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    LANDLORDING TIP:

    New data suggest that a condominium or town home may be a better investment than single family homes right now.  Since 1996 condominium values have increased faster than those of free standing homes for a number of reasons.  But there are things to look out for if you are considering buying a condo for investment, writes Broderick Perkins , in a piece for Realty Times .  And, of course, you will need to find a development that is friendly to non-owner occupancy.

    INTERNET TIP:

    One free program can give you quick access to almost any compressed file you can find on the Internet.  The award winning Stuffit Expander has been made even better.  It will conveniently open any file compressed in the following formats: StuffIt, Zip, uu, BinHex, Gzip, Arc, MIME/Base 64, Bzip, LHa, Private File, Arj, and Rar.  It is from Aladdin and you can download it here for free.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Here is a page that definitely deserves a bookmark in your reference library.  If you are wondering what all those different file extensions like .dll or .III mean, then this site is for you .  This information is maintained by FILExt.com.

    COOL SITE:

    FindArticles.com is a vast archive of published articles that you can search for free. Constantly updated, it contains articles dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals.  This belongs in your reference library.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Just because you are a small landlord with only a couple of rental units does not mean that you do not have to comply with fair credit laws.  Even if you have only one unit, if you rely on outside sources of information to make decisions about whom you will accept as a tenant, you need to comply with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Take the time now to read our articles on the subject, which you will find in the Info Center under Tenant Screening.  They will show you how to reject applicants so that you don't get into trouble with the FTC.  Failure to comply with the law can subject you to civil penalties and punitive damages.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Occasionally you will find a page just loaded with great information, but is nearly impossible to read because whoever set it up made a poor selection of background and print colors, or selected a background that is so distracting that it seems to conceal the text.  You do not have to put up with this, and can make the page much more legible with the help of your browser.

    For Netscape, go to Options then to General Preferences .  Click the Colors tab, then go to the bottom of the page and check " Always use my colors, overriding document ," then click Ok .  This should replace the background with your default colors and make the page easier to read once you go back to the illegible page and click Reload .  Once you are done with the site, uncheck the box to undo.

    For IE, go to Tools then to Internet Options .  Click the button that reads Accessibility .  On the page that comes up, select the " Ignore Colors specified on Web pages " option.  Click Ok and the page should automatically reload with your default colors.  Undo it by going back and unchecking the Ignore Colors option.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Here is a page that definitely deserves a bookmark in your reference library.  If you are wondering what all those different file extensions like .dll or .III mean, then this site is for you .  This information is maintained by FILExt.com.

    COOL SITE I:

    Boogie Jack's Web Depot offers a large variety of graphics to dress up your Web pages.  These are offered for personal use and the only compensation asked for is a link back to the Boogie Jack's site.

    COOL SITE II:

    If you do flyers to showcase your vacancies or publish a newsletter, or for that matter do any sort of presentation, then you need interesting fonts.  Ariel and Times New Roman do have a tendency to get old.  Fonts.com has everything you will ever need, and it is free.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are in the enviable position of having excess money coming in, you may be tempted to pay off debt.  Most people want to reduce their debt as much as they can and that may include their mortages.

    While debt reduction is almost always a good thing, it is important to give careful thought to which debt to pay down first, and even whether to pay the debt down at all.  That's right, sometime it just does not make any sense to pay down a debt before its due date.  Debt can be profitable, and should be used as an investment would be used.

    The most important things you need to know are the amount of the effective interest rate and the amount of the prepayment penalties.  The effective interest rate is what you would actually pay in interest from the day you propose to pay the loan off through the last payment, if you allowed the loan to be fully amortized.  This issue does not arise with interest only loans.  Note that your payoff on a fully amortized loan will be the amount of principal you still owe plus the prepayment penalty.  The amount you owe will be calculated by taking all the payments you owe to date, less the amount of the interest that has accrued under the note, subtracted from the principal amount.  Looked at another way, it is a rebate of the interest unpaid to the date of prepayment.

    Note well that this interest rebate is only very rarely calculated on a straight line basis.  In most cases the interest would be rebated as calculated under what is called the Rule of 78, or Sum of the Year's Digits.  The effect of the rule is to front load interest payments.  If you are, say, 2/3 of the way through a fully amortized mortgage, you will have already prepaid most of the interest that would accrue during the total life of the loan.  This means that, for example, the effective interest rate you are paying on your loan for the final 1/3 of its existence may only be 3%, even though the rate on the face of the note is 8%.

    The reason this is important is that the criterion for paying off any debt is whether you will end up with more money in your pocket by paying off the loan, or by using the money to create more income generating machinery.  This is the principal of leverage.

    If you believe that at the end of the day you will have more money in your pocket by paying a debt, then, by all means, do it.  This is almost always the case with credit card debt, consumer debt, and unsecured business debt.  It is not always the case with debt secured by real estate, or even personal property, such as automobiles.  So do the math and remember that managing your debt wisely is not always the same as paying it off.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Finding fast help with your computer problems can be a problem if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it.  Protonic.com is a question answering service and a large collection of bulletin boards that permit you to expose your computer related question or idea before the entire Internet world.  The bulletin boards are divided by category, so your contribution will not be lost in a jumble of irrelevant chit-chat.  The concept looks great and it is free.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    The debate goes on without let up:  Should you shut your computer down when you are finished for the day, or should you leave it on?  There probably will never be a definitive answer to this question, but there is something you ought to know if you elect to leave it on.

    Windows' memory management is not all that efficient.  When you exit an application, including some that are within Windows itself, only part of your system resources will be released.  Little bits and pieces of it get bitten off every time you use a program, and eventually, you will run so short of resources that your system will reboot again on its own, maybe in the middle of a very important task.

    Consider doing a soft reboot every day.  In windows you can do this by clicking Start on the task bar and selecting Restart instead of Shut Down .

    COOL SITE:

    This week's cool site is Kim Komando's excellent compilation of general income tax help on the Internet.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are selling a dwelling or offering it for rent, you need to be neat.  Clean we take for granted.  But neatness is something a lot of people overlook

    The purchase or rental of a home is not a business decision for most people.  It is largely emotional.  When they view the place, lookers are thinking of what they can make of it, not what it is.  That rental unit may be as spotless as a NASA clean room, but if it is cluttered, the people who look at it will have less chance to fall in love with it.

    Store as much stuff as you can to get the highest price or rent and attract the best buyer or tenant.  This is also a good argument for not showing the rental unit until it is vacant.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Today's tip is to visit Earth at Night .  It is a composite satellite photo of the Earth, showing the lights in the areas of civilization.  You can trace the population density by the intensity of the lights.

    It is real estate related, vaguely.  It has to do with the Earth; anyway, it's fascinating.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Should you upgrade your O/S to Windows XP?  The folks at ZDNet think so.  Follow the link to find out why and see what some users think of it.

    COOL SITE:

    This week's cool site is the newly launched Consumer Information Source .  On this site you can check out an insurance company you are thinking of doing business with, review its complaint history, and file complaints about your current insurer with regulatory agencies. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The quotidian crisis is mold.  It will probably be the favored habitability defense, and there are emerging stories about lawsuits arising out of its presence in housing units sold or rented to unsuspecting victims.  The ugly truth about mold is that we humans cultivate it through incompetent use of the housing unit, ineffective clean-up methods, and neglected maintenance.

    Mold almost always appears due to poor ventilation.  Stagnant, moisture-filled air will tend to precipitate water as it cools, depositing the water on walls, giving the mold that naturally exists in the air an ideal place to land and make a living.  Tenants need to be counseled to keep their rental units well ventilated.  This will eliminate practically all of your mold problems.

    Where mold already exists, washing it with soap and water may remove what you can see, but it will not remove the problem.  To do that, you need to kill the mold.  The best and safest way to kill mold is with chlorine bleach.  Mix a solution of about one part bleach, 10 parts water, and a little soap.  (Never mix chlorine bleach with anything that has ammonia in it.)  If you use this for cleaning, the mold will die.

    Finally, tend to maintenance.  If you still have a mold problem after ensuring proper ventilation and a thorough cleaning, then something is wrong.  There may be a leaky pipe, a faulty dehumidifier, or some other repairable source of moisture that is providing the mold a comfortable home.  Occasionally, the design of the structure, or its location, may make mold infestations inevitable.  If the simple measures do not work, there are things that can be done to resolve the problem.  Consult a professional.

    All of this is definitely your department, and present attitudes toward the existence of mold demand that you no longer treat it as a minor inconvenience.

    INTERNET TIP:

    While you are enjoying your trip through the Internet, remember that anyone who goes to the trouble of setting up a Web site can post anything he wants regardless of whether it is true or false.  In many cases, the one who posts it does not even know whether it is true or false, he simply reposts something he say somewhere else, with attribution sometimes, but often without.  Often, the wildest and most amazing stories are myths, circulated by email and even word of mouth, as well as by reposting.

    Purportal.com can help you decide when to believe and when to doubt.  This site is a collection of links to some of the best myth-busting sites on the Internet, and definitely deserves a place in your reference library.  As one wag said, keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    SANDRA is an acronym for S ystem An alyser, D iagnostic and R eporting A ssistant.  This piece of freeware is capable of analyzing just about every aspect of your PC and reporting back to you about it.  It is out in its latest incarnation as Version 2002 .  If you want to know what is really going on under the hood, give it a try.

    COOL SITE:

    Having the latest drivers installed, and a place where you can easily find them is vital.  The reason why I know this and feature this site this week is a subject I would rather not discuss, thank you.  In any event, WinDrivers seems to have every form of device driver and technical support for Windows that exists. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Before you buy that next rental, make sure you add up the numbers that make up the street address.  The result will determine the type of tenant who will reside there and the types of activities that will occur there.  So says Pam Bell (any relation to Art?), as cited by Lew Sichelman just in time for Halloween.  Doo-doo-doo-doo.  Doo-doo-doo-doo . 

    INTERNET TIP:

    FreshDevices.com offers a new download manager .  It allows scheduling for low traffic periods, management of multiple downloads, “turbocharging” download files, etc.  And it’s free.  It has earned a 5-cow rating from Tucows, their highest.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To find a computer on your network (Win 98\ME\XP)

    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Computer .

    2. If you know the name of the computer you are looking for, type it in Named . For example: 

         finance

    3. If you know the path to the shared folder you are searching for, you can specify both the computer and folder name. For example: 

         \\finance\reports

    4. Click Find Now .

    COOL SITE:

    The Wayback Machine is an Internet search engine with an attitude.  While the Web as we know it has only been around for less than a decade, this site features the oldies but goodies, i.e., historic Web sites that have historical significance and have been around for a long time, like, more than three weeks. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The eve of the holiday season is a good time to double check your liability insurance policies, both those on your rentals and your personal homeowner’s policy.  Holidays imply parties and activities for children as well as adults, such as Halloween.  Risks of injuries to careful, negligent, and tipsy invitees alike rise.  Check with your agent to assure that you have enough coverage.  If your policies have only standard amounts, that may not be enough protection.  A good insurance agent or broker will have access to the most up to date statistics on not only judgments but also out of court settlements in your area for personal injury claims.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have been intrigued by the idea of taking your own photographs online, either for business or pleasure , but did not know where to start looking for information about it, let Kim Komando point you in the right direction.  This week she offers a short but information packed column on the subject. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    COOL SITE:   This site is not just cool, it is gelid .  I think you will agree when you realize that this computer and other information packed item was put together by pupils at the Gold Ridge Elementary School in Rohnert Park, California.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Occasionally old deeds of trust or mortgages will show up in your chain of title.  This is because the mortgage is separate from the promissory note it secures.  Payment of the note does not guarantee that the mortgage will be reconveyed, or that the reconveyance will be recorded.  In other words, sometimes slip-ups happen.  Benny L. Kass provides a thorough explanation of what to do if you should find yourself in such an annoying position. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    n_Gen is a graphic design engine for those who do not want to invest huge amounts of money and time for something they may use only infrequently.  This is apparently a test version and is free to use.  While we haven’t actually tried it out, it looks attractive.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files - Win98/ME

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is Adrian’s Rojak Pot , an olio of freeware, shareware, and more for almost any need. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Refinancing has been quite the craze and many are tempted to follow the trend but before you do make sure that it makes economic sense.  Of course you will take into consideration the points and other fees you may have to pay, and also contrast the contract interest rates on your old loan with the proposed new one.  But wait a minute.  That may not tell the whole story.  What is the effective interest rate you are paying on your existing financing?  If, for example, you have an amortized, fixed rate, 30-year mortgage and are into it 15 or 20 years, the interest you are actually paying may only be a fraction of the rate set out in the note.  The reason is that such loans usually have their interest front loaded, so that practically all the money paid in the payments for the first third of the loan goes toward interest, and, naturally, practically all the money for the last third of the loan goes toward principal.  Check an amortization table and consider this before you commit to refinancing.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you like to hunt for bargains on the Internet this one may have eluded you.  The URL is certainly counter-intuitive.  Zulu Spear claims to bring the best of the best bargains from the largest retailers.  Give it a spin.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Microsoft Personal Web Server to publish and share Web pages

    Microsoft Personal Web Server (PWS) 4.0 is a desktop Web server. If you are connected to an intranet, or a corporate network, you can share documents with your coworkers from your own computer. Use PWS to develop and publish your personal home page. You can also test your Web site before you upload it to an Internet service provider.

    COOL SITE:

    Are you a law and order type of person?  Joe Arpaio, the Celebrity Sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, brings you this web cam from his now nationally famous facility.  V iew booking, the holding cell, search cell, and more.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Can you transfer your property to someone who assumes the loan without triggering your lender’s Due On Sale Clause?Due On Sale clauses were developed to permit a lender to exit an unprofitable loan, say, one at a very low interest rate, by demanding payment in full on transfer.In 1982, however, the U.S. Congress enacted a law that specified nine circumstances in which a transfer does not trigger the lender’s right to call the loan.

    · A transfer pursuant to a decree of dissolution of marriage, or a similar decree

    · A transfer by operation of law involving the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety

    · A transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower

    · A transfer to the spouse or children of the borrower

    · A transfer into an inter vivos trust in which the borrower is and remains a beneficiary and which does not relate to a transfer of rights of occupancy in the property (i.e. the so-called "Living Trust")

    · Any security interest securing a loan for the purchase of household appliances

    · A leasehold interest for three years or less not involving a purchase option

    · Any subordinate lien not involving a transfer of the right to occupancy

    · Such other transfers as may be specified by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in their regulations

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are reading this you are probably one of those who uses the Internet as a learning tool.There is information about almost everything on the Internet.Unfortunately, there is also misinformation about almost everything on the Internet.How do you tell the difference?Crosschecking is important, and also is this site, the Urban Legends Reference Pages .A lot of valuable debunking goes on here.This is a must for your reference library.

    COMPUTING TIP: (Win 98)

    Using Dial-Up Networking

    If you have a modem, you can connect to another computer or to your corporate network by using your phone line. With Dial-Up Networking, you can have access to information on another computer, even if your computer is not on a network. The computer you are dialing in to must be set up as a network server for you to use its shared resources. Both your home computer and the network server must have modems installed.

    To connect to another computer or corporate network, you need to install your modem and then configure the connection. If your modem is already installed, start the New Connection wizard by double-clicking My Computer and then double-clicking Dial-Up Networking .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s site is for all of you who want to fly the flag.Learn to do it right with this summary of the Flag Code , which sets out proper etiquette.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Maintenance requests are probably the single biggest service items you have to deal with, but handling them promptly is not just a favor to your tenants.  Doing so enables you to keep your property in top shape, and avoids costly major repairs down the road after minor glitches deteriorate into major problems because of neglect.  If you have more than one rental unit you should have a maintenance routine.  This prevents the Wet Hen Syndrome when problems arise, especially when they arise outside normal business hours, which is more than 2/3 of the time.  Your system need not be complicated, but should have the following characteristics.

    •       An easy, non-bureaucratic method of initiating maintenance action

    •       A simple method of documenting maintenance requests that is convenient to the tenant

    •       A routine for the transmittal of requests to the persons who are to perform them and an internal method to hold them accountable for performing them successfully

    •       A system that documents the successful completion of repairs and their cost

    •       A system for contacting decision makers in emergency matters requiring high level authority, and a delegation of authority to those on the spot in routine matters

    •       A follow up routine that ensures that the tenant’s satisfaction is verified

    •       A further follow up routine that ensures the tenant understands that you sprang into action immediately and did all these things

    The last item is not to be overlooked under any circumstances.  Although prompt maintenance is a benefit to you, your tenants perceive it as a service to them.  Be sure they know what marvelous service they received and watch your reservoir of goodwill with them grow.

    INTERNET TIP:

    You mine the Web for information as well as entertainment, right?  Are you satisfied with your search engines?  Yes?  How do you know?  You are probably just skimming the surface if you rely only on the standard search engines.  When you use those you see only what they want you to see.  This week, Kim Komando shows you how to mine the mother lode of information , the stuff you won’t normally find. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To see resource use on another computer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood .

    2. Click the name of the computer on which you'd like to view shared resources.

    3. On the File menu, click Properties .

    4. Click the Tools tab, and then click Net Watcher .

    5. On the Net Watcher View menu, click the type of information you want to see.

    COOL SITE:

    Fact Monster is your on line source for everything.  This gigantic almanac/encyclopedia/dictionary is amazing.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You may not need to replace the garbage disposal after all.  With use, the blades will become dull.  You can restore their edge by dropping a handful of ice cubes into the disposal and running it until they are all ground up.  Pass this tip along to your tenants so they can keep their disposals in top shape.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we offer a snappy little utility that will convert units of distance, light, pressure, and so on and on automatically.  This is one of those things that you don’t think of until you really need it.  Convert, as it is called , is available free from joshmadison.com.  [Link to:  http://www.joshmadison.com/software/convert/ ]

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To control access to a folder or printer

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the shared folder or printer to which you want to limit access.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties .

    3. Click the Sharing tab.

    4. If you are using user-level access control, click Add to specify the people with whom you want to share the printer or folder.

      If you are using share-level access control, type the password you want to use for the folder or printer.

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is Executive Planet .  Their mission statement tells it all.

    Our mission is to inspire business travelers to travel with greater cultural awareness. We strive to bring you the most up-to-date and relevant information on international business culture, customs and protocol, gift-giving, negotiating tactics, business entertainment, cross-cultural communication and more.

    This is a must for all you globe trotting business tycoons out there, and also for those that are just curious. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If high energy costs are eroding your margin, you may be tempted to give your tenants a notice of rent increase to cover them, but this may not be the best solution.  Rent increases are a notorious source of tenant unrest and their anger will be directed squarely at you.  Instead of a rent increase, why not give a notice of “energy surcharge.”  If your biggest headache is the cost of heating oil for your building, for example, consider giving a notice of change of terms of tenancy effective, say December 1 and expiring March 31, in an amount sufficient to defray the increased energy cost.  The notice could include an explanation giving the high cost of fuel as the reason, deflecting anger from you to the energy company you deal with.  The fact that it expires after the winter and the rent goes back to normal would show your good faith.  The notice itself would be just like any other notice of change of terms of tenancy, such as a rent increase, and delivered the same way.  It should contain the phrase “this surcharge shall constitute additional rent for the premises,” so you can enforce it in the event of failure to pay.  Of course, this option is not available if you are locked into a fixed term lease or if you are subject to rent control.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Are you tired of your dial up connection timing out when you are in the middle of an article?  Iopus offers a neat little device that ISPs hate, the Always Connected Plug.  The plug sends a signal to your ISP at periodic intervals, even when there is no activity on your end, tricking it into thinking that there is.  You will find other neat freeware and demos at their site as well. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    CD-Rs have become popular as backup media, many people using them to fulfill the function of 5¼” of 3½” floppies in the days of 20 meg hard drives.  An issue has emerged, however, as to the longevity of CDs.  Information.com assesses the life expectancy of your backups.

    COOL SITE:

    Stat USA offers a wealth of business, trade, and economic information.  A must for the reference library . 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We have taken care to emphasize the landlord’s moral responsibility to promote fire safety in his premises, and also the legal and financial consequences of failing to do so.  The following is an example why this is so.  Recently a 3 year old child was hideously burned and invalided for life when a gasoline can overturned, spilling gasoline on the floor of the garage which ran to the water heater, it’s pilot light igniting the fumes.  Among others, the landlord is being sued for damages.  It seems the water heater was not elevated 18 inches above the floor as the code requires, which probably would have prevented ignition of the fumes, in that they tend to gather near the floor.  It is well that the landlord was apparently adequately insured, and we can argue about the stupidity of her parents storing gasoline in a can that is subject to spillage if overturned, or at all.  But what does one say to a three year old girl who suffered third degree burns over 95% of her body when one has contributed even a small degree of causation to such a disaster?

