenant.  Misses […]

If you’re a landlord, there is a high chance you’ll deal with an eviction at some point.  Evictions can be complex and stressful, but with proper preparation and research (as well as the assistance of a landlord tenant attorney in some cases), you can make them substantially less painful.  In this article, we’ll cover everything […]

When looking for property management software, it’s important to find the best fit for your business. We know that the number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why you need to find ways to compare different software and understand what each does well.  So, with that in mind, we created a series of articles comparing […]

When looking for property management software, it’s critical to figure out which platform will help your business the most. And online reviews are a key part of this process.  You want to know what other people think about software, particularly those who use it.  So, we’ve gathered reviews and ratings for a plethora of property […]

A Landlord’s Guide To Increasing Revenue When it comes down to it, the success of any business revolves around revenue. You must generate income to stay in business.   In the rental industry, there are many ways to do this.  And knowledge is power, especially when you’re trying to make more money.  Increasing revenue can be […]

Innago and AppFolio are two popular property management software products and deciding between them can be challenging.  This article compares pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you decide which platform is the best for your business.   Pricing  Pricing is a critical part of any decision to buy a new product.   AppFolio offers two […]

Innago and Buildium are two well-regarded property management software products and choosing between them can be a challenge.  This article compares pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you decide which software is the best for your business.   Pricing  Pricing is an integral piece when you’re trying to decide on the viability of a […]

The search for property management software can be difficult. There’s a ton of information out there. Today, let’s look at two great options if you’re looking for a platform to meet your needs and elevate your business: Innago and Turbotenant.  In this article, we’ll compare pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you figure […]

Innago and Avail are two well-regarded property management software platforms. But which is better for your business? In this article, we’ll try to answer that question by looking at pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you decide which platform to adopt.  Pricing  Avail has two different pricing models. The basic unlimited package is […]

Innago and Rentec Direct are two popular property management software products and deciding between them can be challenging.  This article compares pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you decide which platform is the best for your business.   Pricing  Pricing is a critical part of any decision to buy a new product.   Rentec Direct […]

Innago and Landlord Studio are two popular property management software products and determining which software to choose between them can be difficult.  This article compares pricing, features, customer support, and more to help you figure out which platform is the best for your business.  Pricing  Landlord Studio has 2 pricing options: Go and Pro. The […]

When it comes to property management software, you have plenty of options. Let’s review two great solutions: Innago and Tenant Cloud.  This article compares pricing, features, customer support, and more to give you an idea of what each platform offers.   Pricing  Tenant Cloud offers four plans: Free, Starter, Growth, and Custom. The Free plan gives […]

Property management software can help any landlord or property manager with their business. However, it’s important to conduct thorough research to find the right platform. If you’ve narrowed your search down to Innago and Hemlane, then you’ve landed on the right page.   In this article, we’ll discuss pricing, features, customer support, and more to help […]

Innago and RentRedi are two popular options for property management software. Let’s compare the two and see how they stack up regarding pricing, features, customer support, and other essential property management features.   Pricing  Pricing is always one of the most important factors when purchasing a new product. So, let’s start there.  RentRedi offers three different […]

When looking for property management software, it’s important to find the best fit for your business. We know that the number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why you need to find ways to compare different software and understand what each does well.  So, with that in mind, we’re starting a series in which we […]

A Guide To Leasing Rentals As a landlord, you’re already well aware of the importance of leases.  They protect you from things that can (and sometimes will) go wrong during tenants’ time at your property.  Understanding the legal foundation of a leasehold estate, the different kinds of leases, the best ways to set up leases, […]

Lease Signing Etiquette & Protocols They love the apartment, and the rental terms sound agreeable.  They’re ready to move forward.  Now it’s time to get the lease signed.  In this article, we’re going to review the typical protocols and etiquette for the lease signing process.  It’s not a complicated process, but it’s well worth knowing […]

Are Electronic Or Digital Signatures Better? Technology has permanently changed the rental business.  Gone are the days when every lease had to be signed in person and documents had to be delivered by mail.  Electronic signatures and digital signatures are the preferred method of leasing for most landlords in today’s world. They save substantial time […]

A Quick Guide for Student Housing: Leasing to College Students December 5, 2022 We’d love to connect with you. How To Lease To College Students If you rent housing to college students, there are specific things you need to know. College students these days are a unique demographic and a many are non-traditional. They’re no […]

