The Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast

When people talk about “market uncertainty,” they usually focus on interest rates, home prices, or whether now is the “right time” to invest. But for landlords, the bigger challenge right now is something else entirely: margin compression. In this episode, Chris McAllister and Laci LeBlanc break down why rental profitability has become harder to protect in 2026—and what smart investors are doing d...

When investors say they’re “looking at Florida,” they usually mean one of three things: vacation rentals, retirement markets, or appreciation-driven speculation. The problem?  Florida isn’t one market—and treating it like one leads to bad decisions. In this episode, Chris McAllister, Laci LeBlanc, and Space Coast Owner Advisor Rena Smith break down what actually makes Florida’s Space Coast differe...

Here’s the truth: most investors aren’t struggling because they picked the wrong market… they’re struggling because they misunderstood how that market behaves. This conversation reframes what makes a market valuable. Ohio isn’t “safe” — and that’s exactly the point. It’s predictable. And for long-term rental investors, predictability is what allows you to plan, manage risk, and stay in the game lo...

Not all metrics are created equal. In this episode of the Landlord Profitability Playbook, we break down the numbers that actually matter — and the ones that don’t. Because here’s the truth: most property management companies track what’s easy… not what’s useful. This conversation goes beyond surface-level dashboards and into the real operational metrics that shape decisions, influence behavior, a...

Real estate investing doesn’t move in a straight line — it moves in seasons. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Chris McAllister and co-host Laci LeBlanc shift from strategy to tactics and break down what disciplined investors do when the market feels slow, tight, or “stuck.” You’ll hear practical, investor-tested ways to stay profitable in a dry season — including how to optimize the portfolio yo...

You might be a real estate investor and not even know it. Maybe you tried to sell your house but didn’t get the offers you wanted. Maybe you’re sitting on a mortgage rate that’s too good to give up. Or maybe you just inherited a home and don’t know what to do next. In this episode of the Landlord Profitability Playbook , Chris McAllister and co-host Laci LeBlanc talk directly to the accidental lan...

In this annual State of the Union–style episode, ROOST Founder & CEO Chris McAllister reflects on a pivotal year of rebuilding, professionalization, and strategic positioning—and lays out a clear, grounded vision for 2026 and beyond. Joined by ROOST’s Marketing Director and longtime podcast partner Laci LeBlanc , Chris breaks down what actually moved the needle in 2025—not buzzwords, not vanit...

Real estate investing happens in seasons — and the investors who build long-term wealth are the ones who learn how to work with those seasons instead of fighting them. In this episode, Chris McAllister (ROOST Real Estate Co.) and Laci LeBlanc introduce a simple but powerful framework for understanding where the market is today, how to prepare during slower periods, and how elite investors position...

Unit turns and maintenance aren’t glamorous, but they are where landlord profitability is won or lost. In this episode, Chris, Gretchen, and Brad break down R&M 2.0 — ROOST Real Estate Co.’s structured approach to maintenance and unit turns. You’ll hear how ROOST’s systems reduce vacancies, control costs, and give owners clear choices about how to manage their properties. From handling emergen...

In the final installment of the What to Expect from Your Property Manager series, host Chris McAllister, alongside co-host Laci LeBlanc and ROOST Property Management Director Gretchen Mitchell, wraps up a year-long exploration into every aspect of working with a property manager—or being your own. This comprehensive episode is a deep-dive recap of the key lessons from the series and offers a clear...

In episode 11 of our 12-part series What to Expect from Your Property Manager , host Chris McAllister is joined by Laci LeBlanc and Gretchen Mitchell to walk through one of the most critical steps in managing your rental portfolio: interviewing a prospective property manager. This episode offers a practical guide for landlords evaluating prospective property managers, including what to ask in inte...

In this tenth episode of our twelve-part series, What to Expect from Your Property Manager , we’re breaking down the fees property managers charge, why they exist, and how they contribute to the overall success of your rental investment. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear understanding of: The common fees property managers charge What services those fees cover How to evaluate whether...

