Have you ever been called a “control freak”? We don’t always use this as a term of endearment, but with investments, it may pay off.No investment is risk-free, but real estate gives you an element of control that others don’t. You not only choose the specific house, but you also decide the location, …
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7 Simple Kitchen Renovations to Boost Your Rental Property’s Appeal and Price Point
There are plenty of things that tenants consider when viewing a potential rental, but there are few things more important than the kitchen.For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where they assemble their Thanksgiving meal, it’s where they bake their holiday cookies, it’s where …
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How to Identify Problem Tenants Before You Sign That Lease
The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent — or maybe not so innocent — but we’ll keep them anonymous!Last year, we met Bill. He came to us and said, “I want you to manage my property, but I’ve already found the tenants. We’re not under lease …
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11 Hidden Costs of Hiring a Property Manager
Some of our clients start off a little hesitant. They don’t quite know why to hire a property manager, and they figure some problems will come up that we’re not telling them about. In case you're having similar concerns, we’ve put together the top 11 disadvantages to hiring a property manager. …
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The Stop-Doing List for Landlords: 5 Tasks to Give Up Right Away
Have you heard of the “Stop-Doing” list?Basically, the idea is that sometimes what you stop doing is just as important as the things you start doing. So instead of creating a to-do list, with an endless number of tasks you want to complete, you should focus on things you hate doing or things that …
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You Purchased a Tenant-Occupied Investment Property – Now What?
So, you just bought a tenant-occupied property – congrats! But now the excitement's over and it’s time to get to work.First Steps After Buying A Tenant-Occupied HouseYour first steps when managing a tenant-occupied property affect your overall success. Here’s what you need to do to get off on the …
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What You Should Know About Raising Money for Real Estate Investing
Cash money is the best money, right? Even though a house costs the same no matter how you pay, cash gives you more options. With cash, you don’t have to use the entire amount towards one property. Instead, you can diversify your investment and bring more return. So whether you’re looking to hard …
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5 Rental Problems Every Landlord Dreads (And 1 That Can Put You Out of Business)
Being a landlord isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires unfaltering dedication and quick decision-making. Sure, the payback is worthwhile if you make the right moves, but there can be some nightmares along the way: pipes bursting overnight, tenants lying on rental applications, or pets destroying …
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The Landlord’s Guide to Returning Tenant Security Deposits Properly
You’re on a deadline. Your tenant finished their lease and moved out after their full term. Now you’ve inspected the property, and it’s time to return the security deposit. Sounds easy enough. But if you get it wrong, it’s a big deal. And it’s one of the most common mistakes DIY landlords …
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What Investors Should Know About Dallas-Fort Worth Property Tax Rates
When it comes to buying properties, there are certain opportunities to cut costs and save money (like negotiating a better sale price or getting a deal on contracting services). But there’s one area where costs are inevitable and non-negotiable – property tax.Property taxes are a fixed cost, which …
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