Recent Polls:
What helps you get the most EXTRA income?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
48% | A. Late fees
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8% | B. Extra rent for use of garage
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10% | C. Offering upgrades or bonus services
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26% | D. Accepting pets for additional rent
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7% | E. Bi-weekly or weekly payment terms |
Which aspect of landlording is your biggest challenge?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
7% | A. Resident Retention |
22% | B. Getting All Your Money |
34% | C. Property Maintenance/Repairs |
24% | D. Finding Qualified Residents |
13% | E. Tenant Problems Other Than Non-Payment |
Do you use the "carrot" or the "stick" to get on-time payments?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
8% | A. Reward on-time payments with a rent discount or rebate. |
65% | B. Penalize late payments with a late charge. |
22% | C. I use a combination of both methods (offer discount AND charge
late fee). |
4% | D. I reward on-time payments only once a year after 12 on-time
payments. |
1% | E. I do a monthly raffle and reward only one "winning" resident each
month selected from all who paid on-time.
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What is the average size of the tenant household in your rentals?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
12% | A. 1 resident |
38% | B. 2 residents |
33% | C. 3 residents |
14% | D. 4 residents |
3% | E. 5 or more residents |
How much security deposit do you currently require from new residents?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
1% A. I do not require a deposit. |
25% B. Less than one months rent. |
51% C. Equivalent to one months rent. |
17% D. Little more than one months rent. |
6% E. Two months rent (If permitted by law). |
Visitors want to know who visits our site. What is your age?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
21% | A. 18 to 30 |
28% | B. 31 to 40 |
31% | C. 41 to 50 |
16% | D. 51 to 60 |
4% | E. 61+ |
Are all landlords really rich? What is your net worth?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
5% | A. Negative Net Worth |
22% | B. $0 to $100,000 |
42% | C. $100,000 to $500,000 |
15% | D. $500,000 to $1 Million |
16% | E. Over $1 Million
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How long have you owned or managed rental property?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
8% | A. Less than 1 year |
31% | B. 1 to 3 years |
27% | C. 4 to 10 years |
20% | D. 11 to 20 years |
14% | E. Over 20 years
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How many rentals/units do you own or manage?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
5% | A. None yet |
36% | B. 1 to 5 |
14% | C. 6 to 10 |
25% | D. 11 to 25 |
20% | E. 26 or more
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What is your average amount of positive cash flow per home or per unit (after
ALL expenses)?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
2% | A. Most of my rentals have a negative cash flow. |
8% | B. $1 to $49 per month |
18% | C. $50 to $99 per month |
42% | D. $100 to $199 per month |
31% | E. Over $200 per month
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Which "category" of resident has caused landlords the most
problems or they consider the biggest risk?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
14% | A. Smoker |
12% | B. Lawyer |
22% | C. Section 8 |
29% | D. Pet owner |
23% | E. First time renter -- no previous rental history.
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Once residents get behind in rent, how many days before there is little/no
chance of them paying?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
12% | A. 7 days |
27% | B. Two weeks |
42% | C. One month |
9% | D. Six weeks |
9% | E. Two months |
How much formal education do landlords complete?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
3% | A. I did not complete high school. |
19% | B. High School |
24% | C. Two years of college. |
35% | D. Bachelor's degree |
20% | E. Post graduate work. |
Of five popular software management programs, which one
has been most helpful?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
42% | A. RentRight |
36% | B. Tenant File |
4% | C. Tenant Pro |
9% | D. Promas |
9% | E. Peak Property Mgmt. |
When buying rental properties, how close to you do you prefer to keep them?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
64% | A. Within 10 miles |
26% | B. Within 30 miles |
6% | C. Within 60 miles |
0% | D. As long as it is within the same state. |
4% | E. Any state, if the deal is good enough. |
How many pages is your rental agreement/lease?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
29% | A. 1 or 2 pages |
29% | B. 3 or 4 pages |
19% | C. 5 or 6 pages |
13% | D. 7 or 8 pages |
10% | E. More than 8 pages |
How much landlording do you do each week (on average)?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
29% | A. Part time - less than 10 hours per week |
16% | B. Part time - 10 to 20 hours per week |
14% | C. Part time - 20 to 35 hours per week |
11% | D. Full time - 36 to 50 hours per week |
5% | E. Over time - More than 50 hours per week |
How many prospects do you talk with before renting a vacancy?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
16% | A. 1 or 2 prospects |
38% | B. 3 or 5 prospects |
23% | C. 6 or 10 prospects |
12% | D. 11 to 20 prospects |
11% | E. More than 20 prospects
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Have many times have you been threatened with a tenant lawsuit?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
51% | A. Never |
22% | B. Once |
10% | C. Twice |
4% | D. Three times |
13% | E. More than three times
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How much deposit do landlords give back?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
22% | A. I almost always give back ALL the deposit. |
34% | B. I usually give back MOST of the deposit. |
28% | C. Most of the time I have to withhold some of the deposit. |
11% | D. Due to damages, I usually have to KEEP most of the deposit. |
5% | E. I almost never give back any of the deposit.
