Note from the Editor: Vol. IX

VOLUME IX

Note from the Editor

In every issue of Go4Rent Magazine, we try to bring the best out of property owners and Realtors. In Volume IX especially, we’re all about helping you cross your t’s and dot your i’s.

In between handling maintenance and repairs, keeping track of tenant status is top priority, whether that means they may be moving out (“Rental Inspections: Don’t Wait Until Move-Outs Only”) or moving in (“Tenant Selection Criteria: Finding the Best Renters”). It’s never a bad idea to have a go-to list for home improvements (“Creating a Go-To Contractor List”) and navigating touchy topics (“Is That Emotional Support Animal Legit?”).

And for out-of-towners who cannot be around for day-to-day needs, it is especially important that they read “Navigating Out-of-State Rental Properties” to properly troubleshoot any potential disagreements.

Realtors also have to stay on the up and up. Are Realtors at the top of their first-impression game? Consider these tips in “First Impressions: Realtor Etiquette to Reach Final Sales” and our Substack December exclusive post “Online Hit or Miss: Are Real Estate Professionals Getting In Their Own Way?”

For Realtors who work with investors as much as single-family home landlords, “The Ins and Outs of Working with Investors” breaks down the contrast between working with prospective tenants versus real estate professionals with a different set of goals. For both novice and experienced Realtors, this is a must-read for partnering with people who are just as savvy in the rental industry.

Lastly, Go4Rent continues to offer an interior design tip at the end of each issue. In this issue, the topic is “Tips and Tricks to Handle Windowless Bathrooms.” Make sure to give that one a read to help avoid false plumbing alarms due to “sweating toilets,” and common risks of mold and mildew.

Readers, are you enjoying the “Conversation In Real Estate” podcast? Have you listened to it yet? If not, it’s never too late. Check out the extended interview with our featured real estate professional in this issue: Shina Coleman of Lone Star Evictions.

We hope this issue answers questions you may already have and some you didn’t even know to ask. Is there a topic you’d like us to talk about? Contact me at shamontiel.vaughn@go4rent.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Shamontiel L. Vaughn, Editor-in-Chief

About Shamontiel:

Shamontiel L. Vaughn has been in the publishing industry for 18 years as a newspaper reporter, a web editor, social media specialist and a print editor. Her areas of expertise include K-12 and adult education textbooks; local and nationwide news; and health news. She's also completed approximately 235 interviews in a variety of areas, including business management; entertainment; internet technology; law (entertainment, business and real estate); nursing; and travel. Some of her bylines can be found in the Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune and CBS Chicago.

The unapologetic dog lover also owned two prior dogs (German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever mix) before becoming a two-year dog walker (523 walks with 93 different dogs) and adopting a third dog of her own on Juneteenth 2021: a Hound mix named Junee. When she's not writing, editing or playing with her dog, she can usually be found scoping out vegetarian and Thai restaurants, daydreaming at a beach, or practicing her next Toastmasters speech.

Tips and Tricks to Handle Windowless Bathrooms

Residents may experience common problems in their windowless bathrooms. The usual challenges include poor lighting, mold, mildew, dampness, smells, peeling paint and bubbling wallpaper. Excess moisture and poor ventilation are the main causes of these issues, the results of which can lead to health issues and costly repairs. Use these tips and tricks to resolve them all.

The Ins and Outs of Working with Investors

While tenants of rental properties focus on factors such as property quality, location and monthly rent, investors may focus on one overarching factor: return on investment. Here’s what Realtors need to know about how investors generally decide whether they want to invest in rentals.

Rental Inspections: Don’t Wait Until Move-Outs Only

Move-in/move-out inspection and periodic inspections are important aspects of managing a rental property. By better understanding what to look for during inspections and how often to schedule them, it is possible for landlords to avoid common mistakes.

Creating a Go-To Contractor List

Agreeing to a contractual relationship, such as a service maintenance agreement, with a vendor could significantly speed up any frantic searches—especially during emergencies and late-night hours.

Navigating Out-of-State Rental Properties

Today’s housing market is a bit of a seesaw. In 2022, the Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate six times. Higher interest rates mean loans are more expensive for consumers. But no matter what happens with inflation, people need a place to live. This is leading property owners to look for a means of disposable income. And sometimes the real estate investor may choose a property from another state.

Repairs: Who Pays for What?

For a landlord, a rental property is an uphill battle against mishaps, calamities, the hands of time and sometimes nature itself. To guard their investment, property owners must plan ahead, maneuver tactfully and sometimes be prepared to cut their losses.

Note From The Editor · Mar 1, 2023

Can Pet-Friendly Homes Bring Better Tenants?

“Do you have a pet-friendly policy?” It’s a common question that landlords receive before attempting to rent a single-family home.