Can a House Have “Too Much Equity” to Be a Rental? One of the advantages of a rental house is that it builds its own equity. Rental payments cover mortgage payments and you gain equity over time. However, when it comes to market conditions, sometimes the most profitable choice is not to continue renting a property. You may find yourself… Read more →

6 “Desirable” Features That Are Liabilities in Rentals You want your rental home to be profitable. One of the best ways to charge a little extra rent is to have luxury features that renters love. While it’s easy to find lists of desirable features, what the trend lists don’t tell you is the risks that come with each upgrade. Certain… Read more →

4 Unique Risks of Pier and Beam Flips—And How to Handle Them Pier and beam homes are set on foundations of piers – concrete or wood posts set deep into the ground – and beams which support the house set on top of the piers. This type of foundation is excellent for regions with shifting soil and periodic flooding. So… Read more →

Landlord Security Deposit Tips and Best Practices Security deposits represent an agreement of trust and security between a landlord and their tenants. When a tenant pays the security deposit, they agree to take care of the property or accept deductions from the money they could get back. When a landlord sends the security deposit back, they are acknowledging that the… Read more →

Can You Add Someone to a Lease?     A rental home lease is usually one year long. However, life rarely conforms to that kind of schedule. When people need to change living arrangements, these moments happen organically. Perhaps your romantic partner is ready to move in, or maybe a good friend needs a place to stay. You might have… Read more →

How to Manage Your Rentals When You Want to Start Traveling More     For years, you’ve managed your property yourself. Now, however, you need more flexibility in your life. Perhaps you’ve retired, and you’re ready to start traveling more. Maybe you just need more space in your schedule. If you’re ready for a change in your overall rental management… Read more →

What You Can Learn from Property Management Statements and Reports     How to Review Property Management Statements From Your PM You are an investment property owner.  You own rental homes, townhouses, or apartments that are run by a property management service. Property managers handle the daily and monthly routine of keeping your tenants happy and your properties in good… Read more →

How to Verify That Property Repair Requests Are Legitimate Protecting your investments requires constant vigilance. When you own rental homes, that involves carefully screening tenants, monitoring expenses, and keeping tabs on your property management team. Reviewing repair requests and expenses is only natural. But how can you confirm that each repair request is legitimate, necessary, and handled in the best… Read more →

How to Protect an Empty Rental Property in the Winter As a landlord, you can ideally maintain steady tenant occupations of each rental home. However, there is always the risk of vacancy for one reason or another. Major renovations or repairs, a lengthy tenant turnover process, and extreme weather can all play a role. The most high-risk time to have… Read more →

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