Sign Up

Latest from The Brief

Not subscribed?  Change that.

Make money with this lease term Sep 01, 2022

Want to make money (without lifting a finger)?

Of course you do.

Yeah, it sounds fishy.

But hey - you know we wouldn't lie to you!

Here's how:

Increase rent if the lease auto-renews.

It's that easy...

Let's say you sign a one-year lease.

But you got lazy busy and forgot to sign a...

Read on...
Can you spot a counterfeit? Aug 23, 2022

We got a call the other day.

Turns out, there's a new scam in town:

Tenant's lying about money.

Well, kinda.

Here's the scoop.

Tenants have a job, but they give fake paystubs with rental applications.

Why?

  • Add a few hours / week (shows more money)
  • Give a slight raise (on paper)

Odds are...

Read on...
Getting sued for lead paint Aug 05, 2022

So this Landlord got a letter from the EPA.

The Tenant let them in on a little secret:

The Landlord didn't give a lead paint disclosure before moving in.

* hears nervous laughter *

And that's a problem (asking for a friend)?

You must give a lead paint disclosure & pamphlet to Tenants for...

Read on...
Don't make this rookie mistake Jul 30, 2022

As a Landlord, you gotta make money.

Shoes to buy, mouths to feed.

You do this with rental income.

But sometimes the real estate market turns hotter than a turkey fresh outta the oven.

And when it does, you may want to cash in and sell a house.

Make sure the lease lets you end a tenancy if...

Read on...
You owe me Jul 18, 2022

If you're a Landlord long enough, someone will owe you rent.

And there's always a sob story reason.

Out of town for a funeral.

Hours cut at work.

The new iPhone released, so...

The line of excuses are longer than a Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

Now listen, empathy ain't bad.

But it doesn't...

Read on...
Don't use your name Jun 23, 2022

You get it.

Being a Landlord is risky.

And Lady Luck ain't always on your side.

So you took advice from smart lawyers and started an LLC.

They rambled on about the LLC being a "separate entity."

And how it helps protect your stuff when if you get sued.

Yada yada yada.

You're...

Read on...
Do this or your house will burn down Jun 07, 2022

Uncle Sam is smarter than you.

And his laws make your life suck keep you safe.

Case in point:

You've gotta ditch removable batteries in smoke alarms.

Only 10-year sealed batteries will do.

For fun, we asked the retired hippie working the Lowes aisle about sealed batteries.

Good...

Read on...
It's official May 26, 2022

You knew this was coming.

But it still hurts.

We told you that HB 2775 was headed to the Governor's desk.

And that he would sign it...

* shudders *

Welp, he did.

So congratulations - you're now a Section 8 Landlord!

That's right.

You must take Section 8 Tenants (if all else...

Read on...
It ainā€™t up to you, sonny May 20, 2022

You: Hey, I’m dropping by tomorrow to inspect the place.

Tenant: I’m in Vegas for two weeks.  I don’t want anyone in the home when I’m not there.

* cracks knuckles *

Oh, my bad.

Guess you didn’t get the memo (or read the lease).

You see, I don’t...

Read on...
It felt right May 16, 2022

The million dollar question.

"You have the best Tenants!  What’s your secret?!?”

* clears throat *

”Oh, ya know.  

I check Facebook.  

Maybe Google.

Nothin’ special - I just go with my gut!

Who can argue with that?

Hmm... take a guess.

Yep -...

Read on...
You first May 09, 2022

It’s your lucky day.

The *perfect* Tenants want your house.

References check out.

They have money.

And your criminal history is worse than theirs.

* traffic tickets count - nice try *

They want to move in ASAP.

So you sign the killer lease and email it over.

Six hours later - no...

Read on...
Where's my money?!? Apr 29, 2022

Your Tenants pay a security deposit, right?

* um, yeah... *

Smart move.

It's a great way to protect yourself (and get paid).

But where do you keep it?

It's not your money, after all.

Invest in Bitcoin?

Your personal bank account?

A Mason jar buried in the backyard?

Nah, you know better.

There is...

Read on...