Am I a real estate investor or a landlord???

General Landlording & Rental Properties

Am I a real estate investor or a landlord???

Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 99 votes

Honestly, both of these terms I am not completely comfortable with. I "lord"over no land and I feel uncomfortable when I tell people that I am a real estate investor. I think the term landlord needs a change. It puts us in a false dominant position over tenants. I truly believe it creates a psychological barrier when forming relationships. Don't get me wrong, I want the upper hand when dealing with tenants and tenant related issues,but I think there must be a better occupational name then "landlord" When I tell people that I am a real estate investor, I feel they envision I'm doing exceptionally well with tons of cash falling out of my "bigger pockets"and have a carefree lifestyle without any real effort. The honest truth is,I have done exceptionally well in real estate and currently own 20 very nice units in Massachusetts. One is an 12 unit garden style brick building and the other one an 8 unit high end historic loft building. This is my sole occupation and I have done many flips, wholesaled some buildings and renovated multiple loft and loft buildings in my area. I am very hands on. I do most of maintenance work myself, I tend not to use brokers when I do my deals, and advertise and show all my buildings personally. So, am I a real estate investor, or landlord?

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Joe VilleneuvePro Member

Plymouth, MI · Member since 2013 · 13k+ posts · 19k+ votes

Are you ashamed of what you do? If you aren't, then why are you so focused on semantics...and what others think of the words. It doesn't matter what you "call" yourself, it doesn't change who you are. If you think it does, then you don't understand who you are, and it won't matter what you call yourself.

If you paint houses, but don't like the term "painter", it won't matter if you tell others you are a "surface color coordinator"...you still paint things.

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Nicole A.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Baltimore County Maryland and Tampa Florida · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
10y
How about "Property Manager" instead of landlord? And if you're doing this as your sole source of income and you not only manage property, but have done flips and wholesaled, you are indeed an investor in my eyes. Don't downplay yourself!
2 Reply
Robert Nason
OP
Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 99 votes
10y
I thought about property manager and It seemed to undermine all the other aspects of what I do. But it's certainly something to consider. Thanks for the input
1 Reply
Jameson Sullivan
Real Estate Broker · Tacoma, WA · Member since 2016 · 545 posts · 252 votes
10y
Once time my Dad and hise wife were pulled out of the car at the border art gun point because they had cruised across for a few hours for luch and on the way back they both answered their professions were "Real Estate" and the border patrol didnt buy it. haha Thats the issue, how can you describe exactlly what you do in ONE word!
You could say "Real Estate Entrepreneur" the word entrepreneur has become very popular lately and even sought after as a profession. Plus, Entrepreneurs wear all hats at all times, kind like it sounds like you do!
1 Reply
Sarah Shockley
Rental Property Investor · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2012 · 114 posts · 98 votes
10y
Your buildings sound amazing!
I also dislike the term "landlord" and the negative connotations it has- right up there with "slumlord". For that reason I usually call myself "property manager" in my interactions with my "residents" (not tenants.)
In general I look at property ownership as more of a "stewardship" role - focusing on the care and upkeep of the property that is my responsibility, and treating my residents fairly and with humanity - instead of nickel-and-dimeing them. Sounds like you take a similar approach - doing most of your own maintanence and property management.
You could say "local real estate investor", or "small-time real estate investor" if you want to keep it more down-to-earth.
2 Reply
Joe VilleneuvePro Member
Plymouth, MI · Member since 2013 · 13k+ posts · 19k+ votes
10y
Are you ashamed of what you do? If you aren't, then why are you so focused on semantics...and what others think of the words. It doesn't matter what you "call" yourself, it doesn't change who you are. If you think it does, then you don't understand who you are, and it won't matter what you call yourself.
If you paint houses, but don't like the term "painter", it won't matter if you tell others you are a "surface color coordinator"...you still paint things.
5 Reply
Dana Dunford
San Francisco, CA · Member since 2016 · 238 posts · 204 votes
10y
@Robert Nason - definitely with you on this one:
1. Landlord - makes you sound like a slumlord (per @Sarah Shockley)
2. RE Investor - not specific to buy/hold
3. Property Manager - sounds like a pay for hire position
There has to be a better word and would definitely be an advocate of someone coming up with one.
1 Reply
Kevin Harrison
Investor · Woodbridge, VA · Member since 2015 · 476 posts · 197 votes
10y
I agree with @Jameson Sullivan, I would go with entrepreneur or for those that are not your tenants simply tell them that you have a small real estate business.
0 Reply
Brandon Battle
Real Estate Agent · Buena Park, CA · Member since 2016 · 743 posts · 424 votes
10y
I use the term "Investment Property Owner" as a generic occupation title.It describes both flipping and rental owner at the same time.
2 Reply
Robert Nason
OP
Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 99 votes
10y
I have a friend who calls me a serial entrepreneur!! I can live with real estate entrepreneur!
0 Reply
Robert Nason
OP
Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 99 votes
10y
@Joe Villeneuve it's not s matter of knowing who I am, I'm very comfortable in my own skin thank you. I just don't like the terms and I was throwing a general question out
0 Reply
Eugene Kemp
Ormond Beach , FL · Member since 2015 · 345 posts · 223 votes
10y
I just call myself a "glutton for punishment"! :-)
2 Reply
Yoochul C.
Financial Advisor · Glendora, CA · Member since 2015 · 209 posts · 94 votes
10y
Real Estate Engineer
0 Reply
Ashley Schroeder
De Pere, WI · Member since 2016 · 83 posts · 39 votes
10y
I'm confused on why you are getting so caught up in what other people think. If you are happy in what you are doing it should not matter how you phrase your occupation. Personally I think you're a real estate investor. You aren't just a landlord, you don't just own something, and you aren't just a handyman. If someone thinks that you're "rich" who cares? If people think you are poor, who cares??? All that matters is how you are bettering yourself, those you surround yourself with, and for some, how you're bettering your community. At the end of the day, does their opinion really impact you? If not, then don't worry about semantics!
3 Reply
Joe VilleneuvePro Member
Plymouth, MI · Member since 2013 · 13k+ posts · 19k+ votes
10y
Originally posted by @Robert Nason:

