Landlording is not for the faint of heart and if you are planning to take this path, you must know, a lot of strings are attached to it. If you are seriously considering it or you are currently a landlord who once to be better at it, here are 9 do’s to becoming an awesome landlord. Do take your landlording seriously. Let&rsq...

If you’re one of the 200 million Americans who own smartphones, chances are you rely on your phone for almost everything - communication, social media, business and everyday productivity stuff. And with technology ever growing, new innovations are introduced almost everyday. Now, here’s one innovation that you should be in...

Let’s admit it: AirBnB changed the way we search and book accommodations. For leisure travelers and travelers on a budget, AirBnB has become an easier and more convenient way of finding a place to stay during vacations. And that’s not all. If it changed the way we book accommodations, it surely changed the way property ow...

According to AppFolio.com’s research, Millennial renters make up 40% of the housing market, 90% of them are renters. If you’re thinking of renting out your property, you should seriously consider if you’re prepared for this generation of potential clients. Who are the millennials? According to the Pew Research Center, ...

Whether it’s your rental property or your own home, damages and repairs are bound to come up. Ignoring these damages can have catastrophic results so it’s best to handle these problems head on. We’ve listed down the most common rental repairs requested by tenants and how to handle them. Fridge/Stove/Dishwasher Not W...

I want to share a quick story about something that happened to us recently with one of the northern Virginia rental properties we manage. We had someone come to us and ask about a property we were renting out. She asked if she could rent it from us and then use it as an Airbnb to rent it out to other people. She would advertise it and all...

Do you know the difference between a companion animal and a pet? We’re explaining some of the differences and what you need to do and how you can protect yourself as the owner of a northern Virginia rental property. Service Animals and Companion AnimalsA service animal is different from a companion or assistance animal. The service ...

As a real estate investor and a property manager, I know that tenant screening is one of the most important things you can do to find the right tenant for your northern Virginia rental. My husband and I have developed a really great screening process over the last 10 years. We have learned a lot about what’s important, and we’...

Potential landlords always want to know if they should accept pets, and today we’re talking about what’s best for your northern Virginia rental property. My husband and I are pet lovers, and we have two huge dogs. Pets do put some wear and tear on your house, so don’t think that won’t happen. However, when you&rsqu...

At the end of a lease term, when your tenant is deciding to leave or stay, you’ll need to figure out whether you can increase the rent for the next year. We always want to increase the rent if we can. However, consider whether you have a good tenant.  Raising Rent While Keeping Good Tenants   If your tenant wants to stay, ...