Laws vary from state to state, but when you add up the costs and time down of an eviction, the results are the same. Evictions are expensive to all landlords everywhere. Preventative medicine (tenant screening) is the best way to reduce evictions. Thorough screening including credit checks, criminal checks and eviction reports can greatly reduce the likelihood of an eviction by identifying risky traits and characteristics in the prospect. Sometimes, landlords may take all the steps necessary to screen a tenant and still be forced to evict the tenant. This could be anything from rules violations to refusal to pay rent.

The costs of repairing and replacing appliances in your rental property can be significant if preventative maintenance practices are not employed. Protecting appliances are an integral part of good property management. A landlord runs the risk of losing significant profits by having to call an appliance technician regularly for repair.

Reducing resident turnover for your property requires a combination of different factors that begin with the basic rules of good customer service. Landlords must cultivate within themselves and their staff a set of behaviors carried out during communication with residents that demonstrate their appreciation. Landlords must consistently exceed their residents' expectations day in and day out. Residents need to notice that the staff is committed to:

Landlords understand that the longer their rental property stays vacant, the more profit they will lose on the investment. Keep in mind though that recruiting new renters isn't the only requirement for making a smart leasing decision. Be sure to adequately review a prospective renter's credit history and criminal background before you hand them the keys to your property - or you might find yourself back in the market for another renter much sooner than you expected!

Reviewing the criminal and credit background of prospective renters online is one of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce potential crime, property damage and other rental-related issues within your neighborhood. So with web-based tenant screening resources readily available, why don't more landlords conduct applicant background checks before renting out their property? The unfortunate answer is most individual property owners don't know they can legally and easily review a prospective renter's criminal and credit background before making a leasing decision. That's why we're asking for your help to educate local homeowners by sharing the top Three Ways Tenant Screening Improves Your Neighborhood

Billy Cannon has taught for Robert Allen, J.G. Banks, and Carleton Sheets among others, where he as instructed thousands of students in the ways of investing in real estate. Click Here for more information

Secret #1: You cannot always rely on the Better Business Bureau to determine whether a contractor is qualified or not Many people feel that if the Better Business Bureau does not have any complaints against a company, they must be a reputable firm. Unfortunately this just is not true. You cannot rely on the Better Business Bureau to determine whether you are dealing with a competent contractor. Just because a contractor has not had any complaint logged with the Better Business Bureau does not mean he is competent or that he will do a good job! All that it means is that the Better Business Bureau does not have a file on him at this time. In fact, according to a recent issue of Money Magazine, the Better Business Bureau does not do a very good job of reporting offending companies at all. So, just because a contractor does not have any complaints with the BBB you are not assured your working with someone who is reputable.

1. Are you licensed? Most states require contractors, even sub-contractors to be licensed. Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date. Being licensed is the law. If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, DO NOT HIRE HIM! You can check the contractor’s current licensing status with your states Secretary of State.

Bob is known as the ‘guru’s guru’ and teaches advanced real estate investing techniques including buying discounted liens, notes and judgments, buying out of bankruptcy, short sales, and more.