How Can You Make The Most Of Your Online Lease? Online leases revolutionized the rental business.  Now, you no longer need to keep track of tons of paper copies, work through copious revisions, and waste lots of paper. You simply need to upload your lease online.   Online leases save valuable time because of access to […]

How To Sell Your Rental Property You’ve spent a long time building equity in your property and maximizing its appreciation. When you’re satisfied with your investment, or are ready to move on to your next one, it’s time to sell.  However, you can’t sell without first understanding the legal and logistical steps of a property […]

How To Prepare Your Rental Property Before Selling There are many reasons why you may decide to sell your rental property.  Maybe you’re satisfied with your landlord career and want to liquidate your assets. You’ve benefited from the monthly cashflow and passive income, but now it’s time to invest your time, energy, and assets somewhere […]

How To Manage Your Rental Property Have you recently acquired one or more rental properties?   If so, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll manage your new investment properties and tenants. Your rental business is growing. You might even live miles away from the properties you’ve just bought or inherited.  Maybe you’re only interested […]

How To Decide On Your Rental Policies No two landlords are the same.  Nor should all leases be identical. Rental policies vary depending on the state, locality, property type, funds, landlords’ preferences, and other factors.  How you rent and operate your properties is partially dictated by law, but many rules are largely up to you. […]

What You Need To Know About Applications And Tenant Screening After posting your carefully crafted listings, you finally have the names of several prospective tenants.  But you shouldn’t accept just anyone. If you don’t take the time to verify that they will make a good tenant, you could face consequences. The only way to avoid […]

How To Market Your Rental Property In a competitive market, your property is up against at least a hundred other properties at any given time.  Demand for rental properties is only increasing. To succeed in such a market, you need engaging listings and an air-tight marketing strategy.  So, what is the best way to market […]

How To Determine The Rent Amount To Charge Your rent rate is a central decision you must make before starting your rental business.  Determining appropriate rent pricing could be challenging if you’re not accustomed to market research. Your rate needs to be competitive, but also accurate to the value you’re offering.  Your rate also depends […]

How To Prepare Your Rental Property For Tenants You’ve finished the home buying process and your property is now financed and insured.   It’s almost ready for tenants and a brand-new lease term.  Before you can start collecting rent, however, you need to prepare your rental property for your tenants’ arrival. This means inspecting, renovating, making […]

Obtaining Insurance For Your Rental – Landlord And Renter’s Insurance Health scares, accidents, recessions – when life gets unpredictable, we turn to insurance to help us shoulder the financial burdens.   Insurance is essential for investors who take a lot of risks. As a real estate investor, you might face property damage, casualty losses, or other […]

Landlord Tenant Laws That You Need To Know Both landlords and tenants have legal rights and responsibilities.  By entering into a lease agreement, you become subject to a group of laws that dictate your rights and responsibilities. These laws are broadly called landlord-tenant laws. They encompass all legislation dealing with the interactions between landlords, tenants, […]

How To Finance Your Rental Property You’ve researched, narrowed your choices, and finally decided on an investment property.   But you aren’t ready to buy it just yet.  First, you need to figure out how to finance your rental property. That means finding a mortgage, analyzing interest rates, making a down payment, and evaluating the costs […]

How To Buy A Rental Property Are you interested in buying a rental property? If so, you’re about to secure one of the safest and most lucrative investments in today’s market.   Real estate investment is a reliable path to passive income, retirement savings, and financial freedom.  Like many investors, you may be starting from scratch. […]

What You Need To Know When Getting Started As A New Landlord Real estate investing is one of the most profitable and rewarding endeavors in today’s market.   Rental properties produce passive income, a critical component of achieving financial freedom. Whether your goal is to quit your day job, travel the world, or spend more time […]

How Might The New Tax Rule Affect Your Business? If you use Paypal, Zelle, Cash App or Venmo to collect rent, new rules mean that you could owe taxes on digital transactions. Starting in 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin checking digital wallet business transactions over $600. The new rule under the American […]

Two Tips To Help You Improve Your Property And Increase Revenue Offering cleaning services and storage rental can keep your properties looking great while adding to your monthly revenue.  And it may even increase tenant satisfaction.  Tenants often have more “stuff” than storage space within their apartment. And who has time to clean?   Giving your […]

