All Forum Posts by: Kyle Mccaw

@Amanda Bradley

Tough spot. Once rent has gone unpaid for this long, and communication has stopped, you're likely dealing with a holdover tenant. Since you're in California (specifically Lake County), you’ll need to follow the legal eviction process under state law—especially because CA has stronger tenant protections than many other states.

If he doesn't vacate by March 31, you’ll likely need to serve a formal 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, even though the lease ended, because he’s still occupying the property without paying. If there’s still no response, you’d move forward with an unlawful detainer (eviction) through the courts.

Don’t wait. Time is critical when it comes to non-paying tenants. Also, gather all documentation—communications, your written non-renewal notice, and any agreements you made to extend occupancy through March.

For others reading: this is why timely rent collection and structured follow-up is essential. Our team has learned the hard way over the years—delayed action often leads to thousands in losses. Stay consistent, and use professionals when needed. It’ll save money in the long run.

Hang in there—real estate tests your patience sometimes, but staying professional pays off.

@Oladosu Segun

It’s great that you’re being proactive about getting your rental filled. A few key things to consider:

1. Market Timing & Pricing

Princeton, TX, attracts a lot of families, and many prefer to move during the summer to avoid disrupting the school year. If demand is slow, it’s worth re-evaluating the rent price. Look at similar 4-bed homes—are they also sitting vacant? If so, pricing might be a challenge across the market. If others are leasing faster, adjusting your rate or offering incentives might help.

2. Rental Pricing Strategy

Realtors often price homes based on sales comps, but rental pricing is different. A larger home doesn’t always justify a higher rent than a smaller home with a better layout. The real demand drivers are:

• Extra bedrooms vs. extra square footage (a 4-bed will rent faster than a 3-bed with more space).
• Functional layouts.
• Competitive pricing against active listings.

3. Marketing & Listing Visibility

• MLS Alone Isn’t Enough – Make sure the listing is also on rental-focused platforms like Zillow, Apartments.com, and HotPads. Some MLS systems don't syndicate properly.
• Professional Photos Matter – Listings with high-quality photos drive more showings. If the images don’t showcase the home well, potential tenants may overlook it.
• Strong Listing Description – Highlight what makes the home stand out: “New build with washer/dryer, modern finishes, and spacious layout—perfect for families!”

4. Lease Incentives

If the market is slow, offering an incentive can help attract tenants faster:

• First month discounted or free with a longer lease (e.g., 13+ months).
• Reduced security deposit if they have strong credit/income.
• Including lawn care or utilities to make it more appealing.

5. Consider Expert Input

Working with a property manager or rental-focused professional can provide better insight into pricing, marketing, and tenant placement. Reviewing real-time rental data and understanding market trends can make a big difference in filling vacancies efficiently.

If your home has been sitting for 44 days, take a deep dive into pricing, photos, and competition to see where adjustments can be made. Hope this helps!

@Kosh Vokter 

Providing tenants with your bank account information for direct deposits does come with some risks, but it can be managed effectively with the right precautions.

Potential Risks of Giving Out Bank Account Info:

1. Security Risks – While ACH transfers are generally safe, giving out your account details means a tenant could attempt an unauthorized withdrawal or dispute payments.
2. Potential Errors – Tenants might accidentally send funds incorrectly, causing reconciliation issues.
3. Limited Control Over Payments – Unlike software-based rent collection, direct deposits don’t allow automated late fees, lease enforcement mechanisms, or payment tracking.

Ways to Minimize Risk:

• Use a Separate Account – Opening a dedicated rent collection account is a smart move. This keeps your main operating funds separate, and you can transfer money out as soon as rent is received.
• Enable Bank Alerts – Set up notifications for incoming ACH transactions.
• Review Bank Security Policies – Ensure your bank has safeguards against unauthorized transactions.
• Use a Property Management Software – If you’re serious about growing your rental business, consider platforms like Buildium, RentRedi, or AppFolio. These automate rent collection, track payments, and handle late fees seamlessly.

If you only have a few units, a direct deposit might work fine, but as you scale, a structured rent collection system will save time, reduce risk, and improve tenant accountability.

@Hassan Kareem
I highly recommend attending local networking events to connect with experienced investors and vendors. IMPACT Grapevine is a solid event where you can meet general contractors, subs, and other investors who have done renovations in the Fort Worth area. If you’re considering managing trades yourself, be prepared for scheduling and quality control challenges, but it can save you money if done right. @Andrew Postell always seems to know when and where all the networking events are. And he is a rock star lender.

@Anxhelo Lalaj  

That’s a great instinct—putting family first is always the right call. Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family!

As for the open house, many new or less-experienced agents are eager to host them since it gives them exposure and a chance to connect with potential buyer clients. You can reach out to local agent networking groups, or check with a broker to see if they have someone in their brokerage willing to do it. The going rate varies by market, but some agents will do it for free in exchange for any unrepresented buyer leads, while others may charge $50-$100 depending on the demand in your area.

Wishing you and your wife all the best—exciting times ahead!

@Melanie Steele welcome to the BP world.

 Seems fair. Be sure to run a full background on the new tenant.

@Shushyam Malige Sharanappa

I'm not going to recommend anyone for obvious reasons. But I will caution you to think real hard before hiring a frachise manager. Often times these are unexperienced managers that bought a franchise. Go with someone that has serious experience and a team that knows all the ins and outs of managing tenants, properties...and landlords.

@Carter Fleck 

There’s definitely a lot happening right now. The industry continues to see consolidation, with private equity-backed firms actively acquiring, albeit at a slightly slower pace than the frenzy a few years back. Peter Lohmann’s newsletter is a solid source for staying on top of national trends; I’d recommend subscribing if you haven’t already.

In Texas, I’ve noticed increased activity, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Single-family management companies are seeing interest from buyers. Private equity firms seem to favor larger operations with scalable systems, while smaller mom-and-pop firms are often acquired by local players or regional operators looking to expand their footprint.

If you’re looking for actionable intel, reaching out to brokers specializing in the sale of PM firms could provide useful leads. Additionally, many deals tend to fly under the radar, so networking within organizations like NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers) can help uncover opportunities.

If anyone reading this is considering selling their property management company in Texas, feel free to share—I’m genuinely interested in connecting. Happy to keep the conversation going if anyone wants to dive deeper into trends or specifics!

@Cameron Moore I knew I could count on you for a legit answer.