The reasons for screening an applicant for your apartment are obvious—you want the best tenants possible so you don't have to worry about the state of your apartment. But what are some of the questions or talking points you should ask during the screening process? Here are three that can help you weed out the good tenants from those to avoid like cockroaches.
Can I run a background check?
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Next to a fire, one of the biggest worries for a homeowner is a crime like breaking and entering, where your house is violated and your personal things stolen. Instead of spending more time being worried this year, make 2015 the year you'll make sure to outsmart the burglars.
According to the FBI, property crimes -- stealing from others' homes -- resulted in $16.6 billion in losses for 2013. The good news is, that's a decrease from the previous decade; the bad news is that you still need to be diligent about security around your home to avoid being one of the statistics.
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Coral snakes are a highly venomous snake that homeowners in some states are likely to encounter. Here's what you need to know about these dangerous creatures.
What do coral snakes look like?
These snakes are small: they are usually between 20 and 30 inches long. Coral snakes are easy to identify thanks to their bright coloration. Coral snakes have red, yellow, and black bands along the length of their bodies.
Other snakes have similar color patterns, but you can identify a coral snake by the placement of the colored bands.
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Selling a house isn't as cut-and-dry as it used to be. Real estate listings are plentiful, but they are not all sold the same way.
1. MLS: Traditionally, a homeowner lists a house with a licensed Realtor who, in turn, places the home's information on the Multiple Listing Service. The MLS is a computerized database of all the homes for sale in the area. Any licensed Realtor can access the information for buying clients.
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You love your hometown, but your professional career requires leaving the locale for months or years at a time. What can you do with the home while you spend the next two years working on the oil rigs in North Dakota or teaching scuba diving in Thailand? Why not rent out the house and hire a property management service to handle landlord duties? Do not, however, take a total hands-off approach just because a property management firm is at the helm.
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