Renter Confidential

In a previous episode of Renter Confidential we discussed the huge amount of trust that renters place in the landlord or property manager by choosing on of their properties to call home.  But, this trust is not one sided.  The landlord is also trusting the renter as well.  Trusting that they’ll take care of the property. Trusting that they won’t invite guests who may disrupt the community. Trustin...

As you’re out looking for apartments, you’re busy looking at how beautiful the grounds are.  You’re looking at the finishes inside the apartment the property manager shows you.  You’re fantasizing about how refreshing a dip in the swimming pool will be.  And it’s true that these are all elements that will impact your rental experience at this particular property.  But, there is an unseen force tha...

Living at home has been amazing. Free food. Your laundry gets moved to the dryer when you forget about it - instead of being left wet on top of the machine.  The neighborhood is totally familiar. And your parents have been … in a word, amazing.  You’re now ready to move out into your own apartment but the monthly price tag is hard to swallow, to say the least.  Then it occurs to you, that if you h...

You’ve found the perfect new apartment. Moving on to the next stage of your life will be just the fresh start that the doctor ordered.  The property manager emailed you the link to the application a couple of days ago and you promptly filled it out.  And after running a credit check they’ve come back to you with a problem.  They’re saying that your credit score is too low to qualify for the apartm...

It’s a beautiful day and you’re heading out the door to work.  You recently rented a house in a great area.  It’s been about a month and things have been going well.  But, as you approach your car, one of your neighbors walks by, waves hello, and makes a comment about the overgrown grass in the yard.  You wave back and make a mental note to contact the landlord about that.  When you reach out to t...

Move-in day is finally here!  You’re in your car sitting outside the property manager’s office.  The relief you feel about leaving those roommates behind has you walking on cloud nine.  Your lease is signed and the security deposit is already paid.  All that’s left now is to get the keys.  Oh…there’s the property manager, right on time.     You get your keys and rush off to unlock your new apartme...

Once again you’re out looking for another apartment.  You’ve just finished an apartment tour and you’re back in the property manager’s office.  He’s droning on about the next steps and the fees you’ll have to pay upfront to move in.  You’re only half listening because by now you’re used to the drill.  You’re ready for the onslaught of fees.  The application fee. The credit check fee.  The security...

We recently interviewed Mr. Shawn Sims regarding his rental experiences in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Shawn is definitely a character, to say the least and if you haven’t seen the interview in its entirety the link is in the show notes below.  There were some powerful lessons from Shawn's story for everyone out there struggling with the rental market, especially if your rental and financial hist...

Today we’re interviewing Mister Shawn Sims who lives in Dallas, Texas. While he currently works in the utility industry installing electrical meters, he’s worked in fast food, delivery, laundry services, and more.  As you’ll hear this jack of many trades overcame a number of obstacles to land an apartment.  Shawn’s had trouble with the law, trouble managing his finances, and trouble with roommates...

How can you present yourself as a sexy, savvy renter to landlords when you’re out looking for rental apartments?  When you know how to speak to people in their language, they’re more likely to hear what you have to say and look at you in a more favorable light.  We’re talking sexy rental language on today’s episode of Renter Confidential!   Sponsor: Apartment Search Secrets (RentalSecrets.net)   S...

You’ve had an amazing week.  Not one but two job offers have come your way. There were others, but these were the two you wanted.  Despite the fact that both jobs will require you to relocate, you’re ready for the challenge. Regardless of which job you choose, you’ll be renting a new apartment.  But, different states will bring different laws, taxes, and pressures.  But, you have no idea how any o...

Searching for apartments has been exhausting.  You’ve lost count of how many properties you’ve visited.  At every turn, you’ve been told the apartment has just been rented, but they can add you to the waitlist.  Yeah, sure add me to the waitlist with the dozens, if not hundreds, of other people who are already on it.  You’re doing your best not to get discouraged, but when they say they’ll add you...

One day a young lady came to my office looking to rent an apartment.  She’d been renting a mobile home just outside of town.  She proceeded to tell me the story about why she was looking.  The previous week she’d seen two people walking on the property that she’d never seen before approaching her mobile home. She was shocked to learn that they were the property manager and the property owner.  Nei...

You’re concerned about how you're going to navigate the apartment rental process and not get taken advantage of.  The last time your parents rented anything was fifty years ago.  You’ve heard way too many horror stories to count and you feel like you’re at an informational disadvantage dealing with landlords and property managers.  Well, today we are leveling the informational playing field on thi...

The security deposit and first month’s rent have been paid and the lease has been signed.  You’re now ready to start your new life.  But, you’ve been so busy, focused on getting this move done, that you may not have taken stock of exactly how much trust you’ve placed in a landlord that you’ve only recently met.  Today, we’re examining just how much trust that might be. This is Renter Confidential!...

Today you finally come up for air and go through your mail.  And there’s a letter from your landlord.  The letter notifies you that your lease will expire in 2 weeks. Has it really been twelve months already?  There’s a renewal offer inside.  Well, they call it an offer, but it seems like extortion.  The rental experience has been OK, but you wonder if there’s a better apartment for you out there....

Work was a disaster. And now all you want to do is go home, slip on some comfy sweats, and forget that today ever happened.  And then you’re presented with the absolute last thing your day needed…having to hunt for a parking space. Sure, you find one three buildings away, and your frustration is up to here. We’re talking parking. And this is Renter Confidential!     Sponsor: https://rentalsecrets....

Everyone knows that rents are sky-high. In fact, rents are so high that some properties rent for over $5000 per month. But, the first month’s rent is not the only amount renters must pay in order to move in. There's also the security deposit.  Currently, most landlords can charge twice the monthly rent as a security deposit.  But, some state lawmakers are taking aim at this practice. Could this sp...

There are many reasons why renters feel like they're at the mercy of landlords.  Rental staging is one of the hidden reasons why.  It uses visual cues to affect your emotions when touring a property and can feel manipulative, especially if you don't understand what's happening.  In fact, you may end up paying more than you originally planned as a result.  Welcome to this episode of Renter Confiden...

Hello and welcome to our brand new show, " Renter Confidential "! I am your host, the award-winning author and property management expert, Justin Pogue .   If you're enduring the height of the summer residential rental season and struggling to find a new rental home.  You're not alone. Millions of college graduates and young families are scrambling right along with you.  Or you may be looking duri...

Hello and welcome to our brand new show, " Renter Confidential "! I am your host, the award-winning author and property management expert, Justin Pogue .   If you're enduring the height of the summer residential rental season and struggling to find a new rental home.  You're not alone. Millions of college graduates and young families are scrambling right along with you.  Or you may be looking duri...