    INTERNET TIP:

    When you are surfing the Web, you will sometimes find it convenient to open a new link without leaving the page you are starting from, eliminating the need to click the back button.  Having to use the back button when you have gone to a new site can be tedious, especially if the new site is a deep one.  Occasionally the site may have great content but not be particularly well constructed to facilitate navigation and so offer no convenient way to get back to the home page or a main menu.  If you are confronted with one of these situations you can remedy it yourself.  If you are using Internet Explorer, simply hold down the shift key while you left click the link.  The link will open in a new window.  To return to the menu or link list you started from, just close the new page and you are there.  If you use Netscape Navigator, right click the link and choose “open in new window.”

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files (Win 98)

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .
    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .
    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .
    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s Cool Site is Davecentral.com . This is a great site if you are looking for a particular shareware program or software in general.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The single most important constant in life is change.It does not just afflict you, your tenants’ lives change too.Information is of value only if it is current.One of the elements is to see to it that the information your tenant gave on his rental application is still valid.Once a year, maybe every six months, you should ask your tenants if any information on their applications has changed, and if it has, have them update the form.The time to do this is before problems arise.Since you are in a continuing credit relationship with your tenants it only makes sense to see to it your information is current so that your decisions are based on fact.A major reason why many landlords end up with large bad debts is that they make decisions and take action on the basis of information that may be several years out of date.Our eForms section offers a choice of several good application forms.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Not all search engines are created equal.Some are better for some things and not so good for others.In fact, there is no one search engine that can do everything equally well.The University of Albany Libraries has put together a page ranking the major search engines by various categories of searches, with links .Now you can pick the right tool for your search needs.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    More powerful computers have given us multitasking.We can have several programs running at the same time, such as a word processing program for notes and an Internet browser searching sites.There is a Windows keyboard shortcut that permits moving between programs without the necessity of repetitive mouse clicks.Use alt+tab.When you strike these keys a box comes up showing all the other programs currently running.Hold down alt and strike tab to move from program to program.

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is from Kim Komando , part of her Web site.She provides us with a very thorough discussion of on-line auctions and how to use them to buy or sell.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Your real estate investments will form the core of your estate when you pass on.  The chances are that when your loved ones inherit this estate they will be unable to keep it intact.  Now, they may not want to.  It may be in their interest to divide it, or sell some of it off, or sell all of it.  They key is whether the decision to split the estate up is theirs, made in their own best interest, or that of your creditors or the government, made during probate because there is insufficient liquidity to keep the property you worked so hard to accumulate together.  Insurance is a way to make sure your executor and legatees are in the driver’s seat.  Insurance is largely a mystery to most persons, but LIFE can help answer a lot of your questions and suggest some you may want to ask your broker or agent. It also covers disability and health insurance.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip has landlording applications, especially if you need images from time to time, to use in presentations, but is really not a landlording site.  Google, of the excellent search engine, has a beta version of a new image search engine , and it looks like they are lavishing the same attention to detail on this as they did their main search tool.  I typed in “Conlon Nancarrow,” an obscure expatriate American contemporary composer, and got back 18 photos and a variety of other material spanning three pages.  Other searches for more mainstream material yielded proportionally more extensive results.  The context in which the images appear on the Web is displayed via a horizontally split screen.  Despite a few minor problems, which will surely be corrected during the beta phase, this site is already worthwhile.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Being a prudent Windows user you undoubtedly keep a bootable floppy disc handy just in case of a crash.  You also regularly back up your data files so you won’t lose all your work if you have to reformat or replace your hard drive.  But have you backed up your Windows Registry?  The Registry is a complete record of all the changes made to your system, such as new program installation, changes in settings, etc.  Backing up your registry can be a real time saver if you ever have to reconstruct your hard drive.

                The registry consists of two hidden files.  Since they are hidden you will not be able to see them with normal settings.  Make the files visible by going to Windows Explorer and on the menu bar select View and Options.  Select View All Files and click OK.  Now double click on the Windows folder and among other things you will find User.dat and System.dat in the right Window.  These two files comprise the Registry.  Copy them onto a floppy, using a compression program, if necessary, and keep the floppies with your other backup discs.

    COOL SITE:

    RealData is a site devoted to software and other resources for real estate investors, brokers, appraisers, lenders, and developers.  [Link to:  http://realdata.com/ ]

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are going to have a picturesque artificial lake in your development, be careful what fish you stock it with.  According to the Modesto Bee, Naraghi Lake, a man-made pond in a housing development in Modesto, CA, has been temporarily put off limits to the public after a couple of pre-teens caught five fish that look like piranhas.  Public safety officials’ suspicions were aroused when they noticed that the nearly 7” fish had mouths and teeth big enough to chomp many mid-sized cars.  It is thought that the fish may just be pacus, “relatively harmless” (from the article, whatever that phrase means) fruit eating relations of the piranhas.  “We’re going to err on the side of public safety,” quoth Doug Ridenour, a police spokesman.  Good idea.  Officials plan to zap the lake with some scarce California electricity, then cull the piranhas, er, pacus, uhm, well the ugly, mean looking ones, from amongst the dazed fishies.  Police theorize that someone who originally bought the fish as pets (!) dumped them in the lake where they were fruitful and multiplied.

    INTERNET TIP:

    FindArticles.com is an Internet guide to periodical literature.  Type in your search parameters and FindArticles will search every article available on the Web that relates to them.  This is an excellent research tool. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    This week’s tip is a security tool called Eraser, and is designed for use with Windows.  As you probably already know, when you delete a file the data are not actually removed from your hard drive.  All a deletion does is to modify your FAT (File Allocation Table).  The data remain on your hard drive and can be recovered, which may not be what you want, especially if the data are sensitive.  They remain on your hard drive or the floppy until they are overwritten.  Eraser actually overwrites selected files with random patterns of 1s and 0s, destroying the files.

    COOL SITE:

    Findtutorials.com is a site devoted to listing every tutorial on every subject on the Internet.  Learn everything from throwing the ideal birthday party to how to select a contractor.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Are you just entering the real estate investment game?If so, your instincts may tell you to go for one or two single-family units or duplexes, just to get your feet wet.Maybe you are inheriting your late parents’ old home, or plan to rent out your starter house instead of selling it when you buy up.But this instinct may be wrong and lead to trouble.Although it may seem counterintuitive, an apartment building may be a more appropriate start.An apartment building actually requires less expertise to operate than a single-family dwelling.The reason is that the single family dwelling will ordinarily require your hands on, day to day intervention to operate, and if you do not know how to do it, you are bound to make a lot of mistakes, which can end up costing you and setting your investment program back, or paying a lot of money to persons who know how to do things, a cost that may be exorbitant in comparison with the value of the property.On the other hand, a multi-unit building will have the cash flow to justify employing skilled persons to do this management for you, and you can gain a lot of knowledge in the process.The cost is spread over a number of units, not just one or two.Furthermore, you will not need a million dollars in cash to get into a multi-unit building.They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and you may be able to form a partnership with others similarly situated to share the burdens – and profits, of course – of the investment.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip has nothing to do with landlording. Virtualology is a site devoted to highlighting the great personages, events, art, etc., of history.So do thousands of others, you say.True enough, but this site is different in two ways.First, it is easy to use, attractively presented, and HUGE.Second, it is a compilation of the work of students from the primary grades to postgraduate and technical schools.All of the material is gathered into a virtual museum which is logically and simply organized.I did a search for Ansel Adams and was amazed at the amount of material, including on line reproductions of his prints, that was available.You definitely need to bookmark this in your reference library.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Your CD-ROM/DVD drive probably has an “auto-insert” feature that automatically launches CD-ROMs and DVDs when they are inserted.This can be a handy feature if you work with a lot of cds, but it is possible that it will degrade system performance.If you use your cd drive to listen to music, say, while you are working with another program, then you could suffer hesitations and other difficulties with the main program while your cd player searches for a newly inserted disc.If you think this is happening, try disabling the auto-insert feature.Go to START, SETTINGS, and CONTROL PANEL, then double click the system icon and select the DEVICE MANAGER tab.Select the CD-ROM branch of the device tree, select the CD-ROM drive and click the properties button.Select the SETTINGS tab and uncheck the auto-insert notification box.Reselect it in the same way if you decide to reinstate the feature.

    COOL SITE:

    Do you have a business plan?A real estate investor needs one, and if you are a landlord, that is what you are, even if just part time.If you have never prepared a business plan before, Bplans.com will show you how to do it.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You need not play the part of a landlord in order to reap the benefits of being one.If you already have a career that takes up most of your time, or you are retired and just do not want to invest the time and effort, you can engage the services of a property manager to take care of the day to day work for you, and at a fairly modest cost.In this week’s tip Chandler Scarborough explains why having a seasoned off-site property manager may be for you.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are engaged in a long Internet session, and find that the pages are loading more and more slowly as you pull up more and more pages, it may be that your Internet cache is full.You can solve the problem by emptying the cache.

    For Internet Explorer, go to Tools, select Internet Options, and in the Temporary Internet Files box click “delete.”For Netscape, go to Edit, select Preferences, Advanced, Cache, and in the History area click “Clear History.”You computer should be back up to speed.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Computing has its own acronyms and jargon, as we all know, and they change all the time.The Webopedia is an encyclopedia of computer jargon, frequently updated to remain current, and completely free.It will accurately translate and explain all the computerese you can throw at it.

    COOL SITE:

    We never want to pay more for insurance than we absolutely have to, but we want to ensure we have the coverage we need.This week’s site is NetQuote , a company that has been around a long time, by Internet standards, and may save you some money.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is from Tip World and is a word of encouragement for those of you considering starting up a small landlording business in your spare room, either as a supplement to or a substitute for your regular employment. Inc. magazine, which caters to entrepreneurs, does an annual survey of the 500 fastest growing businesses in the US.Their results for 1999 showed that nearly half of these burgeoning enterprises started at home.Almost six out of ten of them started with capital of $20,000 or less.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Landlording has to do with real estate, which has to do with titles, which have to do with lives and deaths and other vital statistics. Ancestry.com provides huge data bases including many public records dealing with genealogy death records, and other important records from many jurisdictions.File this one in your reference library so it will be handy when you need it.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    The 3½” high density floppy disk was hailed as a cavernous repository of data that could be easily stored in small places for easy data retrieval.That was more than a decade ago, however, when a complete backup of a typical hard drive could be put on a couple dozen discs.Most people have a large collection of the small discs and finding old programs and data can mean rummaging through many boxes of the little plastic rectangles.If you have a zip drive you can copy these to a few discs that are easily storable on your desk without adding to the clutter. Quik Floppy Copy , a small freeware program from Iomega, will enable you to copy your floppies onto zip discs quickly and easily, storing each floppy as a separate file.

    COOL SITE:

    Inc. magazine online is full of articles for the small businessperson.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    If you are a landlord with only a couple of employees you may not have one of the sophisticated accounting programs that calculates pay checks, including deductions, etc.Now there is no need to do it manually. Paycheck City will do it for you, and a lot of other things relating to pay, such as bonus calculation.It is FREE.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you make presentations and written proposals or have reason to produce and distribute other sorts of documents where appearance really counts, Adobe Acrobat is the standard.If you are unfamiliar with the program and would like an introduction, Adobe will let you try it on-line for free .

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Windows has a background printing capability that allows you to send a number of documents to be printed, which it sets up in a queue, and then do other things.This is really useful if you have a relatively slow printer and are printing a large number of documents.If you want to check on the status of the queue, what has been printed, what is waiting, and how far into the current document the printer is, you can walk over to the printer and peek, which can be inconvenient at times, or use a neat little utility that comes with windows.At the desktop, click “Start” and select “Settings” and “Printers.”Double click on the icon of your printer, or the one currently in use if you use more than one, and a window will pop up giving all of the information you want.

    COOL SITE:

    From the US Geological Service comes a web site that will tell you everything you need to know about the current state of water resources, including river conditions from the National Weather Service .

    LANDLORDING TIP: :  

    While the justification of a rent increased is based largely on market forces, there are some other factors that should enter into the equation.Indeed, some leases, almost always commercial, peg annual rent increases during the term of the lease to the CPI ( Consumer Price Index ).This index can be used to trace the increase or decrease in cost of representative commodities sold at retail and is compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.You can find the Consumer price index by going to the BLS , scroll down to the “Data” section, then select the data you need.

    INTERNET TIP:

    For all of you computer enthusiasts out there, an “enthusiast” is a user with an attitude, we present ExtremeTech . This site has everything you do not need to know about computers, and everything relating to computers, or at least it seems like it.You may select from articles, discussions, newsletters, opinion, books, and on and on and on.Perfect for reading while you are listening to that midday Saturday computer radio call-in show.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    You have finally broken down and gotten your first laptop computer.Like a new car, it is only a matter of time before it gets its first ding or scratch.After all, it is portable, and in the process of moving around….Kim Komando, an accomplished and experienced, not to mention well known, portable computerist herself, gives the following two tips to help ensure your laptop stays in one piece.

    Get a good case that is designed to hold laptop computers.Do not rely on your attaché or catalog case.They are not designed to absorb the bumps and abrasions that are inevitable.And do not skimp on the case.It does not make sense to try to protect a piece of equipment you just plunked a couple or few thousand dollars with a $9.95 bargain case.Get something that will resist extreme conditions like spills, heat, cold, etc.

    Lay in a couple of spare parts.Carry spare connectors, which have a tendency to break loose with the inevitable jostling that movement implies, and replacements for those little flaps that cover the serial or parallel ports.Also, be careful of the PC card ejector button that projects from the computer when you are returning it to its case.

    COOL SITE:

    DevelopmentAlliance.com is a rich source of information on community development, demographics, and like information and news.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    We often advise that you research your competition when making decisions that affect your property.Decisions like raising rent, adding amenities, and the like, will make sense only if made in light of market forces.The question is, who is the competition?There is a web site you can go to in order to find out. Springstreet allows you to determine who is competing with you within your own or other zip codes, and the advanced search engine lets you set the search parameters you desire.At the search engine, which is on the home page on the left, select “search by address,” then enter the city, state, and zip.You can then refine your search by putting in parameters such as number of bedrooms, rent, etc.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Google is a great search tool and now it is even better.If you use Windows 95 or higher and Internet Explorer you can add a tool bar that will appear with your regular IE toolbar.It enables you to do the following things with one mouse click.

    · Go to Google search

    · Search only the site you are visiting

    · See Google’s page ranking for the site you are visiting

    · Access more page info, such as similar pages, pages that link to that page, etc.

    · Highlight the search terms that appear on the page you are visiting

    · Do a word find.

    Visit Google to download.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    If you have Microsoft’s Excel you can use it to compute the actual, i.e., effective, interest rate on a loan or contract of sale after compounding.This is one of Excel’s Add-Ins and is known as the “Effect” function.If you follow the steps below and get no result, Choose “Tools,” then “Add-Ins,” then select from the list.If “Effect” does not appear on the list, go to set up and copy it over from your program CD.

    Go to cell A1 and enter:“=effect(15%,12)” and you will get the effective interest rate for a loan at 15% compounded every month.

    For a loan compounded quarterly enter:“=effect(15%,4)” in cell A1.The number after the comma is the number of compounding periods in the year.

    COOL SITE:

    PikeNet is a full featured site catering to the commercial and multi-family real estate professional.Lots of information here for everyone, though.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    California landlords should not be too quick to boost rent using rising energy prices as an excuse.They may price themselves out of the market.Utilities typically make up only a small part of landlording costs, so even a substantial increase in utility prices will not substantially increase their relative size as compared to the rest of the elements of the cost of doing business.More relevant to the rent that can be charged is supply and demand, according to experts such as Terry Feinberg, former executive director of the Tri-County Apartment Association, based in San Jose, CA, the capital of Silicon Valley ( read more about Terry ).Supply and demand are more likely to be affected by the overall economic downturn likely to follow the exodus of businesses from California as they search for locations with stable energy supplies and sane energy policies.Plan to decrease rent, if necessary, to remain competitive.If you do not, your tenants will decrease your rents for you by moving out.This will mean finding ways to reduce costs overall in order to remain profitable.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip is a dynamite site that is suitable for nearly all PC users (sorry, no Macs). PcPitstop diagnoses your computer on line, checking the processor, drives, memory, Internet connection, everything; identifies problems and potential problems; and makes recommendations on improving the configuration so as to improve performance and head off potential disasters.The tests can be done anonymously or you can register, in which case the site will keep a record of your tests over time.I ran the test, which took about 15 minutes for the test and to read the results. PcPitstop determined that my main problem is that I have a crummy disk drive – flash: bulletin – although it is pronounced to be in good working order.While this was no surprise it was good to see that the testing is sophisticated enough to find something like this.This one is definitely worth a bookmark.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Some persons do not defragment their hard drive because it never finishes.If you find that your defragmenter constantly restarts and gets to the point that it makes no progress in the task, the problem may be that your computer is being “pinged” by a program or always on Internet connection, causing it to restart at intervals.Try defragging in “safe mode.”Safe mode is a bare bones startup that activates only Windows, your hard and floppy drive, and puts your video into VGA.It is called “safe” because it bypasses everything else.Run your defrag program from there.To get into safe mode:

    1. Click Start, and then click Shut down.
    2. Click Restart, click OK, and then press and hold the CTRL key until the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appears.
             * For some machines, you can use F8 instead of CTRL to bring up the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu.
    3. Enter the number for Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.

    Once the defrag program has finished – it will this time – restart your computer to boot up normally.

    COOL SITE:

    The Crime Doctor .A wealth of information on home and apartment security, most of it adaptable to landlording.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Window screens are a fertile source of maintenance issues.Most building codes require them to be present and in good repair and they are a necessity for adequate ventilation.Unfortunately they tend to be fragile and subject to damage. Learn how to repair or replace screens yourself and how to tell which, repair or replacement, is the appropriate action to take.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Let’s face it, Internet mavens are typically obsessed with their connection and download speed. TestMySpeed.com is your one stop source for modem speed tests.Every conceivable speed test, sorted by country and state location, is included here, together with much other useful information.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    If you have an external modem, you may not be getting maximum performance from it.  The COM port to which it is attached may actually be preventing your modem from reaching full speed.  See how to fix this problem .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is World Law Direct .  Numerous articles on a variety of subjects and personalized answers to your legal questions from lawyers in 26 countries.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do you sometimes have trouble getting motivated to do things when you sit at your desk, even if you know you have a half-dozen tasks that need doing before the end of the day?You need a high.No, not that kind of a high.You need a sense of accomplishment that will get the juices flowing and make you want to open the next folder and get the same feeling again, only better.Try cleaning your desk.This is not a joke.The tactic will work on all but the deepest of funks.Clear off the clutter, stack the magazines and put them in a drawer or on a shelf.Open the unopened envelopes and file the contents.Get out the Pledge and a rag and polish the desk top, then set out only a pen, a pad, a coaster, and the coffee mug.The lack of intellectual and physical challenge to the job guarantees success within 20 minutes and the sense of well being will motivate you to turn the old crank.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The World Wide Web is just that, World wide.Often we find what appear to be interesting pages that are in a language we don’t understand, and they are frequently notavailable in multiple languages.This site, Freetranslation.com , will provide translations from or to a number of European languages including English, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, etc.It is not just for web pages, either.You can paste your own text and get a translation back.How good are the translations?How should I know?If I knew the languages I wouldn’t need the page.

    COOL SITE:

    Credit Card Search Engine has all the information you could ever want on credit cards, their APRs, selecting the right one, general information on their use, and a highlight section.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The fair housing laws have wide popular support and not only does the government at all levels have well funded enforcement agencies, but also these laws have spawned a number of private groups and firms whose primary mission is to scan the horizon for violators.  Nowadays landlords must be fair housing compliant, and in addition must appear to be fair housing compliant.  One complaint, even if ill founded, can require many hours of laborious refutation better spent on improving services to tenants and making money.  Start your education in the fair housing arena by taking a few minutes to read this short article with 12 practical suggestions on fair housing law compliance strategies . 

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip is for our visitors who invest in various types of securities and other paper investment vehicles in addition to real estate.  Wall Street Research Net is a one-stop place to get up to the minute information on just about everything. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change the appearance of items in a folder

    In My Computer or Windows Explorer, on the View menu, click Large Icons , Small Icons , List , or Details .

    COOL SITE:

    Stat-USA/Internet .  All of the statistical information the Federal government gathers and publishes in one place.  

