To be fair, I didn't see the potential for the root issue coming, but now I know that the weeping willow roots cause havoc frequently in this area so I'd probably have someone do an exploratory roto rooter or something next time!

It is a potentially significant problem for me that judges too frequently allow their basic gut feelings to play a deciding role in how they rule.

The meetup groups frequently have attorneys speak at their get-togethers. 

Not bad for 20 minutes worth of work.I also have about 4 million frequent flyer miles from a handful of years ago when the government was trying to convert people into using the $1 coin instead of paper money. 

In the mean time, charge a pet deposit, do frequent apartment inspections and follow what has been said in this forum already.I'm sorry, but a vacant unit in a slow season that you will have to do repairs on when you had a good tenant is not always worth it.However, to each his own.

Aaron -- I find it amusing that your location is set to "All over the USA"  As someone who has moved frequently, it's sometimes hard for me to answer the question: "Where are you from?"

Hey @Ryan Myers, lenders can so frequently be fueled by fear and cowardice more than any other feeling. 

The point is: the blue line doesn't seem to pay attention to the red line, and quite frequently not the recessions either. 08-09 was an exception with a high degree of correlation, and we could discuss causation for a long time, but neither would disagree it was bad for all camps.

I agree with Embert Madison Jr and that is what I do.I don’t do a pet deposit, instead I wrap it all together in one clean bow, pet fee of $45/month.After my last tenant that had a cat that marked all areas of the carpet in my basement rental unit, I know better than to do a refundable pet deposit.On a separate note, I am glad to learn that you are thinking of renewing your tenant’s lease.I would do more frequent inspections than 5 to 6 years out.There are certain things if left unaddressed will be very costly 5 years down the line.It is a business and frankly I run it as such.I am out to protect my investment and in all honesty if tenants are clean and care for the place then they have nothing to worry about with at the very least, annual inspections.It shows that you as the owner also do care about your property.Thomas S.I like your advice on charging market rents.I too have fallen victim of thinking I need to charge just below market value for my rents, and just yesterday an appraiser (am refinancing my property out of FHA to conventional), advised that my property is so well maintained and upgraded that I should be charging market rents.I will take your advice. :)

For our primary residence purchase, we weren’t where we are now in regards to the investment mindset, however; my husband and I both moved frequently for our jobs and liked the flexibility of multiple exit strategies (ie sell or rent).