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How do landlords collect their rent?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
14% | A. I pick it up. |
24% | B. Residents brings it to me. |
53% | C. Residents mail the rent. |
6% | D. Residents take it to the bank or another 3rd party location. |
3% | E.Automatically by bank draft or electronic transfer or payroll
deduction or credit card.
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How much were landlords recent rental increase?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
2% | A. I actually lowered the rent to keep a tenant.
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23% | B. Last tenant that came up for renewal, I kept rent the same. |
45% | C. Raised the rent between 3 to 5%. |
18% | D. Raised the rent between 6 to 10% |
12% | E. Raised the rent more than 10%
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Why do people buy real estate?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
12% | A. Extra cash flow to supplement my full-time job.
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44% | B. Have enough rentals so I can work for myself. |
4% | C. I buy so I can sell for quick or big profits. |
37% | D. Mainly to provide retirement income. |
3% | E. I want to have real estate to hand down to my children.
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How do landlords prefer to hold title to property?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
40% | A. In my own name.
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41% | B. In a LLC |
9% | C. In a Land Trust |
4% | D. In a Corporation |
6% | E. In a Living Trust
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Are you a member of a local real estate association?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
16% | A. Yes, and I play a very active role. |
38% | B. Yes, I am a current member. |
7% | C. Former member, not currently. |
30% | D. I wish to join one, but not aware of any. |
9% | E. No, never joined and no interest in joining.
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How much do you pay for annual association dues?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
30% | A. $0 to $50 |
34% | B. $51 to $100 |
24% | C. $101 to $150 |
5% | D. $151 to $200 |
7% | E. Over $200 |
How much did your last vacancy cost you?
(counting loss of income, repairs, advertising, etc)
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
12% | A. $0 to $200 |
13% | B. $201 to $500 |
22% | C. $501 to $1,000 |
20% | D. $1,000 to $1,500 |
33% | E. More than $1,500 |
Which prospective resident would you take first?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
18% | A. Single male with cat. |
7% | B. Single male with dog. |
55% | C. Single female with cat. |
20% | D. Single female with dog. |
Which prospective resident(s) would you take first?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISTORS
10% | A. Relative or close friend. |
12% | B. Applicant with poor to marginal credit. |
18% | C. Two young roomates with no rental history. |
40% | D. Section 8 resident. |
20% | E. Lawyer or law student. |
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What percentage of your residents actually paid by the first?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
12% | A. 100% |
27% | B. 75% to 99% |
25% | C. 50% to 74% |
14% | D. 25% to 49% |
22% | E. Less than 25% |
Which major insurance companies do landlords use for their rentals?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
13% | A. Allstate |
9% | B. Farmers |
7% | C. Nationwide |
33% | D. State Farm |
38% | E. Other |
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How much do you pay to do a tenant credit check?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
36% | A. Less than $10 |
20% | B. $11 to $15 |
15% | C. $16 to $20 |
19% | D. More than $20 |
10% | E. I don't do credit checks.
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For new investors, what do you recommend as their first rental?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
4% | A. Renting out a room in their residence
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38% | B. Single Family House |
42% | C. Duplex |
12% | D. 3 or 4 Family Building |
4% | E. Small Apartment Building |
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How much of your own money did you use to buy your last property?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
24% | A. None |
19% | B. No more than 5% |
21% | C. 6% to 10% |
17% | D. 11% to 20% |
19% | E. More than 20% |
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After a few years of landlording, what would YOU rather own?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
27% | A. 20 single family rentals
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14% | B. 10 duplexes
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17% | C. 5 four- family buildings
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12% | D. 2 ten unit apt. buildings
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30% | E. 1 twenty unit apt. building |
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Which political party do landlords mostly identify with?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
24% | A. Democrat |
59% | B. Republican |
7% | C. Libertarian |
8% | D. Independent |
2% | E. Other |
How much did their biggest landlording mistake cost rental owners?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
29% | A. $500 to $1,000 |
26% | B. $1,001 to $2,500 |
20% | C. $2,501 to $5,000 |
11% | D. 5,001 to $10,000 |
14% | E. More than $10,000 |
When do landlords most consider giving residents a small gift?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
19% | A. Never |
12% | B. At Move-in |
48% | C. Holiday Season |
9% | D. Anniversary Date |
12% | E. Reward for Referral |
When running a classified ad, which week of the month generates most calls?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
17% | A. 1st week |
15% | B. 2nd week |
29% | C. 3rd week |
21% | D. 4th week |
18% | E. Have not noticed any difference. |
When running a classified ad, which DAY of the week generates the most calls?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
61% | A. Sunday |
11% | B. Monday |
8% | C. Wednesday |
7% | D. Friday |
13.% | E. Saturday |
Who does your taxes?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
6% | A. I do with pencil and paper. |
34% | B. Turbo Tax (or similar software) |
9% | H & R Block (or similar franchise) |
19% | D. Accountant |
32% | E. CPA |
How much do you spend on maintenance/repairs per unit, per year?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
5% | A. Up to $100 |
27% | B. $101 to $300 |
30% | C. $301 to $500 |
18% | D.$501 to $750 |
20% | E. $751 to $1,000 |
How much do you PUSH renter's insurance?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
16% | A. We do not bring up the subject.
