Landlord Quick Tip

Tip #135: Be Careful Out There

darkWinter can be a dangerous time to show rental properties for the simple reason that it gets dark earlier.

Even during daylight hours, real estate agents and landlords are at risk when they enter a property with a prospect.

Be sure you are protected from harm by taking a few common-sense precautions:

Meet the prospect at your office first, not at the property.

Make sure someone else knows where you are and when you are expected back.

Avoid tours where you will be alone with the prospect –especially after dark. Bring along a colleague–better to not both be in the same area at the same time, or keep in contact with someone else on your cellphone during the tour.

A little extra caution can provide the time needed to escape a scary situation.

See last weeks Landlord Quick Tip.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your rental housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.