Should I Stay Anonymous?

[Asem AbuAwad]

Hi BP family,

In the next couple of months, I will be renting my primary house as my first time rental property and I was wondering how can I have the least exposure to my tenets? I was thinking to use Google voice phone# to be contacted and/or email. I will have Home Warranty included in the rent so they should cover the major issues (Appliances,Garage Door...etc). Maybe have a personal card that represent me as the property manager not the owner.  I want to gain the land-lording experience but have a separate channel for my tenets to keep things in line. 

I am planning to use my experienced realtor as the marketing resource to place my tenets at first.

Any advise? Thoughts?

Thanks,

Asem

[Jake Thomas]

Is this your first and only rental? Sounds like you are going to put more effort into not letting them know who you are versus screening and finding great tenants. Now, I don't have tons of rentals but I have a few and I let a Property Management company manage the multi-family properties as those can have more hassles than single families. My single family tenants like knowing they are talking to the owner and paying the owner. We have an understanding and work together, if they are happy I am happy. Now, one day when you have several rentals look into making yourself seem as anonymous as possible but I think dealing with them directly right now is great experience and you will take a lot from it. Screen and find good tenants and all your worries won't be as big of a problem.  

If you are still stuck in staying anonymous then hire a PM company. You can't any further from being hands off. 

Good Luck