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34% | B. We suggest it to new residents. |
39% | C. We strongly recommend it to residents. |
11% | D. We require it of all residents. |
Who is your favorite type of motivated seller that you look for?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
18% | A. Absentee landlords
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32% | B. Owners with financial problems |
16% | C. Owners (selling without an agent) |
10% | D. Folks with family problems (i.e., divorce) |
2% | E. Landlords advertising homes for rent |
3% | F. Homeowners who get job transfers |
14% | G. Inherited property owners |
5% | H. Elderly |
How much off 1st month's rent have you offered to fill a vacancy?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
75% | A. None
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5% | B.One week free |
8% | C. Two Weeks free |
2% | D. Three Weeks free |
10% | D. One Month Free |
Have you ever carried a gun in connection with your rental business?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
59% | A. No
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26% | B. Yes |
15% | C. No, but I'm seriously considering it. |
Do you have any Spanish speaking residents?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
58% | A. Yes
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35% | B. No |
7% | C. No, but I probably will within a year.
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If resident dies in your rental, do you disclose that to next applicants?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
How much net ANNUAL rental income would you need to be happy?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
2% | A. $10,000
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7% | B. $25,000 |
19% | C. $50,000 |
45% | D. $100,000. |
20% | E. $250,000. |
7% | F. $500,000 |
0% | G. $1,000,000 |
Who does your taxes?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
6% | A. I do with pencil and paper.
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34% | B. I do with help of tax software. |
13% | C. I use a tax service. |
47% | D. I use a C.P.A. |
What percentage of your renters have purchased homes in the last 12 months?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
68% | A. Less than 10%
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15% | B. 10% to 25% |
7% | C. 25% to 50% |
4% | D. 51% to 75% |
6% | E. Over 75% |
Where did you get the rental agreement or lease you are using?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
12% | A. From an attorney.
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18% | B. From another landlord. |
16% | C. From Landlord's Kit or another real estate book. |
6% | D. From a property manager. |
12% | E. From an office supply store. |
15% | F. From MrLandlord.com or another website. |
21% | G. From a real estate association. |
How much monthly income do you require of rental prospects?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
17% | A. 2 times the amount of rent.
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14% | B. 2.5 times the amount of rent.
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52% | C. 3 times the amount of rent.
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8% | D. 3.5 times the amount of rent.
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9% | E. 4 times the amount of rent.
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In addition to landlording, do you work a regular full-time job?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
70% | A. Yes, I still work regular jobs full time.
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12% | B. I work part-time along with landlording.
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18% | C. I only do landlording.
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Do you request eviction reports on a prospective residents?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
36% | A. Yes
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35% | B. No
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29% | C. Not yet, but I will since they are now available through this website.
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Do you carry business cards for your landlording business?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
Who did landlords vote for president in the 2004 election?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
61% | A. George Bush
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35% | B. John Kerry
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2% | C. Ralph Nader
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2% | D. Other
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What was your first rental?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
53% | A. Single family house. |
41% | B. 2, 3 or 4 family building. |
6% | C. Five units or bigger. |
How many bounced checks have you received from residents this year?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
44% | A. None
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33% | B. 1 or 2
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14% | C. 3 to 5
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5% | D. 6 to 10
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4% | E. More than 10
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Do you own residential rentals or commerical properties?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
80% | A. Residential Only
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2% | B. Commercial Only
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18% | C. Both
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Have you ever had a tenant skip out on you without paying?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
What is the lowest amount you ever evicted a resident for?
ANSWERS (VOTES) FROM OUR WEBSITE VISITORS
10% | A. $50 or less. |
5% | B. $51 to $100. |
9% | C. $101 to $200. |
12% | D. $201 to $300. |
18% | E. $301 to $500. |
46% | F. Over $500. |
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