Baltimore Shooting a flare. Having a few problems.

[Robert Carl]

Looking to connect with Baltimore City Landlords that are market renters and not in the Grade A neighborhoods.  Im a landlord with properties in West Baltimore. I do full renovations and rent to market renters. Currently trying to transfer from a do it yourselfer to more hands off with the construction.  I'm having a few problems:

-Finding good long term tenants

-Handymen

-Breakins

Just like to have a conversation on landlording and pushing neighborhoods up.

Thanks

[Account Closed]

Im an owner of nearly 40 of the places you describe, mostly westside also.

The answers to your questions are as follows;

-good long term tenants are far and few between,...but good news is that their are ways to deal with it. 1. Make your properties "really nice cages" if its not there, they cant break it. 2. First, last, security deposit at move in....non-negotiable. Youre covered if you have to evict. 3. Income verification... And be thorough. No mcdonalds bs either. Must have substantial income to collect on post-eviction.

-handymen are a dime a dozen, though the only way to navigate who is and is not full of crap is to know everything a contractor knows. How would you know the difference?? Start learning. Further, no money upfront ever...you buy materials, not them. Cant get screwed that way.

-break-ins? When you deal with animals, sometimes you get bit....the key to this dilemma is to not have anything worth taking. Eliminate all copper, no central ac, etc. No radiators, convert to forced air once they're taken. Gates with one way screws on rear windows. Sliding bolts locks on doors into the ground, not door frame. No lockboxs, no for rent signs...these are rob me advertisements....an alarm system sign on the front couldn't hurt....blinds down on all windows, screw the window sashs in with drywall screws.....

As far as improving the city, good luck.