Why You Need To Understand Your Market To Increase Rent Price The simplest, most effective way to increase your revenue is to increase the rent you charge. But increasing rent price can prove costly – fewer tenants will be interested and your rental housing may lie vacant for longer than you’re comfortable. To increase rent […]

Steps for Adding a Tenant to a Lease If you’re a landlord, you’re well aware of the importance of leases. Lease terms act as legal protection from everything that can (and will) go wrong during a rental term. As such, it is necessary for leases and rental agreements to be customized for each rental situation […]

How To Minimize Tenant Turnover? Every day that your property or unit remains vacant is another day that you aren’t getting paid. Having long periods of tenant turnover can seriously hurt a real estate operation. Don’t let this happen to you. We have curated a list of 5 tips to help you minimize tenant turnover, and […]

How To Improve Your Property To Increase Rent Price One of the best ways to increase the profit your properties generate is to increase the rental price you can justify charging for them. A sure-fire way of doing so is to improve the property as it currently exists. There are a wide variety of different […]

Which Fees Can You Add To Increase Rental Revenue Landlords often use the word “rent” to stand in for their income. But what they really should be saying is “revenue,” because, while rent is typically the primary revenue stream for landlords, there are many other great ways to increase your take home. Your goal should […]

The High-Tech Features You Need To Implement To Increase Your Rent Price There are a number of ways to increase rent price for your rental properties. Before you begin, it’s critical, however, to understand your market. Basic cosmetic improvements may be the most you can move the rental needle, but that’s not always the case. Particularly if you’re in […]

How Can Landlords Lower Utility Costs? One of the greatest expenses that landlords face is the cost of utilities. Even with tenants paying for heat, water, and electricity, common area utilities are likely still a considerable drain on your monthly income, especially if you have vacancies. The good news is that landlords have a myriad of options […]

Minimizing Vacancy Time On Rental Properties Vacancy is a landlord’s greatest fear. Whether your rental business is your primary source of income or just a side hustle, the health of your cash flow is dependent on rent payments from tenants. The average cost of tenant turnover today amounts to $2,500 per unit. Even one unit sitting […]

Reducing Expenses On Your Rental Properties There are a handful of practical ways to modify your business practices to minimize your rental expenses wherever you can. Each of these opportunities is tied to becoming more involved in your properties, so they offer auxiliary benefits beyond reducing spending that will increase the overall health of your […]

How To Self Manage Your Rental Properties To Reduce Costs Property managers are becoming more popular, but they’re also becoming more expensive. Typical fees range from 8 to 10% of rent collected. If you own and manage 10 units each that bring in $1,000 per month in rent, that’s $800 to $1,000 a month in […]

Which Apartment Amenities Can Increase Revenue On Your Rental Properties? An amenity is any feature of a property that offers tenants usefulness, convenience, or enjoyment. Amenities can include large-scale facilities like a fitness center, package room, swimming pool, or conference facilities, but they can also be simple outdoor spaces for gathering or even smart home […]

How Can Landlords Add Revenue Streams? Whether they’re looking to further invest in their growing real estate empire or simply trying to increase their take-home pay, property owners are always looking for ways to increase the profit they draw from their properties. The most obvious way to increase profit is to increase revenue, and a […]

How To Monetize Your Land And Maximize Your Revenue? Real estate is more than the building that sits on it. Sure, most of your revenue will come from renting residences and commercial spaces to tenants, but the land you own can be a source of revenue itself. Below, we break down three ways to maximize […]

Lower Your Financing Expenses As A Real Estate Investor Mortgage payments + insurance + taxes. If, like a lot of landlords, you’ve set up escrow, these charges come out of your account every month. You probably don’t think much about them and as a result, they can feel immutable. But trust us, they’re not, and […]

8 Ways To Lower Tenant Turnover Vacancies are an expense no landlord can afford. The longer a unit sits empty, the more money you lose. In order to reduce vacancies, your best bet is to lower tenant turnover. Avoiding vacancy isn’t the only benefit of minimizing turnover, though. Replacing tenants right after one leaves can […]

The Fees That All Landlords Should Know When it comes to generating revenue from your properties, rent is King. But there are a whole lot of other charges that make up the Cash Flow Court. Managing properties is all about generating revenue and mitigating expense, and a great way to do both is to find […]