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    So you have a pest control program and follow your technician’s advice religiously.  Regardless of how good a job you do, the odd critter is going to make his way into your tenant’s place.  It is inevitable.  In this case, your tenant with a distrust of chemicals can use an inexpensive and non-toxic (to humans) bug killer guaranteed to assassinate visible bugs in minutes, with no residue or mess, other than the corpse.  This miracle pest control substance is plain alcohol.  Put it in a pump spray bottle and soak the pest when he shows his ugly self.  He will be dead within minutes, the alcohol will evaporate completely shortly thereafter, and there will be no residual mess.  Use the kind of alcohol without a lot of additives so that no residue will be left.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip follows the news.  Gas prices are moving up.  $2 a gallon gas is here in a lot of places, with $3 a gallon on the way.  This week’s site, GasPriceWatch.com , tells you everything you were afraid to hear about gas prices in the US and Canada and more. Because GasPriceWatch.com employs thousands of spotters to report on gas prices on a frequent basis, you can enter your zip code and a search radius and find the best price available in your area, look up prices for related products such as heating oil, and find related info like gas taxes, etc.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Win 98  To create a folder

    1. Click the drive in Windows Explorer where you want to create the new folder.

    2. On the File menu, point to New , and then click Folder .

      The new folder appears with a temporary name.

    3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER .

    COOL SITE:

    Corncam.com .  Up to the minute, real time, perpetual updates at 30-second intervals of a field of corn growing in Iowa. If you get tired of watching corn grow, try soybeans or watch dairy operations .  Important tip for landlords:  is the barn Fair Housing Act compliant ?  You bet. 

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 30th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    When you are ready to close the deal for your latest acquisition, you will do a walk-through.  What will you be looking for?  Read this piece from Realty Times for the answer. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    I frequently have to look something up quickly while I am working on a piece for publication.  This entails leaving my word processing application and going to find what I need: an on line dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, or Internet search for more information.  This can be time consuming and cause the loss of the train of thought that prompted me to go searching to start with.  Atomica has put an end to this problem.  With simple mouse clicks Atomica will provide an instant dictionary, thesaurus, Internet search and more, all in a pop up window that does not interrupt your work.  Their home page includes a demo at the top.  I typed in “Elgar” and was treated to enough information to satisfy any immediate need or to serve as a basis for further research, including an Internet search on my choice of search engines.  Impressive.  It works best with always-on Internet connections but can also work with dial up connections if you are already on line and haven’t timed out.  The site features an easy download at the “Trial Versions” link.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To connect to another computer on your network

    On your desktop, double-click Network Neighborhood, and then double-click the computer you want.

    If you don't see the computer you want, double-click Entire Network.

    COOL SITE:

    PCReminder.com Use this site to remind yourself and others of lease renewals, warranty expirations, notice deadlines, etc.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 23th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    One thing that nearly every writer of formulaic eight, ten, or twelve tip mortgage shopping articles agrees on is that credit reports are a bountiful source of errors and misinformation.  If you are about to shop for a mortgage, for a refi or the acquisition of a new property, by all means get a copy of your credit report and analyze it for mistakes.  If possible, start the process six months before you expect to make your move.  If that is not feasible, get started as soon as you can.  It is better to clean up your report before potential lenders pull it than after.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip is for anyone who does a lot of presentations or just likes playing with fonts.  1001 Free Fonts claims to supply, well, 1001 fonts, for both PCs and Macs.  Unfortunately the fonts are not really free. You have to endure a lot of annoying pop-up ads, you know, the kind with the “close” button off the right edge of the screen so you have to move the frame over to get rid of it.  Nevertheless, the resource is well worth the annoyance.

    COOL SITE:

    Kramont Realty Trust

    COMPUTING TIP:
    Creating aliases

    In Windows, an alias is called a shortcut. You can create shortcuts to programs and documents that you use often, and then double-click the shortcut on the desktop (or wherever you choose to put it) to open the program or document.

    You can remove a shortcut from the desktop without removing the actual program or document.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 16th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    One way to get a large return on investment is to buy a property that is in a marginal state of repair for the neighborhood in which it is located – aka, a fixer-upper – and bring it up to par.  The idea is that the upgrade will create interest in the property and make it a more salable commodity, resulting in nearly instant equity with a relatively small investment, enabling a quick turn around.  This strategy can also backfire if you do not know what you are doing.  See this article on how to identify such opportunities, and what to avoid . Keep an eye out for our own upcoming article on the subject, and, in the meantime, keep tabs on our “Top Internet Picks” section in the “Info Center,” where this and other articles of interest can be found and which we update each week.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Are you thinking of quitting your day job?  Before you do, you will need to make a number of rational decisions.  One of them is determining what your skills are actually worth on the job market, and deciding whether you can do better as an employee for another company, or should risk a stab at becoming an entrepreneurial millionaire tycoon.  Salary.com can help you decide, by providing on line information on current salary ranges in various parts of the country and leads to openings in your area or others.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Managing power on your computer

    Using power management, you can reduce the power consumption of any number of your computer devices or of your entire system. You do this by choosing a power scheme, which is a collection of settings that manages the power usage by your computer.

    You can also adjust the individual settings in a power scheme. For example, depending on your hardware, you can:

    • Turn off your monitor and hard disks automatically to save power.
    • Put the computer on standby when it is idle. While on standby, your monitor and hard disks turn off, and your computer uses less power. When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly, and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Standby is particularly useful for conserving battery power in portable computers.
    • Put your computer in hibernation. The hibernate feature turns off your monitor and hard disk, saves everything in memory on disk, and turns off your computer. When you restart your computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. It takes longer to bring your computer out of hibernation than out of standby.

    Typically, you turn off your monitor or hard disk for a short period to conserve power. If you plan to be away from your computer for a while, you put your computer on standby, which puts your entire system in a low-power state.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 9th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We know that we have a great many visitors who are not landlords yet, but look forward to the day when they can start a real estate investment program of their own.  If you have been holding off, waiting for the time when you can buy that 10 unit building, maybe the time for waiting is over.  That is not the only way to get started in real estate.  Even if you are still renting an apartment, the purchase of an income producing building that you can also live in may be the perfect entrée to a career in real estate investment .  See this and other great short items in our Top Internet Picks section.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The deadline is coming: April 15.  If you are still struggling with your tax return, the IRS has a site that can help.  When you are stumped, try this page of FAQs and the related pages linked at the bottom .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To set up a network connection by using Dial-Up Networking

    1. Double-click My Computer , and then double-click Dial-Up Networking .

    2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 2nd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You may now authorize the IRS to contact your tax preparer directly to resolve issues arising out of the processing of your return.  Look for the box where you sign your return.  Using this box may not be a good idea if you are concerned that your tax preparer or adviser will not contact you if there is a problem, but if you have a good relationship with your tax preparer it can be a great time, aggravation, and confusion saver.  We have been adding tax related items in our “Info Center” in the form of articles and Internet Top Picks and will continue to do so.  Be sure to visit there to see what is new.  They are all gathered in each section under subject headings titled “Tax.”

    INTERNET TIP:

    There will be two tips this week.

    Tip #1:  We couldn’t resist this one, although it has very little to do with landlording.  Go to http://www.gaelwolf.com/pendulum.html   to see the tracing of a sand pendulum during the earthquake in Seattle.  It is amazing.

    Tip #2:  If you have upgraded to Windows ME or have bought a new machine with the system on board, this page can be a great help for you .

    Computer Tip

         To log off the network

    1. Click Start , and then click Log Off .

    2. Click Yes .

    3. To use the computer without connecting to the network, in Enter Network Password , click Cancel .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 26th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a multi-family building, even just a duplex, you need a parking policy.Limiting the number of vehicles each tenant can park on the premises, and assigning parking and storage spaces will go a long way toward eliminating friction among your tenants and increase tenant retention.Towing is part of parking rules enforcement.Look for our soon to be released article on setting up and implementing a parking enforcement policy.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Landlords are always searching for discounts and other ways to cut costs.This week’s tip is Overstock.com .This company features overstocked items (of course) and refurbished items from apparel to furniture to tools and everything in between, even travel and lodging at a discount.This is definitely worth a look and probably a bookmark.Their shipping policy is $3.98, whether you order a drill bit or a dining room table.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To make a folder look like a Web page

    You can change a folder's background in two ways: by adding a picture or by making it into a Web page.

    1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, open the folder that you want to customize.
    2. On the View menu, click Customize this Folder .
    3. To add a picture to your folder background, click Choose a background picture . In the wizard, you can also select colors for the text and text background in your folder.

      To turn your folder background into an HTML document, click Create or edit an HTML document , and then follow the steps in the wizard to edit the folder template using HTML. For example, you might want to add a line of text explaining the folder contents, or change the font or color of the folder title.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 19th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You need a budget.  Only for a lucky few does landlording result in so large a gross profit that the discipline of a pre-planned, written budget is unnecessary, if the property yields a gross profit at all.  It is usually not hard to plan for monthly recurring expenses mentally.  The issue arises with things such as setting up an account for the new roof you know will be needed six years from now, a sinking fund to pay off that small second you took out to do some repairs, and so forth.  “ Budgeting Key to Investment Success ” tells you why you need a budget and gives a brief course on how to set one up. This article is soon to be added to our new “ Top Internet Picks ” section.  Be sure to catch all of our top picks there.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have a tenant who has skipped out on his lease owing you rent, Webgator is where to start trying to find him .  This site contains links to dozens of public record databases that can help you locate the fleeing debtor before you resort to an investigator.  It can also be used as a first step in tenant screening and for entertainment, just to snoop around for information on celebrities and people in the news.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties.

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup.

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 12th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Most long-term commercial leases include an annual rent adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index.The problem is that for the last ten years or so the CPI increase has not accurately reflected increased costs of ownership of commercial property.Leases that have this tie in are shortchanging the landlord. It is time to consider an alternative, and this article suggests some . See this and other brief tips in our new feature, “ Our Top Internet Picks ,” in the “ Info Center .”

    INTERNET TIP:

    Many of our visitors are entrepreneurs who have acquired real estate accidentally or as a second source of income.For these persons we offer this link to the Small Business Administration .Though not for everyone, for the right businessperson, the SBA can offer attractive financing options and other services for an enterprise that needs to grow .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To assign (map) a drive letter to a network computer or folder

    1. Click Start , point to Programs , and then click Windows Explorer .
    2. On the Tools menu, click Map Network Drive .
    3. In Path , type the path to the resource you want. For example:

      \\computername\foldername

      If a password is required, Windows prompts you.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 5th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is from TIPWORLD.  This is what they have to say about interviewing a prospective contractor or employee.

    When you interview someone to subcontract part of a project or to fill a position in your business, remember to let the interviewee do most of the talking. One mistake prospective employers make is talking too much, which can give the person many clues about what you want to hear. As a rule of thumb, try to get the person you're interviewing to do about four times as much talking as you do.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are one of the huge majority of computer users with the Windows operating system, then this site is for you.  The Windows Users Group Network, WUGNET , has been around for about a dozen years, and their very mature site has everything you could ever want in the way of programs, tips, support, etc.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share a folder

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the folder you want to share.
    2. On the File menu, click Properties .
    3. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As .
    4. Click the Access Type you want, and, if necessary, enter a password.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 26th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Are you mystified by balance sheets?  Do you want to know what all the numbers mean and how to interpret them?  This page will give you a start on reading a balance sheet, and even preparing one of your own . You should prepare a balance sheet periodically.  If you do it realistically you will get an idea of the value of your estate and see if you are making progress or losing ground.  At minimum it will force you to recognize and evaluate what you have and what you owe.  This and many other short but informative items are in our new feature Top Internet Picks, which you can find on the Info Center page.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Today’s tip is a site that many who rent out single-family units, condos, and town homes will find satisfying to their curiosity.  There is a saying in business that everything is for sale.  How can you know if it is time to sell one of your holdings and move on?  A quick and easy way to see if it’s time to start thinking in that direction is to go to Homeradar.com . Enter the address of your property, click a button, and you will be given information on the sales price of comparable units in your general area.  It is not to be relied on as an appraisal, but it is a quick and easy way to check the market.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding
    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL .
    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 19th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Whether you are in negotiations with a new tenant or trying to decide what issues your standard form lease should include, you will have an easier job of it if you have a checklist based on the experiences of others. This checklist will help you avoid oversights .This article is typical of our new feature, our Top Internet Picks.Be sure to check it out in the Info Center.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Terms of art exist in all occupations, including the building trade.This week’s tip is a link to a glossary of such terms , which will enable you to understand what your contractors and handymen are talking about. This item looks pretty good, I found “oriel” there.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share your printer

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Click the printer you want to share.

    3. On the File menu, click Properties .

    4. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 12th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    There are only two times when a landlord really gets into trouble.One is when he feels sorry for his tenant, and the other is when he is in a hurry.It is all right to give your tenant a break when he has a legitimate problem, but only if you have verified that it is a true and likely non-recurring problem, and the way you cut him slack makes economic sense from your point of view.Take the time needed to screen your prospects, inform yourself of the condition of your rentals and arrange for necessary maintenance, and otherwise manage your properties.Are you really short of time?In that case, engage a reputable property management firm to do this for you.Keep your mind in firm control of your heart, and take your time and enforce your standards.This will keep you out of most of the trouble you are likely to get into.Browse our Info Center and Bookstore .We have articles and books that will help you learn how to do this.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Need a good file decompressor?One of the best is Aladdin v. 5.1.It is compatible with all these formats: StuffIt ( .sit ), Zip ( .zip ), gzip ( .gz ), ARC ( .arc ), Arj ( .arj ), uuencode ( .uue ), BinHex ( .hqx ), MacBinary ( .bin ), MIME/Base64, and self-extracting StuffIt ( .sea ), Zip, and Arj archives.I think that is about all there are.The expander is free, and for $9.99 you can get the compressor as well.ZDNet gives it five stars and Tucows five cows.Go to the Aladdin site to download it .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Dial-Up Networking

    If you have a modem, you can connect to another computer or to your corporate network by using your phone line. With Dial-Up Networking, you can have access to information on another computer, even if your computer is not on a network. The computer you are dialing in to must be set up as a network server for you to use its shared resources. Both your home computer and the network server must have modems installed.

    To connect to another computer or corporate network, you need to install your modem and then configure the connection. If your modem is already installed, start the New Connection wizard by double-clicking My Computer and then double-clicking Dial-Up Networking .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 5th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Don’t let fear of fair housing suits intimidate you into accepting unqualified applicants.Fair housing laws do not require that you accept applicants who do not meet your minimum income and credit standards, propose to move excessive numbers of people into the rental unit, or demand that you make unreasonable accommodations to their disabilities simply because they fall into some “protected class.”Most fear results from ignorance so dispel your fear by becoming knowledgeable about your state and local fair housing laws and the federal statutes.It is not as hard as you might think.Check the articles in the Info Center and contact your local human rights commission for any literature they may have. We now offer an on-line course in the new Learning Center for only $29.99 that will help you deal in this area with confidence.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s site will enable you to determine whether or not your line will support 56K technology.U. S. Robotics offers this test together with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to conduct it .If your downloads seem slow, this test may tell you why.

    COMPUTING TIP:
    To configure other computers on your home network

    1. Ensure that a network adapter is installed on each computer on your home network. If not, see the documentation that came with the adapter to install the hardware.
    2. Make sure that TCP/IP is installed and configured to assign IP addresses automatically on each computer on the home network. 
    3. Configure applications that can connect to the Internet, such as Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, to use your home network instead of connecting directly to the Internet. For more information, see the documentation that came with these applications.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 29th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have had a new roof put on your building you should check the roof vents. Many buildings heated by natural gas, or with natural gas water heaters, exhaust hot fumes through sheet metal roof vents. A roofer can innocently cause these vents, often only loosely connected, to separate, creating a fire hazard as hot fumes are discharged next to flammable materials, or a carbon monoxide poisoning hazard. As many as 7 out of 10 of such connections are disturbed during re-roofing. Check the vents in your building and avoid the risk.

    I NTERNET TIP:

    This week’s site is a fairly comprehensive description of common errors in English usage. People will judge you by how you present your ideas. If you have lost track of your sixth grade teacher, consult Paul Brians’ site . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To set up a printer

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , click Printers , and then double-click Add Printer .

    2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

      If you want to print a test page, first make sure your printer is on and ready to print.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 22th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Rats and mice are not only disgusting, they are dangerous to your tenants and, if not properly managed, to your pocketbook. These disease carriers require professional attention. This week, in an article to be published in the Info Center, Alan Caruba explains why . This one is a must read.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This is a tip to a place to find tips. Actually, Kim Komando’s Favorite Computer Tips, Tricks & Secrets Online is an anthology of her favorite Internet enhancing suggestions. Almost everything here should be useful.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding (win 95,98, and ME)

    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL .
    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task .


    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 15th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You cannot have too much knowledge.  You, the landlord, must know your trade.  There is a reason why we feature all those books in our Info Center and Bookstore . They are, in our opinion, among the best available for a general audience.  Read them, they are easy to order.  A couple of mouse clicks will bring the book you select to your home or office within a few days.  Make a New Year’s resolution to read a book a month.  Soon you will be armed with the information you need to handle almost anything.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are having difficulty connecting, or maintaining a connection, with your favorite Web site, it may be the result of traffic congestion.  The Internet Traffic Report tells you if the problem is local, national, or global.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    Double-click Network Neighborhood, and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.

    1. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.

    2. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 8th.


    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are looking for a former tenant who owes you back rent or money for damage to your rental unit, here is a way to find his new address.  Send a demand letter to the last known address you have for the tenant, even if it is the unit you just evicted him from or he just moved out of.  On the face of the envelope, conspicuously mark the words “Address Correction Requested” or “Address Service Requested.”  Then add 50 cents in addition to regular postage.  The USPS will search their records if they have a new address on the individual not only will they forward the letter, they will also send you a post card with his new mailing address.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Gentle visitor, you have gone high-tech and are totally wired to the Internet.  So have the grifters.  Courtesy of the FTC, here are the top ten Internet Dot Cons . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Although not a direct computer tip,     Research It can answer most of your computer related questions. 

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, December 4th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a rental with a fireplace you need to visit this site .Your little luxury tenant-magnet may also be a firetrap.Chimneys will accumulate soot and resins that can burst into flame when heated.Cleaning is essential.Protect your investment by ensuring the fireplace and chimney in your rental are clean and safe.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we have another winner from Kim Komando.This time it is a selection of Holiday gifts for your friends who are cyber-savvy. See the suggestions .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To make a folder look like a Web page

    You can change a folder's background in two ways: by adding a picture or by making it into a Web page.

    1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, open the folder that you want to customize.

    2. On the View menu, click Customize this Folder .

    3. To add a picture to your folder background, click Choose a background picture . In the wizard, you can also select colors for the text and text background in your folder.

      To turn your folder background into an HTML document, click Create or edit an HTML document , and then follow the steps in the wizard to edit the folder template using HTML. For example, you might want to add a line of text explaining the folder contents, or change the font or color of the folder title.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 27th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Your relationship with your tenant is almost entirely determined by what is in your rental agreement.  Your rights and obligations are contained there, with a few extensions arising out of state law.  Take the time to learn what that form you got at the stationery store really means.  See our article “ Mastering Your Rental and Lease Agreements ,” which will help you through all the fine print.  

    INTERNET TIP:

    Here is a neat little free utility from Smartline.  This program will shut down your computer with one mouse click or from a keyboard shortcut.  It can also be set up to terminate non-responding programs automatically, claims Smartline.  Find it here.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share a folder

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, click the folder you want to share.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties.

    3. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As.

    4. Click the Access Type you want, and, if necessary, enter a password.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 20th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The telephone can be quite a labor saver as the initial filter in tenant screening.  It can be used to pass through prospects that are apparently qualified and to eliminate those who, for whatever reason, obviously are not, which is a good thing for all parties.  To use the telephone to its best advantage read these articles in our Info Center:  “ The Advantages of Telephonic Tenant Screening ,” and “ The Art of Screening Prospective Tenants by Telephone .” 

    INTERNET TIP:

    How secure is your PC?  If you conduct landlording or other business over your PC, its innoculation with a virus or invasion by a hacker could be a disaster.  This page from Symantec can help you see how vulnerable you are. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood , and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.

    2. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.

