All Forum Posts by: Michael Currie

I am a Halifax / Nova Scotia investor as well.

Hi Mary,

Thank you for getting in touch.

send me an email when you are here, and I will bring you a signed copy.

[email protected]

Mike 

Looking for a book that's got it all? Grit, guts, humor and real life practical advice for landlords and property managers. 

Don't miss local author, Michael P Currie, as he launches his Complete Guide to Residential Property Management; a book landlords and property managers dreamed would be written.

Book Launch Details:
Thursday October 20

5:30-7:30pm

Durty Nelly's Pub
1660 Argyle Street

Books will be for sale on site, $20 each.

Leading up to, and a few days after the launch of my book - Landlord by Design - Complete Guide to Residential Property Management, you can download the Kindle version for just $1.99

Just click this link if you have ever experienced any challenges managing your properties, like eviction, renovations, bad property managers, scary tenant interactions, and the list goes on.  We all know it is a challenging business, and my new book will help you through the highs and the lows.

https://www.amazon.com/Landlord-Design-Complete-Residential-Management-ebook/dp/B01KMQPYWK/ref=sr_1_142?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1474328162&sr=1-142&keywords=property+management#nav-subnav

I hope to help millions with this book.  It is not like any other property management book on the market.  I hope you will enjoy this property management manual.

https://youtu.be/6nceCZ60spc

Good contractors can be hard to find. Here is my advice. I have had great luck finding them at our local real estate investor meet up group. I agree building supply centres can also be a good source. In my experience it is easier to find people to do a big job, rather than small ones. What I have done is formed relationships, where I give them a good big contract and in return they do the small stuff for me. I also have a couple of handyman type people on my team. They are usually doing repairs on the side, often for cash under the table. I only trust the small guys with minor stuff, maybe laying a floor, or replacing a toilet. The key is to build a solid team, do not nickel and dime them, pay them as soon as the work is done. Build a win win situation. If you are building a portfolio and you use the same crew, they will get to know your Reno style. Mike

Hi Julie We start showing as soon as the tenant gives notice. It has been a challenge sometimes, I remember setting up showings at a house where the tenant was away for the weekend. Just her teenage kids were home. The first showing was embarrassing, but I managed to do a garbage bag / throw stuff in the cupboards (including dirty dishes) The next tenants took the place, but I made a deal with them to have our painter / handyman come in to do a bit of painting, after they moved in. It is not always ideal, some of the hustle between tenants, but I find if you communicate well, set expectations and do what you say you are going to do, you can avoid any loss in revenue. That being said, sometimes you have to shut a unit down between tenants to do a full on scrub down. To clean properly it really takes a lot of time. Mike

Hi Linda,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets.  The first step is to decide what you want to accomplish through real estate investing.

Then just dive in.

It can be as simple as renting a room or adding a rental suite to your existing home.

or as complicated and big as you want to get.

I enjoy answering tenant relation questions, if you ever have any.

Hi Brady,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets.  It is great you are taking the first step to get educated and starting to focus on what kind of real estate you want to invest in.

I think you will find on this site, that there are many ways to participate.

Step one could even be as simple as renting out a room or some space in your current home.

Maybe add a rental suite.

Hi Ivan,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets.  It is an amazing resource.

Great to see another Canadian.

I am into property management education and buy and hold real estate.

If you ever have any questions, especially about tenant relations, let me know.

Have a super weekend

Hi James,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets.

You are in a great area, I have spent a lot of time a little further south in Myrtle Beach.

I did several home flips, until I got into buy and hold investing in 2009.

Flipping can be a great way to build up some capital.

Have a super weekend