Landlord by Design Blog
I started this blog as a form of therapy, a way to share ideas about ways to invest in real estate and manage your real estate investments.
I have found most of what is written online about real estate investing and property management is written with a slant to sell a service, course or investment. I wanted to be contrarian to that.
It is an interactive space with all my readers and followers. Some days I will just write a story based on one of my, or a reader’s experience. I welcome and appreciate all the stories from folks like you. Sharing ideas, solutions and advice has helped thousands of readers over the years.
If you are expecting perfectly edited corporate style blog posts with an agenda to sell you something, please leave this page (other than a link to buy one of our books).
If you want interesting helpful stories that tell the truth about the often chaotic world of real estate investing and property management, then enjoy the read.
Fence buying guide for homeowners
Do you need a fence? Why do you need it? There is an old saying that reads something to the effect of a good fence makes for great neighbors. Today I am posting a guest blog from a fence company. They have offered up a great quick reference buyers guide. Credit...
Is a heat pump the same as an air conditioner?
This is a guest post contributed by a retired HVAC technician who now does training and educating on the subject. Make sure to check out the links at the end of the article. You might be interested in learning about air conditioners, but not know where to start....
Top 50 Landlord blogs and websites every landlord must know
I am continuously searching for great landlord and property management blogs, articles, and stories. I have learned a big lesson over the past several years sharing stories about landlord and property management experiences. The big lesson is, it does not seem to...
How to reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack
This is a guest post from Wendy Michaelis founder of fixAIRx - She is an air quality professional in Dallas Texas. Make sure to check out her website for tons more valuable information and reach out to her if you need your air quality tested. Click here to follow....
Why Tenants Need Fire Insurance
The fire spread quickly and most the tenants were without insurance. Now all they had to look forward to was salvaging burnt, wet and smoke smelling personal possessions. Then rely on the kindness of strangers and organizations like the Salvation army and red cross....
Spring Maintenance: 4 Common Landlord Concerns
Spring Maintenance: 4 Common Landlord Concerns | 2015 Apr 02 | Author John Ward 002121 When you own property, there’s plenty to worry about. When you own multiple properties, there’s even more to worry about. The spring can be a particularly hard time for landlords:...
The home butcher shop
The home butcher shop I want to share a story about tenant vs landlord communication. When you lease your property it is very important that both parties are clear about the intended use. Book to solve property management pain CLICK HERE In this story it appears the...
10 Tips on how to buy a tax sale property
Ten tips on how to buy a tax sale property I wanted to write a follow up or addition to my previous post about buying properties at tax sales. Other than how to find and purchase foreclosure properties, the tax sale purchase process is what I am asked most about....
7 Questions For Prospective Tenants
7 Questions For Prospective Tenants created by Global Verification Network
30 Day Notice To Landlord
When you become a landlord the first step is understanding leases. I am often amazed when I am interviewing potential tenants how many do not have a documented lease. How can a tenant be expected to know how much notice to provide. I agree a verbal lease will work...
The story of the PERSISTENT rats
Rats can be an extremely persistent rodent. I want to share a story, that lead to rat education for my tenant and I at a single family home we own. I received a call one hot July day, that there was a rat sighting in the house. The tenants seemed upset about the...
Mold Remediation
Mold Remediation This is a guest post from an amazing American Landlord / Property management resource. American Apartment Owners Association Liability is always a concern for landlords. Thus, it’s easy to understand why the mention of “mold” and “millions” together...
signs your tenant is going to leave
signs your tenant is going to leave I have had many people ask me about signs their tenant is going to leave. I usually get asked when it is too late. For example: a tenant might ask a landlord or property manager something like: How much notice do I have to give to...
Are you afraid to screen your potential tenants?
I want to start by saying, screening is critical. If you are afraid, that will hinder you from doing a great job. If you are cutting corners or are slack on your process or do not have a process, you are playing a dangerous game. A game that could risk the personal...
Can you reject a potential tenants application based on amount of income?
Can you reject a potential tenants application based on amount of income? This is a question I have been getting a lot lately, and there are a few current cases of potential tenants pushing back on landlords after they have been rejected for this reason. I need to...
Is Your Property on a Bed Bug Registry?
If you have had to deal with bedbugs in one of your rental properties, I am sure it was a stressful and costly situation. It seems like there are times when the media makes it seem like the world is infested with the critters. The reality is, that you will likely...
Do tenants have a right to smoke Marijuana in or around your rental property
Landlord by Design - Complete Guide to Residential Tenancy Do tenants have a right to smoke Marijuana in or around your rental property We are entering into an interesting time in the world. The attitude towards the legalization of Marijuana has changed...
Wake up Landlords, Your tenants have rights
This is a wake up call to landlords / property managers Do you know the rights of your tenants? The past few months have been a time of rule changes in my area, and many others. The biggest topic of conversation and questions for me is around the use of Cannabis. I...
How to repair a window screen
How to repair a window screen. I want to talk about window screen repair. If you have rental properties, I think you will quickly realize that being able to do window screen repair is a necessary skill. Get a copy of our book here I do not know why, however, screens...
Do NOT Bother Screening Tenants – Go With Your Gut
Do not bother screening your tenants. If you go with your gut, it will save you time and money placing tenants. All you need to do is talk on the phone and meet with a person or persons, or family. Click here to get a copy of my book If you connect with them, then...