    3. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 6th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The EPA has promulgated new rules on lead based paint that may impact many landlords.  Get the latest from our newly updated article Lead Based Paint – the Law and Landlords.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Plumbing probably consumes more of the landlord’s maintenance attention than any other single building system.  Of the plumbing, the toilet seems to be the most troublesome appliance.  Have you ever wondered about the evolution of the modern toilet?  Probably not, but even if you haven’t, spend a few minutes with this serious but easily read exposition of this topic by Bindeswar Pathak, Ph.D., D.Litt., presented to the International Symposium on Public Toilets.  This tip was suggested by Kim Komando’s site. When you are done, browse the rest of the www.plumbingsupply.com site as well.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 6th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We strongly advocate that landlords keep their rent at or as near market levels as possible.  This means staying on top of things and getting out your annual rent increases out promptly.  In California, however, rents have been spiraling upward at unusually high rates, reflecting the increasing price of real estate generally.  This has led several property owner associations and real estate commentators to advocate that landlords give 60 days notice of their rent increases rather than the 30 days mandated by state law.  Gov. Davis has just signed a bill into law requiring 60 days notice on rent increases in excess of 10% for over the previous 12 months.  Actually, giving 60 days notice is not a bad idea.  It gives the tenant extra time to do two things.  First, he can look around and see that your rent increase is not excessive and merely reflects what the market is doing.  Second, he will have time to revise his life style and gear up to pay the increase.  We do not suggest having the increase take effect 30 days later than it otherwise would have done.  We suggest giving the notice 30 days sooner than you would have done otherwise.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we feature the Navas Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide™.  This is a thorough site containing everything you need to know about your DSL or cable modem connection and how to test it and tweak it for better performance.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood , and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.
    2. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.
    3. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, October 23rd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This tip came from TipWorld and is a bit of advice about focus and concentration about what you do as a self employed landlord.  Suppose yourself to be on a descending elevator that stops at the fifth floor and admits a friend you have not seen in a number of years.  He asks what you do.  If you cannot supply a complete and coherent answer by the time the elevator arrives at the ground floor, you need to rethink what you do.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have just gotten a digital camera, or are thinking of getting one, then Mediachance.com is a must see site.  This site offers a number of free programs, tools, that you can use to enhance and manipulate your pictures.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using shortcut keys in Windows

    To Press
    Activate the menu bar in programs F10
    Carry out the corresponding command on the menu ALT+ underlined letter in menu
    Close the current window in multiple document interface (MDI) programs. CTRL+F4
    Close the current window or quit a program ALT+F4
    Copy CTRL+C
    Cut CTRL+X
    Delete DELETE
    Display Help on the selected dialog box item F1
    Display the current window’s system menu ALT+SPACEBAR
    Display the shortcut menu for the selected item SHIFT+F10
    Display the Start menu CTRL+ESC
    Display the system menu for MDI programs ALT+HYPHEN (-)
    Paste CTRL+V
    Switch to the window you last used

    -Or-

    Switch to another window by holding down ALT while repeatedly pressing TAB

    		ALT+TAB
    Undo CTRL+Z

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 16th.

    LANDLORDING TIP

         At the beginning of each year, I make copies of the rent checks received from my tenants and keep them in their lease file for future reference. I make note of any name/telephone number change as well as bank change. If I ever have to get a judgment against the tenant, this banking information is very useful for my collection efforts.

    Wallace S. Gibson CPM*PPM
    GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Halloween is coming up, and just for fun we thought you might like to check out a site that will tell you everything you need to know about Jack-O-Lanterns.  This site includes history, tips, techniques, patterns, and more stuff, all of which will give new ideas to make the best one on the block.

    COMPUTER TIP

    To create a folder

    1. Click the drive in Windows Explorer where you want to create the new folder.
    2. On the File menu, point to New , and then click Folder .

      The new folder appears with a temporary name.

    3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 9th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Once you have acquired several rental units, you may find that the work involved in dealing with your tenants’ and properties’ needs is interfering with your day job.  If the income from your properties is not lucrative enough to justify going to landlording as a full time endeavor, consider employing a property management firm, or a Realtor® who is also a Certified Property Manager to take over for you.  These are serious professionals who know what they are doing and can be much more efficient at the job than you are, both because of their experience and their connections with vendors and tradesmen.  They make their money by taking a modest commission, which varies according to the custom in the area, on actual collections.  Select one who is established in your area, verify him to be insured, and make sure the management contract and all aspects of compensation are in writing.  By the way, if you do this do not retire your bookmark to Landlord.com.  You still need to keep up with things on our site so you can evaluate your property manager’s performance and understand why he recommends that you do or not do things.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Halloween is coming up, and just for fun we thought you might like to check out a site that will tell you everything you need to know about Jack-O-Lanterns.  This site includes history, tips, techniques, patterns, and more stuff, all of which will give new ideas to make the best one on the block.  Find it at http://www.jack-o-lantern.com/ .   This tip is courtesy of Kim Komando at http://www.komando.com/ . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a printer that is not currently connected

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .
    2. Click the icon for the printer to which you want to print.
    3. On the Printer menu, click Use Printer Offline .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 2nd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    When you have a vacancy you want it to be exposed to the maximum number of potential new applicants as possible in the shortest possible time.  This accomplishes two things.  First, it ensures that you will re-rent your unit as soon as possible.  Second, it presents your unit to enough prospects to assure you are accessing a representative segment of the market, and so obtaining the best possible rent.  See our new sections on filling your vacancy, which can give you exposure both in the Internet and traditional market places simultaneously.

    INTERNET TIP:

    HUD on-line maps provide information about HUD projects in your community.  Several categories of maps allow you a choice of HUD program data to view.  Within these categories, you may choose from a variety of maps that provide detailed information about HUD funding.  Map location can be scaled from regional to neighborhood level.  If this is of interest to you, check it out .

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To connect to another computer on your network

    On your desktop, double-click Network Neighborhood , and then double-click the computer you want.

    If you don't see the computer you want, double-click Entire Network .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, September 25th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a low slope (flat) roof, then you should read this outline from Eggsystems.com .It tells how to inspect and maintain such a roof so as to avoid the leaks and other headaches that can go with it.A built up low slope roof can last for up to 100 years, but not if you neglect it.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This site is extremely cool.It is called Globexplorer.com.It enables you to zoom in on any address in the US and view it on a satellite photo.View your rental properties from a new perspective.If you get a letter on impressive looking stationery, zoom in on the address and see if the company is really in a prestige building or in a shack on the edge of a cow pasture. Must see .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use advanced search methods

    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Files or Folders .

    2. Click Date to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates.

      Or, click Advanced to look for files of a specific type or size.

    3. Click Find Now .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, September 18th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    It is generally a poor idea to quote statutes or other laws in your rental agreement, but sometimes it is a good idea to refer to them.  One example is the right of the landlord to have access to the rental unit.  All of the states deal with this issue either by statute or local ordinance or in their common law.  Quoting the law is not a good idea because if the law changes, the provision of your rental agreement quoting it might be held to be invalid.  On the other hand, you want something in there so that if your tenant wrongfully refuses you access you can evict him for a breach of the rental agreement if you think it necessary.  Try a clause that reads:  “Tenant(s) shall allow Landlord(s) and his agents or others access to the demised premises as permitted by law.”  Failure to do so then becomes a breach of the rental agreement.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Internet auctions are all the rage, but can be daunting to the novice.  If you have ever considered looking for something that might be up for auction on the Net, or offering something because you would rather have the cash, look at Kim Komando’s comprehensive auctions page .  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .
    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    Remember: Changing the printer properties will change them for all documents you print on this printer. To change these settings for one document, click the File menu in your program, and then click Page Setup or Print Setup .



    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, September 11th.

    Back To Current "Tips of The Week "

    Looking for tips? Here's our archive of past tips shared with thousands of other landlords and managers. Have You Got a Tip You Would Like to Share with Us (click here) ?

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    New data suggest that a condominium or town home may be a better investment than single family homes right now.  Since 1996 condominium values have increased faster than those of free standing homes for a number of reasons.  But there are things to look out for if you are considering buying a condo for investment, writes Broderick Perkins , in a piece for Realty Times .  And, of course, you will need to find a development that is friendly to non-owner occupancy.

    INTERNET TIP:

    One free program can give you quick access to almost any compressed file you can find on the Internet.  The award winning Stuffit Expander has been made even better.  It will conveniently open any file compressed in the following formats: StuffIt, Zip, uu, BinHex, Gzip, Arc, MIME/Base 64, Bzip, LHa, Private File, Arj, and Rar.  It is from Aladdin and you can download it here for free.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Here is a page that definitely deserves a bookmark in your reference library.  If you are wondering what all those different file extensions like .dll or .III mean, then this site is for you .  This information is maintained by FILExt.com.

    COOL SITE:

    FindArticles.com is a vast archive of published articles that you can search for free. Constantly updated, it contains articles dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals.  This belongs in your reference library.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Just because you are a small landlord with only a couple of rental units does not mean that you do not have to comply with fair credit laws.  Even if you have only one unit, if you rely on outside sources of information to make decisions about whom you will accept as a tenant, you need to comply with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Take the time now to read our articles on the subject, which you will find in the Info Center under Tenant Screening.  They will show you how to reject applicants so that you don't get into trouble with the FTC.  Failure to comply with the law can subject you to civil penalties and punitive damages.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Occasionally you will find a page just loaded with great information, but is nearly impossible to read because whoever set it up made a poor selection of background and print colors, or selected a background that is so distracting that it seems to conceal the text.  You do not have to put up with this, and can make the page much more legible with the help of your browser.

    For Netscape, go to Options then to General Preferences .  Click the Colors tab, then go to the bottom of the page and check " Always use my colors, overriding document ," then click Ok .  This should replace the background with your default colors and make the page easier to read once you go back to the illegible page and click Reload .  Once you are done with the site, uncheck the box to undo.

    For IE, go to Tools then to Internet Options .  Click the button that reads Accessibility .  On the page that comes up, select the " Ignore Colors specified on Web pages " option.  Click Ok and the page should automatically reload with your default colors.  Undo it by going back and unchecking the Ignore Colors option.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Here is a page that definitely deserves a bookmark in your reference library.  If you are wondering what all those different file extensions like .dll or .III mean, then this site is for you .  This information is maintained by FILExt.com.

    COOL SITE:

    If you do flyers to showcase your vacancies or publish a newsletter, or for that matter do any sort of presentation, then you need interesting fonts.  Ariel and Times New Roman do have a tendency to get old.  Fonts.com has everything you will ever need, and it is free.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are in the enviable position of having excess money coming in, you may be tempted to pay off debt.  Most people want to reduce their debt as much as they can and that may include their mortages.

    While debt reduction is almost always a good thing, it is important to give careful thought to which debt to pay down first, and even whether to pay the debt down at all.  That's right, sometime it just does not make any sense to pay down a debt before its due date.  Debt can be profitable, and should be used as an investment would be used.

    The most important things you need to know are the amount of the effective interest rate and the amount of the prepayment penalties.  The effective interest rate is what you would actually pay in interest from the day you propose to pay the loan off through the last payment, if you allowed the loan to be fully amortized.  This issue does not arise with interest only loans.  Note that your payoff on a fully amortized loan will be the amount of principal you still owe plus the prepayment penalty.  The amount you owe will be calculated by taking all the payments you owe to date, less the amount of the interest that has accrued under the note, subtracted from the principal amount.  Looked at another way, it is a rebate of the interest unpaid to the date of prepayment.

    Note well that this interest rebate is only very rarely calculated on a straight line basis.  In most cases the interest would be rebated as calculated under what is called the Rule of 78, or Sum of the Year's Digits.  The effect of the rule is to front load interest payments.  If you are, say, 2/3 of the way through a fully amortized mortgage, you will have already prepaid most of the interest that would accrue during the total life of the loan.  This means that, for example, the effective interest rate you are paying on your loan for the final 1/3 of its existence may only be 3%, even though the rate on the face of the note is 8%.

    The reason this is important is that the criterion for paying off any debt is whether you will end up with more money in your pocket by paying off the loan, or by using the money to create more income generating machinery.  This is the principal of leverage.

    If you believe that at the end of the day you will have more money in your pocket by paying a debt, then, by all means, do it.  This is almost always the case with credit card debt, consumer debt, and unsecured business debt.  It is not always the case with debt secured by real estate, or even personal property, such as automobiles.  So do the math and remember that managing your debt wisely is not always the same as paying it off.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Finding fast help with your computer problems can be a problem if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it.  Protonic.com is a question answering service and a large collection of bulletin boards that permit you to expose your computer related question or idea before the entire Internet world.  The bulletin boards are divided by category, so your contribution will not be lost in a jumble of irrelevant chit-chat.  The concept looks great and it is free.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    The debate goes on without let up:  Should you shut your computer down when you are finished for the day, or should you leave it on?  There probably will never be a definitive answer to this question, but there is something you ought to know if you elect to leave it on.

    Windows' memory management is not all that efficient.  When you exit an application, including some that are within Windows itself, only part of your system resources will be released.  Little bits and pieces of it get bitten off every time you use a program, and eventually, you will run so short of resources that your system will reboot again on its own, maybe in the middle of a very important task.

    Consider doing a soft reboot every day.  In windows you can do this by clicking Start on the task bar and selecting Restart instead of Shut Down .

    COOL SITE:

    This week's cool site is Kim Komando's excellent compilation of general income tax help on the Internet.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are selling a dwelling or offering it for rent, you need to be neat.  Clean we take for granted.  But neatness is something a lot of people overlook

    The purchase or rental of a home is not a business decision for most people.  It is largely emotional.  When they view the place, lookers are thinking of what they can make of it, not what it is.  That rental unit may be as spotless as a NASA clean room, but if it is cluttered, the people who look at it will have less chance to fall in love with it.

    Store as much stuff as you can to get the highest price or rent and attract the best buyer or tenant.  This is also a good argument for not showing the rental unit until it is vacant.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Today's tip is to visit Earth at Night .  It is a composite satellite photo of the Earth, showing the lights in the areas of civilization.  You can trace the population density by the intensity of the lights.

    It is real estate related, vaguely.  It has to do with the Earth; anyway, it's fascinating.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Should you upgrade your O/S to Windows XP?  The folks at ZDNet think so.  Follow the link to find out why and see what some users think of it.

    COOL SITE:

    This week's cool site is the newly launched Consumer Information Source .  On this site you can check out an insurance company you are thinking of doing business with, review its complaint history, and file complaints about your current insurer with regulatory agencies. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The quotidian crisis is mold.  It will probably be the favored habitability defense, and there are emerging stories about lawsuits arising out of its presence in housing units sold or rented to unsuspecting victims.  The ugly truth about mold is that we humans cultivate it through incompetent use of the housing unit, ineffective clean-up methods, and neglected maintenance.

    Mold almost always appears due to poor ventilation.  Stagnant, moisture-filled air will tend to precipitate water as it cools, depositing the water on walls, giving the mold that naturally exists in the air an ideal place to land and make a living.  Tenants need to be counseled to keep their rental units well ventilated.  This will eliminate practically all of your mold problems.

    Where mold already exists, washing it with soap and water may remove what you can see, but it will not remove the problem.  To do that, you need to kill the mold.  The best and safest way to kill mold is with chlorine bleach.  Mix a solution of about one part bleach, 10 parts water, and a little soap.  (Never mix chlorine bleach with anything that has ammonia in it.)  If you use this for cleaning, the mold will die.

    Finally, tend to maintenance.  If you still have a mold problem after ensuring proper ventilation and a thorough cleaning, then something is wrong.  There may be a leaky pipe, a faulty dehumidifier, or some other repairable source of moisture that is providing the mold a comfortable home.  Occasionally, the design of the structure, or its location, may make mold infestations inevitable.  If the simple measures do not work, there are things that can be done to resolve the problem.  Consult a professional.

    All of this is definitely your department, and present attitudes toward the existence of mold demand that you no longer treat it as a minor inconvenience.

    INTERNET TIP:

    While you are enjoying your trip through the Internet, remember that anyone who goes to the trouble of setting up a Web site can post anything he wants regardless of whether it is true or false.  In many cases, the one who posts it does not even know whether it is true or false, he simply reposts something he say somewhere else, with attribution sometimes, but often without.  Often, the wildest and most amazing stories are myths, circulated by email and even word of mouth, as well as by reposting.

    Purportal.com can help you decide when to believe and when to doubt.  This site is a collection of links to some of the best myth-busting sites on the Internet, and definitely deserves a place in your reference library.  As one wag said, keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    SANDRA is an acronym for S ystem An alyser, D iagnostic and R eporting A ssistant.  This piece of freeware is capable of analyzing just about every aspect of your PC and reporting back to you about it.  It is out in its latest incarnation as Version 2002 .  If you want to know what is really going on under the hood, give it a try.

    COOL SITE:

    Having the latest drivers installed, and a place where you can easily find them is vital.  The reason why I know this and feature this site this week is a subject I would rather not discuss, thank you.  In any event, WinDrivers seems to have every form of device driver and technical support for Windows that exists. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Before you buy that next rental, make sure you add up the numbers that make up the street address.  The result will determine the type of tenant who will reside there and the types of activities that will occur there.  So says Pam Bell (any relation to Art?), as cited by Lew Sichelman just in time for Halloween.  Doo-doo-doo-doo.  Doo-doo-doo-doo . 

    INTERNET TIP:

    FreshDevices.com offers a new download manager .  It allows scheduling for low traffic periods, management of multiple downloads, “turbocharging” download files, etc.  And it’s free.  It has earned a 5-cow rating from Tucows, their highest.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To find a computer on your network (Win 98\ME\XP)

    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Computer .

    2. If you know the name of the computer you are looking for, type it in Named . For example: 

        finance

    3. If you know the path to the shared folder you are searching for, you can specify both the computer and folder name. For example: 

        \\finance\reports

    4. Click Find Now .

    COOL SITE:

    The Wayback Machine is an Internet search engine with an attitude.  While the Web as we know it has only been around for less than a decade, this site features the oldies but goodies, i.e., historic Web sites that have historical significance and have been around for a long time, like, more than three weeks. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The eve of the holiday season is a good time to double check your liability insurance policies, both those on your rentals and your personal homeowner’s policy.  Holidays imply parties and activities for children as well as adults, such as Halloween.  Risks of injuries to careful, negligent, and tipsy invitees alike rise.  Check with your agent to assure that you have enough coverage.  If your policies have only standard amounts, that may not be enough protection.  A good insurance agent or broker will have access to the most up to date statistics on not only judgments but also out of court settlements in your area for personal injury claims.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have been intrigued by the idea of taking your own photographs online, either for business or pleasure , but did not know where to start looking for information about it, let Kim Komando point you in the right direction.  This week she offers a short but information packed column on the subject. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    COOL SITE:   This site is not just cool, it is gelid .  I think you will agree when you realize that this computer and other information packed item was put together by pupils at the Gold Ridge Elementary School in Rohnert Park, California.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Occasionally old deeds of trust or mortgages will show up in your chain of title.  This is because the mortgage is separate from the promissory note it secures.  Payment of the note does not guarantee that the mortgage will be reconveyed, or that the reconveyance will be recorded.  In other words, sometimes slip-ups happen.  Benny L. Kass provides a thorough explanation of what to do if you should find yourself in such an annoying position. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    n_Gen is a graphic design engine for those who do not want to invest huge amounts of money and time for something they may use only infrequently.  This is apparently a test version and is free to use.  While we haven’t actually tried it out, it looks attractive.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files - Win98/ME

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is Adrian’s Rojak Pot , an olio of freeware, shareware, and more for almost any need. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Refinancing has been quite the craze and many are tempted to follow the trend but before you do make sure that it makes economic sense.  Of course you will take into consideration the points and other fees you may have to pay, and also contrast the contract interest rates on your old loan with the proposed new one.  But wait a minute.  That may not tell the whole story.  What is the effective interest rate you are paying on your existing financing?  If, for example, you have an amortized, fixed rate, 30-year mortgage and are into it 15 or 20 years, the interest you are actually paying may only be a fraction of the rate set out in the note.  The reason is that such loans usually have their interest front loaded, so that practically all the money paid in the payments for the first third of the loan goes toward interest, and, naturally, practically all the money for the last third of the loan goes toward principal.  Check an amortization table and consider this before you commit to refinancing.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you like to hunt for bargains on the Internet this one may have eluded you.  The URL is certainly counter-intuitive.  Zulu Spear claims to bring the best of the best bargains from the largest retailers.  Give it a spin.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Microsoft Personal Web Server to publish and share Web pages

    Microsoft Personal Web Server (PWS) 4.0 is a desktop Web server. If you are connected to an intranet, or a corporate network, you can share documents with your coworkers from your own computer. Use PWS to develop and publish your personal home page. You can also test your Web site before you upload it to an Internet service provider.

    COOL SITE:

    Are you a law and order type of person?  Joe Arpaio, the Celebrity Sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona, brings you this web cam from his now nationally famous facility.  V iew booking, the holding cell, search cell, and more.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Can you transfer your property to someone who assumes the loan without triggering your lender’s Due On Sale Clause?Due On Sale clauses were developed to permit a lender to exit an unprofitable loan, say, one at a very low interest rate, by demanding payment in full on transfer.In 1982, however, the U.S. Congress enacted a law that specified nine circumstances in which a transfer does not trigger the lender’s right to call the loan.

