Viewing Your Rental Property from a Prospective Tenant’s Shoes
Preparing Your Rental Unit the Right Way
Using Outside Contractors
Chapter 6: The Big Three of Property Management: Rent, Security Deposits, and Rental Contracts
Setting the Rent
Coming Up with a Fair Security Deposit
Choosing the Type of Rental Contract You Want
Chapter 7: Formulating a Marketing Plan
Developing a Successful Marketing Plan
Understanding the Importance of Good Advertising
Being Aware of Fair-Housing Laws
Chapter 8: FOR RENT: Effectively Using Advertising to Generate Interest
Analyzing Your Advertising Options
Chapter 9: Handling Prospects When They Come A-Calling
Understanding Why First Impressions Are Important
Valuing Phone Conversations
Preparing for Rental Inquiry Phone Calls
Planning for Open Houses and Walk-Throughs
Chapter 10: Strutting Your Stuff: Making Your Property Memorable
Showing Your Rental Unit
Taking the First Steps to Get the Renter Interested
Handling Mandatory Disclosures and Environmental Issues
Chapter 11: Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo: Selecting Your Tenants
Understanding the Importance of Screening
Establishing Tenant Selection Criteria
Verifying Rental Applications
Notifying the Applicant of Your Decision
Avoiding Housing Discrimination Complaints
7 Part 3: The Brass Tacks of Managing Rentals Chapter 12: Moving In the Tenants Establishing the Move-In Date Meeting with a Tenant Before Move-In Setting Up the Tenant File Preparing a Welcome Package for Your New Tenant Chapter 13: Collecting and Increasing Rent Creating a Written Rent Collection Policy Dealing with Rent Collection Problems Raising the Rent without Sending Your Tenants Running Chapter 14: Keeping the Good Tenants (And Your Sanity) Knowing What Tenants Want Recognizing the Ins and Outs of Renewing Leases Chapter 15: Dealing with Problem Tenants Recognizing and Responding to Common Tenant Problems Exploring Alternatives to Eviction Giving ’Em the Boot: Evicting a Tenant Handling Unusual Tenant Situations Chapter 16: Moving Out the Tenants Requiring Written Notice of Your Tenants’ Move-Out Plans Providing Your Tenant a Move-Out Information Letter Walking Through the Unit at Move-Out Dealing with Special Situations
8 Part 4: Techniques and Tools for Managing Your Residential Property Chapter 17: Working with Employees and Contractors Surveying the Ins and Outs of Bringing Employees Onboard Building Your Contractor and Vendor Dream Team Chapter 18: Maintaining the Property Recognizing the Importance of a Maintenance Plan Being Prepared for Maintenance Issues Handling Rental Property Maintenance Chapter 19: Keeping Safety and Crime Prevention in Mind Tackling Crime in and around Your Rental Property Taking Necessary Crime-Deterrent Precautions Prioritizing Tenant Safety Addressing Environmental Issues
9 Part 5: Money, Money, Money! Chapter 20: Two Necessities of Property Management: Insurance and Taxes Developing a Risk-Management Plan Cover Me, I’m Going In: Making Sure You Have the Insurance You Need Talking
