Property Managers vs DIY Management: Which Is Better?

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Property managers are the peace that renters and property investors don't know they need until they do. Imagine getting a call from a tenant at three a.m. stating they can't access their unit because the key code isn't working. As a resident, imagine no one answe...

What to Include in Lease Renewals

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Since 2010, landlords have raised rent rates an average of 31%. Raising rent prices is beneficial for landlords and property investors but they can make lease renewals a bit more complicated.Landlords cannot raise rent prices without letting a tenant know. This is just one item t...

How to Choose the Best Rental Property Management Company

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Managing your own investment properties gives you 100% control over what happens on your turf. However, most investors choose to outsource the tasks of a property manager to licensed professionals.To reap all of the benefits that come with doing this, you need to learn how to cho...

4 Things a Landlord Should Look For During Rental Property Inspections

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, March 23, 2022

The average landlord can expect to spend between 1% and 3% of their property's value on maintenance each year. That can really add up. But by nipping problems in the bud, you can reduce these costs.That's why it's so important to carry out regular rental property insp...

What’s the Average Amount to Charge for a Security Deposit?

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, March 9, 2022

When you become a landlord, you become responsible for several things you may not have prepared for. The list of responsibilities, ranging from maintenance coordination to a tenant background check, may seem endless. One thing that many landlords struggle with is determining...

Everything You Need to Know About Support Animals in Rental Properties

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, February 23, 2022

The Fair Housing Act is in place to protect citizens who rent properties. It's also there to help those with support animals.The act requires people with disabilities to be given reasonable accommodations. And that includes being allowed to have a support animal even if the p...

5 Essential Real Estate Investing Tips for Beginners

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, February 9, 2022

This is one of the best times to try out real estate investing. All across the country, the housing market is growing and the value of houses is rising. It also does not show signs of slowing down anytime soon.However, knowing how to invest in real estate can be difficult for man...

What to Do When a Tenant Skips Out on Rent

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Did you know Covid caused 10% of renters to have issues paying their rent? Another 25% of renters worked out payment plans with a property manager. Rent collection is one of the tougher aspects of managing property, and it's especially difficult when a tenant skips out o...

A Quick Landlord's Guide to the Eviction Process

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, January 12, 2022

A tenant who won't pay their rent is every landlord's worst nightmare, and it's more common than you might think. In fact, over a million evictions take place in the United States each year - and this number has gone up amid the Covid-19 pandemic.Evictions are stressf...

Landlord Tools: Tenant Screening Checklist

By Kathy Scott Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The larger the city you are in, the larger the proportion of residents are likely to be renters rather than owners. In fact, in places like New York City, renters make up 60 percent or more of the population!When such a huge proportion of the population is a prospective tenant, i...