Black business owners looking for training and certifications, access to funding, and assistance with key business operations like HR and sales can unlock access to programs and opportunities geared to help them succeed. Fit Small Business has created a list of resources for Black-owned businesses in the following areas: Training and certifications: Get certified as…
About the Author
Melanie Patterson
Melanie Patterson, MA, CBA is a staff writer at Fit Small Business specializing in Real Estate Investing with over 25 years of combined experience in real estate sales, property management, and residential buy-and-hold real estate investing. In addition to managing her own property, Melanie has also managed a women’s emergency shelter.
Before joining Fit Small Business, Melanie worked as a certified business advisor for the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, a discretionary program of the US Small Business Administration and owned and operated a private home-based business as a business development, sales, and marketing coach.
When not writing for Fit Small Business, Melanie is in her gym training five days a week as a competitive natural bodybuilder, hiking, and kayaking on the many mountains and lakes in her region, and planting a small vineyard, and flower, herb, and veggie gardens on her 13.5 acre farm in rural NH where she lives with her husband, David, and their 17 year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Oscar.
The 5 Best 1031 Exchange Companies for 2020
A 1031 exchange allows investors to sell investment properties and acquire other investment properties as replacements to avoid capital gains and depreciation recapture. Choosing the right 1031 exchange company depends on the complexity of the transaction and whether investors need additional services. Top 1031 Exchange Companies for Investors How We Evaluated the Best 1031 Exchange…
5 Best For Sale by Owner Sites in 2020
If you’re planning to sell an investment property without using a real estate agent or looking for investment properties not listed with real estate agents, you might consider a for sale by owner (FSBO) website. FSBO sites with listing syndication offer the easiest way to increase the visibility of your property listing while many single…
6 Best Commercial Real Estate Loans
A commercial real estate loan is used by businesses to purchase, renovate, or refinance commercial properties. We’ve put together a list to find the best commercial real estate loans for any need, including retail shopping centers, office buildings, and mixed-use buildings. Top Commercial Real Estate Loan Options How We Evaluated the Best Commercial Real Estate…
How to Buy a Duplex: The Ultimate Guide for Passive Income
Buying a duplex is a great way to offset housing expenses by living in one unit and renting the other. It’s also a great option for beginner investors to learn how to manage rental property. Once those skills develop, owner-occupied investors can move, rent their unit for additional income, and build a real estate portfolio….
6 Best Tenant Screening Services 2020
The best tenant screening services offer criminal background checks, employment and income verification, and eviction history—all at an affordable price for landlords, tenants, and property managers. Depending on state laws, landlords can charge tenants for the application and tenant background check fees. Top 6 Tenant Screening Services Which Tenant Screening Service Is Right for You?…
4 Best Real Estate Portfolio Lenders in 2020
Portfolio lenders provide unconventional mortgages for real estate investors looking for short-term, fast funding solutions, long-term loans for multiple rental properties, or commercial financing. Portfolio lenders hold the promissory notes instead of selling them on the secondary mortgage loan market. This type of loan is more expensive than a conventional loan, but lenders offer flexible…
12 Warning Signs in Tenant Screening Reports
If you’re a landlord, running a background screening on your tenants is a necessity. Landlords can decide if overlooking the past history is worth it, but before you do, you need to understand the top renter screening warning signs. 1. Evictions Evictions won’t always show up on a credit background check. They’ll only show up…
What Does a Property Manager Do?
Property managers manage, maintain, and operate residential and commercial real estate for property owners and real estate investors. Property managers perform a variety of tasks and range of duties, including finding and securing qualified tenants for vacant rental units. Some landlords who own fewer than 10 rental properties act as a property manager, self-managing their…
7 Ways Landlords Can Verify Proof of Income
Landlords should ask prospective tenants for proof of income to show they can afford to pay rent and to determine if they’re committing fraud with forged documents. Pay stubs are the best proof of income, but landlords also should collect at least one other proof of income document and compare the two. You can verify…
How to Evict a Tenant in 5 Steps + a Free Eviction Checklist
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many landlords are temporarily prohibited from evicting residential and commercial tenants. If you’re a landlord who was in the eviction process before the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, you may still be able to proceed with your eviction. We’ve included answers to some frequently asked…
How to Buy a Pre-foreclosure Home in 7 Steps
A pre-foreclosure occurs when a borrower defaults on their mortgage prior to their bank foreclosing and selling the property at auction. During pre-foreclosure, the homeowner can either sell the property or pay the outstanding balance on the loan. An investor can typically buy a pre-foreclosure below market value. Finding pre-foreclosures is tricky. You’ll need to…