    · A transfer pursuant to a decree of dissolution of marriage, or a similar decree

    · A transfer by operation of law involving the death of a joint tenant or tenant by the entirety

    · A transfer to a relative resulting from the death of a borrower

    · A transfer to the spouse or children of the borrower

    · A transfer into an inter vivos trust in which the borrower is and remains a beneficiary and which does not relate to a transfer of rights of occupancy in the property (i.e. the so-called "Living Trust")

    · Any security interest securing a loan for the purchase of household appliances

    · A leasehold interest for three years or less not involving a purchase option

    · Any subordinate lien not involving a transfer of the right to occupancy

    · Such other transfers as may be specified by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in their regulations

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are reading this you are probably one of those who uses the Internet as a learning tool.There is information about almost everything on the Internet.Unfortunately, there is also misinformation about almost everything on the Internet.How do you tell the difference?Crosschecking is important, and also is this site, the Urban Legends Reference Pages .A lot of valuable debunking goes on here.This is a must for your reference library.

    COMPUTING TIP: (Win 98)

    Using Dial-Up Networking

    If you have a modem, you can connect to another computer or to your corporate network by using your phone line. With Dial-Up Networking, you can have access to information on another computer, even if your computer is not on a network. The computer you are dialing in to must be set up as a network server for you to use its shared resources. Both your home computer and the network server must have modems installed.

    To connect to another computer or corporate network, you need to install your modem and then configure the connection. If your modem is already installed, start the New Connection wizard by double-clicking My Computer and then double-clicking Dial-Up Networking .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s site is for all of you who want to fly the flag.Learn to do it right with this summary of the Flag Code , which sets out proper etiquette.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Maintenance requests are probably the single biggest service items you have to deal with, but handling them promptly is not just a favor to your tenants.  Doing so enables you to keep your property in top shape, and avoids costly major repairs down the road after minor glitches deteriorate into major problems because of neglect.  If you have more than one rental unit you should have a maintenance routine.  This prevents the Wet Hen Syndrome when problems arise, especially when they arise outside normal business hours, which is more than 2/3 of the time.  Your system need not be complicated, but should have the following characteristics.

    •       An easy, non-bureaucratic method of initiating maintenance action

    •       A simple method of documenting maintenance requests that is convenient to the tenant

    •       A routine for the transmittal of requests to the persons who are to perform them and an internal method to hold them accountable for performing them successfully

    •       A system that documents the successful completion of repairs and their cost

    •       A system for contacting decision makers in emergency matters requiring high level authority, and a delegation of authority to those on the spot in routine matters

    •       A follow up routine that ensures that the tenant’s satisfaction is verified

    •       A further follow up routine that ensures the tenant understands that you sprang into action immediately and did all these things

    The last item is not to be overlooked under any circumstances.  Although prompt maintenance is a benefit to you, your tenants perceive it as a service to them.  Be sure they know what marvelous service they received and watch your reservoir of goodwill with them grow.

    INTERNET TIP:

    You mine the Web for information as well as entertainment, right?  Are you satisfied with your search engines?  Yes?  How do you know?  You are probably just skimming the surface if you rely only on the standard search engines.  When you use those you see only what they want you to see.  This week, Kim Komando shows you how to mine the mother lode of information , the stuff you won’t normally find. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To see resource use on another computer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood .

    2. Click the name of the computer on which you'd like to view shared resources.

    3. On the File menu, click Properties .

    4. Click the Tools tab, and then click Net Watcher .

    5. On the Net Watcher View menu, click the type of information you want to see.

    COOL SITE:

    Fact Monster is your on line source for everything.  This gigantic almanac/encyclopedia/dictionary is amazing.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You may not need to replace the garbage disposal after all.  With use, the blades will become dull.  You can restore their edge by dropping a handful of ice cubes into the disposal and running it until they are all ground up.  Pass this tip along to your tenants so they can keep their disposals in top shape.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we offer a snappy little utility that will convert units of distance, light, pressure, and so on and on automatically.  This is one of those things that you don’t think of until you really need it.  Convert, as it is called , is available free from joshmadison.com.  [Link to:  http://www.joshmadison.com/software/convert/ ]

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To control access to a folder or printer

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the shared folder or printer to which you want to limit access.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties .

    3. Click the Sharing tab.

    4. If you are using user-level access control, click Add to specify the people with whom you want to share the printer or folder.

      If you are using share-level access control, type the password you want to use for the folder or printer.

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is Executive Planet .  Their mission statement tells it all.

    Our mission is to inspire business travelers to travel with greater cultural awareness. We strive to bring you the most up-to-date and relevant information on international business culture, customs and protocol, gift-giving, negotiating tactics, business entertainment, cross-cultural communication and more.

    This is a must for all you globe trotting business tycoons out there, and also for those that are just curious. 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If high energy costs are eroding your margin, you may be tempted to give your tenants a notice of rent increase to cover them, but this may not be the best solution.  Rent increases are a notorious source of tenant unrest and their anger will be directed squarely at you.  Instead of a rent increase, why not give a notice of “energy surcharge.”  If your biggest headache is the cost of heating oil for your building, for example, consider giving a notice of change of terms of tenancy effective, say December 1 and expiring March 31, in an amount sufficient to defray the increased energy cost.  The notice could include an explanation giving the high cost of fuel as the reason, deflecting anger from you to the energy company you deal with.  The fact that it expires after the winter and the rent goes back to normal would show your good faith.  The notice itself would be just like any other notice of change of terms of tenancy, such as a rent increase, and delivered the same way.  It should contain the phrase “this surcharge shall constitute additional rent for the premises,” so you can enforce it in the event of failure to pay.  Of course, this option is not available if you are locked into a fixed term lease or if you are subject to rent control.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Are you tired of your dial up connection timing out when you are in the middle of an article?  Iopus offers a neat little device that ISPs hate, the Always Connected Plug.  The plug sends a signal to your ISP at periodic intervals, even when there is no activity on your end, tricking it into thinking that there is.  You will find other neat freeware and demos at their site as well. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    CD-Rs have become popular as backup media, many people using them to fulfill the function of 5¼” of 3½” floppies in the days of 20 meg hard drives.  An issue has emerged, however, as to the longevity of CDs.  Information.com assesses the life expectancy of your backups.

    COOL SITE:

    Stat USA offers a wealth of business, trade, and economic information.  A must for the reference library . 

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We have taken care to emphasize the landlord’s moral responsibility to promote fire safety in his premises, and also the legal and financial consequences of failing to do so.  The following is an example why this is so.  Recently a 3 year old child was hideously burned and invalided for life when a gasoline can overturned, spilling gasoline on the floor of the garage which ran to the water heater, it’s pilot light igniting the fumes.  Among others, the landlord is being sued for damages.  It seems the water heater was not elevated 18 inches above the floor as the code requires, which probably would have prevented ignition of the fumes, in that they tend to gather near the floor.  It is well that the landlord was apparently adequately insured, and we can argue about the stupidity of her parents storing gasoline in a can that is subject to spillage if overturned, or at all.  But what does one say to a three year old girl who suffered third degree burns over 95% of her body when one has contributed even a small degree of causation to such a disaster?

    INTERNET TIP:

    When you are surfing the Web, you will sometimes find it convenient to open a new link without leaving the page you are starting from, eliminating the need to click the back button.  Having to use the back button when you have gone to a new site can be tedious, especially if the new site is a deep one.  Occasionally the site may have great content but not be particularly well constructed to facilitate navigation and so offer no convenient way to get back to the home page or a main menu.  If you are confronted with one of these situations you can remedy it yourself.  If you are using Internet Explorer, simply hold down the shift key while you left click the link.  The link will open in a new window.  To return to the menu or link list you started from, just close the new page and you are there.  If you use Netscape Navigator, right click the link and choose “open in new window.”

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files (Win 98)

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .
    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .
    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .
    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s Cool Site is Davecentral.com . This is a great site if you are looking for a particular shareware program or software in general.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The single most important constant in life is change.It does not just afflict you, your tenants’ lives change too.Information is of value only if it is current.One of the elements is to see to it that the information your tenant gave on his rental application is still valid.Once a year, maybe every six months, you should ask your tenants if any information on their applications has changed, and if it has, have them update the form.The time to do this is before problems arise.Since you are in a continuing credit relationship with your tenants it only makes sense to see to it your information is current so that your decisions are based on fact.A major reason why many landlords end up with large bad debts is that they make decisions and take action on the basis of information that may be several years out of date.Our eForms section offers a choice of several good application forms.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Not all search engines are created equal.Some are better for some things and not so good for others.In fact, there is no one search engine that can do everything equally well.The University of Albany Libraries has put together a page ranking the major search engines by various categories of searches, with links .Now you can pick the right tool for your search needs.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    More powerful computers have given us multitasking.We can have several programs running at the same time, such as a word processing program for notes and an Internet browser searching sites.There is a Windows keyboard shortcut that permits moving between programs without the necessity of repetitive mouse clicks.Use alt+tab.When you strike these keys a box comes up showing all the other programs currently running.Hold down alt and strike tab to move from program to program.

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is from Kim Komando , part of her Web site.She provides us with a very thorough discussion of on-line auctions and how to use them to buy or sell.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Your real estate investments will form the core of your estate when you pass on.  The chances are that when your loved ones inherit this estate they will be unable to keep it intact.  Now, they may not want to.  It may be in their interest to divide it, or sell some of it off, or sell all of it.  They key is whether the decision to split the estate up is theirs, made in their own best interest, or that of your creditors or the government, made during probate because there is insufficient liquidity to keep the property you worked so hard to accumulate together.  Insurance is a way to make sure your executor and legatees are in the driver’s seat.  Insurance is largely a mystery to most persons, but LIFE can help answer a lot of your questions and suggest some you may want to ask your broker or agent. It also covers disability and health insurance.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip has landlording applications, especially if you need images from time to time, to use in presentations, but is really not a landlording site.  Google, of the excellent search engine, has a beta version of a new image search engine , and it looks like they are lavishing the same attention to detail on this as they did their main search tool.  I typed in “Conlon Nancarrow,” an obscure expatriate American contemporary composer, and got back 18 photos and a variety of other material spanning three pages.  Other searches for more mainstream material yielded proportionally more extensive results.  The context in which the images appear on the Web is displayed via a horizontally split screen.  Despite a few minor problems, which will surely be corrected during the beta phase, this site is already worthwhile.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Being a prudent Windows user you undoubtedly keep a bootable floppy disc handy just in case of a crash.  You also regularly back up your data files so you won’t lose all your work if you have to reformat or replace your hard drive.  But have you backed up your Windows Registry?  The Registry is a complete record of all the changes made to your system, such as new program installation, changes in settings, etc.  Backing up your registry can be a real time saver if you ever have to reconstruct your hard drive.

                The registry consists of two hidden files.  Since they are hidden you will not be able to see them with normal settings.  Make the files visible by going to Windows Explorer and on the menu bar select View and Options.  Select View All Files and click OK.  Now double click on the Windows folder and among other things you will find User.dat and System.dat in the right Window.  These two files comprise the Registry.  Copy them onto a floppy, using a compression program, if necessary, and keep the floppies with your other backup discs.

    COOL SITE:

    RealData is a site devoted to software and other resources for real estate investors, brokers, appraisers, lenders, and developers.  [Link to:  http://realdata.com/ ]

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are going to have a picturesque artificial lake in your development, be careful what fish you stock it with.  According to the Modesto Bee, Naraghi Lake, a man-made pond in a housing development in Modesto, CA, has been temporarily put off limits to the public after a couple of pre-teens caught five fish that look like piranhas.  Public safety officials’ suspicions were aroused when they noticed that the nearly 7” fish had mouths and teeth big enough to chomp many mid-sized cars.  It is thought that the fish may just be pacus, “relatively harmless” (from the article, whatever that phrase means) fruit eating relations of the piranhas.  “We’re going to err on the side of public safety,” quoth Doug Ridenour, a police spokesman.  Good idea.  Officials plan to zap the lake with some scarce California electricity, then cull the piranhas, er, pacus, uhm, well the ugly, mean looking ones, from amongst the dazed fishies.  Police theorize that someone who originally bought the fish as pets (!) dumped them in the lake where they were fruitful and multiplied.

    INTERNET TIP:

    FindArticles.com is an Internet guide to periodical literature.  Type in your search parameters and FindArticles will search every article available on the Web that relates to them.  This is an excellent research tool. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    This week’s tip is a security tool called Eraser, and is designed for use with Windows.  As you probably already know, when you delete a file the data are not actually removed from your hard drive.  All a deletion does is to modify your FAT (File Allocation Table).  The data remain on your hard drive and can be recovered, which may not be what you want, especially if the data are sensitive.  They remain on your hard drive or the floppy until they are overwritten.  Eraser actually overwrites selected files with random patterns of 1s and 0s, destroying the files.

    COOL SITE:

    Findtutorials.com is a site devoted to listing every tutorial on every subject on the Internet.  Learn everything from throwing the ideal birthday party to how to select a contractor.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Are you just entering the real estate investment game?If so, your instincts may tell you to go for one or two single-family units or duplexes, just to get your feet wet.Maybe you are inheriting your late parents’ old home, or plan to rent out your starter house instead of selling it when you buy up.But this instinct may be wrong and lead to trouble.Although it may seem counterintuitive, an apartment building may be a more appropriate start.An apartment building actually requires less expertise to operate than a single-family dwelling.The reason is that the single family dwelling will ordinarily require your hands on, day to day intervention to operate, and if you do not know how to do it, you are bound to make a lot of mistakes, which can end up costing you and setting your investment program back, or paying a lot of money to persons who know how to do things, a cost that may be exorbitant in comparison with the value of the property.On the other hand, a multi-unit building will have the cash flow to justify employing skilled persons to do this management for you, and you can gain a lot of knowledge in the process.The cost is spread over a number of units, not just one or two.Furthermore, you will not need a million dollars in cash to get into a multi-unit building.They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and you may be able to form a partnership with others similarly situated to share the burdens – and profits, of course – of the investment.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip has nothing to do with landlording. Virtualology is a site devoted to highlighting the great personages, events, art, etc., of history.So do thousands of others, you say.True enough, but this site is different in two ways.First, it is easy to use, attractively presented, and HUGE.Second, it is a compilation of the work of students from the primary grades to postgraduate and technical schools.All of the material is gathered into a virtual museum which is logically and simply organized.I did a search for Ansel Adams and was amazed at the amount of material, including on line reproductions of his prints, that was available.You definitely need to bookmark this in your reference library.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Your CD-ROM/DVD drive probably has an “auto-insert” feature that automatically launches CD-ROMs and DVDs when they are inserted.This can be a handy feature if you work with a lot of cds, but it is possible that it will degrade system performance.If you use your cd drive to listen to music, say, while you are working with another program, then you could suffer hesitations and other difficulties with the main program while your cd player searches for a newly inserted disc.If you think this is happening, try disabling the auto-insert feature.Go to START, SETTINGS, and CONTROL PANEL, then double click the system icon and select the DEVICE MANAGER tab.Select the CD-ROM branch of the device tree, select the CD-ROM drive and click the properties button.Select the SETTINGS tab and uncheck the auto-insert notification box.Reselect it in the same way if you decide to reinstate the feature.

    COOL SITE:

    Do you have a business plan?A real estate investor needs one, and if you are a landlord, that is what you are, even if just part time.If you have never prepared a business plan before, Bplans.com will show you how to do it.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You need not play the part of a landlord in order to reap the benefits of being one.If you already have a career that takes up most of your time, or you are retired and just do not want to invest the time and effort, you can engage the services of a property manager to take care of the day to day work for you, and at a fairly modest cost.In this week’s tip Chandler Scarborough explains why having a seasoned off-site property manager may be for you.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are engaged in a long Internet session, and find that the pages are loading more and more slowly as you pull up more and more pages, it may be that your Internet cache is full.You can solve the problem by emptying the cache.

    For Internet Explorer, go to Tools, select Internet Options, and in the Temporary Internet Files box click “delete.”For Netscape, go to Edit, select Preferences, Advanced, Cache, and in the History area click “Clear History.”You computer should be back up to speed.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Computing has its own acronyms and jargon, as we all know, and they change all the time.The Webopedia is an encyclopedia of computer jargon, frequently updated to remain current, and completely free.It will accurately translate and explain all the computerese you can throw at it.

    COOL SITE:

    We never want to pay more for insurance than we absolutely have to, but we want to ensure we have the coverage we need.This week’s site is NetQuote , a company that has been around a long time, by Internet standards, and may save you some money.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is from Tip World and is a word of encouragement for those of you considering starting up a small landlording business in your spare room, either as a supplement to or a substitute for your regular employment. Inc. magazine, which caters to entrepreneurs, does an annual survey of the 500 fastest growing businesses in the US.Their results for 1999 showed that nearly half of these burgeoning enterprises started at home.Almost six out of ten of them started with capital of $20,000 or less.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Landlording has to do with real estate, which has to do with titles, which have to do with lives and deaths and other vital statistics. Ancestry.com provides huge data bases including many public records dealing with genealogy death records, and other important records from many jurisdictions.File this one in your reference library so it will be handy when you need it.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    The 3½” high density floppy disk was hailed as a cavernous repository of data that could be easily stored in small places for easy data retrieval.That was more than a decade ago, however, when a complete backup of a typical hard drive could be put on a couple dozen discs.Most people have a large collection of the small discs and finding old programs and data can mean rummaging through many boxes of the little plastic rectangles.If you have a zip drive you can copy these to a few discs that are easily storable on your desk without adding to the clutter. Quik Floppy Copy , a small freeware program from Iomega, will enable you to copy your floppies onto zip discs quickly and easily, storing each floppy as a separate file.

    COOL SITE:

    Inc. magazine online is full of articles for the small businessperson.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    If you are a landlord with only a couple of employees you may not have one of the sophisticated accounting programs that calculates pay checks, including deductions, etc.Now there is no need to do it manually. Paycheck City will do it for you, and a lot of other things relating to pay, such as bonus calculation.It is FREE.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you make presentations and written proposals or have reason to produce and distribute other sorts of documents where appearance really counts, Adobe Acrobat is the standard.If you are unfamiliar with the program and would like an introduction, Adobe will let you try it on-line for free .

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Windows has a background printing capability that allows you to send a number of documents to be printed, which it sets up in a queue, and then do other things.This is really useful if you have a relatively slow printer and are printing a large number of documents.If you want to check on the status of the queue, what has been printed, what is waiting, and how far into the current document the printer is, you can walk over to the printer and peek, which can be inconvenient at times, or use a neat little utility that comes with windows.At the desktop, click “Start” and select “Settings” and “Printers.”Double click on the icon of your printer, or the one currently in use if you use more than one, and a window will pop up giving all of the information you want.

    COOL SITE:

    From the US Geological Service comes a web site that will tell you everything you need to know about the current state of water resources, including river conditions from the National Weather Service .

    LANDLORDING TIP: :  

    While the justification of a rent increased is based largely on market forces, there are some other factors that should enter into the equation.Indeed, some leases, almost always commercial, peg annual rent increases during the term of the lease to the CPI ( Consumer Price Index ).This index can be used to trace the increase or decrease in cost of representative commodities sold at retail and is compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.You can find the Consumer price index by going to the BLS , scroll down to the “Data” section, then select the data you need.

    INTERNET TIP:

    For all of you computer enthusiasts out there, an “enthusiast” is a user with an attitude, we present ExtremeTech . This site has everything you do not need to know about computers, and everything relating to computers, or at least it seems like it.You may select from articles, discussions, newsletters, opinion, books, and on and on and on.Perfect for reading while you are listening to that midday Saturday computer radio call-in show.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    You have finally broken down and gotten your first laptop computer.Like a new car, it is only a matter of time before it gets its first ding or scratch.After all, it is portable, and in the process of moving around….Kim Komando, an accomplished and experienced, not to mention well known, portable computerist herself, gives the following two tips to help ensure your laptop stays in one piece.

    Get a good case that is designed to hold laptop computers.Do not rely on your attaché or catalog case.They are not designed to absorb the bumps and abrasions that are inevitable.And do not skimp on the case.It does not make sense to try to protect a piece of equipment you just plunked a couple or few thousand dollars with a $9.95 bargain case.Get something that will resist extreme conditions like spills, heat, cold, etc.

    Lay in a couple of spare parts.Carry spare connectors, which have a tendency to break loose with the inevitable jostling that movement implies, and replacements for those little flaps that cover the serial or parallel ports.Also, be careful of the PC card ejector button that projects from the computer when you are returning it to its case.

    COOL SITE:

    DevelopmentAlliance.com is a rich source of information on community development, demographics, and like information and news.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    We often advise that you research your competition when making decisions that affect your property.Decisions like raising rent, adding amenities, and the like, will make sense only if made in light of market forces.The question is, who is the competition?There is a web site you can go to in order to find out. Springstreet allows you to determine who is competing with you within your own or other zip codes, and the advanced search engine lets you set the search parameters you desire.At the search engine, which is on the home page on the left, select “search by address,” then enter the city, state, and zip.You can then refine your search by putting in parameters such as number of bedrooms, rent, etc.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Google is a great search tool and now it is even better.If you use Windows 95 or higher and Internet Explorer you can add a tool bar that will appear with your regular IE toolbar.It enables you to do the following things with one mouse click.

