Eight Rental Property Improvements You Can Do in One Day

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Whether you’re renting out a condo, townhome, single-family home or another type of property, getting the most out of your investment is a top priority. A primary goal for many landlords and property managers is to increase the value of their rentals to attract quality tenants and, hopefully, maximize their rent. To get the best return on your investment, it’s important to keep your rental rates at the higher end of the spectrum and improve your property’s value. You can do this by investing in add-ons and upgrades that will set your listing apart from the rest and encourage tenants to stay. If hearing the word “upgrade” has you taking a step back, never fear. There are plenty of easy ways to add value to your property without a major time and cost commitment.

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8 Tips To Becoming A Successful Landlord

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How To Become A LandlordHow To Become A Landlord

The ultimate goal of investing in rental property is to turn a profit.  To ensure that you achieve that goal it is essential that you follow several critical guidelines. Most of us dream of becoming a landlord but it an easy or a difficult job? Before you start searching for a home to rent, you should think about the responsibility that comes with being a landlord to your tenants. If you’re interested in investing in real estate, the single-family rental market might be a good option. Being a landlord can be a profitable venture that provides a steady income stream while your property appreciates in value. You might also be able to enjoy certain tax advantages while you build equity in the home.

Here are 8 valuable tips for becoming a successful landlord and start a rental property business.

1. Screen Your Tenants

First, always make sure that you check tenant references. This is the first step of becoming a successful landlord. This can be a burdensome step and many landlords overlook it because they feel as though they have good instinct when they meet with the tenant.  But not checking references can lead to a number of problems later on.  You will uncover a wealth of information about potential problems before you rent to a prospective tenant. It’s also worth the time to do a background and credit check on all potential tenants. There are several online tenant-screening services available, and you should be sure to check potential tenants’ credit scores. You should also conduct an interview to make sure you’re comfortable interacting with them, and check references, especially from employers or past landlords.

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2 Smart Ways to Improve Your Vacation Rental Property During the Off Season

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It's no secret that Americans love camping and spending time outdoors. Whether roughing it in a tent or enjoying a luxury cabin, campers in 2011 spent 534.9 million days camping, an average of 12.6 days per person. And as the primary camping season starts to wind down, those who own and manage vacation rental properties have the ability to revamp their cabins and cottages and reevaluate their marketing strategies. Here are just a few ways to maintain or improve the quality of your vacation rental property during the off-season.
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