Two separate "events" happend today, one on Facebook, the other on Twitter. They got me to thinking. << Uh oh, there he goes, thinking again... >> First, I saw this posted on a Facebook friends status update: Do you use Twitter? I've been informed it's a must have in real estate but I just can't seem to get into tweeting. Input is appreciated. Well, since he asked, I provided some input: A "must have"?? Hardly. That said, I like Twitter, use it a lot, and have met some … [Read more...]
Can I Break My Lease If . . .?
We frequently, and inordinate amount of time I would say, get questions from people asking: Can I break my lease if”¦ ”¦ I am buying a home? ”¦ I have to move out of town/state? ”¦ my landlord is a jackass? ”¦ I found a better place? And the list goes on. These are by far the most popular inquires, roughly in order. Let's begin with a short discussion of what a lease is. The book definition is, “A contract granting use or occupation of property during a specified period in exchange for a … [Read more...]
Buildium: A Killer Property Management Software Solution
We've been searching for an online property management software solution, and we found it! Buildium. We (well, my lovely wife Francy) spend far too much time preparing owner statements, colleting rents, processing applications, etc. etc. etc. Enter Buildium. What can it do? How about: Maintain complete accounting records for each property Track tenants, association owners, charges and payments Run credit and background checks Give property owners online access Receive maintenance … [Read more...]
You Know What Sucks About Property Management? Sometimes everything…
For several years I swore that I would never do property management. Horror stories abound ”crazy tenants", lousy landlords, low pay, attorneys mucking things up, special/stupid Department of Real Estate rules, accounting nightmares. All that (and more). It's always better to let a professional property management company do it for the property investors. Ever heard anyone say something good about doing your own property management? Yeah, me neither. Yet we went off and did it any way. Why? … [Read more...]
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...