Hello, My first day as a full time landlord is 26 days away, an I think 7 working days (using all vacation an sick time)

What would be your perfect day 1 of being a full time LL?

Ya, kinda looking for ideas. I have 12 an 13 year old, so cant go on a vacation. Plan on sleeping in till 9 or 10, go to moives an lunch/breakfast depends on when movie starts. Run an see my mom that lives about 10 min from me, probably stop by cemetary an give thanks to my dad, an both sets of grandparents. Something with the kids when they home

Thanks, just looking for ideas, an what others would do or they did do?

Dont really want to ask my buddys, or coworkers.. I will be 48 day after i leave my W2

THanks

Take the 1st day easy. Nothing too crazy. Plenty of time to do crazy as you establish a routine.

My plan for being a full time landlord is first to have an established routine, because the human race of which I am a member likes routines. Sure, trips and treats are fun, but as I heard one retired guy say, "fishing is more fun when you don't do it every day."

I'd put some exercise in there somewhere. Walk the dog for an hour. Go for a 10-mile bicycle ride. Lift weights. Something to keep the body active. I see way too many fat retired people, and I'm thinking, "Here I am busting my hump with 4 days of cardio and 2 days of weight per week... and they've got all the time in the world. What's their excuse?" You don't want to be lazy. Your body was made to be used, and it's very much a "use it or lose it" resource.

I'd also turn my phone off and leave it on the night stand all day long. Let your tenants fend for themselves for a day. Update your voicemail message with a phone number for utility emergencies and as always, call 9-1-1 for fire or blood. It can all wait until Day 2.

My wife would have a long "honey do" list.

If you haven't already done this, on day 2 find where local landlords go to breakfast and talk. Start going there and get to know them well.

I am married, an my wife will be with me on DAY 1

Early on we slept in. A couple of times really late, like 9 or 9.30. That didn't last long though and now he's up at the crack of dawn whether he wants to be or not. I can make it to 8am without trying too hard.

Sometimes I feel like the Dowager in Downton Abby: "What is a weekend?" because it no longer matters what day it is, not really. I have sometimes have to ask Alexa just to be sure.

My advice is to make a list everyday, fun things, work out, movies, walks, monitor investments, look for new opportunities, learn new investment ideas(writing covered calls? more income). What county are you located in? Go explore the many small towns in Michigan with your wife. Go walk around grab lunch or a coffee and head back by the time the kids are out.

For customer service: I use the four hour rule for my properties. I listen to the voicemail or look at their text. If it isn't an active water leak or a no heat situation. I usually let it sit for about 4 hours.

When I retired from my W-2 career(48), I started focusing on capital improvement projects. Some of my properties were getting to the point where they were paid off. I would put in a new kitchen or do a light remodel on the bathroom(s). Kind of sucks working on an occupied home or make the plans and attack during the next vacancy. Takes planning, you will have the time. A couple of the properties, I took out a new mortgage after they were renovated. Invested the proceeds into dividend paying securities(more income)

The main thing for most people leaving their W-2, especially with children, is healthcare and dental. I hope you have that covered.

Congratulations!

48, go back to the mirror and kiss yourself.

St clair county I am in.

Yes my wife is going with me on day 1, she is 49 an has hung it up as well a few years ago

St clair county I am in.

Yes my wife is going with me on day 1, she is 49 an has hung it up as well a few years ago

Congratulations.

Since it will be around the first, hopefully you spend some time depositing rent checks!

Now that my husband has been a full time LL for a couple years, he's taking over some of the jobs I did while he worked for the man.

Your Day 1 sounds good; glad you are thinking ahead. We slept in late, 9-9:30 but now get up at 8am each day.

Sit in on one of those LL meetings. When ALDO on here was a LL in WI, he held a LL group at a restaurant in town once a month. I went to many of them and much younger than most. It was fun, learned alot, and helpful contacts. Try it and see.

Now that my husband has been a full time LL for a couple years, he's taking over some of the jobs I did while he worked for the man.

Your Day 1 sounds good; glad you are thinking ahead. We slept in late, 9-9:30 but now get up at 8am each day.

Sit in on one of those LL meetings. When ALDO on here was a LL in WI, he held a LL group at a restaurant in town once a month. I went to many of them and much younger than most. It was fun, learned alot, and helpful contacts. Try it and see.

Jason,

Go have lunch with your kids at their school.

Then dedicate the entire weekend to them - playground, picnic, pro ball game, movies, bike rides, theme park...

Tenants and toilets can wait a day.

It's about FREEDOM!!!

BRAD

When my kids were teens if I went to the school to lunch with them they would be devastated.

Motorcycle trip to tail of the dragon .... oh wait that's my dream.

Build your team and network. Identify

o a lawyer (I use PPL)

o a cleaner (hire different companies for upcoming jobs until your happy with their work)

o a bookkeeper (I use Shawna Johner [Denver] & quickbooks online)

o find an excellent photographer (I use Virtuance in Las Vegas)

o meet the neighbors, get their contact info (they can be your eyes and ears)

o converse now with your accountant — don’t wait until it’s time to prepare the taxes. Their are ways to acquire property, expense, to reduce the tax liability

o review and understand your insurance coverages

o set up a business address — you don’t want any residents showing up unannounced at your home (I use PostNet)

o set up Roth IRAs for your children — use/take photos of them painting a fence, for example, pay them and then send that money off to their IRAs for future investment. Use the photo in advertising.

Make a couple lists of the things you want to accomplish during retirement, like Restructuring your Foundations on less than average properties etc. and another list of places you want to take your wife now that you have time. Now throw away the first list and put your bad property on the market so that some young Buck can have more to do during his day and use some Profits to buy the Wife a newer Truck. Your going to need the truck While your wife is learning to help you with the simpler repairs on your better properties. Lets not Forget Her Feeling Helpful. It will help her have the Willingness to use her Truck.

Now its time to give her the letter of appreciation with the Love you have for her.

Dear Vikki,

As I embark on this new journey of dedicating myself fully to being a landlord, I find myself reflecting on the unwavering support and love you’ve shown me over the years. I realize that in the hustle and bustle of life, my focus often strayed from the one person who has been my rock through it all—you.

Your patience, understanding, and love have been the backbone of our home and our life together. I can never thank you enough for standing by me, even when times were tough and my attention was elsewhere. You’ve been my guiding light, my confidant, and the love of my life.

Now, as I transition into this new chapter, I want to take a moment to appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me and our family. Your sacrifices, your unwavering belief in me, and your endless love have not gone unnoticed. I promise to make more time for us, to cherish every moment together, and to show you just how much you mean to me.

Thank you for being my anchor, my love, and my everything. Here’s to a future filled with more love, more togetherness, and a renewed commitment to making every day special.