All Forum Posts by: Joe Edgar

Thank you all for your support and kind words.  Joe here, the CEO of TenantCloud.  I am from Oregon and love seeing companies pop up from there.  TenantCloud is based in Austin, TX and understands property management, because we have rentals in many states and countries (including Oregon - go Ducks).  

TenantCloud is unique, because it is designed by actual real estate investors and continually improved by our favorite industry experts - you, our users:)

We know that having a great interface for dealing with a tenant must go farther than just an application, so we provide an end-to-end solution that works in every country on earth:)  With offices in Austin, Chicago, Ivan-Frankivsk and soon possibly Toronto, Dublin, London and Eugene, Oregon we do have a dedicated team that can help out 24/7.  

Thanks

Joe

Co-founder of TenantCloud

I have to agree with @Jim Adrian.  Many Cities are starting to require landlords post the total operating expenses (yes in residential), which means they force you to get an energy audit, so tenants can compare costs that include utility expenses.   The high yield and return will be in getting your rent efficient for bang-for-your-buck items like windows (also consider thin film on them if you are in the south), insulation, water-heater and LED lights.  HVAC is the biggest consumer, but often very expensive, so harder to predict pay back as it varies. 

Here is a link that has both of these companies and more listed as free options.   I do use one of them and have found that the best selection has nothing to do with finding a tenant (very important), but maintaining the relationship with the tenant after they move in (rent, late fees, notices, maintenance, messaging, calendar reminders to check the A/C filter, depreciation tracker. lawn mowing contractors, full payments to service pros and you get the idea) is what a solution really needs to do.  

http://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-online-property-management-software/

Here is a link on free options and how they rate.

http://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-online-property-management-software/

Great posts here.   I found the secret to Craigslist is adding in a digital application link.  There are some free solutions for this here.  I use TC and works great, but have heard great things about many of them and you can even charge an application fee - so only serious applicants.  The secret is not to let people call you on the phone.  I learned the hard way

http://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-online-property-management-software/

Here are two reviews that compare the offerings.  Note they also include other systems.

http://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-online...

http://realtybiznews.com/top-6-free-property-management-software-solutions/98729958/

This is becoming very common with airbnb, Homeaway and more.  The answer is yes, but only a portion of the expenses that go to the rental.  The catch is you are going to have to separate out many expenses and will lose some benefits when selling.  

I assume it is rented at least 14 days (or 10%) of the year.  It will be seen very similar to a vacation home that you rent out part time.

Taking expenses is great, but getting $500k in capital gains when you sell a primary residence is great as well.  If a portion is a rental then you can also depreciated it, but you will lose that same portion for capital gains exemption when you sell.

Here is a recent blog I did on other benefits for maximizing your rental this tax season.

Joe

Yikes!  Some of these mentioned are expensive.  Free trials are nice, but $200/mnth seems steep.  Anyone know of any free options and how do they compare?

Found this review of 18 property management systems.

http://listoffreeware.com/list-of-best-free-online-property-management-software/

Great article in the WSJ this  morning on single family rentals.  Apparently there are 15.3 Million of them and only 2% is control by large companies.  That is so surprising to me.  

http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-landlords-in-talks...

Hope you enjoy.

joe