    · Go to Google search

    · Search only the site you are visiting

    · See Google’s page ranking for the site you are visiting

    · Access more page info, such as similar pages, pages that link to that page, etc.

    · Highlight the search terms that appear on the page you are visiting

    · Do a word find.

    Visit Google to download.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    If you have Microsoft’s Excel you can use it to compute the actual, i.e., effective, interest rate on a loan or contract of sale after compounding.This is one of Excel’s Add-Ins and is known as the “Effect” function.If you follow the steps below and get no result, Choose “Tools,” then “Add-Ins,” then select from the list.If “Effect” does not appear on the list, go to set up and copy it over from your program CD.

    Go to cell A1 and enter:“=effect(15%,12)” and you will get the effective interest rate for a loan at 15% compounded every month.

    For a loan compounded quarterly enter:“=effect(15%,4)” in cell A1.The number after the comma is the number of compounding periods in the year.

    COOL SITE:

    PikeNet is a full featured site catering to the commercial and multi-family real estate professional.Lots of information here for everyone, though.

    LANDLORDING TIP: :

    California landlords should not be too quick to boost rent using rising energy prices as an excuse.They may price themselves out of the market.Utilities typically make up only a small part of landlording costs, so even a substantial increase in utility prices will not substantially increase their relative size as compared to the rest of the elements of the cost of doing business.More relevant to the rent that can be charged is supply and demand, according to experts such as Terry Feinberg, former executive director of the Tri-County Apartment Association, based in San Jose, CA, the capital of Silicon Valley ( read more about Terry ).Supply and demand are more likely to be affected by the overall economic downturn likely to follow the exodus of businesses from California as they search for locations with stable energy supplies and sane energy policies.Plan to decrease rent, if necessary, to remain competitive.If you do not, your tenants will decrease your rents for you by moving out.This will mean finding ways to reduce costs overall in order to remain profitable.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip is a dynamite site that is suitable for nearly all PC users (sorry, no Macs). PcPitstop diagnoses your computer on line, checking the processor, drives, memory, Internet connection, everything; identifies problems and potential problems; and makes recommendations on improving the configuration so as to improve performance and head off potential disasters.The tests can be done anonymously or you can register, in which case the site will keep a record of your tests over time.I ran the test, which took about 15 minutes for the test and to read the results. PcPitstop determined that my main problem is that I have a crummy disk drive – flash: bulletin – although it is pronounced to be in good working order.While this was no surprise it was good to see that the testing is sophisticated enough to find something like this.This one is definitely worth a bookmark.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Some persons do not defragment their hard drive because it never finishes.If you find that your defragmenter constantly restarts and gets to the point that it makes no progress in the task, the problem may be that your computer is being “pinged” by a program or always on Internet connection, causing it to restart at intervals.Try defragging in “safe mode.”Safe mode is a bare bones startup that activates only Windows, your hard and floppy drive, and puts your video into VGA.It is called “safe” because it bypasses everything else.Run your defrag program from there.To get into safe mode:

    1. Click Start, and then click Shut down.
    2. Click Restart, click OK, and then press and hold the CTRL key until the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appears.
             * For some machines, you can use F8 instead of CTRL to bring up the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu.
    3. Enter the number for Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.

    Once the defrag program has finished – it will this time – restart your computer to boot up normally.

    COOL SITE:

    The Crime Doctor .A wealth of information on home and apartment security, most of it adaptable to landlording.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Window screens are a fertile source of maintenance issues.Most building codes require them to be present and in good repair and they are a necessity for adequate ventilation.Unfortunately they tend to be fragile and subject to damage. Learn how to repair or replace screens yourself and how to tell which, repair or replacement, is the appropriate action to take.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Let’s face it, Internet mavens are typically obsessed with their connection and download speed. TestMySpeed.com is your one stop source for modem speed tests.Every conceivable speed test, sorted by country and state location, is included here, together with much other useful information.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    If you have an external modem, you may not be getting maximum performance from it.  The COM port to which it is attached may actually be preventing your modem from reaching full speed.  See how to fix this problem .

    COOL SITE:

    This week’s cool site is World Law Direct .  Numerous articles on a variety of subjects and personalized answers to your legal questions from lawyers in 26 countries.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do you sometimes have trouble getting motivated to do things when you sit at your desk, even if you know you have a half-dozen tasks that need doing before the end of the day?You need a high.No, not that kind of a high.You need a sense of accomplishment that will get the juices flowing and make you want to open the next folder and get the same feeling again, only better.Try cleaning your desk.This is not a joke.The tactic will work on all but the deepest of funks.Clear off the clutter, stack the magazines and put them in a drawer or on a shelf.Open the unopened envelopes and file the contents.Get out the Pledge and a rag and polish the desk top, then set out only a pen, a pad, a coaster, and the coffee mug.The lack of intellectual and physical challenge to the job guarantees success within 20 minutes and the sense of well being will motivate you to turn the old crank.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The World Wide Web is just that, World wide.Often we find what appear to be interesting pages that are in a language we don’t understand, and they are frequently notavailable in multiple languages.This site, Freetranslation.com , will provide translations from or to a number of European languages including English, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, etc.It is not just for web pages, either.You can paste your own text and get a translation back.How good are the translations?How should I know?If I knew the languages I wouldn’t need the page.

    COOL SITE:

    Credit Card Search Engine has all the information you could ever want on credit cards, their APRs, selecting the right one, general information on their use, and a highlight section.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The fair housing laws have wide popular support and not only does the government at all levels have well funded enforcement agencies, but also these laws have spawned a number of private groups and firms whose primary mission is to scan the horizon for violators.  Nowadays landlords must be fair housing compliant, and in addition must appear to be fair housing compliant.  One complaint, even if ill founded, can require many hours of laborious refutation better spent on improving services to tenants and making money.  Start your education in the fair housing arena by taking a few minutes to read this short article with 12 practical suggestions on fair housing law compliance strategies . 

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip is for our visitors who invest in various types of securities and other paper investment vehicles in addition to real estate.  Wall Street Research Net is a one-stop place to get up to the minute information on just about everything. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change the appearance of items in a folder

    In My Computer or Windows Explorer, on the View menu, click Large Icons , Small Icons , List , or Details .

    COOL SITE:

    Stat-USA/Internet .  All of the statistical information the Federal government gathers and publishes in one place.  

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    So you have a pest control program and follow your technician’s advice religiously.  Regardless of how good a job you do, the odd critter is going to make his way into your tenant’s place.  It is inevitable.  In this case, your tenant with a distrust of chemicals can use an inexpensive and non-toxic (to humans) bug killer guaranteed to assassinate visible bugs in minutes, with no residue or mess, other than the corpse.  This miracle pest control substance is plain alcohol.  Put it in a pump spray bottle and soak the pest when he shows his ugly self.  He will be dead within minutes, the alcohol will evaporate completely shortly thereafter, and there will be no residual mess.  Use the kind of alcohol without a lot of additives so that no residue will be left.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip follows the news.  Gas prices are moving up.  $2 a gallon gas is here in a lot of places, with $3 a gallon on the way.  This week’s site, GasPriceWatch.com , tells you everything you were afraid to hear about gas prices in the US and Canada and more. Because GasPriceWatch.com employs thousands of spotters to report on gas prices on a frequent basis, you can enter your zip code and a search radius and find the best price available in your area, look up prices for related products such as heating oil, and find related info like gas taxes, etc.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Win 98  To create a folder

    1. Click the drive in Windows Explorer where you want to create the new folder.

    2. On the File menu, point to New , and then click Folder .

      The new folder appears with a temporary name.

    3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER .

    COOL SITE:

    Corncam.com .  Up to the minute, real time, perpetual updates at 30-second intervals of a field of corn growing in Iowa. If you get tired of watching corn grow, try soybeans or watch dairy operations .  Important tip for landlords:  is the barn Fair Housing Act compliant ?  You bet. 

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 30th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    When you are ready to close the deal for your latest acquisition, you will do a walk-through.  What will you be looking for?  Read this piece from Realty Times for the answer. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    I frequently have to look something up quickly while I am working on a piece for publication.  This entails leaving my word processing application and going to find what I need: an on line dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, or Internet search for more information.  This can be time consuming and cause the loss of the train of thought that prompted me to go searching to start with.  Atomica has put an end to this problem.  With simple mouse clicks Atomica will provide an instant dictionary, thesaurus, Internet search and more, all in a pop up window that does not interrupt your work.  Their home page includes a demo at the top.  I typed in “Elgar” and was treated to enough information to satisfy any immediate need or to serve as a basis for further research, including an Internet search on my choice of search engines.  Impressive.  It works best with always-on Internet connections but can also work with dial up connections if you are already on line and haven’t timed out.  The site features an easy download at the “Trial Versions” link.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To connect to another computer on your network

    On your desktop, double-click Network Neighborhood, and then double-click the computer you want.

    If you don't see the computer you want, double-click Entire Network.

    COOL SITE:

    PCReminder.com Use this site to remind yourself and others of lease renewals, warranty expirations, notice deadlines, etc.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 23th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    One thing that nearly every writer of formulaic eight, ten, or twelve tip mortgage shopping articles agrees on is that credit reports are a bountiful source of errors and misinformation.  If you are about to shop for a mortgage, for a refi or the acquisition of a new property, by all means get a copy of your credit report and analyze it for mistakes.  If possible, start the process six months before you expect to make your move.  If that is not feasible, get started as soon as you can.  It is better to clean up your report before potential lenders pull it than after.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s Internet tip is for anyone who does a lot of presentations or just likes playing with fonts.  1001 Free Fonts claims to supply, well, 1001 fonts, for both PCs and Macs.  Unfortunately the fonts are not really free. You have to endure a lot of annoying pop-up ads, you know, the kind with the “close” button off the right edge of the screen so you have to move the frame over to get rid of it.  Nevertheless, the resource is well worth the annoyance.

    COOL SITE:

    Kramont Realty Trust

    COMPUTING TIP:
    Creating aliases

    In Windows, an alias is called a shortcut. You can create shortcuts to programs and documents that you use often, and then double-click the shortcut on the desktop (or wherever you choose to put it) to open the program or document.

    You can remove a shortcut from the desktop without removing the actual program or document.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 16th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    One way to get a large return on investment is to buy a property that is in a marginal state of repair for the neighborhood in which it is located – aka, a fixer-upper – and bring it up to par.  The idea is that the upgrade will create interest in the property and make it a more salable commodity, resulting in nearly instant equity with a relatively small investment, enabling a quick turn around.  This strategy can also backfire if you do not know what you are doing.  See this article on how to identify such opportunities, and what to avoid . Keep an eye out for our own upcoming article on the subject, and, in the meantime, keep tabs on our “Top Internet Picks” section in the “Info Center,” where this and other articles of interest can be found and which we update each week.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Are you thinking of quitting your day job?  Before you do, you will need to make a number of rational decisions.  One of them is determining what your skills are actually worth on the job market, and deciding whether you can do better as an employee for another company, or should risk a stab at becoming an entrepreneurial millionaire tycoon.  Salary.com can help you decide, by providing on line information on current salary ranges in various parts of the country and leads to openings in your area or others.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Managing power on your computer

    Using power management, you can reduce the power consumption of any number of your computer devices or of your entire system. You do this by choosing a power scheme, which is a collection of settings that manages the power usage by your computer.

    You can also adjust the individual settings in a power scheme. For example, depending on your hardware, you can:

    • Turn off your monitor and hard disks automatically to save power.
    • Put the computer on standby when it is idle. While on standby, your monitor and hard disks turn off, and your computer uses less power. When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly, and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Standby is particularly useful for conserving battery power in portable computers.
    • Put your computer in hibernation. The hibernate feature turns off your monitor and hard disk, saves everything in memory on disk, and turns off your computer. When you restart your computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. It takes longer to bring your computer out of hibernation than out of standby.

    Typically, you turn off your monitor or hard disk for a short period to conserve power. If you plan to be away from your computer for a while, you put your computer on standby, which puts your entire system in a low-power state.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 9th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We know that we have a great many visitors who are not landlords yet, but look forward to the day when they can start a real estate investment program of their own.  If you have been holding off, waiting for the time when you can buy that 10 unit building, maybe the time for waiting is over.  That is not the only way to get started in real estate.  Even if you are still renting an apartment, the purchase of an income producing building that you can also live in may be the perfect entrée to a career in real estate investment .  See this and other great short items in our Top Internet Picks section.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The deadline is coming: April 15.  If you are still struggling with your tax return, the IRS has a site that can help.  When you are stumped, try this page of FAQs and the related pages linked at the bottom .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To set up a network connection by using Dial-Up Networking

    1. Double-click My Computer , and then double-click Dial-Up Networking .

    2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, April 2nd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You may now authorize the IRS to contact your tax preparer directly to resolve issues arising out of the processing of your return.  Look for the box where you sign your return.  Using this box may not be a good idea if you are concerned that your tax preparer or adviser will not contact you if there is a problem, but if you have a good relationship with your tax preparer it can be a great time, aggravation, and confusion saver.  We have been adding tax related items in our “Info Center” in the form of articles and Internet Top Picks and will continue to do so.  Be sure to visit there to see what is new.  They are all gathered in each section under subject headings titled “Tax.”

    INTERNET TIP:

    There will be two tips this week.

    Tip #1:  We couldn’t resist this one, although it has very little to do with landlording.  Go to http://www.gaelwolf.com/pendulum.html   to see the tracing of a sand pendulum during the earthquake in Seattle.  It is amazing.

    Tip #2:  If you have upgraded to Windows ME or have bought a new machine with the system on board, this page can be a great help for you .

    Computer Tip

         To log off the network

    1. Click Start , and then click Log Off .

    2. Click Yes .

    3. To use the computer without connecting to the network, in Enter Network Password , click Cancel .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 26th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a multi-family building, even just a duplex, you need a parking policy.Limiting the number of vehicles each tenant can park on the premises, and assigning parking and storage spaces will go a long way toward eliminating friction among your tenants and increase tenant retention.Towing is part of parking rules enforcement.Look for our soon to be released article on setting up and implementing a parking enforcement policy.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Landlords are always searching for discounts and other ways to cut costs.This week’s tip is Overstock.com .This company features overstocked items (of course) and refurbished items from apparel to furniture to tools and everything in between, even travel and lodging at a discount.This is definitely worth a look and probably a bookmark.Their shipping policy is $3.98, whether you order a drill bit or a dining room table.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To make a folder look like a Web page

    You can change a folder's background in two ways: by adding a picture or by making it into a Web page.

    1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, open the folder that you want to customize.
    2. On the View menu, click Customize this Folder .
    3. To add a picture to your folder background, click Choose a background picture . In the wizard, you can also select colors for the text and text background in your folder.

      To turn your folder background into an HTML document, click Create or edit an HTML document , and then follow the steps in the wizard to edit the folder template using HTML. For example, you might want to add a line of text explaining the folder contents, or change the font or color of the folder title.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 19th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You need a budget.  Only for a lucky few does landlording result in so large a gross profit that the discipline of a pre-planned, written budget is unnecessary, if the property yields a gross profit at all.  It is usually not hard to plan for monthly recurring expenses mentally.  The issue arises with things such as setting up an account for the new roof you know will be needed six years from now, a sinking fund to pay off that small second you took out to do some repairs, and so forth.  “ Budgeting Key to Investment Success ” tells you why you need a budget and gives a brief course on how to set one up. This article is soon to be added to our new “ Top Internet Picks ” section.  Be sure to catch all of our top picks there.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have a tenant who has skipped out on his lease owing you rent, Webgator is where to start trying to find him .  This site contains links to dozens of public record databases that can help you locate the fleeing debtor before you resort to an investigator.  It can also be used as a first step in tenant screening and for entertainment, just to snoop around for information on celebrities and people in the news.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties.

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup.

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 12th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Most long-term commercial leases include an annual rent adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index.The problem is that for the last ten years or so the CPI increase has not accurately reflected increased costs of ownership of commercial property.Leases that have this tie in are shortchanging the landlord. It is time to consider an alternative, and this article suggests some . See this and other brief tips in our new feature, “ Our Top Internet Picks ,” in the “ Info Center .”

    INTERNET TIP:

    Many of our visitors are entrepreneurs who have acquired real estate accidentally or as a second source of income.For these persons we offer this link to the Small Business Administration .Though not for everyone, for the right businessperson, the SBA can offer attractive financing options and other services for an enterprise that needs to grow .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To assign (map) a drive letter to a network computer or folder

    1. Click Start , point to Programs , and then click Windows Explorer .
    2. On the Tools menu, click Map Network Drive .
    3. In Path , type the path to the resource you want. For example:

      \\computername\foldername

      If a password is required, Windows prompts you.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, March 5th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is from TIPWORLD.  This is what they have to say about interviewing a prospective contractor or employee.

    When you interview someone to subcontract part of a project or to fill a position in your business, remember to let the interviewee do most of the talking. One mistake prospective employers make is talking too much, which can give the person many clues about what you want to hear. As a rule of thumb, try to get the person you're interviewing to do about four times as much talking as you do.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are one of the huge majority of computer users with the Windows operating system, then this site is for you.  The Windows Users Group Network, WUGNET , has been around for about a dozen years, and their very mature site has everything you could ever want in the way of programs, tips, support, etc.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share a folder

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the folder you want to share.
    2. On the File menu, click Properties .
    3. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As .
    4. Click the Access Type you want, and, if necessary, enter a password.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 26th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Are you mystified by balance sheets?  Do you want to know what all the numbers mean and how to interpret them?  This page will give you a start on reading a balance sheet, and even preparing one of your own . You should prepare a balance sheet periodically.  If you do it realistically you will get an idea of the value of your estate and see if you are making progress or losing ground.  At minimum it will force you to recognize and evaluate what you have and what you owe.  This and many other short but informative items are in our new feature Top Internet Picks, which you can find on the Info Center page.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Today’s tip is a site that many who rent out single-family units, condos, and town homes will find satisfying to their curiosity.  There is a saying in business that everything is for sale.  How can you know if it is time to sell one of your holdings and move on?  A quick and easy way to see if it’s time to start thinking in that direction is to go to Homeradar.com . Enter the address of your property, click a button, and you will be given information on the sales price of comparable units in your general area.  It is not to be relied on as an appraisal, but it is a quick and easy way to check the market.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding
    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL .
    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 19th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Whether you are in negotiations with a new tenant or trying to decide what issues your standard form lease should include, you will have an easier job of it if you have a checklist based on the experiences of others. This checklist will help you avoid oversights .This article is typical of our new feature, our Top Internet Picks.Be sure to check it out in the Info Center.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Terms of art exist in all occupations, including the building trade.This week’s tip is a link to a glossary of such terms , which will enable you to understand what your contractors and handymen are talking about. This item looks pretty good, I found “oriel” there.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share your printer

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Click the printer you want to share.

    3. On the File menu, click Properties .

    4. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 12th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    There are only two times when a landlord really gets into trouble.One is when he feels sorry for his tenant, and the other is when he is in a hurry.It is all right to give your tenant a break when he has a legitimate problem, but only if you have verified that it is a true and likely non-recurring problem, and the way you cut him slack makes economic sense from your point of view.Take the time needed to screen your prospects, inform yourself of the condition of your rentals and arrange for necessary maintenance, and otherwise manage your properties.Are you really short of time?In that case, engage a reputable property management firm to do this for you.Keep your mind in firm control of your heart, and take your time and enforce your standards.This will keep you out of most of the trouble you are likely to get into.Browse our Info Center and Bookstore .We have articles and books that will help you learn how to do this.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Need a good file decompressor?One of the best is Aladdin v. 5.1.It is compatible with all these formats: StuffIt ( .sit ), Zip ( .zip ), gzip ( .gz ), ARC ( .arc ), Arj ( .arj ), uuencode ( .uue ), BinHex ( .hqx ), MacBinary ( .bin ), MIME/Base64, and self-extracting StuffIt ( .sea ), Zip, and Arj archives.I think that is about all there are.The expander is free, and for $9.99 you can get the compressor as well.ZDNet gives it five stars and Tucows five cows.Go to the Aladdin site to download it .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Dial-Up Networking

    If you have a modem, you can connect to another computer or to your corporate network by using your phone line. With Dial-Up Networking, you can have access to information on another computer, even if your computer is not on a network. The computer you are dialing in to must be set up as a network server for you to use its shared resources. Both your home computer and the network server must have modems installed.

