All Forum Posts by: Linda S.

@Amanda Thompson, 

A simple "Thank you for your interest, but unfortunately I don't think it will be a good fit.  We wish you the best of luck in your home search, and will reach out to you ASAP if something else comes available"--- short, sweet, vague.. you gotta remember, there is a crazy shortage of housing right now for rentals, if you are applying, you're likely used to getting rejected, not to sound harsh, but this with all this baggage and drama--i'm sure is used to it.    

@Peter Morgan,

Honesty is always the best policy.. 

if it's for your own personal house, it's not a big deal-- I have a GSD, insurance said it's fine to have whatever type of dog you want-- as long as it's owner occupied, and of course doesn't have an aggressive history.

 If this is a rental, then absolutely no dogs on the aggressive breed list.    

Just state the facts, nothing to be worried about.

@Amanda Thompson,

Based on the drama, I'd already throw her out because she is starting with drama-- drama follows people because it is people.   So if you've already rejected her and labeled her as crazy, why worry about a showing?  I'd go with @Matthew Paul's statement, such a beautiful and socially acceptable excuse-- and tell her you'll follow up later.   

Don't make this harder than it is, you'll be rejecting hundreds of people if you're a landlord, get used to the shoes.

@Satyam Mistry,

Really good tips!   I think we have the same playbook!   ESPECIALLY the cabinet liners, it makes turnover 1000x easier!  

The only other thing I'd say, is we stopped adding microwaves and changed it to only vent fans.    

 We also stopped including washer/dryers,  tenants  seem to prefer to see a lower rent price vs. what's included.     I was worried at first, but then I realized-- it's standard, and have not had any pushback.

The way I look at each thing appliance--  the less things I include, the less things a tenant can call me about.     Also, tenants tend to get better appliances, whereas landlords put the bare minimum/basic.

@Carine Operio,

Figure out what you want type of investments you want to do, A/B/C/D and then aggressively read up on that specific type of investing.       It's incredibly different to do flips vs. rentals, vs then doing an A+ rental vs. D-, different rules and very different strategies.  The most focused you can be on what you want to do, the better.     

After you do that, find someone who is doing it successfully-- and figure out how you can add value to them, maybe it's offering your time to run errands, or paperwork-- doesn't matter how, just to be around them-- see how they operate/think, it's contagious-- part of it is training your mindset.       

@Michael Young,

The best way is to meet people in person at the REI Meetup groups, there is one for Richmond/Chesterfield and Petersburg. A lot of them market online through fb marketplace too! PM me if you have any questions.

@Jeremy Nault

You should re-read @Joe Splitrock post 10x over, he's spot on... 100%!   

Giving the tenant back money, after  they give you it is almost kind of  insulting, and absolutely shows you may be charging too much-- that's a crappy feeling!  All I would think is "thanks, I mean I paid for this "gift" when I sent in rent money."       

People remember stuff, don't do it!  Don't start, because then when you stop or forget-- you'll look like a cheapo, and then they'll say "well, I guess they didn't appreciate me this  year!" -- -it's a bad, slippery slope  and IMO not worth it!   Not sure how many rentals you have, but do that x 10, or 100-- it's expensive!!  Call me scrooge, but no.. no.. no.   No one ever thinks "ya know what, I was going to move, but then I remember that nice $25 gift card!"   

One thing we do at our annual inspections--is we ask our tenants what upgrades they'd like done?    We tell them it's has to be up to $200, and no-- it can't just be $$ off rent.   Maybe they want a security light outside, or a new walkway,... one tenant asked for a slow-close toilet seat cover and a shower head with a hose--- it's about the TENANT and increasing their quality of life.   If you think a $25 gift goes over well,  ask them directly how you can make their life better/upgrade the house and they'll be super happy!    It's all tax deductible, and only improves your house-- win/win!

@Jerome Morelos,

First question is what type of a rental is this B/C/D?      If it's a flip or high end then you could replace the cabinets-- if it's a C/D, 100% you should just repaint them!  

 You can buy cabinet doors online-- invest in fancy handles and you'd be amazed how much paint and handles can transform a kitchen!   Put a fancy light fixture, and boom--- pretty renovated kitchen ready for rent!!

@Bruce Woodruff,

We really should...   gosh it'd be fascinating!  I really don't think people would believe what the reality is!   

  I don't know what  a ' lesbian initiation room' room entails,   I'm sure there was plenty of logic in coming up with that term though.. but I do know we have done maintenance calls  for a young couple  and saw  multiple strap- ons!    #TMI

@Dave Poeppelmeier,

No good deed ever goes unpunished-- especially in real estate rentals!   I think it's a lesson every landlord needs to learn, first hand.         Long term landlords are salty for a reason, and that reason is experience.

I have lots of stories of being burned, but I think my favorite last year was when we put a brand new roof/siding/windows and  this unit was the only one with a deck, super cute renovated little duplex-- was rented to a single mom, but of course it wasn't just her-- it came with her crazy boyfriend.   After we put like $15K into the duplex in improvements, they complain that a nearby tree branch fell on their car (not our tree), so I told them to call their car insurance or renters insurance.    They then tell me the car is flooded (there was no flood), and we should replace their car.    Obviously they didn't have insurance and wanted to get us to pay for a new car for them.   The following weekend, we see a giant rock you could sit on, approximately 2 ft from our duplex, with about 8-10 broken beer bottles next to it and a sign taped to the brand new siding "This is the anger rock, slumlord caused flood waters  and my car is destroyed.  Please break a bottle on the anger rock in remembrance of a well maintained audi"-- you can't make this up!!!!   We immediately served them their 30-day notice of non-renewal,  increased rent and have a wonderful tenant in there now!