It am interested in finding out how many of you hide in plain site?

There are a few ways you can do this in real estate.....

I was hoping this was going to be a thread on clever ways to take title to the property. I guess not.

Yeah, an older car does the trick.

RayRay,

I use a nick name, not my real name when contacting prospects or residents.

I’m tickled when those folks start telling me stories about “Grayson - he always does (this or that). I’ve checked out ALL his homes.”

Oh really!? I’ve heard he’s great too!

I DO drive my Porsche 911 to lease signings, etc.

BRAD

Don't talk about fight club. Remember that one?

Most of the people I run into in my area are not into being landlords/investors, so I just don't talk about it. If they ask what I do, I just tell them I'm retired.

Previously, if they did find out, it usually led to them wanting a place for a friend or relative or it led to them thinking I was a "rich landlord" and could I lend them money. My kid is not interested in the business (would rather just be a "worker" and get the weekly paycheck). The kid is not all-in on the idea of passive income yet. Would rather be like Fred Flintstone and when the whistle blows at quitting time, everything is someone else's problem. (There is something to that but it is a ticket to a lifetime of work for someone else, making their dreams come true.) When my kid was in high school, I tried to drill in the idea that if a person would just commit to the idea of building a business of owning rentals and learn it, the result would be a lifetime of other people sending you payments every month.

But nope!

Now my kid has to endure, for the next 40 years, getting up every day early, driving 35 miles to work no matter the weather, hoping to get vacation time at a decent time, potential layoffs and potential other problems associated with working for someone else.

Older vehicle filled with tools and supplies.

Modest work clothes

Modest house.

Never brag.

Deflect ownership questions "I'm the PM".

Unlike others on here seem prone to do, I don't hide. I also don't "brag". My job is my job. I live in an area where lots of people know lots of people. That has helped my business be what it is. Until a few years ago, I was VERY hands on at my properties so all the tenants saw me mowing grass, dirty hands, dragging stuff around, etc. I have always driven "regular" vehicles ... sorry Brad, but I would never be one to "waste" money on a Porsche ... but can certainly pi$$ cash away with the best of the on other things.

More like under the radar. (Chosen lifestyle)

As a Doctor I leaned that tenants are much more demanding than my friends that are LLs, thinking I am rolling in money.

Also the same with contractors. I had two houses, they both needed a drain line replaced, The workers said they were identical in length, depth etc.So I thought they would cost about the same. The contractor thought an older lady owned one house and that I owned the other,

When I got the bills,..the one he thought I owned was over 6K,.."her" house was 3K..

My pts that are contractors have occasionally said knowing that I own properties "boy I bet you get charged a lot"

That used to be an all to frequent experience,..

So now when possible I have one of my staff order things, not mentioning any connection

When I do visit a property,.yes and older car, older cloths etc,.head down, not talkative, you don't get a chance to make friends with me and follow me around trying to be best friends with me as some tenants used to do,.. to use later for special favors. Luckily most properties are in another town where I'm not well known, I have handy people do most work.

Who owns what is right in our online county database. And it's a small beach - people know people who know people. BUT they know we live in a modest house, even if it is on the water it's NOT one of the McMansions AND they see my DH working his a$$ off every day. We've started to hire more stuff out but use the same contractors every time, so they are pretty good to us. Not discounts, I wouldn't expect that, but definitely prompt service.

I've always been proud to be a "housing provider" but my DH keeps it under his hat. I have come to realize it isn't a very respectable profession. Too bad.

I sadly have learned it isn't appreciated until they need you, and they don't know you after that need is over. Not every transaction but most if you hold them to any accountability at all!

Just had a former church goer (came long enough to get all they could) send me a friend request and asked me if it was true we had a rental? I ignored her. Why? Because she has 4 kids and showed interest in a 2 bedroom, has a bad history of substance abuse, a volatile personality, has already friended & defriended me several times.

"A rich Chinese keeps a poor door".

I think this covers it.

Best regards

Jim Kennedy

Paint covered blue jeans, dirty hat, wear a shirt with the biz name on or a sweatshirt with one. Work van, nothing fancy. I had the question of how many places I own:

"Residential or commercial?"

"Hmm, residential...:

"Parents or mine personally?"

"What about commercial?"

"Just 4... but not mine personally." never mind each location has multiple units...

Just beat around the bush. Treat like a game... lol

When asked how many properties we own,

I tell the truth that even my wife doesn’t know.

I dress sloppy, because I’m sloppy retired

and drive a 2014 Honda Pilot. They never see my

The residents don't need to know details about me. I use a PO Box when I have any communication with them or any business that may involve both me and my residence. I drive an old car which is definitely a good thing with the residents. However, I've always been driving an old car all my life. I have never had and never will buy a new car.

I also like the tenants who think I'm not the only owner. I often say I got to consult with the rest of my partners about your problem. But in reality, I am the total owner of the property.

I drive a pickup truck with ladder racks. Have my company name on a magnetic label on the rear of the truck. I wear a polo shirt with my company name and logo when going to properties. Wear a vest in the winter with the name and logo as well. Never would drive my Jaguar F Pace or Porsche 911 4 to any properties.... We strive to give a professional appearance to tell residents and tenants that we are a corporation that manages multiple properties. We also make repairs and respond within a couple of hours as necessary.

for those of you who have multiple accounts with a single agent, but the agent list 10 properties on on deck page......

It's said that you can tell what a man is worth by the automobile his wife drives. So, the little woman doesn't go cruising in the 'hood', ya know! You really can't hide too much from tenants that have been renting from you for a long time. And you want your good tenants to stay a long time, and you just keep telling yourself, "It's strickly Bussiness", while you refer to yourself as "MISTER so 'n so", thank you...

This thread is almost hilarious. I did not get into business to walk with my head down, wear sloppy clothes, and drive a beater.

I got in this to build wealth and live a FREE!!! lifestyle.

Props are not in my name. We use The UPS Store mailing address for EVERYTHING. Many teased me about this for years but it allows a level of anonymity.

When someone asks I tell them we are PROPERTY MANAGERS for various investors. I am the MANAGER. It's true - *I* don't own the props, the entities - Roth IRA, 401K, LLCs, trusts OWN the props.

I dress casual-professional when signing leases and going to the bank or court.

And I drive my Porsche.

Nicole - a Porsche is the perfect investment! When I start it my heart starts pumping and my blood pressure goes down! There is also a HUGE satisfaction factor rather than climbing into a beater.

BRAD

...a Porsche is the perfect investment! When I start it my heart starts pumping and my blood pressure goes down!...

The less my Tenants know about me the better. I have had Tenants check out on a multi state BG check and yet they are nasty when the rent is late. One Tenant the was making edged weapons in the basement. I have had Tenants that were upset about a late fee wait for me at the community mailbox to ambush me with tirades.

I know some landlords that I swear walk around with their figurative chests pushed out and their thumbs behind their suspenders posturing in effect "look what I own".

Myself, I don't need to do that and keep a low profile.