LANDLORD PROFILE INTERVIEW:
Name:
Wendy Harvey
City:
Point Harbor
State:
NC
Any Unique 'Local' Landlord Requirements?
Number of Rentals?
21
Years of Landlording Experience?
20+
Hardest Job?
Demanding money from non-paying tenants. I do it, but it's always hard.
Your Biggest Mistake?
Leniency. If you let people get behind, eventually they blame you for owing more money than they can afford to repay. Then EVERYTHING becomes an issue.
New Landlord Advice?
Don't allow people to get behind. Think of every late payment as a loan you making - wouldn't you rather loan the money to your OWN family or friends? And fix all minor issues promptly before they become major ones!
Favorite Type of Resident?
Single/divorced women in their 40's or 50's with dogs. They pay, they clean, they take care of their own lives, they stay out of yours...
Best Way to Find/Attract Residents?
Craigslist with lots of photos.
Favorite Application Question?
I collect basic vital statistics (Name, SSN, license #, etc.) but I only ask two questions: Have you ever been evicted? and Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
One Way to Keep Good Residents?
Allow them to beautify their home and fix what's broken promptly.
Favorite Rental Clause?
My leases are five pages and get longer all the time :) but I believe I finally have one that covers most contingencies.
Money Making Cash Flow Tip?
Tenants deposit rent directly into my bank account - no 'the check is in the mail' issues.
Money Saving Maintenance Tip?
Fix small problems fast. And have a handy husband.
How Do You Encourage On-Time Rents?
Everyone has a cell phone. Rent is late on the 5th. On the 6th, I start texting people. Sometimes I even have to "group text"! But I get rapid responses to texts where voice mails can be ignored.
How Have You Collected Past Due Rent?
Through the payment method...Tax Refund Time is a good time to collect, so if people get behind in the winter, which can happen at the beach, I've had good luck waiting until tax time to collect.
Trick A Tenant Played On You?
Tenant offered their washer/dryer as partial payment on late rent. We accepted. They changed the locks just prior to moving - and moved in the middle of the night - so we didn't discover it until they were gone.
Favorite Real Estate Book?
What's Rewarding About Being A Landlord?
When you solve a knotty problem, there's a reward. But it's a tough business. These are people's LIVES and HOMES you are dealing with, and it's not easy.
How Has MRLANDLORD.COM helped you?
Ideas and tips from experienced landlords!
Note from mrlandlord.com: We invite rental owners from across the country to be featured on our website. If you would like to be considered as one of those featured landlords profiled on our website, please CLICK HERE to fill out a landlord interview on-line. Click to see formerly featured profiles.