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.
Police intervention and property management
Police Intervention and Property Management Police intervention and property management – do they go together? Here is my story: I had connected with a former property manager the other day, and it got me thinking about some situations that happened at a property she...
Life of the working investor
Life of the Working Investor Real Estate investing is a lifestyle choice. I was asked what I meant by that the other day. So I thought I would share a recent story. It happened over a Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We currently have an ad placed to fill a vacancy. I...
Waiting for a response to a rental ad
Waiting for a response to a rental ad We write what we think is a spectacular rental ad. We research our competition and make sure we are asking the correct rent. We place the ad on Kijiji and make it a top ad. Then we wait for the emails to come in. Well what...
How to find foreclosure listings
How to find foreclosure listings Recently I solved a mystery about finding foreclosure listings. I get asked a lot about how to find great deals on real estate. There are definitely lots of options, and I feel my best advice is to pick a system and be focused. It...
Always collect all of the rent, all of the time
Always collect all of the rent, all of the time As an experienced landlord and property manager I have learned that as much as you try, you do not always collect all of the rent, all of the time and on time. When I first started out and only had a few units to look...
My worst apartment showing
My worst apartment showing I have shown lots of apartments, and I am happy to say that the majority are pretty clean, and in good repair. I have been fortunate to not have had too many surprises, however, one showing sticks out in my mind as being the worst ever. I...
Flags in the window
Flags in the window Have you ever driven by a house or apartment building and seen a flag or a sheet used as a curtain. I am sure most of you will agree that it takes away from the curb appeal. I might be half or fully crazy, but it is definitely a pet peeve of...
How to make a You Tube rental video
You Tube Video ads make a huge difference I have to admit that Shelly and I talked about this idea for a long time before we took action and did it. The concept is simple. I would make a video of Shelly showing the property, upload it to You Tube, and then insert...
How to do a proper lease signing
How to do a proper lease signing The lease – the agreement between the landlord and the tenant. The lease is a legally binding contract. I have a friend in the industry that gave me some advice. Think of the lease agreement as a loan. If the rent is $1000 for a 12...
How to avoid the $10/hr property management jobs
How to avoid the $10 per hour property management jobs Guilty as charged. Shelly and I do not always avoid the $10 per hour property management jobs. What I mean by the $10 per hour jobs are all the jobs that you know you should hire people to do, but you find...
So you want to be a property manager?
So you want to be a property manager? Property management can be a challenge. If you are new to investing, I highly recommend you manage at least your first few units. It is a great way to learn what is involved in managing a property. If you are working full time...
How to get rid of fleas
How to get rid of fleas Oh no, we have a major flea problem. That is what I said a few years back when I started a renovation project on a recently purchased two unit property. I have seen fleas before, and have had to deal with them on my cats over the years, we...
Should you buy your tenants a move in gift?
Should you buy your tenants a move in gift? One thing we realize in the apartment business is that there is a lot of competition. We also realize that great tenants have choices. When a great tenant moves into one of our properties we feel very fortunate. The next...
How to evict a tenant for bad behavior
How to evict a tenant for bad behavior I am proud to admit that this problem does not come up to often. I will also have to admit, that this problem has come up. We can screen tenants as well as we want, however, we cannot control who the tenants bring to our...
Tenant screening red flags
Tenant screening red flags Proper tenant screening is likely the most important part of property management. Property managers and landlords not only have a responsibility to follow a screening process, they have a duty. Before a tenant is placed, the landlord /...
Can you evict tenants when you take over a building?
Can you evict tenants when you take over a building? I often get this question by landlords who buy buildings with undesirable existing tenants or tenants paying below market rent. When you purchase a building often times buyers will ask for vacant possession at time...
The perfect rental application form
Having the perfect rental application form is one of the most important documents a property manager can have. There are lots of tenancy applications available on line. We have tried various applications. We have tried everything from one pagers with limited...
Life in multi family, is like having multiple families
Life in multi family, is like having multiple families I am not sure if Shelly planned this, but today when we were making our plan for the day, a great quote slipped out. Shelly said “Life in multi-family, is like having multiple families”. I thought it was a pretty...
How to manage a winter vacancy
How to manage a winter vacancy Having a vacant apartment any time of year can be a challenge. When you live in a cold climate a winter vacancy can be even more challenging. This past year we had an apartment, where the old tenant moved out and there was a 30 day...
How to close a frozen door
How to close a frozen door Winter in Nova Scotia, well, I have to tell you it gets cold. Really cold, and snowy. That can cause a problem for both tenants and owners. We get at least one call every year about a door that will not close. I have seen some cases...