The Reluctant Landlord

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Work with Me!
    • Guest Post
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Self Management
  • Military & Real Estate
  • Buying & Selling
  • Property Manager
  • Our Strategy
  • Books
You are here: Home / Archives for Military & Real Estate

How to Write a One Page Lease Renewal!

June 8, 2017 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 4 Comments

" As ALWAYS, I am not a lawyer and I in NO WAY offering legal advice. This is just my PERSONAL thoughts as an experienced aka jaded landlord" As we discussed in 3 ways to Renew Your Lease, there are three ways to renew your lease. Personally, I use a one-page renewal letter 80% of the time. So far I have not used automatic renewals at all in my leases (my markets don't support them) and I only do full lease renewals when something huge has … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying or Selling Real Estate, Elizabeth's Real Estate Strategy, I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

Should I Refinance My House?

November 4, 2016 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove Leave a Comment

I see the question all the time, "I received refinance fliers in the mail. Should I refinance?" or "Rates are at an all time low, should I refinance?". It is true that rates are at a very low point, so for some it may make sense to refinance if they have a higher rate. Still, owning Real Estate is public record and a very lucrative market. So companies are indiscriminately sending out fliers no matter the person rate. We have even seen fliers … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying or Selling Real Estate, Military & Real Estate

The Complete Guide to Installing and Managing Tenants

February 10, 2016 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 2 Comments

100 Articles on How to Manage Tenants from The Reluctant Landlord

As an empire-building landlord, installing and managing tenant has led to many ulcer-inducing moments, especially when we were first starting out. I began The Reluctant Landlord to share my experiences and help others learn from them. Before we get started I wanted to share my favorite resources. Background and Credit Check I previously used Buildium and than I switch to Cozy as it saved me over $500 a year and is absolutely free for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Lifestyle, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

Is it Worth Buying a House if You Move Every Two Years?

January 8, 2016 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 8 Comments

Is it Worth Buying a House if You Move Every Two Years?

If you are in the military or another industry that moves often you probably have this question, "Is it worth buying a house if you move every two years?" As a military spouse whose husband is active duty, and as someone who has moved four times in six years, my answer is it depends. We have bought seven houses in four years. Four of the houses have primary residence and the other three were bought as rentals from day one. We didn't buy at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying or Selling Real Estate, Military & Real Estate

9 Commonly Asked Questions Regarding the 2016 BAH Rates

December 15, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 10 Comments

9 Commonly Asked Questions Regarding the 2016 BAH Rates

Today, as with every mid-December, the 2016 BAH rates were released. If you have not checked your rates for next year you can find the calculator here. For some this is great news, but for others it may not be so great news. It all depends on if your rates have increased or decreased. Today, as I was noticing tons of comments and questions about the 2016 BAH rates, I realized there were a lot of common misconceptions and questions. Over the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying or Selling Real Estate, How to Hire a Property Manager, I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Renter, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Military & Real Estate

How to Minimize the SCRA Risk When Renting to Military Families

September 2, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 7 Comments

How to Minimize the SCRA Risk When Renting to Military Families

I am a proud military spouse and truly understand what being a military spouse means in regards to PCS season. Not only have we totally done that last minute move (can anyone say 7 days notice?), but I am an empire building landlord with six personal rentals and ten that I manage. As a small business owner whose business is rentals there are some important mainstays that keep me on the road to success. A few of these are keeping vacancy low, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

Your Complete Guide to the VA Loan

August 18, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 17 Comments

Your Complete Guide to the VA Loan

The Veteran's Assistance loan or the VA Loan as it is generally called, is an amazing loan. We bought our first and fourth house using the VA loan (using the same loan). Over the years I have seen a lot of myths perpetuated and questions asked regarding this loan. As a self-proclaimed empire builder, who is also a mortgage nerd who struggles to understand this awesome but complicated loan, I put together this guide. I hope this helps you not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buying or Selling Real Estate, I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Renter, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Military & Real Estate Tagged With: VA Loan

How to Handle the Repair-Needy Tenant

August 14, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 4 Comments

How to Handle the Repair-Needy Tenant

Have you ever had a repair-needy tenant where it feels like every other day they want you to do a repair? And it's always silly repairs like the cold sink water is not being cold when it is 117 degree outside or that the AC isn't keeping the house at 65 degrees when it is 117 outside. Or my favorite, complaining that there is a one palmetto bug (flying cock roach) in the house (they confess the windows were left open) and wanting you to call out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

How to Read a Background Check and Credit Report

August 10, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 3 Comments

How to Read a Background Check and Credit Report

My biggest piece of advice as a landlord, one that I follow religiously as a experienced aka jaded landlord, when screening tenants, is that no one is perfect and we all have baggage.  There is a reason why your tenant is renting and not buying. The key is to figure out that reason, what baggage it brings and decide if it is or is not  acceptable to you as a landlord. Personally, I am am fine with bankruptcy and short sales up to a point. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, I am an Empire Builder, Lifestyle, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

How to Give Tenants Permission to Improve Your House

August 3, 2015 by Elizabeth Bennett Colegrove 4 Comments

improve your house

As a landlord, I believe in treating others how I wish to be treated. At the same time, this is a business and I treat my rentals as such. My goal is be as understanding as possible without altering the integrity of my homes or the ability for me to protect my investment. Over the years I have found three ways to achieve these goals in the most efficient and professional manner possible. These three ways are just a few ways I've found to give … [Read more...]

Filed Under: I am a Reluctant Landlord, I am a Small Time Landlord, Military & Real Estate, Self Management

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »
I love my family, my country and real estate. My goal is to retire early through frugal living and real estate investment. I am making great strides and want to share the information I've learned through the process. Read More...

CHECK OUT MY BOOK!

Sign up for the Newsletter
JOIN HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN RECEIVING OUR FREE WEEKLY UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL INBOX!

Most Popular Posts:

  • How to Create Freezer Meals for One Person
  • 3 Ways a Landlord Can Split the Utilities
  • How to Set Up Your Rental Accounts
  • The Solution to a Broken Lease: The Buy-Out Clause
  • What are a Military Widow’s Death Benefits?
  • How to Get Rid of Cat Urine in Cushions, Carpet and Clothes
  • How to Write an Incredible Lease
  • How to Write a One Page Lease Renewal!
  • Is it Worth Buying a House if You Move Every Two Years?
  • Landlords: Should You Include a Washer and Dryer in Your Rental?

GET THE BUTTON


More Posts from this Category

Search

Categories

Archives

Copyright 2023, The Reluctant Landlord. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs
Sign up for the Newsletter
JOIN HUNDREDS OF OTHERS IN RECEIVING OUR FREE WEEKLY UPDATES STRAIGHT TO YOUR EMAIL INBOX!
[close]
Brought to you by
Displet