All Forum Posts by: Chris Chisholm

Could be a few options to get her feet wet.

1- find local landlords, REI's, property management companies etc looking for "gopher" or helper. This could be like an assistant property manager running small errands, setting appointments, doing walkthroughs with tenants, etc. Would give her a chance to see the little things that go into being a property manager.

2- find work related to REI like a move in/move out cleaning business for tenants or landlords. Maybe a yard maintenance (gardening, snow removal, lawn maintenance, etc) service. If she's handy, maybe a handyman type service of some kind? Maybe an answering service type thing to take some phone calls off the landlords plates in the wee hours like a virtual assistant type service?

3 - If she's looking at buying her first property, dive in head first! See if there is an option of getting a duplex or something with multiple rooms that she can house hack. She can live in one room or unit and rent out anything else she doesn't want or need (garage, storage space, other rooms, etc). Would give her a chance to learn the ropes a bit on the role of a landlord/property manager and see what's involved. Maybe seek out a mentor (find a local REI that house hacks for student housing? One that focuses on duplex/triplex's?) to help getting her started and make sure the basics are there? That rent by the room can supplement whatever other job she might have (related or unrelated to REI)

While most of these would be self employed type ventures there should be some businesses around that already do these services that could get that stable income, or could be something negotiated with an REI/landlord to make it a salaried position? Maybe get on with a job at a campground, trailer park, condo management company? Would have similar duties to a property manager collecting rent, odd job calls, etc. with a variety different tenants. A chance to manage a "portfolio" before putting her own skin in the game.

If there is an inkling of what direction in REI she wants to go you can narrow your sights on that...house flipper could start with handyman type jobs to figure out renovation ideas/skills...a wholesaler could start with just any kind of sales/negotiation type job...a buy and hold landlord could be any kind of Jr Property Manager or assistant type job.

One thing I learned was that "No." is a complete sentence.  Unless your local rentalmans office or laws state otherwise you don't need to validate your reasons for a rent increase, especially one that is only $35.  If you do feel the need to explain just be direct.  The more you go on the more ammo you will give them to continuously debate and both you.  There is nothing impolite about responding to her request directly asserting your position.  "As previously discussed the new rent as of ____ 2025 will be $_____.  Please let me if you are still interested in renewing the lease when it expires or moving as soon as possible so we can proceed accordingly."

 Would need a ton of actual information about your situation to give you a proper response, but a great way to start is to house hack a place.  Find a place when a ton of space you won't use and rent it out.  Live in one room (share the kitchen/living room/bathrooms, etc), Rent out the garage, parking spaces, rent out the basement or each extra room.  This will generate a pile of extra income that you can utilize for the next one.  Piles of other routes to go like looking for partners or investors to help get your feet wet, flip a house to get some quick cash if you have the skill set, etc.

 I use the free version of Stessa which works great for my needs.  As a Canadian it has some restrictions like a lack of mobile browser/app support outside the US, but I'm sure for an American it would be great.