@Joe Villeneuve it's not s matter of knowing who I am, I'm very comfortable in my own skin thank you. I just don't like the terms and I was throwing a general question out
Then why so wrapped up in semantics? I'm a real estate investor...because everything you mentioned are parts of real estate investing.
0 Reply
Michael Boyer
Investor · Juneau, AK · Member since 2015 · 980 posts · 741 votes
10y
A few terms I have used (though part time) that can get you through about any social situation without much baggage are phrases like....
) "I am in real estate" which encompasses what you do in a broad, honest way without conjuring up any stereotypes that some misinformed people may have..
) "I or we (if married/partnered) own some rentals" is simple, open and can get you through a cocktail party.
) "I provide housing to others" ( and you could add your niche be it affordable I housing or high end housing) can be useful, too. This one entails the larger social function with the notion you house your fellow human beings--quite a noble task. This one is ideal if you have to share what you do with someone who may be skeptical of business or capitalism ( I use this if they are serving vegan food, humus and smell of patchouli oil)...
Congrats on your success housing others and .....Best of luck.
2 Reply
Dan Perrott
Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2014 · 354 posts · 167 votes
10y
@Robert Nason
We use "authorized agent" in representing our LLCs in our documents and with our renters. This term tells the renters that we are agents of the LLC and that we work for the LLCs. We do not represent ourselves as owners of the property - even though we own the LLCs. This in turn creates a separation in the eyes of the renter from the wealthly "landlord" or "real estate investor". We are just doing our "hired" job for the company - or basically acting as the property management company.
A different way of looking at it but we are the Landlords, Owners, Real Estate Investors and Property Management.
1 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
10y
I am primarily a landlord and I am very comfortable with the term. I believe it conveys the proper image, in my opinion, and I like it. Every tenant I have knows who their landlord is. I make the rules, I enforce the rules, I collect rent and I evict. If that is not a landlord I do not know what is. I do lord over the properties I own, why not.
Slumlord is a term that only the lowest breed of tenant would use in regards to a landlord. No self respecting landlord would ever use that term, at least not around me.
1 Reply
Account Closed
Investor · Collingwood, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 27 posts · 11 votes
10y
I was fortunate to be able to retire at 52 years old. Three years later, this spring, I bought my first two rental properties. It has shocked me the response I received from a neighbour and a few ""friends" when I responded to their query of how I spend my time now --"I own two rental properties". They immediately responded that I'm a "slumlord". Yet, they knew nothing about the units that I own. When I told them that I provide clean, safe, affordable housing, they laughed off their comments, yet I still wonder where that knee-jerk negativity came from. Jealousy? Perhaps in a few cases, but one couple with whom I am friends are much better off financially than I am. Am I being too sensitive?
1 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
10y
Am I being too sensitive?
Yes you are, all landlords need to have thick skin to survive in this business.
2 Reply
George-Hyuung W.
Specialist · New York, NY (newyork) · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 5 votes
10y
Even if you decide on an appropriate name, people will ask what that name means with, "so you're a landlord/real estate investor, right?" When those people talk to their friends and family about the house they recently purchased or are renting from you, they will casually refer to you as a landlord or REI. Be proud of what you are and own it. Do these titles necessarily make you the ideas you associated with it? Not at all. People that judge will do it based on your attitude and appearance, the latter of which you don't have much control over either... So be proud and own it :)
1 Reply
Levi T.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ / Nice FR / Washington DC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
Don't worry about titles, they don't make you any better or worse than you are. I've been a Founder, CEO, VP, CTO, Landlord, Investor, Managing Member... your name it. I've probably been called a slumlord a time or two as well, tho I don't slum properties. Titles are just a way for people to understand what you do, and how your act.. e.g barista, or slumlord.

