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Acknowledgments | |
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Introduction | |
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Is Property Management Right for You? | |
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Do You Have What It Takes? | |
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The Right Personality | |
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Evaluate Your Business Skills | |
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Adopt a Business Attitude | |
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People Skills | |
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Define Your Market | |
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Do You Have What It Takes? | |
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The Pros and Cons of Being a Landlord | |
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Pro: It's Not a Nine-to-Five Job | |
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Con: It's Not a Nine-to-Five Job | |
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Pro: Virtually Anyone Can Succeed | |
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Con: The Learning Curve | |
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Pro: Unlimited Potential for Success | |
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Con: Unlimited Potential for Disaster | |
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A Property Manager's Pop Quiz | |
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What You Need to Know to Get Started | |
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Your Financial Options | |
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Making Your Investment | |
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Real-Estate Profits | |
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Leveraging to Buy Property | |
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Ten Tips: Working with Lenders | |
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Read the Writing | |
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Everybody Needs a Partner | |
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How to Form an Investment Group | |
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Establish Management Responsibilities | |
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The Downside of Sharing a Load | |
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Know Your Partners | |
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Your Partnership Options | |
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Individual Property and Partnerships | |
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Potential Investment Risks | |
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Losing Your Investment | |
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Losing Family and Friends | |
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Get Insured | |
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Markets Change Quickly | |
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Regulations Can Lower Profits | |
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"Out of the Blue" Concerns | |
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Do Your Research | |
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The Right Property | |
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Start Looking Now | |
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Get All the Information | |
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A Residential Inspection | |
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Responsibility for the Utilities | |
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Potential Profits | |
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Real-Estate Taxes | |
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Prepare to Make Your Purchase | |
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Visualize the Future | |
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Working with a Buyer's Agent | |
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Elements of a Contract | |
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How to Negotiate | |
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Hire an Inspector | |
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Financing Options | |
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Know How to Sell Real Estate | |
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The Mechanics of the Process | |
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Why "Fizzbo" Fizzes | |
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Hire an Attorney | |
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Kick out the Tire Kicker | |
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Be Wary of Holding Out | |
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Tax Considerations | |
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The Art of Sales | |
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The Ins and Outs of Managing Property | |
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Managing Residential Property | |
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Start Small | |
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Rent Control | |
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Lease Compliance | |
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Evaluate Your Maintenance Skills | |
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Working with Contractors | |
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Work with City Hall | |
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In Summary | |
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Managing Land for Development | |
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Look for Potential | |
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Determine the Zoning | |
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Combine Properties, Increase Value | |
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How Much of Your Land Do You Own? | |
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Managing Commercial Property | |
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Commercial Rental Property | |
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Financing Commercial Property | |
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Start with Multitenant Buildings | |
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Run Credit Checks | |
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Commercial Leases | |
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Office Buildings | |
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Shopping Centers | |
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Dining Establishments | |
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Ranches and Farms | |
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Be Aware of Special Opportunities | |
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What Are Special Opportunities? | |
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Don't Forget: It's a Business | |
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What Are Your Options? | |
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Check the Zoning | |
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The Realities of Rezoning | |
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Win Some and Lose Some | |
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Finding Good Tenants | |
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Working with Rental Agents | |
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How to Screen a Tenant | |
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Meet Every Applicant | |
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Conduct Background Checks | |
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Evaluate the Facts | |
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Tenant Inspection Tours | |
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Sign the Lease | |
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Working with Tenants | |
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Basic People Skills | |
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Maintain Good Rapport | |
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Practice Aggressive Listening | |
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A Fast Response | |
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The Five Basic Types of Tenants | |
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Like Attracts Like | |
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When Tenants Cause Problems | |
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Ask for Feedback | |
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Problems Can Hide Other Problems | |
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Avoid Childish Behavior | |
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Handling Hard Luck Stories | |
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Bad Luck or Bad Attitude? | |
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Keep Move-outs Moving | |
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Lease Termination | |
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Enlisting Professional Help | |
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Find a Good Lawyer | |
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An Important Role | |
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What You Need in an Attorney | |
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The Hiring Process | |
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Working with Your Attorney | |
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Accept Your Responsibilities | |
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Get Clear Title | |
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Problem-Solving Tips | |
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When to Sue for Malpractice | |
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Find a Good Accountant | |
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What Is Accounting? | |
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Accountants Aren't Property Managers | |
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Accountants Aren't Bookkeepers | |
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What to Seek in an Accountant | |
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Understand Tax Considerations | |
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Get the Accountant on Your Side | |
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Computer Programs Aren't Accountants | |
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Find a Good Financial Advisor | |
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Banking Is Business | |
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Learn the Tools of the Trade | |
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Other Financing Options | |
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Seek Good Advice | |
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Talk with the Experts | |
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Leave Some Things to the Pros | |
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Keep This in Mind | |
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Other Issues to Consider | |
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Insurance Matters | |
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Educate Yourself | |
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Required Insurance | |
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Shopping for Insurance | |
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Types of Insurance | |
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Insurance Myths and Scams | |
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Insure Yourself | |
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Eliminate the Risks | |
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Worrying about Taxes | |
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City Taxes | |
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Taxes That Look Like Taxes | |
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State Taxes | |
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Federal Taxes | |
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Corporate and Investment Groups | |
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The Biggest Tax Mistakes People Make | |
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Legal Concerns | |
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Pay Attention to Everything | |
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Handle Legal Matters Immediately | |
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Property Issues Can Become Legal Issues | |
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Nonlegal Influences | |
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Tenant Responsibilities | |
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Entry Rights to Your Property | |
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Legal Issues Related to Eviction | |
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A New Legal Option | |
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Contracts: Reading the Fine Print | |
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Contract Elements | |
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The Need for Legalese | |
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Don't Do It Yourself | |
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Contract Negotiations | |
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Breaking a Contract | |
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Contract Stipulations for Attorney Fees | |
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Banking and Financial Issues | |
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Loans and Banks | |
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Comparison Shop | |
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Out-of-Market Financing | |
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Applying for a Loan | |
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How to Make a Bad Impression | |
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Have Deep Pockets | |
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Beware the Contractor | |
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Advertising and Public Relations | |
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Putting the Information out There | |
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Your Advertising Strategy | |
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Television Ads | |
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Radio Commercials | |
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Magazines and Newspapers | |
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News Releases | |
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Additional Resources | |
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A Few Comments on Federal Law | |
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Property Management Forms | |
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Glossary of Terms | |
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Index | |
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About the Author | |