I remember when I first started in the apartment industry, someone told me to always ask my residents if there was anything in their apartment that needed fixing. Now, at the time, I thought that was kind of odd. Why would we ask if there was something WRONG with our product? That seemed … I […]
The year 2013 will go down in the record books as a good year for both owners and managers of residential income properties. As I wrote recently in an article titled, It’s Tough to Afford to be a Renter These Days, “Housing affordability doesn’t look too promising as 2014 begins. If you listen to the […]
Let’s look at a tried and true way to measure rental property investment returns and what we as buyers should be looking for in our purchases. Total investment returns in real estate are really comprised of two pieces: operating positive cash flows and long-term appreciation. In today’s world, even though it probably will come, we […]
All online rental ads are not created equal. In fact, many factors determine whether a rental ad will be successful at attracting renter leads. With so much information and so many choices on the internet, rental marketers need to make sure their ads catch – and hold – the attention of potential renters. Photos – […]
When you own real estate – whether an investment or a personal residence – you should procure the proper type and dollar value of insurance needed for your property. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the basics of how insurance coverage works, and many individuals just want to spend “as little as possible” on insurance. The […]
Of all the expenses to consider when preparing to move into a new apartment, is renter’s insurance should be at the top of the list. This necessary, yet inexpensive purchase will protect you and your possessions while you’re living in your new home. Apartment insurance is easy to acquire and will promise you peace and security when […]
What does your property look like to a colony of termites? Imagine that you’re hungry, eternally hungry. You can’t get enough food. For termites, when they get into a home or building, it’s like an everlasting buffet. They eat and eat and eat their way through, and you are left to clean the table, so […]
We may continue to see the number of families purchasing homes to decrease according to Freddie Mac’s Multifamily Research Group’s Real Estate Demand Forecast, which issued a new marked demand forecast last week. According to Freddie Mac, renters entering the market are expected to dramatically increase over the next three years.  What’s causing the increase in […]
As a rental property manager or owner, you’re probably aware there are many pet lovers who are in the market for rentals that offer pet-friendly policies. According to a recent Apartments.com survey, 75 percent of renters in the United States are pet owners, so rental properties with flexible pet-friendly options definitely top the list when […]
The leaves have fallen and temperatures are dropping as winter draws near. If you haven’t already performed routine fall maintenance at your investment property, it’s not too late to save time, money and the overall headache of long-term and costly problems that can occur. Here’s a useful checklist: • Downspouts and gutters. Cleaning downspouts and […]