    To connect to another computer or corporate network, you need to install your modem and then configure the connection. If your modem is already installed, start the New Connection wizard by double-clicking My Computer and then double-clicking Dial-Up Networking .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, February 5th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Don’t let fear of fair housing suits intimidate you into accepting unqualified applicants.Fair housing laws do not require that you accept applicants who do not meet your minimum income and credit standards, propose to move excessive numbers of people into the rental unit, or demand that you make unreasonable accommodations to their disabilities simply because they fall into some “protected class.”Most fear results from ignorance so dispel your fear by becoming knowledgeable about your state and local fair housing laws and the federal statutes.It is not as hard as you might think.Check the articles in the Info Center and contact your local human rights commission for any literature they may have. We now offer an on-line course in the new Learning Center for only $29.99 that will help you deal in this area with confidence.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s site will enable you to determine whether or not your line will support 56K technology.U. S. Robotics offers this test together with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to conduct it .If your downloads seem slow, this test may tell you why.

    COMPUTING TIP:
    To configure other computers on your home network

    1. Ensure that a network adapter is installed on each computer on your home network. If not, see the documentation that came with the adapter to install the hardware.
    2. Make sure that TCP/IP is installed and configured to assign IP addresses automatically on each computer on the home network. 
    3. Configure applications that can connect to the Internet, such as Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, to use your home network instead of connecting directly to the Internet. For more information, see the documentation that came with these applications.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 29th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have had a new roof put on your building you should check the roof vents. Many buildings heated by natural gas, or with natural gas water heaters, exhaust hot fumes through sheet metal roof vents. A roofer can innocently cause these vents, often only loosely connected, to separate, creating a fire hazard as hot fumes are discharged next to flammable materials, or a carbon monoxide poisoning hazard. As many as 7 out of 10 of such connections are disturbed during re-roofing. Check the vents in your building and avoid the risk.

    I NTERNET TIP:

    This week’s site is a fairly comprehensive description of common errors in English usage. People will judge you by how you present your ideas. If you have lost track of your sixth grade teacher, consult Paul Brians’ site . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To set up a printer

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , click Printers , and then double-click Add Printer .

    2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

      If you want to print a test page, first make sure your printer is on and ready to print.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 22th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Rats and mice are not only disgusting, they are dangerous to your tenants and, if not properly managed, to your pocketbook. These disease carriers require professional attention. This week, in an article to be published in the Info Center, Alan Caruba explains why . This one is a must read.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This is a tip to a place to find tips. Actually, Kim Komando’s Favorite Computer Tips, Tricks & Secrets Online is an anthology of her favorite Internet enhancing suggestions. Almost everything here should be useful.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding (win 95,98, and ME)

    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL .
    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task .


    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 15th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You cannot have too much knowledge.  You, the landlord, must know your trade.  There is a reason why we feature all those books in our Info Center and Bookstore . They are, in our opinion, among the best available for a general audience.  Read them, they are easy to order.  A couple of mouse clicks will bring the book you select to your home or office within a few days.  Make a New Year’s resolution to read a book a month.  Soon you will be armed with the information you need to handle almost anything.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are having difficulty connecting, or maintaining a connection, with your favorite Web site, it may be the result of traffic congestion.  The Internet Traffic Report tells you if the problem is local, national, or global.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    Double-click Network Neighborhood, and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.

    1. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.

    2. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, January 8th.


    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are looking for a former tenant who owes you back rent or money for damage to your rental unit, here is a way to find his new address.  Send a demand letter to the last known address you have for the tenant, even if it is the unit you just evicted him from or he just moved out of.  On the face of the envelope, conspicuously mark the words “Address Correction Requested” or “Address Service Requested.”  Then add 50 cents in addition to regular postage.  The USPS will search their records if they have a new address on the individual not only will they forward the letter, they will also send you a post card with his new mailing address.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Gentle visitor, you have gone high-tech and are totally wired to the Internet.  So have the grifters.  Courtesy of the FTC, here are the top ten Internet Dot Cons . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Although not a direct computer tip,     Research It can answer most of your computer related questions. 

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, December 4th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a rental with a fireplace you need to visit this site .Your little luxury tenant-magnet may also be a firetrap.Chimneys will accumulate soot and resins that can burst into flame when heated.Cleaning is essential.Protect your investment by ensuring the fireplace and chimney in your rental are clean and safe.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we have another winner from Kim Komando.This time it is a selection of Holiday gifts for your friends who are cyber-savvy. See the suggestions .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To make a folder look like a Web page

    You can change a folder's background in two ways: by adding a picture or by making it into a Web page.

    1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, open the folder that you want to customize.

    2. On the View menu, click Customize this Folder .

    3. To add a picture to your folder background, click Choose a background picture . In the wizard, you can also select colors for the text and text background in your folder.

      To turn your folder background into an HTML document, click Create or edit an HTML document , and then follow the steps in the wizard to edit the folder template using HTML. For example, you might want to add a line of text explaining the folder contents, or change the font or color of the folder title.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 27th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Your relationship with your tenant is almost entirely determined by what is in your rental agreement.  Your rights and obligations are contained there, with a few extensions arising out of state law.  Take the time to learn what that form you got at the stationery store really means.  See our article “ Mastering Your Rental and Lease Agreements ,” which will help you through all the fine print.  

    INTERNET TIP:

    Here is a neat little free utility from Smartline.  This program will shut down your computer with one mouse click or from a keyboard shortcut.  It can also be set up to terminate non-responding programs automatically, claims Smartline.  Find it here.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To share a folder

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, click the folder you want to share.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties.

    3. Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As.

    4. Click the Access Type you want, and, if necessary, enter a password.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 20th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The telephone can be quite a labor saver as the initial filter in tenant screening.  It can be used to pass through prospects that are apparently qualified and to eliminate those who, for whatever reason, obviously are not, which is a good thing for all parties.  To use the telephone to its best advantage read these articles in our Info Center:  “ The Advantages of Telephonic Tenant Screening ,” and “ The Art of Screening Prospective Tenants by Telephone .” 

    INTERNET TIP:

    How secure is your PC?  If you conduct landlording or other business over your PC, its innoculation with a virus or invasion by a hacker could be a disaster.  This page from Symantec can help you see how vulnerable you are. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood , and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.

    2. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.

    3. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 6th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The EPA has promulgated new rules on lead based paint that may impact many landlords.  Get the latest from our newly updated article Lead Based Paint – the Law and Landlords.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Plumbing probably consumes more of the landlord’s maintenance attention than any other single building system.  Of the plumbing, the toilet seems to be the most troublesome appliance.  Have you ever wondered about the evolution of the modern toilet?  Probably not, but even if you haven’t, spend a few minutes with this serious but easily read exposition of this topic by Bindeswar Pathak, Ph.D., D.Litt., presented to the International Symposium on Public Toilets.  This tip was suggested by Kim Komando’s site. When you are done, browse the rest of the www.plumbingsupply.com site as well.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, November 6th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We strongly advocate that landlords keep their rent at or as near market levels as possible.  This means staying on top of things and getting out your annual rent increases out promptly.  In California, however, rents have been spiraling upward at unusually high rates, reflecting the increasing price of real estate generally.  This has led several property owner associations and real estate commentators to advocate that landlords give 60 days notice of their rent increases rather than the 30 days mandated by state law.  Gov. Davis has just signed a bill into law requiring 60 days notice on rent increases in excess of 10% for over the previous 12 months.  Actually, giving 60 days notice is not a bad idea.  It gives the tenant extra time to do two things.  First, he can look around and see that your rent increase is not excessive and merely reflects what the market is doing.  Second, he will have time to revise his life style and gear up to pay the increase.  We do not suggest having the increase take effect 30 days later than it otherwise would have done.  We suggest giving the notice 30 days sooner than you would have done otherwise.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week we feature the Navas Cable Modem/DSL Tuning Guide™.  This is a thorough site containing everything you need to know about your DSL or cable modem connection and how to test it and tweak it for better performance.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a shared network printer

    1. Double-click Network Neighborhood , and then locate the computer with the printer you want to use.
    2. Click the computer with the printer you want, and then click the printer icon.
    3. To set up the printer, follow the instructions on the screen.

    For week beginning on 
    Monday, October 23rd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This tip came from TipWorld and is a bit of advice about focus and concentration about what you do as a self employed landlord.  Suppose yourself to be on a descending elevator that stops at the fifth floor and admits a friend you have not seen in a number of years.  He asks what you do.  If you cannot supply a complete and coherent answer by the time the elevator arrives at the ground floor, you need to rethink what you do.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have just gotten a digital camera, or are thinking of getting one, then Mediachance.com is a must see site.  This site offers a number of free programs, tools, that you can use to enhance and manipulate your pictures.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using shortcut keys in Windows

    To Press
    Activate the menu bar in programs F10
    Carry out the corresponding command on the menu ALT+ underlined letter in menu
    Close the current window in multiple document interface (MDI) programs. CTRL+F4
    Close the current window or quit a program ALT+F4
    Copy CTRL+C
    Cut CTRL+X
    Delete DELETE
    Display Help on the selected dialog box item F1
    Display the current window’s system menu ALT+SPACEBAR
    Display the shortcut menu for the selected item SHIFT+F10
    Display the Start menu CTRL+ESC
    Display the system menu for MDI programs ALT+HYPHEN (-)
    Paste CTRL+V
    Switch to the window you last used

    -Or-

    Switch to another window by holding down ALT while repeatedly pressing TAB

    		ALT+TAB
    Undo CTRL+Z

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 16th.

    LANDLORDING TIP

         At the beginning of each year, I make copies of the rent checks received from my tenants and keep them in their lease file for future reference. I make note of any name/telephone number change as well as bank change. If I ever have to get a judgment against the tenant, this banking information is very useful for my collection efforts.

    Wallace S. Gibson CPM*PPM
    GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Halloween is coming up, and just for fun we thought you might like to check out a site that will tell you everything you need to know about Jack-O-Lanterns.  This site includes history, tips, techniques, patterns, and more stuff, all of which will give new ideas to make the best one on the block.

    COMPUTER TIP

    To create a folder

    1. Click the drive in Windows Explorer where you want to create the new folder.
    2. On the File menu, point to New , and then click Folder .

      The new folder appears with a temporary name.

    3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 9th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Once you have acquired several rental units, you may find that the work involved in dealing with your tenants’ and properties’ needs is interfering with your day job.  If the income from your properties is not lucrative enough to justify going to landlording as a full time endeavor, consider employing a property management firm, or a Realtor® who is also a Certified Property Manager to take over for you.  These are serious professionals who know what they are doing and can be much more efficient at the job than you are, both because of their experience and their connections with vendors and tradesmen.  They make their money by taking a modest commission, which varies according to the custom in the area, on actual collections.  Select one who is established in your area, verify him to be insured, and make sure the management contract and all aspects of compensation are in writing.  By the way, if you do this do not retire your bookmark to Landlord.com.  You still need to keep up with things on our site so you can evaluate your property manager’s performance and understand why he recommends that you do or not do things.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Halloween is coming up, and just for fun we thought you might like to check out a site that will tell you everything you need to know about Jack-O-Lanterns.  This site includes history, tips, techniques, patterns, and more stuff, all of which will give new ideas to make the best one on the block.  Find it at http://www.jack-o-lantern.com/ .   This tip is courtesy of Kim Komando at http://www.komando.com/ . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use a printer that is not currently connected

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .
    2. Click the icon for the printer to which you want to print.
    3. On the Printer menu, click Use Printer Offline .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, October 2nd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    When you have a vacancy you want it to be exposed to the maximum number of potential new applicants as possible in the shortest possible time.  This accomplishes two things.  First, it ensures that you will re-rent your unit as soon as possible.  Second, it presents your unit to enough prospects to assure you are accessing a representative segment of the market, and so obtaining the best possible rent.  See our new sections on filling your vacancy, which can give you exposure both in the Internet and traditional market places simultaneously.

    INTERNET TIP:

    HUD on-line maps provide information about HUD projects in your community.  Several categories of maps allow you a choice of HUD program data to view.  Within these categories, you may choose from a variety of maps that provide detailed information about HUD funding.  Map location can be scaled from regional to neighborhood level.  If this is of interest to you, check it out .

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To connect to another computer on your network

    On your desktop, double-click Network Neighborhood , and then double-click the computer you want.

    If you don't see the computer you want, double-click Entire Network .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, September 25th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you have a low slope (flat) roof, then you should read this outline from Eggsystems.com .It tells how to inspect and maintain such a roof so as to avoid the leaks and other headaches that can go with it.A built up low slope roof can last for up to 100 years, but not if you neglect it.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This site is extremely cool.It is called Globexplorer.com.It enables you to zoom in on any address in the US and view it on a satellite photo.View your rental properties from a new perspective.If you get a letter on impressive looking stationery, zoom in on the address and see if the company is really in a prestige building or in a shack on the edge of a cow pasture. Must see .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To use advanced search methods

    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Files or Folders .

    2. Click Date to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates.

      Or, click Advanced to look for files of a specific type or size.

    3. Click Find Now .

    Tip Of The Week
    Monday, September 18th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    It is generally a poor idea to quote statutes or other laws in your rental agreement, but sometimes it is a good idea to refer to them.  One example is the right of the landlord to have access to the rental unit.  All of the states deal with this issue either by statute or local ordinance or in their common law.  Quoting the law is not a good idea because if the law changes, the provision of your rental agreement quoting it might be held to be invalid.  On the other hand, you want something in there so that if your tenant wrongfully refuses you access you can evict him for a breach of the rental agreement if you think it necessary.  Try a clause that reads:  “Tenant(s) shall allow Landlord(s) and his agents or others access to the demised premises as permitted by law.”  Failure to do so then becomes a breach of the rental agreement.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Internet auctions are all the rage, but can be daunting to the novice.  If you have ever considered looking for something that might be up for auction on the Net, or offering something because you would rather have the cash, look at Kim Komando’s comprehensive auctions page .  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .
    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    Remember: Changing the printer properties will change them for all documents you print on this printer. To change these settings for one document, click the File menu in your program, and then click Page Setup or Print Setup .

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is on minding your own business.  If you permit multiple roommates to occupy one of your rental units, it is certain that at some time, and probably more than one, there will be friction between them.  Never permit yourself to become part of the negotiation of a “roommate agreement” or to be seen as a kind of super-arbitrator to whom the roommates can bring their disputes.  Never put yourself into the position of an enforcer of their agreements on how the rental unit and the duties surrounding it will be managed.  Make it clear that your sole interest is that the unit be maintained and that the tenants perform their obligations under the rental agreement they have with you faithfully, just as you will perform your obligations to them.  Impress on them that each of them will be held responsible in full for each of the obligations of tenancy.  Then, leave the rest to them.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Babylon is a collection of over 600 glossaries of terms used in various industries and disciplines.  It can be downloaded to your hard drive and consulted any time you come across a term of art.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Win 98 - To view a list of documents waiting to be printed

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .
    2. Click the icon for the printer you want to look at. The print queue with all the print jobs listed appears.

    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, September 4th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This is more a tip for landlords than a landlording tip.  Our visitors are, of course, highly cyber-savvy.  So how about high speed wireless connectivity for home or small office?  Check out the line of products from ORiNOCO (Lucent).  

    INTERNET TIP:

    What interests landlords more than real estate?  What do landlords put on real estate? Buildings, of course.  This site, The Great Buildings Collection , contains who knows how many buildings, places, and architects, modern and historical, that will provide many hours of fun and instruction.  A search engine is included.  [Link to: http://www.greatbuildings.com/ ]

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using WebTV for Windows

    Using WebTV for Windows, your computer can display both standard and interactive television broadcasts.

    With a TV tuner card, you can receive:

    • Standard television broadcasts.

    • Interactive television broadcasts.

    • Internet content and other data delivered over broadcast networks.

    With an Internet connection but no TV tuner card, you can receive:

    • TV program listings downloaded from a Web site and displayed in the WebTV for Windows on-screen Program Guide.

    If you have an internal corporate network connection but no TV tuner card or internet connection, your computer can still receive video and other information delivered over corporate networks.

    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, August 28.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    This week’s tip is about using the fax machine.  Whenever you send a fax in business ensure you list each and every document you are sending and the number of pages on the cover sheet.  Be sure to include a request that the receiving party fax back immediately if all items were not successfully received.  You can prepare a form for yourself on your word processor.  The cover sheet serves as a record of what you intended to send, and a lack of response implies everything was received.  This should be archived.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you have occasion to travel quite a bit, and pick people up at the airport, you will appreciate this site.  It is the Air Traffic Control System Command Center and it tracks the latest information on flight delays.  It also provides a lot of other interesting information about the traffic control system.  [Link to: http://www.solinas.com/reports/thisweek.html ]

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using shortcut keys for My Computer and Windows Explorer

    To Press
    Close the selected folder and all of its parent folders SHIFT while clicking the Close button
    ( My Computer only)
    Move backward to a previous view ALT+LEFT ARROW
    Move forward to a previous view ALT+RIGHT ARROW
    View the folder one level up BACKSPACE

    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, August 21.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Many who seek medical help for flu symptoms are found to be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide is an insidious killer.  It is odorless and tasteless.  There is no physical warning to the victim short of the flu-like symptoms that arise in the earliest stages of the poisoning.  Carbon monoxide bonds to red blood cells as oxygen does, only more tightly and more readily, smothering the victim as the oxygen that those cells were meant to carry through the body is crowded out.  Now, as we head into fall and winter, is the time to arrange to have the furnace and vents tuned and cleaned, and to ensure that the carbon monoxide detectors in your unit are operable.  If there are none, consider installing them.

    INTERNET TIP:

    When searching the Web for occurrences of a word or set of words, your browser will pull up all the pages it can find that contain that search parameter.  The problem is that the browser will not show you the actual occurrences of the text itself.  For this reason you may have to spend a lot of time searching through the page you have been referred to in order to find the reference you want.  Hilitext is a very small download that will highlight the occurrences of the text you are looking for within each page your browser has found, saving you a good deal of time.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To synchronize files by using a disk

    1. Insert a disk into a disk drive on your main computer.

    2. Copy files to My Briefcase .

    3. Drag the My Briefcase icon to the disk.
      The contents of My Briefcase are copied to the disk.

    4. Insert the disk into a disk drive on your portable or laptop computer, and then edit the files in My Briefcase .

    5. When you are ready to synchronize the files, reinsert the disk containing My Briefcase into a disk drive on your main computer, and then double-click My Briefcase .

    6. On the Briefcase menu, click Update All .
      Or, to update only some files, click the files you want to update, and then click Update Selection .

    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, August 14.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do not let the name of this site put you off.  How Stuff Works has articles on hundreds of things from toilets to cell phones to computers and on and on.  Each gives a thumbnail sketch and valuable information that will make you a better consumer of goods and services, including a great many you will use in connection with your landlording business.  If you think your rental may need a new water heater, this site will enable you to get a lot of information about how the water heater works, it will let you do it in a few mouse clicks, and put you in a much better position to discuss the problem with your plumber and understand what he is trying to tell you.  

    INTERNET TIP:

    As we have mentioned in the Landlord Daily, the FBI has a new eavesdropping scheme they call “ Carnivore .”  It has the capability of intercepting huge quantities of innocent email and a huge potential for abuse.  If this concerns you, check out this site from the ACLU.  We are not always on the same page with them, but in this case they are right on.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    Note

    • Changing the printer properties will change them for all documents you print on this printer. To change these settings for one document, click the File menu in your program, and then click Page Setup or Print Setup .

    Tip Of The Week
         Monday, August 7.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Landlords do a notoriously lousy job of sharing information and ideas about local laws and regulations.  Local property owners or apartment associations can be a fairly good source of some information, but it rarely goes into detail.  If you live in a jurisdiction with a rent or eviction control ordinance or special local ordinances dealing with security deposits or other characteristics of the tenancy or rental unit, do not overlook local tenant rights organizations.  Such ordinances usually exist because of the local tenant rights organization, and these organizations typically put out generous quantities of brochures and pamphlets detailing tenant rights under the local law.  Even though they are written from a tenant’s point of view, they can be a valuable source of information on the landlord’s legal responsibilities.  Many such organizations or on the Web and most of their materials can be found there, or you can get a friend to go to their office to pick up printed copies.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s test is courtesy of Kim Komando.  She has put together a page consisting of dozens of the best tests on the Internet.  Check your IQ, career potential, odd knowledge, and many more.  If you enjoy taking tests, quizzes, and surveys try this page . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Windows 98

    To find a file or folder

    1. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
    2. In Named, type all or part of the file name.

      Enter a word or phrase in Containing text if you do not know the name of a file but know a distinctive word or phrase it contains.

      If you want to specify the location to start the search, click Browse.