People ask me what I do, I tell them I'm a Real Estate Investor. They normally ask for more details, thus I outline that I (I normally say "we") buy and hold properties as rentals, and my job is to find and buy properties from people. They don't need to know if I own the properties 100%, or if I just work for a syndication, it's not there business to know, but in the end they know I buy and sell properties, plus rent them out.

From time-to-time, I bump into incoming tenants on properties we are buying. Some will ask if I'm the new landlord, I just tell them I'm a managing member, property manager, or with the bank. If I see them a lot, as I normally keep a tight grip on new unit rehab and performance, I just tell them I'm a PM. That way they tell me all their problems and I can direct them to the right people to talk to about getting it sorted, and so I know what I need to tell my team to focus on moving forward. It's like undercover boss for landlords.
2 Reply
Joe VilleneuvePro Member
Plymouth, MI · Member since 2013 · 13k+ posts · 19k+ votes
10y
Originally posted by @Levi T.:

Don't worry about titles, they don't make you any better or worse than you are. I've been a Founder, CEO, VP, CTO, Landlord, Investor, Managing Member... your name it. I've probably been called a slumlord a time or two as well, tho I don't slum properties. Titles are just a way for people to understand what you do, and how your act.. e.g barista, or slumlord.

People ask me what I do, I tell them I'm a Real Estate Investor. They normally ask for more details, thus I outline that I (I normally say "we") buy and hold properties as rentals, and my job is to find and buy properties from people. They don't need to know if I own the properties 100%, or if I just work for a syndication, it's not there business to know, but in the end they know I buy and sell properties, plus rent them out.

From time-to-time, I bump into incoming tenants on properties we are buying. Some will ask if I'm the new landlord, I just tell them I'm a managing member, property manager, or with the bank. If I see them a lot, as I normally keep a tight grip on new unit rehab and performance, I just tell them I'm a PM. That way they tell me all their problems and I can direct them to the right people to talk to about getting it sorted, and so I know what I need to tell my team to focus on moving forward. It's like undercover boss for landlords.
Perfect answer
0 Reply
Matt Faix
Investor · Carnegie, PA · Member since 2014 · 259 posts · 144 votes
10y
We usually default to Real Estate Investor - By definition on investopedia, an investor is "Any person who commits capital with the expectation of financial returns." I'd say that's most people here =)
In most cases, this is the term we use with friends, family, coworkers, and networking - we find that we are more likely to get a positive response and it tends to be a better conversation starter. It also generates more interest and questions from people who want to know more, or may even decide to invest their money with you.
With our tenants - It's usually property manager or landlord.
1 Reply
Steve D.
Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2016 · 34 posts · 53 votes
10y
I tell people that I own a Real Estate Investment Company...I have several properties in an LLC, so this is accurate statement. In reality, I am property manager/investor/landlord/occasional contractor/occasional maintenance guy......but owning a Company makes it sound more official and also encompasses all the above jobs.
0 Reply
Ian WalshBusiness Member
Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y
If you own real estate and make a return on your money you are an investor. The rest of the terms and people's interpretation are not relevant. Everyone has a different TV version of what the terms mean.
1 Reply

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