These Are 10 Lease Terms You Should Include In Your Rental Agreement Fundamentally, a rental agreement or lease agreement document is a legal contract between a landlord and tenant that ensures access to a rental property in exchange for payment. The things the tenant can and cannot do with that property, the terms of payment, […]

Should You Require A Lease Guarantor? Total insurance premiums in 2017 reached nearly $1.2 trillion dollars. Suffice it to say, Americans like to reduce risk when it comes to their financial investments. Homes, cars, and even lives can be insured. But as landlords or property managers, other than your lease and an effective screening policy, […]

How To Alter A Lease Mid-Term A lease is a contractual agreement that dictates a landlord-tenant relationship for a future period, typically twelve months. But the circumstances around that agreement are not static. It is common for both landlords and tenants to request changes to a lease agreement after it has been signed. As a […]

The 5 Common Myths & Misconceptions Of Online Leasing Accessing, signing, and storing documents of all kinds online is commonplace in today’s increasingly digital world. Nevertheless, many landlords are reluctant to make the switch from traditional pen and paper leases to digital ones. Of course, it’s important to be cautious about making major changes to […]

A Guide To Month-To-Month Leases (Note: The terms “fixed” and “annual” leases are used interchangeably. Both refer to traditional 12-month, fixed leases in the context of this article.) Twelve-month, fixed-term leases have long been the standard structure for residential rentals, but they aren’t the only option. Month-to-month (M2M) leases are popular with many tenants looking […]

What You Need To Know About Individual And Joint Leases Primarily, two methods of structuring a lease for multiple tenants are available: you can sign each tenant individually (“by-the-bedroom”), or you can sign the tenants jointly. Individual leases provide flexibility during the leasing process, while joint leases provide flexibility during the management process. Depending on […]

How Do Online Leases Work? Online leases are a valuable tool for improving your property management. Among other great benefits, they can reduce your units’ turnover time while simultaneously adding convenience for your tenants. If you’re unsure about the legality or difficulty of leasing online, there’s no need to worry. We’ve addressed these common misconceptions […]

Why Are Lease Addendums Important? Murphy’s Law has several subtle variations, but the general message is as follows: if something can go wrong, it will. Many landlords can vouch for this with their rental properties. The truth is that the longer you lease properties, the more problems you are likely to encounter. Your lease agreement […]

Comparing Net, Gross, And Percentage Lease Types in the Commercial Real Estate Industry So you’ve decided to take the plunge into property ownership of commercial real estate. Investing in and managing commercial properties is quite different than the residential market, and many of those differences start with the leasing process. New landlords often have limited […]

How To Increase Rent And Property Value Whether you’re trying to flip an investment property or increase rent and maximize your revenue stream, there are numerous ways for property managers to bolster a property’s market value. While some certainly require a decent amount of time and money, there are other options for landlords trying to […]

What Is The Cost Of Tenant Turnover? In a perfect world, you will find long-term, reliable tenants who pay rent on time, take excellent care of their property and have no intention of moving.  Unfortunately, the world is not perfect. If one of your tenants does decide to move out, understanding exactly where your expenses […]

How To Save Energy Costs This Winter Winter is far from over, which means more salt on the roads and heavy coats out of the closet. What it doesn’t have to mean is another month of expensive heating bills. Here are some ways to make your property more efficient so that you and your tenants […]

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Signing a Multi-Year Lease Although twelve-month lease agreements are the gold standard for leasing, there are tenants out there who, for a variety of reasons, are interested in multiple-year contracts. As a landlord, there’s reasons to be interested as well. Perhaps most attractive is the fact that you’ll be guaranteed […]

7 Ways To Increase Your Rental Revenue If you’re wondering how to increase your return on property investment, there’s assuredly something you haven’t tapped into yet. Potential opportunities to increase revenue are often overlooked and rarely maximized.  Whether you’re a veteran landlord with multiple properties or a greenhorn still polishing the management practices on your […]

How To Rent Garage Space Depending on your location, renting garage space is a reliable form of extra revenue, especially in light of the high demand for long-term parking in urban areas. Whether you’re considering opening up your property’s garage to potential renters, investing in a property with a garage, or you simply want to […]

3 Overlooked Lease Items That You Should Add To Your Lease Agreement Any seasoned landlord knows the importance of an air-tight lease agreement.  For some, that means paragraph after paragraph detailing every imaginable scenario and conflict.  For others, it’s just a couple of pages.  Neither approach is necessarily better than the other.  In fact (and […]