I am excited to announce that 2019 BAH rates have been released. If you have not checked your rates for next year you can find them HERE.  For some, the new BAH rates are a blessing and welcome relief to a high market. For others, this may be not so great news. It all depends on if your rates have increased or decreased and by the anticipated amount. Every year there are always tons of questions from people about how the BAH changes will affect them. So I put together these commonly asked questions to help clear up common misconceptions. As a landlord and real estate inves ..read more

Getting started as a landlord is scary. I know when I got started I had TONS of questions. When I was brand new, I had a limited landlord community and once I did have a community, I felt too self-conscious to ask questions. Since everyone in my community was so much more experienced than I was, I didn’t want to be THAT person. That being said, you should NEVER feel alone or like you cannot ask questions. We have all been there and there is truly no such thing as a “stupid” question. Still, I understand what it’s like having all these questions and not knowing where to look, nor wanting to us ..read more

I have always held Extended Stay America close to my heart. Years ago when I was at doing my internship at Toyota I almost stayed at one for the 13 weeks internship (a good friend of mine did). A couple of months later my boyfriend, now husband stayed at an Extended Stay America in Charleston for his internship. It worked perfectly. He had a small stove top, microwave, and refrigerator. He was able to cook his favorite breakfast, pancakes, and bacon. As a military family who moves often, I totally get what it is like trying to find affordable accommodation during the transition phase.   ..read more

We have eight rentals and I manage another four for family. All of our rent is due on the first late on the 5th. So for our rental empire, the sixth is the day of recogning. Did all of our tenants pay their rent on time. Depending on the answer …..The 6th can be the best or worst day of the on the month. If it’s the 6th and your rent has been paid, tehn its a great day. On the other hand, if you check your bank account and your tenant has not paid, then it’s stressful as you figure out the next steps. I can tell you two things you don’t do! One: Do not “freak out”! or Two: Send your tenants a ..read more

” As ALWAYS, I am not a lawyer and I in NO WAY offering legal advice. This is just my PERSONAL thoughts as an experienced aka jaded landlord” As we discussed in 3 ways to Renew Your Lease, there are three ways to renew your lease. Personally, I use a one-page renewal letter 80% of the time. So far I have not used automatic renewals at all in my leases (my markets don’t support them) and I only do full lease renewals when something huge has changed on my lease (for example my repair deductible, break lease clause, etc). Every other time I use a one-page renewal.   The reason I love one-p ..read more

My parent were reluctant self-managers since before I have been born. Over the years I have noticed the listing platform has DRAMATICALLY changed. I remember growing up my mom would place an ad in the newspaper and a sign in the front of the house. That was how she would find her tenants. She still did that till I got started in 2012. Now, everything is done online and through the internet. Funny enough,  I was the one who taught her Postlets (now Zillow Manager) and helped with the transition. No now in days  Postlets now Zillow Manager, Cozy, and even Facebook groups (Here is ..read more

I am excited that Propertywares sponsored this article. As I can tell you first hand that having a great property management accounting system in place is the key to landlording success!. When we first got started as landlords, the daunting property management task were listing the house for rent,  creating a rock solid lease, placing a tenant and then managing the house. 5 years later, that is easy peasy. It’s our property management accounting system that is  KILLING ME. The worst part was it’s gotten HARDER not easier. I quickly realized that doing our books were SOO much mo ..read more

Did you know Lowe’s recently made TWO huge changes to their Military Discount policy? May 1st, 2017, Lowe’s made two significant changes to their military discount policy. Change 1 (Military Discount for ALL who Served) Lowe’s military policy changes mean more savings as the discount is now available to ALL who currently serves (Active, Guard, Reserve, FTS, ADG, etc) and who served (HONORABLY Discharge Veterans). This means instead of those who serving only getting the discount THREE times a year (Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veteran Day). Honorably Discharged Veterans can save 10% all ye ..read more

Extended Stay America is a great option for anyone looking for additional transient housing options. Years ago my boyfriend, now husband stayed at an Extended Stay America in Charleston for his internship. It worked perfectly. He had a small stove top, microwave, and refrigerator. He was able to cook his favorite breakfast, pancakes, and bacon. As a military family who moves often, I totally get what it is like trying to find affordable accommodation.  Extended Stay America affiliate program has been kind enough to send me coupons each month. I hope these help you with you ..read more

Being a self-managing landlord is TOUGH. As an investor of eight properties and a self-manager of 12 including four for family, I am here to tell you that doing it yourself can be daunting. Not only from a management standpoint but also from finding the resources needed to manage said properties. Since I became a landlord in August of 2012, I have had so many struggles and made many mistakes all in the name of overcoming these struggles. After four years of being a landlord, I am of the opinion that one of the most important parts of screening tenants is the background and credit check ..read more