An after-hours call from a tenant is rarely a good thing. If your phone rings after dark, there’s probably a rental property maintenance problem. So, when that call comes, what should you expect? Are you prepared? Here are the most common maintenance problems you'll encounter as a landlord and …
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7 Rental Property Rehab Hacks for Landlords
Being a landlord isn’t easy. Taking care of your properties, your tenants, the repairs, maintenance, landscaping, and everything else can challenge even the best landlords. One of the biggest responsibilities of a landlord is making sure that each unit stays in tip-top shape for renters. That …
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How to Prevent Tenants From Damaging Your Rental Property
A landlord’s first priority is to keep their property in good condition. But tenants obviously use the house, so there will be normal wear and tear. The trick comes in distinguishing normal use from damage. So where do you draw the line between the two? It’s somewhat subjective, but here are …
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Preparing for New Tenants: The Landlord’s Property Management Checklist
When tenants move out, you need to get your property ready for a new occupant quickly. Otherwise, your rental will sit empty, and you won’t collect rental income.But you can’t just give the keys to the first person who’s interested in your property. Before welcoming a new tenant, …
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Investors Beware! The Risks of Using Unlicensed Contractors
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You've likely heard that phrase before, but it's worth repeating when it comes to hiring contractors. Unlicensed contractors usually bid lower, appealing to those trying to save a little – but the bargain may not be all it seems. When a …
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How to Prepare Your DFW Rental Properties for Vacancy
Unexpected rental vacancies aren’t ideal, but it’s part of the business. Maybe your resident has to move out early for a military assignment. Or there’s an emergency that requires a tenant to relocate. Life happens. Still, a surprise vacancy can put you in a state of emergency until it’s …
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Why You Should Have Your Rental Properties Inspected By A Pro (And How To Choose One)
Are unauthorized pets living with your tenants? Does one of your properties have damage that needs immediate attention? If you aren’t conducting regular rental inspections you may never know. Scheduling a walk through every six months is the only way to know everything that’s going on before it …
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How Much Time Does it Take to Manage 3 Rental Properties?
Some television programs (we’re looking at you, HGTV) can make investing in real estate seem almost too easy. While it’s entertaining to watch, the truth is real estate investment is backbreaking work. What you see on TV is only half of the story. Every property manager wants to find the right …
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3 Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating a Dallas Investment Property for Profit
Dallas is currently a seller’s market. The majority of homes are being sold with multiple offers, and the price of homes has risen about 5% each year for the last three years. Clearly, now’s the time to sell property for profit in Dallas. If you’re considering renovations to increase your profit …
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How to Prepare Your Dallas Rental Property for Hot Weather
I’ve lived in Dallas since 2007 and there's one thing every North Texas resident knows for certain: it’s HOT. In 2011, the Dallas area experienced 71 days of over 100 degree heat. How’s that for a heat wave? The extreme heat in Dallas is brutal for many reasons. For investment property owners, …
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