Greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area Blog

How to Manage a Rental Property When You Live Out of State

By Peta-Gay Lewis Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Owning rental property can create opportunities to build long-term wealth, even when you live far away. However, managing a property from another state requires planning, reliable local support, and consistent oversight.Here are five ways to make remote property ownership easier....

How to Evaluate a Rental Property Before You Buy

By Peta-Gay Lewis Monday, October 12, 2026

Buying a rental property can be a great way to build long-term wealth, but not every property is a good investment. Before making an offer, investors should evaluate the property's income potential, expenses, condition, and rental demand.1. Research the Local Rental MarketSta...

What Should Landlords Review in Their Monthly Property Management Statement?

By Peta-Gay Lewis Friday, October 9, 2026

Owning a rental property is about more than collecting rent. Owners should also understand where their property's money is going.A monthly property management statement can provide a useful snapshot of a property's financial activity—but only if you know what to loo...

How to Build a Maintenance Reserve for Your Rental Property

By Peta-Gay Lewis Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Unexpected repairs are part of owning a rental property. A broken appliance, plumbing issue, or major system repair can quickly turn into a significant expense.One way owners can prepare is by maintaining a dedicated maintenance reserve.What Is a Maintenance Reserve?A maintenance...

What Landlords Should Know About Rental Property Insurance

By Peta-Gay Lewis Monday, October 5, 2026

Owning a rental property comes with financial responsibilities beyond the mortgage, taxes, and maintenance. One of the most important is making sure the property has appropriate insurance coverage.Landlord insurance is designed with rental properties in mind and can provide prote...

Lease Renewals: How to Keep Good Tenants Longer

By Peta-Gay Lewis Friday, October 2, 2026

Finding a great tenant is valuable—but keeping that tenant can be even better.Every vacancy can create additional costs, including advertising, cleaning, repairs, turnover, and lost rental income. A thoughtful lease-renewal strategy can help rental property owners reduce un...

Security Deposits: What Rental Property Owners and Tenants Need to Know

By Peta-Gay Lewis Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Security deposits are one of the most common sources of questions between landlords and tenants.How much can a landlord charge? Where is the deposit held? What can it be used for? When should it be returned?The answers can vary depending on where the rental property is located, w...

Should You Renovate Your Rental Property Before Finding a Tenant?

By Peta-Gay Lewis Monday, September 28, 2026

You bought an investment property—or perhaps you already own a home that you're planning to rent.Now you're standing in the middle of the property looking at the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, paint, and appliances and wondering:"How much should I renovate befor...

Renting Your First Home? 10 Things to Know Before You Sign a Lease

By Peta-Gay Lewis Friday, September 25, 2026

Renting your first home is an exciting milestone.Whether you're moving out on your own, relocating for work, moving to a new city, or transitioning from living with family or roommates, signing your first lease is a major financial commitment.Before you sign, it's importa...

How to Increase Rental Property Income Without Simply Raising the Rent

By Peta-Gay Lewis Wednesday, September 23, 2026

When rental property owners want to increase their income, the first idea that often comes to mind is raising the rent.Sometimes a rent increase makes sense. But it isn't the only way to improve a property's financial performance.In fact, increasing the rental rate too ag...