All Forum Posts by: Lacey A.

If you haven't tried ChatGPT yet, it is amazing! I've used it to write listing descriptions, consulted it for ways to address issues with tenants, and most recently used it to create a task list from an inspection report including trade services and tools required to complete the repair! All things I would have done manually. 

Would love to hear how you are using chatGPT for your real estate business!! 

Hi there,

We have strong candidates for renting our property but they are one year in the country. Is it a concern? Help me understand the pros and cons of renting to non-nationals.

Thanks in advance!

Lacey

Case closed! We added an addendum to the lease carefully asking for their COs info. They returned it with all the details, no question, and signed by their CO! 

Thanks All!

Quote from @Mark F.:

Quote from @Eliott Elias:

Quote from @John Underwood:

Why do you need this? Why would you treat someone in the military differently?

Run the background check using their Drivers license as I.D. 

Now if you are offering a military discount (a good thing) then they would need to prove they are in the military if they want the discount.

I show my retired military I.D. all the time for discounts.

 To hold the soldier accountable if they miss rent or violate the lease. They are less likely to do so if the commander has direct communication with the landlord. 

 It's really annoying people on these forums assuming they'll have a direct line of communication to their CO. There's something called a chain of command and it can be more useful at times other than trying to get ahold of the CO, depending on the size of the base. If you try and reach the #1 officer at a base the size of Ft Hood or NAS Mayport, good luck.

The better option is to just treat them like a normal tenant and get the information on their place of employment. Not difficult as youll most likely be aware of the local installations. If they do f uck up, just start making calls to find out who they directly report to. Most squads want to handle issues at the lowest level.

Hey guys, Bigger Pockets is intended to be a helpful forum. Your comments are not helpful. I’m admittedly new to the REI and PM world. I’m asking for advice, not ridicule. So, like my mom always said, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Just be nice. 

Quote from @Greg Weik:

 For enlisted guys, make sure you get the contact information of their "first shirt."  They will know what that means and it will keep them on their toes.

 How and when do you legally go about getting their “first shirt’s” contact info? We’re about to write a contract with very qualified military tenants. We have their LES to verify income. 

Thanks in advance!! 

1. How do we legally request official military documentation from the tenant, such as their orders or military ID card. This clause should specify the purpose of the request and how the documentation will be used. Do you have a template you could share? 

Thanks for bringing this to our attention! Contacting a lawyer now! 

Quote from @Greg Weik:

Echoing what others have said, screen them as you would screen anyone.  Generally speaking, they are going to be less risk.  

The military escape clause is important to understand.  Sometimes we see military members (who don't know I'm a veteran) pull the TDY (Temporary Duty Assignment) paperwork and claim it's the same as a PCS (Permanent Change of Station), because they want to break their lease.  Ha, nope!

I also agree that the biggest risk will be E1-E4.  Any Officers (O1 on up) are going to be less risky, but I would still let credit scoring guide the process.  For enlisted guys, make sure you get the contact information of their "first shirt."  They will know what that means and it will keep them on their toes. 

18-year-old guys and gals are still going to be 18-year-old guys and gals (the E1s).  I should know, I enlisted in the USAF at 18 years old and served 4 years.  I stayed in base housing, but I know plenty of friends who were definitely not ideal tenants...

Wow! We just had a tenant break the lease 3 months early due to a TDY. How do we rectify the situation given we have documented the lease termination and keys have been turned in? Is it too late? Can we request her BHA? 

Hello,

We own a rental near a large military base. We are civilians. We would love someone to school us on the pros/cons of renting to military. We have had one military tenant who was great and we were sad to see them leave. During a subsequent showing a prospect who was also in the real estate industry mentioned a few websites for hosting rental listings and even one for collecting rent and damages from security deposits. Out of respect, I didn't jot them down but rather kept chatting. By the time I had a minute to write them down, I had forgotten the URLs or misheard what they said. 

Would love your feedback on websites to post our rental and other tools for managing renting to military tenants. 

Thanks in advance! 

Lacey 

Hey there! We've got two leases expiring this summer in the Austin, TX area, both with good tenants.

We are a few months out but already considering how to address the next lease cycle. Are you a landlord? Given the economy, how are you going to proceed with your leases this Spring/Summer?