Sometimes it is super difficult to show a property to a prospective tenet.  I understand entirely when they want to take a look inside before committing to rent it but I usually try to get a tenet lined up before the current one moves out so the timeline is pretty tight sometimes.  I usually try to get people in to see the properties but I have lately been using more and more technology in order to show my Oklahoma rental houses to people.   It is also difficult when you have a tenet in the process of packing and moving and not wanting someone to see them in such a messy stage in their lives.  I have recently used several resources in order to share pics and details of the inside of my rental properties.  I have at times texted pics to the more tech savy applicants that i have.  This is not usually the norm however, usually I will refer them to my website where I try to post recent inside and outside pics of each available property.  I also am playing around with sharing links to Google Picasa libraries of pictures of rental properties that I have.  While none of these work all the time and my preference is to show the property in person and also get a feel for the applicant in this hectic world we live in you do what you can which what you have….

Looks like there is some new competition in town for Craigslist.  RentOK.com shows all of their advantages over craigslist on their homepage and there are quite a few.  I really like the layout of their page and they way they are also providing a free service.  I am rather disappointed that they list that they have an iPhone app but I have not been able to find it as of yet, it seems it has not yet made it through the approval process with Apple.  Their site is a great resource however for landlords and renters alike as you try to connect about available properties.  I would by no means ditch craigslist for RentOK.com but would instead begin using them both.  Hopefully RentOK.com will continue to grow in their reach but until then for your Oklahoma Rentals I would use them both.

Google docs is an amazing creation especially the way you can access your docs from any computer you happen to be on. With google docs you don’t have to carry around rental apps and contracts that get wrinkled and stained, now you can print a fresh one wherever you are or email one directly to a prospective tenet on the spot. This has certainly made my life much easier as I manage rentals. You could even have the prospect fill it out online and send it directly to you through email thereby making your biz a little more green. Googledocs also has a great form app that I have been using with my brokerage site that truly helps with tracking prospects and contacts. Maybe you have some other uses for docs? If so drop me a comment and let me know of your new ideas. Hopefully this tool will help as you manage your Oklahoma rental properties.

If you own property in Oklahoma City the best and easiest way to get the word out that it is for rent is through craigslist.com.  Now this is not really the only way but it is one of the best ways.  Of course putting a sign in the yard is key and maybe even one at the entrance to the neighborhood.  I would say however that spending any cash to list it in the Daily Oklahoman is a waste of money.  They are extremely expensive, around $100 for a weekend listing, and really most folks only look at the Sunday classifieds when looking for a house to rent.  Craigslist however is completely free! widely used and very productive for us landlords.  I have been using them for the past 4 years almost exclusively and have never failed to find an acceptable tenet for each and every one of our properties.  So next time you have an Oklahoma rental and need a tenet, throw up your sign and post a listing on craigslist.  Then you can use your $100 you saved on the ad to upgrade your rental and get more money for it!

1. Your ex always has an excuse for why things went wrong and whose fault it was.  I am sure you all know that it was never their fault.  A tenet is much the same way, and believe me I have heard them all.  ”The garage door just came off the track”, “The Air Guy forgot to change the filters”, “It wasn’t my dog that peed on the carpet.”  Believe me its always someone else’s fault!

2. They always look much prettier after you dump them – Girlfriends always seem to look their best after you break up, maybe they care more or maybe its just because the are looking hard for a new boyfriend.  Tenets are the same way, we tend to remember the good stuff they did and forget about the bad, especially when comparing them with the new tenet drama we may be dealing with.  They just look so great after they are gone when in reality if they came and rented from us again it would be drama all over the place.

3. They always change their phone number – Now this may be good but you ex always seems to get a new number when you break up, this is great especially when you don’t want to have to talk with her on the phone anymore.  This is rather annoying with tenets.  Tenets are constantly changing phone numbers (we’ll touch on why in a later post) and they never notify you of it, you always seem to find out after the fact, when you are really trying hard to get  a hold  of them for something important like for example late rent payments.

All of this to say that managing and owing Oklahoma rentals is an adventure.  There are always new challenges ahead in Oklahoma real estate as well as great successes around the corner.  I think there are lessons we can take from life everyday that will help us be more successful in the Oklahoma real estate market.

Darrin Currin just wrote a good article for the Oklahoma Journal Record about apartment sales in Oklahoma City.  Its kinda amazing to think that only 5 complexes has sold so far this year.  I know Oklahoma City Real Estate overall is in much better shape than this but the commercial side seems to be rather sluggish.  Now many folks would take this fact as a bad sign but if you are in the market to buy you may be able to get a super deal.  Darrin also points out that the average per unit price was about $17,000 each.  Just think if you could just rent each unit for around $200 each you would be getting a great return for your investment.  Much better than you would get in the stock market in the past few years.  Now I’m not saying this is for everyone but if you are looking to get some great return on your investment dollars you might just be looking in the right place.  I think I still prefer duplexes and houses to apartment due to the lower level of risk this is still a great niche in Oklahoma City Real Estate.