http://blog.rentingyourhome.com How Landlords can Rent their Properties Faster, Cheaper, and Better Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:51:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This due diligence checklist will help prevent post-purchase surprises. In the hustle of putting the deal together, details such as these can be overlooked; if so, they have the potential to have a dramatic effect on the profitability of the investment.  Start this process even before you make the offer; ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2009/01/free-landlord-form-due-diligence-checklist-for-buying-investment-properties/                       In some circles “self-employed” is short for drug dealer. They are indeed self-employed, but they don’t want to tell you at what. They might tell you something like they are “wholesalers” or “suppliers.” I suppose “manufacturers’ representative” (in pharmaceuticals) might be appropriate. Whatever the situation, the income of self-employed people, even ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/self-employed-tenantsreally/   Every time a rental turns over, landlords spend an incredible amount of time, money and effort to advertise, show the property, and screen tenants. A very common mistake made by new landlords is to confuse quantity with success, i.e. they feel good because 20 people have come to view the ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/how-to-use-a-tenant-screening-policy-and-save-yourself-20-hours/ Something is wrong. An experienced landlord has a sixth sense about which tenants will be problems, but often cannot put a finger on exactly what it is. After all, all the references check out, they have good credit, and they seem like nice people. But there is just something wrong ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/property-management-tip-spotting-high-risk-tenants/ The best answer is to look at what other rentals that are comparable to yours (comps) are rented for. If you own a modern two-bedroom two-bath condo near public transportation with assigned parking, find comps in your neighborhood and see what they are renting for. Websites like HotPads and Rentometer ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/how-to-set-your-rent-prices/   The best way to deny an applicant is to be short, sweet, and to the point. If the decision was based in part or in whole on their credit score, then you are required to provide them with the recourse to obtain a free copy of their credit report. Prepare ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/how-to-deny-a-rental-application-with-poise-2/ Statistically, 4-5 percent of all rent payments are made late for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the payment is only late a day or two; other times it never comes in. You can greatly reduce these numbers by putting tenants on automatic recurring rent payments, either through their bank, or ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/how-often-will-a-tenant-miss-a-payment-or-pay-late/ This is the fourth blog I have been a part of, and by far the most successful. On Sunday, while watching all my favorite teams lose in the last 2 minutes — why, Green Bay, why??? — I put pen to paper about why most blogs lose it in the ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/why-most-blogs-fail-8-things-to-avoid-at-all-costs/ For those of you waiting for a big announcement…we’re close but not yet ready. During the upgrade on Monday night, we found a bug that’s been really persistent that impedes current landlords from uploading new photos for existing properties. It doesn’t affect newly added properties or new owners…just our most loyal ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/upgrade-is-almost-done/ I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman where the Self Help section was. She said if she told me it would defeat the purpose. Sometimes life stinks. I have friends and family that are being laid off, relocating, can’t sell properties, don’t see how they’ll make ends meet, changing their ... http://blog.rentingyourhome.com/2008/12/life-lessonright-in-front-of-you/