This is the ninth episode of our 12-part series called "What To Expect From Your Property Manager." Click here to view all the episodes in this series. One of the best parts of working with a good property management company who is committed to your joint success is their ability to help you expand your portfolio in a strategic way. After all, arguably the biggest challenge for real esta...

In this episode of The Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast we are sharing an episode Chris and Laci just recorded for The All Things Real Estate Podcast , where they reflect on the wins of 2024 and share their vision for 2025. In this “State of the Union” update, Chris discusses key initiatives that shaped the past year, including the launch of the ROOST Investment Gateway, advancements in pro...

In part eight of the What to Expect from Your Property Manager series, Chris McAllister, Laci LeBlanc, and Gretchen Mitchell sit down with accounting expert Jill McGregor to demystify the financial side of property management. This episode is packed with actionable insights for both property owners and property managers, focusing on the critical role of accurate accounting, trust account managemen...

In this insightful episode of the Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast , Chris McAllister, alongside co-hosts Laci LeBlanc and Gretchen Mitchell, delves into the critical role of tenant relations in property management. They discuss how strong tenant relationships impact profitability, reduce turnover, and ensure consistent rental income. Drawing on their experience at Roost Real Estate Company...

In this episode of the Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast , Chris McAllister, along with co-hosts Laci LeBlanc and Gretchen Mitchell, dives deep into the importance of a clear and non-discriminatory tenant screening process and break down how to ensure your property manager is following HUD's updated tenant screening guidelines, issued in April 2024. While the topic may seem dry, it&apos...

Welcome back to The Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast! I'm Chris McAllister, here to help you create and coach business opportunities and strategies that support and add value to the lives of residential real estate investors. Today, I'm joined by my trusted co-hosts, Laci Leblanc and Gretchen Mitchell, our Director of Property Management at ROOST Real Estate Co. In this fifth inst...

Welcome back to The Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast! In this fourth episode of our 12-part series "What To Expect From Your Property Manager," hosts Chris McAllister, Laci Leblanc, and Gretchen Mitchell will explore the critical role of controlling rehab and maintenance costs in maintaining landlord profitability. Join us as we take a deep dive into:• The importance of proactive...

Welcome to The Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast! In this third episode of our 12-part series, "What To Expect From Your Property Manager," hosts Chris McAllister, Laci Leblanc, and Gretchen Mitchell dive deep into the importance of meeting your property management team before making any commitments. In "Meet The Team THEN Decide," we explore the foundational role of trus...

This is the 2nd of our 12-part series called What To Expect From Your Property Manager. Whether you are your property manager, you are already in a property management relationship, or you are thinking about hiring a property manager, this series help you set expectations for performance that can only positively impact your profitability over time. In this episode Chris, Laci, and Gretchen discuss...

This is the first of our 12-part series called What To Expect From Your Property Manager. Whether you are your property manager, you are already in a property management relationship, or you are thinking about hiring a property manager, this series help you set expectations for performance that can only positively impact your profitability over time. Chris and Laci kick off this series with a disc...

I’d like to introduce Rachael Schwalenberg to the Landlord Profitability Playbook Podcast. Last summer I was listening to the Evernest Real Estate Investor podcast while on the bike path and the guest that day was Rachael Schwalenberg of Columbus, Ohio. Now I listen to a lot of podcasts and I am not easily impressed but Rachael was amazing. She clearly knew the Columbus market inside and out. It w...

This episode is extra special because it also falls on the occasion of the 10 year anniversary of ROOST Real Estate Co. Listen as Laci and I recap 2023 and layout my key initiatives for 2024 and beyond. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Chris celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Roost, discussing the company's core values of being smart, passionate, supportive, and approachable, and how these have shaped the...

In today’s episode Laci LeBlanc and I talk about The Landlord Registration and Licensing Ordinance 23-36 enacted by the City of Springfield Ohio on January 31, 2023.In this episode we discuss the ordinance, the process by which it is being enforced, and the legal basis for pushing back on this infringement of property rights and ultimately tenant rights. I have serious concerns about this ordinanc...