All Forum Posts by: Shelley Alterman

First step is to screen the tenants carefully. You want to make sure you are not violating any fair housing laws at the same time and treating everyone  with the same requirements. Check their employment and rental history.  Get a lawyer prepared lease so that you are protected and it will have lots of things included to  avoid future issues.  Security deposits are a must and you need to know your state laws on this subject.  You might want to consider hiring a licensed property manager who will know all the legal  laws and  regulations on renting and keep you out of trouble.  They save you money in the long run .

Have the new tenant fill out a application and screen him. Then just add him to the lease.

try resident research.com 

Check out flat fee agents. Some of them have "extras' where they will handle the paperwork and bring it to closing for a smaller fee

We switched to Buildium  last spring and it has been great, Great customer support and easy to learn 

I am not sure if  you are asking who pays for the maintenance    Our owners pay for all repairs and maintenance unless it is due to tenant negligence.  At move out we do a inspection and compare these photo to the move in photos. All  damages are deducted from the  security deposit. 

You need to check your state laws to make sure you don't need a real estate license. 

I own a FF listing service here in Florida (FlatFeeHouses.com) and it definitely works! Make sure you pick a company that is the actual broker and not a sales agent  that will be using your leads to build their own buyers list.  We send 100% of the leads to the seller and do not compete as we do not do sales. 

They are acting more as a marketing company and pay a local licensed realtor to put it on the MLS.

You will need to pay the buyers agent a commission if they bring you the buyer.  If it is too low they won't bother showing your home.

If you don't want to pay a buyers agent commission put a FSBO sign on the property and find your own buyer and advertise it yourself.