All Forum Posts by: Curtis Mears

@Jonathan Feliciano

I do not furnish anything. It opens up headaches for the landlord if you ask me.

@James Olympia

For me, the vibe of an area starts with the criminal activity in a neighborhood. I used a heat map (in addition to driving by) to understand the crime in an area. I forget which website had this option (I think Trulia used to) as it has been several years, but look for the criminal reports in a neighborhood.

@James Carr

Develop your processes making sure to adhere to all state and federal law, then follow the process with each tenant.

@Vanessa S.

I would wait until she moves out and I your final walkthrough, bring up the issue and go from there.

@Gerald Dougherty

I like the requirements you have in place. For my process, once I receive any communication of interest, I always send them a cut and paste of my requirements (I also have them in the ad, but many people selectively ignore.) Thus will weed out the unqualified and save everyone's time. You will lose many of the people here as they do not qualify. Those that continue the process, now I schedule a showing. I do not give apps until after the showing. Who fills out an app for a car without demoing first? If they are still interested, now I give them an app. Most fill it out but not all.

In tenant searches, I would rather have 3 or 4 qualified applicants than 20 or 30 that most will not qualify.

@Jordan Deaver

First, you need to set up your requirements for the property.

Here is what I use, verifiable income of $5,550 per month (3 times rent), good reference for previous housing history, pass credit check over 650, no outstanding past due obligations, no recent (10 years) bankruptcies, a clean criminal record, and no previous evictions.

Yours can be different based on the property and what the property will attract. Once you set your requirements, use these to drive your search. Also, once you get an app, call to verify the information on the app. Do not assume they will be truthful. I always verify job and previous housing info.

The other advice is to meet the clients and walk them through the property. I use this time to get to know the people and get a feel for them.

In the long run, you should develop a process that is the same for all prospects. You get a prospect and run them through your process. Don't skip steps, even for referrals or friends.

@Ricky Stafford

When I sign a lease, I require all money to be paid before I hand over the keys. As for rent payments, my state (I think all states are different) allows a 5 day grace period. If I do not get the rent within that period, I send a 10 notic e to pay. After that, eviction process starts.

First, you need to know your states laws. Then, set up processes that adheres to state laws and your lease. Let every tenant know the process, and follow the process.

@Ryan Pritchard

I have used Randy Tremoulis

(919) 523-7807 on a number of inspections.

@Chris Farinella

For a high value property to make sense, you need high value rent. Many people that can afford the higher rents simply buy.

@Otchi Gal

I have been extremely fortunate to have bought several properties from neighbors. While doing maintanence on some new properties, I met the neighbors and after talking with them, they asked if I was interested in theirs. I said I was, and ended up buying 3 properties from neighbors.