Today I am sharing with you a completely different post, to the post I was originally going to share with you.
And which I was *almost* ready to hit the publish button on.
Then I read it back. I had a cup of tea and I thought to myself: “Really?”
The reason being, the post I was going to share was about my landlord week from hell. It was, I thought to myself – a warning – that if you thought property investment was easy or passive – here is the reality check.
And then I thought: No.
Sam, you can do better. You do know better. Don’t let the f#ckers get you down. Focus on the 90% of your tenants who you love and, work out how you can make things better with the 10% who are driving you crazy.
With a to-do list off the Richter scale and the imminent launch of Biddsy, I did not anticipate my next move.
Which was, and is: A Property Road Trip!!!
I obviously am insane. However, I have an iPhone and so I figure the world won’t go to pot without anybody being able to get hold of me to tell me as much.
And I just have to share with you what a massively positive difference this has made to me and my thinking. All the problems I have, are now opportunities to look into things further. To see what can be done, with my own eyes, to make things right.
While I still do much of the day-to-day management of the properties, inspections are mainly undertaken by appointed agents. And while this mainly works, it still means there is a distance, which being there in person just cannot bridge.
So I decided to bridge it…
I have already called up loads of tenants to check their availability for my road-pit-stops and that they’re OK with me visiting and having a cheeky cup of tea with them.
The reaction has been tremendous and I feel overwhelmingly joyful that I have crossed this bridge. For some of my tenants:
- They have never met me; I am just the voice at the end of the phone and the bank account where they pay their rent.
- Their families have massively changed since I last saw them – babies have grown into children, couples have split and re-married, new babies and pets are now in occupation.
And I have to admit to being SOOOO excited.
I am not dumb enough to think I won’t come away with a list of issues from every property visit. But, what excites me more is the chance to re-connect again with my tenants. To spend more time with them in their homes. To listen to their lives and hear what’s been going on.
And so now I must leave you as I am off on my property roadtrip 🙂
BrendonsAuction
RT @WhatSamSawToday: The Power of Positive #Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzqOEkx
WhatSamSawToday
Is off on a buy to let road trip! http://t.co/LVhrzqOEkx #property
PropertyHelping
RT @WhatSamSawToday: Is off on a buy to let road trip! http://t.co/LVhrzqOEkx #property
WhatSamSawToday
The Power of Positive Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzqOEkx #landlord #buytolet
NoLettingGo
RT @WhatSamSawToday: The Power of Positive Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzqOEkx #landlord #buytolet
turtlehomes
Good call!
WhatSamSawToday
The Power of Positive Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzrFrIJ #landlord #property
BetterMoveAgent
RT @WhatSamSawToday: The Power of Positive Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzrFrIJ #landlord #property
AgentMediaUK
RT @WhatSamSawToday: The Power of Positive Property Thinking http://t.co/LVhrzrFrIJ #landlord #property
HMO Landlady
Excellent idea. Whenever I feel disconnected from my tenants or the houses I spend the day pottering around and spotting any problems, defrosting freezers, checking light bulbs work and watching the comings and goings of everyone. It makes the tenants feel loved and I feel a little more in control. Have fun and look forward to hearing the results!
Sam
Ah thanks. It went really well and I have planned a few improvements and repairs. I was delighted to be met with open arms, so many smiles and lots of hot freshly brewed tea 🙂