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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How Much Will Rental Property Repairs Really Cost You?
Rental property repairs typically show up when you least expect them, wreaking havoc and hurting your bank account. So, if you’re considering buying a property (or if you own one you want to rent), don’t forget to include estimated repairs in your budget. Repair costs may not be as predictable as a …
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Which Rental Property Improvements Are Worth Considering?
Who wants an upgraded property with a high-end kitchen and luxurious flooring? Everyone! But is it worth the money? To an investor, probably not. The biggest mistake landlords make when rehabbing their properties is over-improvement. When a new landlord looks at the property as if they’ll be …
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Want to Fix Tenant Toilets at 3 a.m. and Lose All Your Money? Make These 6 Landlord Newbie Mistakes
You wake up to the sound of your phone buzzing. You’re getting your first landlord maintenance call… in the middle of the night.Out of the fog, you try to understand the problem. What?! All the toilets are overflowing, and the water is coming up through the tubs and sinks? This can’t be …
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Who Should Manage Your Rental Property Lawn Maintenance?
Lawn maintenance frustrates tenants and landlords alike. Landlords don’t really want to pay for it and tenants don’t want to deal with it. But who is actually responsible for keeping the yard under control? When tenants ask us, we tell them it’s more common for them to be responsible. When …
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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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5 Rental Renovations Under $20 With a Surprisingly Big Impact
Performing ongoing renovations to your property is important. Occasional upgrades are a form of preventative maintenance, plus it keeps your property looking good. You're probably thinking constant upgrades will send you to the poor house. Upgrades tenants don’t need (and won’t pay more for), …
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Landlords: How to Handle Damage to Your Rental Properties
Property damage. They’re two very simple words that make a landlord cringe. It can happen at any time, day or night, when a property is occupied or vacant. Two of the most common and potentially devastating causes of property damage are leaks and flooding. Here are steps we take to recover from …
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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 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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