When Bankruptcy Isn’t SO Bad
Monday, April 21
As a landlord you get to decide your standards, so long as they do not discriminate under the Fair Housing laws. So, what happens if a tenant qualifies in every way, except that recently they had to file a bankruptcy? What factors should you consider before you ri...
Is Unemployment a Dealbreaker?
Monday, April 21
The US Department of Labor said 21 states saw employment rates fall last month with the addition of 192,000 jobs. While it is good news for many, what if your tenant is one of the unlucky ones suddenly facing unemployment? The good news is, unemployment doesn
What to consider when renting a smoker
Monday, April 21
Last week we discussed ways to keep your property from getting damaged, and prohibiting smoking was at the top of that list. If you are a landlord who hasn
Can your tenant REALLY afford the rent?
Wednesday, April 16
How do you determine if a tenant will be able to afford to rent your home? Generally, the rule of thumb in the industry is that rent costs should not exceed 30% of the tenant’s take home pay. In theory, this gives them enough money to afford the other costs of living expenses (food, cloth...
Identity Theft: Will the real Jane Smith please stand up?
Tuesday, April 15
According to the US Department of Justice, over 11.5 million people fall victim to identity theft every year in the US. The type of frauds range from having stolen credit card information, misuse of an existing bank account, or misuse of personal information (i.e. social security number). ...
When Bad Checks Happen to Good Landlords
Friday, April 11
It’s a landlord’s worst nightmare: getting a call from the bank saying a tenant’s check has bounced. Now what? Here’s the first thing to do: Check your lease. Make sure it includes step-by-step what consequences the tenant will face as a result of writing a bad check. After all, your f...