I’m preparing to rent out my home in Upstate New York near a military installation, and I want to make sure I approach it the right way from the beginning rather than learning everything the hard way.

For those who have experience owning rentals, especially in military markets. What are some of the biggest issues I should be prepared for as a first-time landlord?

I’m particularly interested in things I can do upfront to reduce problems later, such as tenant screening, lease terms, security deposits, maintenance and repairs, property management, insurance, and handling vacancies or unexpected expenses.

I’d also appreciate any advice specific to renting to military families or service members. Are there particular considerations with PCS moves, deployments, or the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act that I should understand before putting the property on the market?

My goal is to treat this as a long-term investment and put the right systems in place from day one. What do you wish you had known before renting out your first property?