Landlords: We’re gonna find out who’s been Naughty or Nice, and it’s not who you might think it is!

You are probably thinking I am going to go off on a tie raid pointing out all of the little things renters do wrong to see if your residents have been naughty or nice. Not so fast! I think you will see in a moment that I already think your residents are the most important people in your fiscal world and they deserve more appreciation than we as landlords are usually willing to acknowledge. Let me set the stage for […]

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Renter Tip: Have an organized copy of your personal paperwork ready to review for your new Landlord

This is just one more great idea to make the prospective landlord’s job a lot easier. When you show up to see that apartment, have copies of all of the important information you want the landlord to have. By giving this information to the landlord, again you are making their job so much easier to choose you over other applicants. By making their job easier, you increase your chances of being selected for that apartment. Some of the documents you […]

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Renter Tip: Why you should tell your current landlord you are moving

This may be a fact that most people overlook. But, letting your current landlord know that you will be moving goes a long way when talking to your prospective new landlord. If your current landlord knows you’re moving and you have given a proper notice to quit, then your new landlord can assume that when you move out of their apartment you will treat them with the same common courtesy. If you answer “No”, they do not know I am […]

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Renter Tip: Get a FREE copy of your Credit Report and bring it with you to show the Landlord

Most landlords who run a reputable rental business pull credit history on likely candidates after getting over a few pre-screening hurdles. It is always a good idea to know your credit score before getting on the phone with the landlord to answer the question before they ever even ask about it.. Most people don’t know this, but it’s a pretty simple process to get a free credit report three times a year from the three major credit reporting bureaus. The three […]

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Dear Landlords: “Customer Service” is an “Attitude” not a “Department”

I have been managing properties for over 16+ years and I am still amazed at the things I hear come out of the mouths of landlords. Most recently I saw a fellow landlord and property owner at one of my favorite shopping stops: Home Depot. For the sake of conversation, let’s call the landlord Mike. Now mind you, Mike is one of the “good guys”. He takes care of his properties and his residents and I do not recall ever […]

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Tips for Apartment Renters: Be prepared to explain to the New Landlord why you are ready to move now

If you are interviewing a landlord on the phone and he asks you why are you moving, then the answer that you give him may reveal more about your rental situation than you think it does. If you are downsizing to a smaller apartment, then that makes perfect sense. Or let’s say that you are in a two-bedroom apartment, and now you are looking for a larger apartment, maybe a three or four-bedroom apartment. Then that makes perfect sense too. […]

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Tips For Apartment Renters: Read the rental ad before you call the Landlord to save everyone’s time

Probably the second biggest mistake prospective renters make before they call the landlord, is not reading the entire ad. A lot of the questions you may have, are probably already answered in the text for the ad. Say for example, you see an ad for an apartment for rent on Craigslist, Zillow, Trulia, HotPads or some other apartment rental resource. The landlord has already taken the time to figure out how much rent he’s asking for. They have already listed […]

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