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Avoiding Debt to Retire Early?

Avoiding DebtI was recently featured in an article on an Expert Roundup.  The topic was “What steps should people take if they want to live a debt-free lifestyle?”

 

 

There are a lot of steps people can take.  Unfortunately, very few people have the willingness, or the desire to actually do it.  Debt can be good, however no debt is even better.  Living my retired life, without any car payments, mortgages (except two on 10 properties), means I sleep nearly worry free.

Here is a take on what I contributed to the group.  There are a lot of other great answers there too.

Continue reading “Avoiding Debt to Retire Early?”

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Tenant Credit Score is Easily the Best Indicator of Tenant Quality: Here’s Why

credit-40671_1280-PDI know many landlords, and despite my success at screening and selecting tenants, they often think somehow their property is different from mine. They do not think they can use the tenant credit score as a reliable indicator. They are ignoring tenant credit score to their own peril.

The fact is, tenant credit score is the most reliable indicator of tenant success that there is, bar none. You need to make sure that the tenant can afford the unit with an income of 3.5x the rent, but the tenant credit score will weed out the people that have behavioral issues and have no problem cheating anyone that they owe money to.

If you are a landlord, you know you need to do a background check. A critical piece is getting a credit report, complete with a credit score. The credit score is a summation of everything that goes on a credit report. It is calculated the same every time, with no bias to any discriminatory practices. It is colorblind and not subject to any fair housing issues.

Read More Here

What do you think of using tenant credit score to predict tenant payments and behaviors?

 

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How to Approve Tenants Without Meeting Them

approved-29149_1280-PDI screen hundreds of renters every year for an apartment complex.

I see lots of background checks.  I am going to show you how to approve tenants without ever meeting them.  I have approved hundreds of renters without ever seeing them.  Are you still stuck on seeing and meeting renters?  Give it up, it is not necessary.  I cleaned up a 120 unit apartment complex by creating criteria that keeps most bad tenants out, without ever even seeing a tenant.

Continue reading “How to Approve Tenants Without Meeting Them”

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Renting to Family Members and Friends

trip-307920_1280-PDWhen you rent to family members, you have a unique set of circumstances.  Not only do you have a solid and customer, you also have a customer that might take advantage of you.  This post will help you understand the nuances of renting to family members.  Whether it is moving a person back into the childhood room, or renting your investment property to them, the same criteria apply.

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How to Use Credit Checks For Screening Renters

credit-40671_1280-PDThis post will tell you how to use credit checks for screening renters.

Why do we care about Credit Records and Credit Score? A credit is score is an indicator of the probability of a default, nothing more. It will show if the person has been responsible with their finances. If a person is responsible with their finances, odds are, they are also responsible with the rest of their lives. A credit score of 700 or better, indicates a solid person. A credit score below 600, indicates a person with some issues, maybe permanent, maybe temporary. Continue reading “How to Use Credit Checks For Screening Renters”

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Rent Collection: It’s April 2; do you know where your rents are?

packs-163497_1280-PDI have to collect rent from 25 tenants every month.  Most drop the check in the rent box in the building.  In my duplexes, they tape it to the door.  I have one that pays cash, and I stop by to give a receipt.  Some do Bill Pay, and I get a check in the mail.  One mails a check directly, with a stamp.  One pays with PayPal.  Some tenants are roommates, and they each pay with a check.  Continue reading “Rent Collection: It’s April 2; do you know where your rents are?”

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Risk of Tenants with Low Credit Score Explained

I wanted to expand on the credit score criteria in any Tenant Screening Requirements just a bit.

It is a fact that lower credit score individuals are a high risk to insurance companies, and for collecting payments. It is a fact that lower credit score individuals engage in riskier behaviors.

Here is why tenants with a low (or 0) are high risk.

Continue reading “Risk of Tenants with Low Credit Score Explained”