Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x
Results (3,423+)
Matthew Runfola Is a Real Estate crash imminent?
3 June 2018 | 76 replies
The seasoned LO's know how to get creative with rates / swaps etc... and will work with you on your current needs and also the exist strategy.
Cynthia Johnson No Cash Flow on Rental in San Antonio
12 May 2019 | 14 replies
I’ve swapped home warranty companies a few times.  
Keith N. What are your best "hacks" as a landlord?
14 February 2018 | 17 replies
I think that showing them these things helps them to better take care of the property, and helps to reduce potential damage if a pipe breaksI schedule showings 15 minutes apartI waste less time driving to and from the property, and between applicantsThey see other applicants arriving or leaving, so they know there are others interestedI ask them to call to confirm at a specific time a few hours before their appointmentI don't have as many no-shows (believe it or not, there are still no-shows even when they called 1/2 hour earlier to confirm)I print our standards on the application (600 min credit score, 3x rent as income, no smokers, we do background checks, etc)Allows applicants to decide if they want to weed themselves outI encourage applicants to take the application home to fill it outI offer to pick it up at their home so I can see how they liveIt requires them to follow up and return it if they're interested, so I don't have to screen through people who apply everywhere with the shotgun approachIf they insist on filling it out on the spot, I call to confirm a fact from their application before further screening to make sure they're still interestedWhen they turn in their application, I tell them I'll be conducting background checks and ask if they have any surprises I'll hear about that they want to discuss.They've often told me about things that didn't appear on the reportThey've asked for the application back, said they wouldn't qualify if I'm going to do a background checkAll of my units have pass-through knobs and deadboltsThe tenant has to actively lock the door behind themThey can't lock themselves out by pulling the door shut behind themselvesAll of my units have been changed over to a master key systemI have one key that unlocks every door that I own, including padlocksInstead of replacing the whole deadbolt, I can swap out the core in 30 secondsNo more softball of keysI have a lock core in a different color that I can put on vacant units that are being worked on so I can give contractors a keyI have a standard set of 4 colors that I paint every unitIt makes it feel more like home if the walls aren't stark whiteIt doesn't cost anything extra to paint rooms different colorsThey're all earth tone colors that go with any furnitureWhen tenants ask if they can paint their unit, I tell them yes, but here are my standard colorsI've eliminated carpet - I use tile, snap-together vinyl laminate, concrete, hardwood (if it's existing) or linoleum (rarely)Tenant can bring their own throw rugs if they wantReduces allergensEasier to cleanI don't use the old snap-together pressboard laminate that would curl up with moistureI pay contractors as soon as I receive an invoice and I know the work is done to my satisfactionContractors don't want to chase down customers any more than we want to chase down tenantsI get a quick response in an emergency because they know I'm going to pay right awayI never say "no" - I always give them an option of how to get it donePets are okay, but there's a monthly feeIf a pet is sneaked in, there's a fine plus the monthly feeIf a pet is deemed dangerous to the property or neighbors, they can get rid of the pet or move outIf you're caught smoking, there's a large cleanup feeIf they want to paint, I let them choose from my colorsIf they're going to be late, the late fees are clearly definedIf they want to move in another roommate, that person has to apply and be qualifiedIf they want to move because they need more space, they can move into one of my larger units without breaking the leaseIf they don't mow the lawn or clear the snow, we can arrange to have a service take care of it at an additional chargeI'm sure there are other things I've added to my toolbox over the years, but this is a good list to start. 
Cody Thompson Got myself in a situation that is preventing me from starting
27 June 2017 | 10 replies
Ive looked into lease swapping but my lease is a lot more than what someone could go lease one brand new because of my trade in.
Annie Larner Rental Market in Carrollton, TX
13 April 2023 | 10 replies
Be prepared for cast iron sewer lines, foundation repairs and probably electrical panel swaps, along with the usual cosmetic updates. 
Heather B. Starting too late in life?
19 September 2020 | 61 replies
You may find that plan A & B swap places as you work with a property or that plan E or F or G pop out of nowhere and land on your plate (selling as a Rent-to-own, selling a life estate, super-long leases, sale with right-of-first-refusal).An owner rent-back is another option (I've done my first one this year - we'll see how it goes). 
Barry Sanders Security Deposit for Room Rentals
25 July 2018 | 4 replies
For example if the landlord provides lightbulbs for the kitchen what would deter tenant from swapping it for the lightbulb in their room?
Andres Arango Renting Apartments in Medellin, Colombia
29 March 2023 | 26 replies
I'd be happy to swap notes if you do end up going. 
William Kwong My First BRRR SUCKED
8 July 2019 | 39 replies
I had to walk through the property daily, and if certain things weren't done or delayed due to unforeseen events, something from week 2 needed to be swapped with that that part of the project to eliminate time not utilized.)- Keep track of materials purchased, at the end my contractor wanted an additional 30K to be reimbursed to him from the bid.
Kim Beresford STR conversion: Carpet or No Carpet?
2 February 2023 | 19 replies
Use cost-efficient area rugs to add softness and decor to your rooms and those can be easily swapped out and updated as needed.