Articles written by W Thomas Payne in Home & Garden

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About me - W Thomas Payne

Freelance writer, photographer, and general handyman with words, I roam the back roads of America looking for the slightly different, the bizarre, and the fun that can be found in those 'off the highway' locales.

Over the last 25 years, I have been a landlord

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Home & Garden > Furniture How to get the most from a home show: 2 of 5
Stop recoiling in horror when you hear the words 'home show.' Forget the time you left a business card in a fishbowl, and the telemarketer calls started coming fast and furious? A home show is a great opportunity to learn about what's new, both for exhibitors and attendees alike - and a chance to network! There are three way... More..
Home & Garden > Buying & Selling Homes Should you rent or buy a home?: 18 of 42
Whether you should rent or buy a home is a question as much of finances as of emotion, and one to be considered carefully. There are numerous factors to consider on whether your temperament is suitable for home ownership, or continuing to rent. Deciding whether to rent or buy a home is as much an emotional decision as a fina... More..
Home & Garden > Rental Properties Property managers: Top 10 warning signs of potential bad renters: 12 of 27
There are several key characteristics that potential problem tenants share that indicate they will be bad news, to you as the landlord and the tenants around them. Stick with your gut feelings on these warning signals, or you could be the next person in a string of property managers dealing with a tenant nobody else wants to... More..
Home & Garden > Home Repair (Other) Guide to water damage restoration service: 6 of 12
Sunday evening, and you just came home from a holiday trip to visit family. Turning on the light, you find water dripping from the ceiling, the walls and cabinets damaged, and you can hear water flooding down the basement to your family room. Now is the time to get acquainted with the services of a damage recovery and restor... More..
Home & Garden > Rental Properties Guide to using landlord-tenant forms: 4 of 5
When you jump into the world of being a landlord, you need to be prepared with an arsenal of legal forms for working with tenants. What forms you'll need to manage the landlord-tenant relationship are in some cases mandated by law, and some can be customized to suit you. You should always seek the advice of legal counsel bef... More..
Home & Garden > Home Repair (Other) A beginner's guide to building a home office: 11 of 13
How to build your home office is as different as every business. Stop and consider what factors will have the most impact on what part of your home to use as your home office before starting out. As in any business venture, you need to present yourself as a professional to be taken seriously. However, that presentation can b... More..
Home & Garden > Real Estate (Other) Dealing with pest control as a property owner: 4 of 4
FLEAS! There are few words that cause a landlord to tremble with fear and loathing more than the word "fleas." Sure, "tax assessor" and "building inspector" can raise the eyebrow, but the word "fleas" to a landlord with even half a brain will cause an immediate visceral sensation to take immediate action. Like burning down t... More..
Home & Garden > Rental Properties Apartment building safety tips: 3 of 3
Any multi-family building can contain perils, whether it be an apartment building, coop, or condo facility. Identifying safety hazards should be the job of everyone living in the building, as well as the property manager and/or owner of the building. The following checklist of seven common safety hazards can be implemented b... More..
Home & Garden > Rental Properties Key clauses in residential rental agreements: 2 of 2
The lease, sometimes called the residential rental agreement, is the fundamental business tool of the landlord in managing his relationship with his tenants. Without a well-crafted agreement, being the owner and/or manager of residential real estate can become a nightmare of legal battles and coping with difficult tenants. S... More..