Real Estate News, Views & Schmooze!
Tales of a Property Manager
Tales Of The Property Manager…The Story Of The Clogged Sink
Nov 20th
I love hearing stories about apartment tenants and their issues. Let’s just say it’s my version of great reality TV. Here’s one from Robert Kramer- Owner of Kramer/Saxl Group, LLC , a client of mine who sent me this as an email yesterday.
Subject Line: Resident says– “My sink is clogged and I don’t know why”
Repair guy says– “The drain is filled with wax!”
Landlord says — “What!?!?
Tenant says– “Well I did spill a little wax, but I thought I got it all.”
Landlord thinks to self–”Oy Vey”!
Pictures Shown Below:
PS wax plug available for inspection on my desk!
Please, if you have other landlord stories you’d like to share, let me know as I will be featuring them in the annual Schmoozer recap.
Apartment Complex Bans Tattooed Tenants!!
Oct 2nd
Some apartment buildings in
Is this an act of discrimination or not?
The Federal Fair Housing Act states illegal discrimination occurs when a landlord treats a prospective renter differently based on certain characteristics or lifestyles. The Act applies to all apartments except buildings of four or fewer units where the owner also lives, housing run by organizations or private clubs, and single-family housing rented without the service of a licensed Real Estate Broker. A landlord cannot treat you differently during any stage of the rental process based on the following categories: Race or Color National Origin, Religion, Families with Children Under 18 or Pregnant Women.
It might be morally unjust but according to federal law, it is legal.
I’d like to know what your thoughts are on the subject.
Please remember…
If you are in the market for a new apartment, you’d better think twice before getting way too inebriated at the next holiday party like this guy did.
Tales of a Property Manager…Crazy Tenant Stories
May 4th
We asked a few Landlords and Property Managers for their craziest tenant stories.
Here are our top 5 (in no particular order):
#1 : I had a house for rent and a guy stopped by to look and the first question out of his mouth. “What will my late payment be?”
#2: I rented a townhouse to a rather LARGE couple with several kids. When I say large I’m not exaggerating to say they were both in the lower 400’s and rapidly increasing. We did periodic inspections of the property and fastening the commode was an ongoing battle. This couple was terrible with paying their rent on time however we were determined to get them to the end of the lease because renting over the holidays is a nightmare.
At one point they began dodging calls and letters so I went to face the music. I banged on the door a few times and finally one of the kids answered. I asked for her mom and she replied she was in the shower. Noticing that the dad’s truck was there, I asked to talk to him and heard what would eventually cause me several nights of no sleep. She simply said “he is the shower too!” Please note, we only have one small shower in the property. When I got back to my truck I had to decide if i should call their bluff or maintence .
More >
Pay Your Rent Now Or Face The Wrath Of…
Apr 22nd
Sometimes collecting rent can be a very tough task to accomplish. Our good friend Derrik over at Flippingrich.com has found a great way to collect rent.
Watch this 2 minute instructional video. It’s worth it!
Tales of a Property Manager-The Overview…Do You Know Who Your Renter Really Is??
Apr 19th
Do you own investment properties? Apartments, Single Family Homes, Duplexes, Triplexes, etc.? As a Real Estate Investor your #1 goal is to make as much money as possible on rent, keeping your vacancies low as can be along with keeping your expenses in check.
I have known many investors who will accept any person that walks in the door without any sort of background check. Unfortunately for them, that is the one of the biggest mistakes a Real Estate Investor can make. Rental times might be tough, cash-flow can be a trickle and creditors might be calling. Your faced with a very tough decision; “To Rent or Not To Rent”.
Tenant Screening is the most effective way to curb any misjudgments you might make in finding the “right” renter for your property. After personally managing over a 1000 units, i’ve seen and heard every story in the book. In future posts, I plan on telling you some anecdotes of things i’ve done and seen as property manager. Please keep your eyes out for future posts on the subject.
In the meantime, if you don’t or even if you do currently utilize a Tenant Screening Service for your Investment Properties, contact Lee at Rental Research Services, Inc. They are a nationwide company and absolutely the very best in the business. Do you want to protect your investment? Take it from me, it will be the best choice in real estate investment you’ll ever make!