Many landlords add this as additional rent due under the lease.Going forward, best practice is:Require proof of utility transfer before handing over keysOr keep utilities in your name and charge a flat utility fee built into rentOr have your PM handle confirmation on move-in dayRight now, the key is documenting everything, enforcing the lease consistently, and setting a firm deadline.

There is practically no amount of money that would get you there.Market on VRBO and/or Airbnb and call it done.

What actually changed everything was a mindset shift: we stopped operating like deal chasers and started operating like business owners.Here’s what that shift looked like in practice:1.

Best practices for managing student tenants remotely as an out-of-state owner.Anything I should know about property management fees, utilities, or local ordinances that affect student rentals.Any other tips for a first-time out-of-state investor in this market.Thanks  This thread may be helpful for student housing or college rentals: Nearing 1,000 College Tenants - Here's What I've Learned

Does anyone have any recommendations on software or best practices for uploading, tracking expiration, storing receipts, registering, filing claims?

It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange,(a) To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud,(b) To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or(c) To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person, in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

What really stood out to me in this book is how honest, practical, and entertaining it is.

@Ahron BenmerguiAhron, you don’t need to overthink it—both are important, but I usually recommend getting your first property in motion while simultaneously setting up the basic business structure.

The downside is slower portfolio growth unless you can leverage this property for future deals.A practical approach is to run the numbers for both scenarios (project cash flow, appreciation, and your timeline to scale) and compare which aligns with your goals.

Many of these states are within two hours of each other and are well-established vacation and second-home destinations, making them highly practical from both an investment and personal-use standpoint.