Dominique Swanson

A Guide to Renewing Your Rental License as a Property Owner

Dominique Swanson

Mar 03, 2025

For new owners, navigating the renewal of your properties rental license can be confusing and challenging. In this article, we walk you through each step of the rental license renewal process and best practices to prepare for your inspection.

5 Community Events Your Apartment Residents Actually Want to Go To

Dominique Swanson

Feb 04, 2025

Fostering a sense of community is an important part of property management, as it brings your property together and creates positive resident experiences. One of the best way to create that community feeling is through apartment resident events. In this article, we will explore five community events that are sure to be crowd pleasers, and leave your residents looking forward to what you host next.

Smart Technology That Will Level Up Your Rental Property

Dominique Swanson

Feb 03, 2025

Integrating home automation into your rental property is an easy way for you to stand out against competition in a tough rental market. In this article, we explore 6 different pieces of smart technology you can use to upgrade at your rental property.

Tips for Landlords to Avoid Vacancy Loss During the Winter Months

Dominique Swanson

Jan 27, 2025

By maintaining your real estate property well, offering flexibility to tenants, enhancing security, marketing effectively, and offering incentives, you can keep your rental property occupied and continue to provide tenants with the comfort and peace of mind they need during the winter months.

As a Landlord, Should You Get Involved in Roommate Conflicts?

Dominique Swanson

Dec 17, 2024

If you rent a property to multiple tenants, then the likelihood of receiving complaints about roommates is high. While it may seem like a simple matter of letting your tenants handle it themselves, there are various factors to consider before making that decision. In this article, we’ll explore the nature of roommate conflicts, a landlord’s role, when to intervene, and the potential risks and benefits of doing so.

Help! My Tenant Wants to Break Their Lease!

Dominique Swanson

Nov 12, 2024

When a tenant wants to break a lease early, it's stressful scenario that can leave you scrambling to find the best course of action, or even legal recourse. However, with the right course of action, you can maintain a positive relationship with your tenant while simultaneously protecting your property from rent loss.

5 Signs You've Found the Perfect Tenant

Dominique Swanson

Oct 29, 2024

The ideal tenant is not just someone who pays their monthly rent on time. They’re also a renter who is reliable when you need to communicate with them, respectful to the community, and excited to contribute to a harmonious living environment. But how can you know when you’ve found the perfect tenant? Here are 5 signs to help you recognize when you’ve found the right fit.

Rental License Renewal: How to Make Sure You're Ready for City Inspections

Dominique Swanson

Oct 21, 2024

Let’s explore how to get your rental property ready for city inspections so you can renew your rental license with ease.

How Property Owners Should Be Leveraging Social Media

Dominique Swanson

Oct 08, 2024

hether you own a single unit or manage multiple rental properties, social media marketing can be a game-changer in attracting potential tenants and filling vacancies. In this guide, we will walk you through how to effectively leverage social media to showcase your rentals and engage with your target audience.

5 Budget-Friendly Upgrades to Boost Curb Appeal

Dominique Swanson

Oct 01, 2024

When it comes to your rental properties, first impressions matter. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make a big difference in your rental’s curb appeal. We offer five budget-friendly options you can try out to impress prospective renters.

How to Draft the Best Lease Agreement for You and Your Tenants

Dominique Swanson

Sep 24, 2024

Whether you’re a seasoned landlord or you’re just getting started, a well-crafted lease is key to protecting both you and your tenants — and keeping the landlord-tenant relationship strong and worry-free. In this article, we’ll break down the essential addenda and clauses that should be included in your lease.

The 3 Most Important Landlord Reference Questions to Ask

Dominique Swanson

Sep 03, 2024

Rental verification, also known as a [reference check](https://www.apartmentadvisor.com/blog/post/apartment-references-everything-you-need-to-know), is a process in which you contact the potential tenant’s current landlord to ensure they are a reliable renter. Completing this step in the tenant screening process gives you a snapshot into their rental history and can help determine if they meet your qualifications and will be a good tenant.

How to Maintain a Rental Property on a Tight Budget

Dominique Swanson

Aug 27, 2024

It can be difficult to raise rents, sign leases, or retain resident satisfaction if you cannot even afford the rental property maintenance — but don’t worry, you’re not alone and there are solutions out there! In this article we provide you with 5 tips to maintain your property when funds are tight.

5 Ways to Improve Your Tenants’ Move-Out Day

Dominique Swanson

Aug 20, 2024

While it may be tricky to track down a previous tenant and get them to pay for damages without a fight, take the experience as a lesson learned. Prevention is key, and there’s a lot you can do before the damage is done to protect yourself. Here are 5 tried and true ways you can make the move-out process as smooth as possible for yourself and for your tenants.

