Landlord's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Managing Small Residential Properties

This essential reference provides information on resident relations, marketing, leasing, move-ins, collection, insurance, taxes, and accounting. More than 50 forms and checklists help property owners establish a smooth, trouble-free rental operation. Contents: Managing Income-Producing Properties; Managing Residents; Marketing; Applications; Leases and Rental Agreements; Moving New Tenants In; Renewing Leases; When Tenants Move Out; Rent Collection; Insurance; Maintenance; Property Taxes; Accounting; Index; 50 sample forms and checklists.

Goodwin and Rusdorf offer practical advice aimed at individuals planning to invest in residential real estate. The authors assume readers have no prior knowledge of rental practices and thus provide novices with an excellent compendium of them. Among the topics covered are screening of potential tenants, insurance coverage for properties, and necessary accounting procedures. The numerous sample forms included are also helpful. A valuable work. On a very different topic, Hoover offers to real estate professionals what he calls the "unexplained secrets" of successful real estate salespeople. Unfortunately, the secrets remain so, because what the author provides are largely motivational generalizations. The "secrets" turn out to be examples of personal techniques that have limited application. As an example of the frustrating lack of follow-through in this book, computers are recommended for greater productivity but little specific data about applications is provided. Some useful tips on goal setting may be helpful to beginners but, all in all, this is not recommended.
- Joseph Barth, U.S. Military Acad . Lib., West Point, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.