5 Tips For Finding A Good Landlord Posted: May 26, 2011 10:32AM by Linsey Knerl [/i]) TUTORIAL: Mortgage Basics 1. Try for Transparency It's preferred that your landlord be honest, but being transparent is even more desirable. "Being transparent about the rental property is perhaps...

Where are you located Stu? I suggest working with one who is local to you. Nik

#1. Everything causes more stress in people's lives. Whether it's owning rental properties or buying a vacation property, you will incure some amount of stress from it. Even planning a vacation in Cabo this spring was more stressful than sitting on my couch for a week and doing nothing...

More than that to consider. What is the fence for? Privacy? Keeping a dog in? What are the fences on the other properties on the block made of? Some of my properties I would go with chain link because of the area, and others are more suited to a wood fence. PVC is very expensive and...

You have about $60k equity then. You should be able to get around $48k secured on that property. I did that on one of mine. It was pretty easy. You will need to get an appraisal done though. Best to find a mortgage broker and talk to them. Don't bother with a bank imo. Nik

Do some calculations to make sure it is worth it anyway. If it is a 3 year term, you only have 15 months left, and the difference is about 3/4 of a percent. With the 3 month interest penalty, it might not make much sense depending on the size of the mortgage. How about ask MCAP if they will...

Thanks for the great comments, guys! Things are going well. Incredibly busy, but busy is good. I hear a lot of people saying that you don't want to add another job to your life and real estate investment is a way of creating a passive stream of income. Although this is true in part, building...

Ever wonder what Manitoban landlords have to deal with? Just a little short of communism. lol Nik Manitoba News Release ............................................................ May 18, 2011 PROVINCE INTRODUCES TENANT PROTECTION PACKAGE - - - Greater Affordability, Controlled...

Picked up this book. It is great. https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/MH/RMP/store_pfm_retireguide_0810.jsp?cds_page_id=87775&cds_mag_code=RMP&id=1305211145090&lsid=11320939050026261&vid=1&cds_response_key=P00AZZZWN Nik

Way to go! Sounds like an impressive venture! Nik

I do a credit check. The fact remains though, you are going to be hard pressed to find renters with no credit issues. Often this is the reason that they are renting. You can subscribe to Equifax but it's not free. Use the credit check as a filter, but I wouldn't use it as the only filter...

My wife said to me the other day when I was somewhat discouraged..."Everything you've worked on has resulted in a great end result. Why shouldn't this one be like that too?" These words had an immediate and profound impact on my outlook. She is my partner both in business and life. Nik

Thanks for all the great comments, everyone. It has been an exciting year. Planning on more great things to come. Nik

http://www.bchousing.org/resources/HPK/Maintenance/HPK_Samp_Maint_Checklist.pdf Nik

Monthly inspection? Can you clarify what you are talking about? Are you actually inspecting your houses every month? Nik

Committed myself to not paying too much for a property or charging too little for rent. Nik

My 2 cents...if you are new to real estate investing, follow the KISS principle. Nik

A poor decision is often better than no decision at all. Nik