Howdy!

I'm not sure if I'm in the right spot to post this but I hope to find out lol.

A little bit about me here.

I have been in remodeling, since 2012. In 2017 I switched it up some and started doing less physical work. from then I inspected new construction and remodels in my field of expertise. I'm a fire place guy.

Also is 2017 I formed a llc and bought my first rental property. it's a duplex. I was able to use strategies that I've learned about to purchase it with very little up front cost.

It has been a roller-coaster of a time, but that's a story for a latter date.

I happen to run into a person local to me who suggested this site and here I am. all ready addicted to it.

I'm here to learn as much as i can. I consider myself a newbie at this point but hope to improve quickly.

Glad you are here. I have been renting for 18 years and I learn something every-time I come to this site. I am a small timer, with only 2 units. Sometimes the tenants drive me to distraction, as I have had a few bad ones.

Most are good people just trying to get through life the best they can.

For some reason I seem to get newbies and find I need to play Mom or Grammy and teach them the ropes. On a good note I have given good references and helped 3 of my old tenants purchase their own homes. But, that was over 12 years ago. I find more and more tenants have good references, etc. but get really angry when I point out they are breaking the Lease and they need to stop what they are doing. Late payments are getting more and more common and it is challenging as they are also more irresponsible.

You will learn a lot here, so check back often and take time to read the stories. It is quite interesting.

Welcome, Mike.

It sounds like you have the skills/knowledge needed to maintain the physical property well.

Here, you will gain understanding for initiating and maintaining the tenant-Landlord relationship. Hopefully, you will be able to smooth out the roller coaster ride.

Mike, I am in the NE Ohio area as well.

Have you joined a local REIA yet?

You came to the right place! I'm small potatoes myself, and found this forum a dozen or more years ago when I had a nightmare of a family in a sfh. I have learned so much, just by keeping up with the posts. Here are a few things to know about the forum:

Jeffrey(VA), "Mrlandlord" himself, is our gracious host, and an awesome mentor to many. Go to his conventions/bootcamps if you want to learn how to be a great landlord/investor.

When you see "OT" before a post, it means off-topic. There was a lot of that this past year, mostly COVID-related. So if you read through the forums to educate yourself (highly recommended), you can skip the OTs.

You'll see referrals to "Aldo's Rule", coined by a former contributor here. The rule is "The landlord is in charge. The tenant is not in charge." A very useful thing to keep in mind!

You'll also see the "Happy Clause" being offered to troublesome tenants. Simply put, if you have a chronically picky tenant and you really want them to shut up or go away, you can always offer this, something to the extent of: "It appears that you are not happy living here. I am willing to release you from the terms of our rental agreement if you will give me XX days of notice, in writing, of your intent to vacate by (give date). This offer expires after (give date)." You can verbalize this first, then put it in writing if they want. The nice thing is that many of us have found that the tenants will either stop being such a pain, or will take you up on the offer - either way, your headaches are reduced.

Last, never give your real name here - tenants can Google, too!

Welcome!

New Guy....This is the Big Book of Landlording