All Forum Posts by: Edward Hamill

Not completely on topic... but I see so many adds with "free this" or "free that"...  I always found that free was worth what you pay in people's minds.  When I offer "Owner-paid this" or "Company-Paid that", there is a value I can associate with it to show my customer.  Also, when an item is not included next round/lease, no argument over "why did you take that away, it didnt cost anything anyways"... instead it is simply "The company has decided not to continue to pay for x".

Just my Ed-Payed opinion. (worth much more than free advice)

May cost too much, but I would certainly turn Bedroom 4 into a large bath or even two - 1 for each hall.  And I would cut back the pantry so that there was a real opening into the family room from the kitchen.... regardless of resale, I think it would rent better with a more open flow.

What you can do, and make OK money from it, is Home Watch services...  For example, find a senior community and market each resident to keep an eye on their property during the summer, notify them of maintenance issues so THEY can call and schedule to have it fixed, collect and send their mail, etc.  No license required in Florida for any of this.  Insurance will cost you about $40 a month and an "OK" mobile reporting software is another $35 a month, so overhead is way low!

Average fee is about $100-$150 a month for simple services (weekly checks and photos emailed).  Add $20 a month plus shipping to send mail 2x a month and another $30 a month to start the car, roll it forward or backward a few inches.  could be $200 a month per home for 30-45 minutes of your time each.

Not a huge money maker, but an extra couple grand a month for a Saturday or Sunday job isn't too shabby.  You also know before anyone when they want to sell... put them in touch with an investor that will pay you a bird dog fee (I choose to not do wholesaling).  More money in your pocket for no cost AND you didn't break any laws!

Hit me up via PM if you have any questions.

You will learn quickly how to say no... Only took my wife about a week after the wedding!  :-)

But seriously, just stick to the lease, do not let them make modifications and make your new husband out to be a pitbull landlord that you will let loose if things continue down the same road.

Most importantly... enjoy your day!  That is more important than anything else.  

I have also used Hotline America for incoming calls as well as a way to provide more info to customers.  They type in the house number and hear info on the house, can have an app texted to them (link to pdf) or additional info texted or, based on hours, can press a button to talk to me.  As soon as they type in the house number, I get a text with their contact name and cell number.  neat service for just $20 a month!

If you have an iphone, I prefer sideline.  costs me $2 a month, uses my cell minutes, so even if I dont have fast data connection I can still make and receive quality phone calls, text, etc.  Has just worked better for me than google voice (it does have a free version as well, but I hate the ads)

My experience with tankless was a bit shocking... ended up costing more in the long run!  Not running out of hot water = longer showers = more gas and more water = higher bills! And that was just at my house!

Your mileage may vary.

Photos, Photos, Photos... If I was looking for a rental, I would skip this based on the photos.  Look from a renters point of view... Why not a full pic of the shower (just the top half), why a pic of ceiling?  Why not more "room" shots.  Is the landlord hiding something?

I know this is tough when you are occupying the home, but take some time to "declutter" (note, your home seems far from cluttered... from a marketing standpoint, declutter means "remove personal items like family photos and cat tree") and try to take photos of the home as if you were selling it (full rooms, yard, patio, garden, etc).  

The home is beautiful but you need to show it off!  Ask a friend or two "What do you love most about my house" and make sure to photograph that and feature it!

Finally, look for more websites to add your rental to (zillow, hotpads, etc).  I also love the idea that @Becca Summers suggestions about the price. 

You got this!!!!

 First, stop calling the squatters the "new tenant" and I would not take rent from anyone but the ACTUAL tenant.  In some areas, collecting rent from the squatter starts a new contractual agreement, making them a month 2 month tenant.

Definitely not smarter... just better "webucated" (doesnt mean it is correct) which is scary