How to Build a Resilient, Diversified Rental Investment Portfolio

Dominique Swanson

Jul 16, 2024

Like any investment, rental properties come with their own set of risks. To mitigate these risks and build a resilient portfolio, diversification is key. In this article, we give you the best tips to take your investment portfolio to the next level.

Crisis Management: Preparing Your Buildings for Natural Disasters and Emergencies

Dominique Swanson

Jul 09, 2024

According to FEMA’s national risk index, your property has a 1 in 20 chance of being impacted by a natural disaster. This risk can increase or decrease depending on where you are located, but no matter your risk rating, being prepared is essential for property managers.

Resident Retention: 6 Strategies to Maintain 100% Occupancy in Your Property

Dominique Swanson

Jun 25, 2024

Hitting and retaining a 100% occupancy rate is the holy grail for property managers and landlords. Full occupancy may seem like a goal too far out of reach for many managers, but it doesn’t have to be. By using these key strategies, you will be well on your way to filling your property (and keeping it that way.)

Rental Property Tax Deductions You Need to Know About

Dominique Swanson

Jun 18, 2024

Investment properties are a lucrative way to generate rental income. However, as a landlord, you know well that a host of expenses come along with owning a rental. Thankfully, you can write off many of the costs of running your rental property.

Should You Offer Concessions on Your Rental Properties? Why or Why Not

Dominique Swanson

May 28, 2024

Especially in times of uncertainty, concessions can help you sign leases for properties that would have otherwise sat vacant. However, not every concession is a great match for your property. Learn more about how to choose the right concession, if any, for your rental properties.

Can Your Tenants Legally Withhold Rent?

Dominique Swanson

May 14, 2024

Even when you feel you’ve done everything right, you may run into a tenant who wishes to withhold rent. It can be tempting to brush these complaints off, but in some cases, tenants may have legal protection for not paying rent. In this article, we will look at why residents may withhold rent, the legal framework for rent withholding, and alternatives you can offer before a complaint escalates.

6 Common Tenant Fraud Scams and How Property Managers Can Avoid Them

Dominique Swanson

Apr 23, 2024

Property management doesn’t come without risks — one of them being renter fraud. Many of your tenants will be reliable, but some may stretch the truth if your screening process is not up to par. In this article, we will highlight common rental scam tactics used by fraudulent tenants and provide actionable steps you can take to safeguard your property.

A Property Owner's Guide to Fair Housing Laws

Dominique Swanson

Apr 15, 2024

Making sure your rental properties are inclusive and fair isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s your legal responsibility as a property owner or property manager. In this guide, we cover what you need to know about fair housing laws, fair housing violations you may not know about, and more.

How to Write the Perfect Apartment Listing

Dominique Swanson

Apr 09, 2024

How you showcase your apartments online can make all the difference in filling vacancies quickly, but there are some key elements that you’ll need to be successful. In this article, we will walk you through exactly how you can create a listing that catches a prospect's attention and piques their interest in your property.

A Landlord's Guide to Conflict Resolution with Tenants

Dominique Swanson

Mar 19, 2024

When complaints come up, it’s important that you resolve them fairly and professionally, maintaining a positive tenant-landlord relationship. In this article, we present a landlord’s guide for resolving conflicts to help you through your next resident complaint.

7 Strategies to Maximize Your Rental Property's ROI

Dominique Swanson

Mar 14, 2024

The last thing you want as an investor is to have an asset in your portfolio that consumes more money than it generates. That’s why it’s important to calculate your potential return on investment (ROI) before making a purchase, especially when investing in real estate. In this guide, we explore 7 strategies to help you maximize your return on investment.

What Does Inflation Mean for Investors in 2024?

Dominique Swanson

Feb 20, 2024

In this article we explore the intricate relationship between inflation and real estate investment, what investors need to be wary of, how to remain proactive, and what unique opportunities investors can take advantage of during times of inflation.

7 Tips for Real Estate Marketing To Gen Z

Dominique Swanson

Feb 12, 2024

With over 80% of Gen Zers looking for authentic, personalized marketing, many landlords and realtors find themselves fumbling for ways to win the hearts (and leases) of this new demographic. The following 7 strategies will help you crack the code on real estate marketing to the generation that doesn’t want to be sold to.

What to Do if You Get an Eviction Notice

Dominique Swanson

Aug 16, 2023

Getting a letter with “eviction” at the top is a scary and stressful experience for any renter and one that raises a lot of questions: What are my rights? Can I stop the process? How will this affect my ability to rent in the future? It’s important to know that if you do receive an eviction notice, the situation isn’t hopeless. In this article, we provide the essential information you need to navigate the eviction process.