Check out this one that could win your next eviction case in court
CAN LANDLORDS BAN SMOKING IN THEIR PROPERTIES?
It's True - Lincoln Lost his Home Twice. It always pays to check to insure your title is clear. Compared to the loss that could occur if some predator can exploit a cloud on your title, checking occasionally costs little in money and time, and with modern record keeping, it is a fairly simple procedure.
What You Didn't Know About Deeds. This is a pretty good thumbnail sketch of the function and nature of deeds, and the differences among some of the basic types.
Ideas on How to Spend (or Save) Your Tax Refund.
Congratulations. You are about to get back all that extra money you paid the IRS, on which you received no interest or return whatsoever. This article suggests ways you can use the money, which should be at a record high this year, for productive purposes at last.
War on Real Estate Commissions. If you are thinking of selling one of your holdings, you may find that the historical 6% commission evenly split by the buyer's and seller's broker is no longer the norm in your area. This first of two parts explores some of the economic forces that have led to this.
A Landlord's Right of Entry
- A general, but still interesting, q & a about a landlord's right to enter leased premises.
Renters' Insurance and Apartment Insurance - This article discusses the benefits of renters' insurance. You may want to copy this and give it to your tenants.
More Americans Staying Put, Census Finds - For decades high mobility has been taken for granted. Now it seems that, as the baby boomers age, a smaller proportion of persons are moving than have done in the last 50 years. See the details in this article.
Selling To Tenants Of A Rental Conversion
- Thinking of going condo with one of your buildings? Read this for strategies to prevent an uprising among your tenants, or worse.
ATTRACTING THE RIGHT TENANTS
RENT YOUR GARAGE APARTMENT
Direct Mail Vs. Mass Media: Get The Most For Your Advertising Dollar.
If you have multi-unit buildings with vacancies, you may need to advertise. Read this article to gain some insight on what the best marketing approach might be best for you.
IRS Rules On Lost Records Only Stretch So Far. If you are planning to itemize your deductions this year, be advised that the IRS will let you reconstruct records when they are destroyed by a casualty beyond your control, but this rule is not always evenly applied, and it is not a cure all.
Do You Have Enough Power Available For Your Tenants?
To keep your units filled and attractive to new tenants you may need to address the problem of insufficient power resources.
Ceiling Q's and A's. A wealth of information on the ceilings in your rental unit, including tips on making minor repairs to many types of them.
TENANT RETENTION -
Our first tip this week comes from Robert Cain, some of whose work appears in the Infocenter. He offers a timeless reminder of how important it is to retain good tenants and four practical and easy things you can do to ensure these treasures stick around. No gimmicks here, just plain old common sense.
THINK ABOUT FIXER-UPPERS
DON'T LOSE THAT SITE
Vapor Barriers and Dealing with Moisture. This is an informative q&a with practical tips on dealing with unwanted moisture in various parts of your structure. It should help you deal with mold.
Cabinet Q's and A's. Are you getting your rental unit ready for a new tenant? Do you have problems with the cabinets? This article should help with most of them.
California Creating Permanent Renters' Class. This article shows exactly how government no-growth policies can distort a market. And no, the shortage of housing in general is
not good news for landlords who already own buildings. Think about the impact inflated housing will and is having on the economy in general, which is where tenants get the money to pay their landlords in the first place.
Rental Concessions Landlords May Consider. The author discusses several types of concessions you may consider if you are caught in a slow market. It is very useful, despite being written from a tenant's point of view.
Fair Housing Advertising: What You Can And Can't Say. We already have a treatment of Fair Housing issues in our discussion of marketing the rental unit. This article is another perspective.
Lender Policies Put Condo Owner in Real Estate Pickle. A fine column from Robert Bruss with a series of Q & A dealing with mortgages to 1031 exchanges to living trusts.
IRS Updates the ‘Dirty Dozen' for 2005: Agency Warns of New Scams. The IRS warns of a dozen illegal tax scams that could land you in big trouble. You really should read this, unless, that is, you
want to join Martha for a year or so at Club-Fed.
A Home Owner's Guide to Buying a New Roof. This treatise (it's more than just an article) will help you determine when you need a new roof, what type is best for your building, and how to find a competent and honest contractor.
Interior Painting. If you do the prep work on your rental units yourself, check this article for instructions on how to get a durable, professional looking interior paint job.
Home Values Soared in the Last Quarter of 2003 The title says it all.
Be Aware of Potential Lead, Asbestos Hazards When Remodeling. If you have an older rental unit and are thinking of a remodel, you should consider potential environmental hazards and select a contractor accordingly.
"Tax Time Bombs" May Be Ticking Away for
Unsuspecting Home Sellers ‘Tis the season…. Are you looking at a time bomb? Read this and find out.
The Tax Treatment of Points Did you refinance last year? This Q&A deals with points and their impact on your 1040.
Sacramento Area Market Trends If you want an idea of how the market is doing in Sacramento, then follow this link. You will find an expert's opinion for Zipcodes 95831, 95822, 95818.
Apartment Industry Looks Cautiously at Broadband
We guess they figure it's just a passing fad.
Urban Redevelopment Hits Real Estate Snag It's the old story: the government gumming up development. In this case it is infill development, the blockage of which will guarantee a housing crisis, which in turn guarantees new government power grabs to remedy the problem they themselves have created.
HUD's Mortgage
Reform Will Increase Loan Costs
Yes, most such reforms do.
Access Denied – Telecoms Lose Property Rights Case. A
Massachusetts Superior Court has ruled that landlords cannot be forced to
permit the entry of an unlimited number of telecommunications companies
onto his property to do business. The court followed the ruling in
the famous Loretto case, decided by the US Supreme Court in 1982.
The case has implications beyond that state.
How to Buy Foreclosure
Property. Robert Bruss
shares tips for buying distressed properties profitably.
How to Buy Home
Insurance. Everything you ever
wanted to know about your homeowner’s insurance policy, including a lot
of needs for special properties.
