Landlord Quick Tips

There’s no such thing as landlord school. Most landlords just do a little reading online and dive right in. Which is fine – but it also means many new landlords are ill-prepared for the work of being a successful landlord. Far too many landlords fail to bring a level of professionalism to their landlording side…

Do you make enough money to rent this place? It’s a question any landlord will ask you, and it’s one of the things you must prove before being able to sign a lease on an apartment or house. Landlords want to be sure that you have the financial means to consistently pay your rent on time and…

Americans are used to paying income taxes. Most taxpayers claim the standard deduction, file a quick 1040 and get a refund from the IRS. But what if you have a slightly more complicated tax future ahead of you? For example, how should you handle income if you rent out a property? Here’s how: Classify the Property The…

Mental health and mental illness are two topics many are reluctant to address – but when a resident in a co-op, condo, or HOA community is struggling, sometimes that struggle can impact their neighbors, board, and management professionals. Here, three management pros weigh in on how property managers can recognize and navigate a very sensitive…

Being a landlord and/or property manager is so much more than just fixing the garbage disposal, dealing with payment from your residents, and shuffling through tons of paperwork. Sometimes, you will have to get on a personal level with your residents, especially when conflict is involved. However, how do you know what your exact role…

The devastating wildfires that recently swept through parts of California — killing nearly scores of people and causing untold billions in property damage — are just part of the story for those who live in affected areas. The truth is, even though the Camp Fire in the northern part of the state is now 100% contained,…

The time has come to sell your tenant-occupied property. As a landlord, you care about your tenants and want to show them respect. Although the house they are living in is yours to sell, you always want to keep their best interest in mind throughout the sales process, as an angry tenant could slow down…

Property managers and landlords often go above and beyond, taking care of tenants when unforeseen circumstances occur or needs must be met despite short timelines or budgets. Still, it is important for property managers to take in new ideas within their industry — including the increasing influence of social media and online review sites — as well as continuing the meet the…

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment (NFPA), followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires according to research conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the number of cooking fires increases significantly around Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays….

If you own a vacation home that you use for both rental and personal purposes, now is a good time to plan how to use it for the rest of this year with tax savings in mind. Here’s what you need to know: Rented less than 15 days during the year with more than 14 days of…