BiggerPockets

LinkedIn, Facebook, etc? Pros and cons?

I had one on FB for a while, didn't like it, too familiar. Closest I get now is texting.

Yes, i agree Steve. I just say that im the property manager and keep it like that. I found out that you really have to just keep it business at all times with MOST tenants....LOL

Some may FB but i usually just dont accept or decline so i dont seem like a jerk, =)

No, but I do text with them. My FB privacy settings are friends and F of F so I'm not sure they could find me anyway.

I agree on the business relationship. I'm not yet a Facebooker, but I do use LinkedIn completely for business.

At the same time, I do have personal relationships with some of my tenants, just like I do with some of my business clients.

They know my property manager that lives on site.They know me the owner by my first name when I have been out there and that is it.

Official notices are sent to my attorneys address.

I like to keep things business and my other life personal. I do have clients that are friends but I do not connect with tenants that way.

I'm "friends" with my tenant, however, I think sometimes she uses that to her advantage. For my next rentals, I will tell them I'm the property manager not the owner. I also won't get so buddy-buddy. I don't connect with them through social media because I don't have any accounts.

Steve, I like this approach. Especially if you are just starting out and you don't have too many properties to have to manage a separate email for each.

Texting is the preferred method for both of my tenants. I prefer email unless it's urgent.

Unfortunately, I've not jumped into Social Media...except for BP of course!

BTW, Welcome to BP Steve

I learn something new every time I'm here. :) I'll let my wife be the "other owner".

As for social media... I'm only on LinkedIn with my current career in I.T. I feel that connecting with tenants through social media would be counter-productive to maintaining a business relationship. I can see it now...the tenant posts pictures of that wild party...ya know... the one that put those holes in the walls and busted out the patio door.

I would be ok with email, but only in the form of reporting issues, not for spreading the latest virus alert and joke of the day.

I am not friends with my tenants on FB. However if a tenant becomes late on rent the first thing I do is check their FB page. Most of them do not have their privacy settings set up, so you can see whatever they put out there even if you aren't friends with them. One time a tenant told me he was having financial problems and would be late with rent. I checked his FB page only to find that he was on vacation in Florida. He was promptly evicted.

As for texting, I prefer it. It gives me a chance to be more thoughtful with my responses.