    3. Click Find Now.

    TIPS OF THE WEEK
    Monday July 31th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do not trash your “out of date” business records.Your records are never out of date.Most companies destroy their records because of their large volume and the cost of the space to store them.Most landlords do not really have this problem.Statutes of limitation do ultimately expire, but courts can, for a variety of reasons, find ways to extend them or declare that they have not yet started to run.Keep your records so you will be prepared to respond to claims no matter how far down the road they come up.See our article, “ Records... HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH? ” in the Info Center.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The WebFerret from Ferretsoft is one of the more powerful search engines available, and it is free to download.Find it, together with a complete description and installation instructions, here .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To synchronize files by using a disk

    1. Insert a disk into a disk drive on your main computer.
    2. Copy files to My Briefcase .
    3. Drag the My Briefcase icon to the disk.
      The contents of My Briefcase are copied to the disk.
    4. Insert the disk into a disk drive on your portable or laptop computer, and then edit the files in My Briefcase .
    5. When you are ready to synchronize the files, reinsert the disk containing My Briefcase into a disk drive on your main computer, and then double-click My Briefcase .
    6. On the Briefcase menu, click Update All .
      Or, to update only some files, click the files you want to update, and then click Update Selection .

    TIP OF THE WEEK
    Monday July 24th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Pay attention to what is written on your rent checks beyond the payee, amount, and signature.  In most states, monthly rents in a month to month tenancy situation are considered separate debts.  This is different from the monthly rental payments in fixed term leases, which are considered installments of the total rent for the term.  Debtors are generally permitted to direct payment to a specific debt if they owe more than one.  Read the memo line on the check.  This is where payment may be directed.  If you are on a month to month, and a tenant gives you a check specifying “June rent” on the memo line, be sure you credit it to June rent.  Do similarly if the tenant directs payment with a separate note or letter.  Do not credit it to a past missed rental installment or to a late charge unless you are certain your state law allows this.  Misdirected payments can invalidate eviction notices for non-payment of rent or other contractual obligations.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This one is for landlords with kids, or kids who visit.  There is growing concern that even children who are not actively seeking to link up with salacious web sites may inadvertently find one.  Search engines aren’t all that smart.  This page minimizes that chance.  The search tools included here contain no links to pornographic or “adult” sites, it is claimed. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding

    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.

    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task.

    You can also shut down your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and then clicking Shut Down in the Close Program dialog box.

    TIPS OF THE WEEK
    Monday July 17th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do you know that there are two huge resources on this site you may be missing, and that whether they cost you anything is entirely up to you?  The first is the Bookstore.  We like to think of our site as being pretty thorough, but we also knew when we launched that it was not an island.  We went through hundreds of book titles and picked what we thought were the very best suited to landlords.  We then selected a seller that would not only get them for you at the best price, but was easy and convenient to use, Amazon.com.  Visit our bookstore now and use the products there to increase your landlording IQ.  [Link to:  Bookstore]  The second is our advertisers.  While we cannot “screen” our advertisers, in the sense that Consumer Reports screens and evaluates consumer products, we do strive to provide a mix of advertisers that will provide products and services that are likely to be of use to landlords.  Take a moment to click on the ads.  Every one of them represents a resource that might be handy, if not now, then maybe later.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This one is strictly for fun.  Not sure if that last “fact” that you heard on TV, the radio, or a friend isn’t really fiction? an urban legend?  This site, the Urban Legends Reference Pages will help you find out.  Lots of fun and loads of information arranged by subject.   Unfortunately, it does have annoying background music, but you can easily cut that out if it bothers you.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Microsoft Personal Web Server to publish and share Web pages

    Microsoft Personal Web Server (PWS) 4.0 is a desktop Web server. If you are connected to an intranet, or a corporate network, you can share documents with your coworkers from your own computer. Use PWS to develop and publish your personal home page. You can also test your Web site before you upload it to an Internet service provider.

    TIPS OF THE WEEK
    Monday July 10th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Do not sleep on your rights.If your tenant is not paying rent, do not let him go on, month after month, even if he makes partial payments, creating a growing balance of outstanding rent.Since rent is about the last thing people stop paying, the chance of your ever collecting it, or collecting it in a reasonable time, is pretty small, even if you ultimately get a judgment for it.Even in a slow rental market, you are better off with a vacancy than with an occupied unit with a non-paying tenant.That non-paying tenant puts a heavy crimp in your style if you try to show the unit to such prospective tenants as may be out there, and they will probably be shy of committing to a rental unit that will not be ready for near immediate occupancy.Which would you rather have, an occupied apartment that generates no rent and will probably necessitate an eviction, or an unoccupied apartment that generates no rent but is ready for immediate occupancy?

    INTERNET TIP:

    Nowadays even stay-at-homes can travel virtually on the Internet.You might need to know what time it is in Martinique or Addis Ababa, or you might only be curious.If so, World Time Server is for you.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To control access to a folder or printer

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the shared folder or printer to which you want to limit access.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties .

    3. Click the Sharing tab.

    4. If you are using user-level access control, click Add to specify the people with whom you want to share the printer or folder.

      If you are using share-level access control, type the password you want to use for the folder or printer.

    TIPS OF THE WEEK
    Monday July 3rd.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Get active.About 98% of all stupid laws are enacted by City Councils and County Boards of Supervisors with too much time on their hands.It’s not so much that they do it in secret, as that they do not make much of an effort to inform the public of what they are doing.Most silly ordinances governing everything from security deposits to rent rates, building “standards” and front door locks take the landlord community by surprise.Get your City and County Clerks to send you the weekly agenda and keep track of what is going on.When your local lawmakers take up something really dumb, show up at the meeting and bring your friends, and let people know what is going on.The best way to deal with bad laws is to prevent them from going into effect in the first place.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Statistically, 15% of you are left-handed.If you are a lefty, then you know that mice are designed for righties.You can get mice that are ergonomically designed for southpaws, but the buttons still will not line up correctly.The most frequently used button, the left click, will not be under your index finger as it should be.Not to worry.Do the following in Windows, courtesy of Kim Komando:

    1. Click the Start button.

    2. Choose Settings + Control Panel.

    3. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Mouse icon.

    4. IF YOU HAVE A BUTTONS TAB, click it; under Button Configuration, select Left-handed and click OK.

    IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BUTTONS TAB, click the Basics tab; under Button Selection, select Right or Upper and click OK.

    This should make your Internet surfing easier.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using shortcut keys for the desktop, My Computer, and Windows Explorer

    When an item is selected, you can use the following shortcut keys:

    To

    Press

    Bypass AutoPlay when inserting a compact disc

    SHIFT while inserting the CD-ROM

    Copy a file

    CTRL while dragging the file

    Create a shortcut

    CTRL + SHIFT while dragging the file

    Delete an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

    SHIFT+DELETE

    Display Find: All Files

    F3

    Display the item’s shortcut menu

    APPLICATION key

    Refresh the contents of a window

    F5

    Rename an item

    F2

    Select all items

    CTRL + A

    View an item’s properties

    ALT+ENTER or ALT+DOUBLE-CLICK

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, June 12th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    The average American is bombarded with over 3000 marketing messages per day.  Not even Donald Trump buys 3000 things per day.  This means that the average American ignores over 3000 marketing messages per day.  If you are marketing your rental units, you need to do it in such a way as to minimize the “factor of imperviousness”.  The pros know that realism sells.  Slick marketing is an obstacle to sales.  Advertise your rentals realistically and practically, and look for our upcoming feature on marketing your rental unit.  What could you do today to make your marketing effort more down to earth, more real?

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you like to surf the Net and download stuff, then you will like Aladdin Expander 5.0 decompression tools for Windows 9x/NT4.  Aladdin Expander 5.0 is the only Windows decompression tool that gives access to all StuffIt® and Zip compressed files.  It provides quick and easy file access, regardless of the platform it was created on, its origin, or how it was transmitted.  Aladdin Expander offers 32-bit, long file name support and is Windows 95/98/NT 4.0 compatible.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Finding the information you want

    You can find information on the Web in a variety of ways.
    • Click the Search button on the toolbar to gain access to a number of search providers. Type a word or phrase in the Search box.
    • Type go , find , or ? followed by a word or phrase in the Address bar. Internet Explorer starts a search using its predetermined search provider.
    • After you go to a Web page, you can search for specific text on that page by clicking the Edit menu and then clicking Find (on this page).

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, June 5th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    You can never have too much prestige in business.  Even if you only own one rental unit, you should have letterhead and business cards.  It is no longer necessary to go to a printer and have an expensive letterhead set up and printed for you.  You can use the fonts available in your word processor to set up a template for all your correspondence having to do with your landlording ideas.  You can take it a step further and ad a tasteful bit of clip art from any one of the programs now available.  Business cards are cheap, and 1000 of them will last the small landlord a long time.

    Be sure to include your name, address, voice and fax numbers, and email address.  If you are operating from your home and do not give out the address, your P.O. Box will do.  You can even add a touch and use a business name.  Most states will allow you to use any name you like as long as it is not fictitious and includes your full surname without having to register and publish it.  For example, if your name is “John Doe,” you could call yourself “John Doe Properties.”

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip is for fun and amazement.  No eye candy but full of amazing stuff and some links.  It is a listing of the weirdest stuff ever sold in vending machines, everything from beetles to emu jerky to inflatable sex dolls to holy water, something for everybody.  This is courtesy Kim Komando.  [

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Managing power on your computer

    Using power management, you can reduce the power consumption of any number of your computer devices or of your entire system. You do this by choosing a power scheme, which is a collection of settings that manages the power usage by your computer.

    You can also adjust the individual settings in a power scheme. For example, depending on your hardware, you can:

    • Turn off your monitor and hard disks automatically to save power.

    • Put the computer on standby when it is idle. While on standby, your monitor and hard disks turn off, and your computer uses less power. When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly, and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Standby is particularly useful for conserving battery power in portable computers.

    • Put your computer in hibernation. The hibernate feature turns off your monitor and hard disk, saves everything in memory on disk, and turns off your computer. When you restart your computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. It takes longer to bring your computer out of hibernation than out of standby.

    Typically, you turn off your monitor or hard disk for a short period to conserve power. If you plan to be away from your computer for a while, you put your computer on standby, which puts your entire system in a low-power state.

    You would put your computer in hibernation when you’ll be away from the computer for an extended time or overnight. When you restart the computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it.

    To use power management, you must have a computer that is set up by the manufacturer to support these features. For more information, see your computer documentation.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, May 29.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    A great many landlords operate their landlording business from their homes, perhaps from a spare bedroom converted into an office.  The American Association of Home-Based Businesses offers the Taking Care of Business (TCB) news letter, which you can order at their web site for a nominal charge.  These offer suggestions on a wide variety of topics of interest.  

    INTERNET TIP:

    CatchUp is freeware that will automatically scan your computer for all installed programs and the operating system, then advise you of the latest patches and upgrades and where to find them.  It will also, if you ask it, scan your computer for security vulnerabilities and tell you how to fix them.  It is free.  

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Dial-Up Networking

    If you have a modem, you can connect to another computer or to your corporate network by using your phone line. With Dial-Up Networking, you can have access to information on another computer, even if your computer is not on a network. The computer you are dialing in to must be set up as a network server for you to use its shared resources. Both your home computer and the network server must have modems installed.

    To connect to another computer or corporate network, you need to install your modem and then configure the connection. If your modem is already installed, start the New Connection wizard by double-clicking My Computer and then double-clicking Dial-Up Networking.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, May 22th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Keeping piles of paper does not necessarily show you are successful or meticulous.  A while back Accountemps of Menlo Park, California, claimed they did a study that showed that the average executive spent as much as five weeks per year searching for missing or lost stuff.  If you keep everything you will find nothing.  Keep papers only if there is no other way to get the information later if you need it.  Then file the ones you need to keep, according to some rational system you will remember six months from now.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Given the apparent trends to circulate email viruses that attack your address book and then attempt to replicate themselves and resend themselves to others, users of Microsoft Outlook should be interested in this.  This update will not permit a computer program to access the address book or send an email unless you specifically authorize it.  Get the Outlook Email Security Update at http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/ .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, May 15th.

    LANDLORDING TIP :

    Do you think that resident retention is unimportant?  This is what Mindy Williams has to say in 2340 Sales, Marketing & Retention Tips, Rent & Retain Systems, 1999, p. 85.  “It’s seven times more expensive to find a new resident than it is to keep your current ones.  70% of customers are lost due to lack of personal contact.  Between 65% to 70% of apartments are turned over each year.  Average turnover cost is $1300 - $1500 per home.”  See our article on tenant retention in the Info Center.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This week’s tip is for fun.  The owners of this site post the most outrageous, silly, and down right unbelievable lawsuits going on out there.  They claim that all stories are true, and offer sources for them.  See Outrageous Lawsuits, at http://www.wwlia.org/lawsuit.htm .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To control access to a folder or printer

    1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer , click the shared folder or printer to which you want to limit access.

    2. On the File menu, click Properties .

    3. Click the Sharing tab.

    4. If you are using user-level access control, click Add to specify the people with whom you want to share the printer or folder.

      If you are using share-level access control, type the password you want to use for the folder or printer.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, May 8th.

    LANDLORDING TIP

    Does the outgoing message on your answering machine contain everything it should?The outgoing message should contain, as briefly as possible, as many of the following as apply to your rental units:a quick description of your units, the address or addresses, directions, fax number, web site or email, special offers if you have vacancies (e.g., free microwave), times you will return calls, an emergency maintenance number.

    INTERNET TIP

    Alta Vista has premiered a new search engine they call Raging Search.It is said to be quite good.Audition it at http://www.raging.com/ .

    COMPUTING TIP

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    Note

    • Changing the printer properties will change them for all documents you print on this printer. To change these settings for one document, click the File menu in your program, and then click Page Setup or Print Setup .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, May 1st.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Wonder how to write a letter?When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister ofa prostrate Britain and was fighting to stop Hitler, one if his first decrees forbade any memorandum that exceeded one side of one sheet of paper.Restrict your letters to one subject, on one sheet of paper, and eschew surplusage.Business letters are not for chit-chat.

    INTERNET TIP:

    For visitors whose hard drive is getting crowded, here is a hard drive manager that allows you to move duplicate files to the recycle bin, or to take selected files and compress them, to increase available hard drive space.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To change printer settings

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Printers .

    2. Right-click the icon for the printer you are using, and then click Properties .

      The settings you can change depend on the type of printer you have. Click the different tabs to see all of the options you can set.

    Note

    • Changing the printer properties will change them for all documents you print on this printer. To change these settings for one document, click the File menu in your program, and then click Page Setup or Print Setup .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, April 24th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Prepare a move in packet for your new tenants.This may be simple or elaborate as you choose.It might consist of one of those inexpensive but attractive cardboard portfolios available from office supply stores.Put a complete copy, including copies of signatures, of the rental agreement, house rules and any addenda in the left pocket.Then in the right pocket a sheet with frequently called telephone numbers and addresses, such as the resident manager, police and fire departments (both the emergency and non-emergency numbers), public transit companies or agencies, phone and power company numbers, and so on.Insert brochures from some local businesses like dry cleaners, sandwich shops, etc.Arrange to drop this by on move in day, perhaps with a key chain with your logo and phone number on it.Most of this information your tenant might already have obtained, but it is amazing how much is lost when moving, and having it all ready to hand in one neat package will be greatly appreciated, while costing you next to nothing.And be sure to check in tomorrow to get the second part of “Keeping Tenants Longer.”

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you want faster downloads, especially if you are still stuck with a dial-up account, you will want to try Flash Get .This browser add-on breaks up the file to be downloaded into several parts and transmits them simultaneously.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To add a program to the Start or Programs menu

    1. Click Start , point to Settings , and then click Taskbar & Start Menu .
    2. Click the Start Menu Programs tab.
    3. Click Add , and then click Browse .
    4. Locate the program you want to add, and then click it.
    5. Click Next , and then double-click the menu on which you want the program to appear.
    6. Type the name that you want to see on the menu, and then click Finish .
    7. If Windows prompts you to choose an icon, click one, and then click Finish .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, April 17th..

    LANDLORDING TIP

    We are half way through April, which means schools will be letting out only six weeks from now, ushering in moving season. Now is the time to do two things. First, brush up on screening techniques and resources so you can properly qualify the new prospects you will undoubtedly be getting then. Be sure to take the time to read our articles under Resident Screening for practical help. Second, figure ways to avoid move outs and the expense of filling vacancies. Starting April 18 we will be releasing a two part article on realistic and non-gimmicky ways to improve tenant retention. Look for the announcement in Site News.

    INTERNET TIP:

    All of us have to live with the government, but making sense of the hodge-podge of agencies, state, county, and local, can be a real pain, particularly if you try to do it with a telephone and government numbers directory. There is a site that makes it their business to give links to state, county, and local government agencies, boards, and commissions that have a web presence. This one can be a real time saver . 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To remove unneeded files on Win 98

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, April 10th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Readers of the Landlord Daily will remember the story we ran last week about the three landlords in Cicero stung by a HUD housing discrimination suit.Now is as good a time as any for landlords to brush up on Federal fair housing requirements and their individual state fair housing regulations.Read our articles in the Resident Screening section of the site at quality_tenant_screening.htm. Then, contact a local apartment association, which you can locate in the Apt. Associations section at assoc_main.htm for a referral to a local governmental agency that can provide you with information on the state and local laws and regulations.Don’t forget the Fair Credit Reporting Act, because it has provisions you must comply with whether you run credit reports on your prospects or not.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Curious about the actual speed of your Internet connection today?You can find out simply by calling up this site .They will do a test to establish the actual speed of your connection.Some FAQs help to explain why that 56K modem never seems to connect at 56K.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To install a Plug and Play device

    1. Turn off your computer.

    2. Connect the device to your computer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

    3. Turn on your computer and start Windows. Windows will automatically detect the new Plug and Play device and install the necessary software.

    Extra

    • If Windows does not detect a new Plug and Play device, then the device itself is not working properly, is not installed correctly, or is not installed at all. Do not use the Add New Hardware wizard. The Add New Hardware wizard cannot solve any of the problems noted here.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, April 3th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Take a minute to read that printed form rental agreement you have been using for years.The “fine print” is just as binding on you as the major items.If you have trouble understanding what some of these things mean and are designed to do, and want some suggestions on alternatives, print out a copy of our article Mastering Your Rental and Lease Agreements and use it as a guide and glossary.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are tired of getting spammed and want to filter out undesired e-mail, one of the best products is also free.Check Brightmail .

    COMPUTING TIP:

    To see what's on your computer

    1. Double-click My Computer .

    2. Double-click the icon of the drive you want to see.

      Windows displays the files and folders on the drive. Folders can contain files, programs, and other folders.

    3. To open a file or folder, or to start a program, double-click it.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    We have earlier suggested that this is the time to increase the curb appeal of your buildings to help retain and attract good tenants.One of the cheapest ways to do this is with paint.If you plan to do it yourself and do not have professional experience, read this neat little article on how to improve the quality of your work and extend the paint’s life.

    INTERNET TIP:

    April Fool’s Day is nearly here.Chose from four e-cards you can personalize and send to friends and associates.OK, it’s a bit corny, but it’s also fun and free.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Making pages available for offline viewing

    When you make a Web page available offline, you can read its content when your computer is not connected to the Internet. For example, you can view Web pages on your laptop computer when you don't have a network or Internet connection. Or you might want to read Web pages at home but do not want to tie up a phone line.

    You can specify how much content you want available, such as just a page or a page and all its links, and choose how you want to update that content on your computer.

    If you just want to view a Web page offline, and you don't need to update the content, you can save the page on your computer. There are several ways you can save the Web page, from just saving the text, to saving all of the images and text needed to display that page as it appears on the Web.

    To make the current Web page available offline

    1. On the Favorites menu, click Add to Favorites .

    2. Select the Make available offline check box.

    3. To specify a schedule for updating that page, and how much content to download, click Customize .

    4. Follow the instructions on your screen.

    Tips of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, March 13th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Spring is here and summer is not far behind.  School years will be ending and people will be thinking of moving.  If you want to retain the tenants you have and fill vacancies fast, now is the time to give some consideration to the “curb appeal” of your building.  A quick face lift and a bit of landscaping is not costly and will make your residents proud to invite friends to visit.  This will give them a reason to stay or move in.  To get a better picture of what the front of your building looks like, go across the street and look at it in a mirror.  The new perspective may be quite revealing.

    INTERNET TIP:

    Free long distance audio visual calling on the Internet is here.  Visitalk is offering a free headset with a boom mic if you sign up before the end of the month. 

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Using Disk Defragmenter to speed up access to your hard disk

    You can use Disk Defragmenter to rearrange files and unused space on your hard disk so that programs run faster.

    To Use Disk Defragmenter

    • You can start Disk Defragmenter by clicking Start , pointing to Programs , pointing to Accessories , pointing to System Tools , and then clicking Disk Defragmenter .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, March 13th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Never be in a hurry to rerent your vacant unit or do a special favor for a prospect you feel sorry for.  Landlords typically get into trouble when they are in a hurry to rerent a vacancy.  They should take their time and follow all their screening procedures to ensure the stability of the people they are about to rent to.  A bad tenant can cost two or three months of rent, twelve times the week it may cost to follow up on the information on the application.  The second most frequent cause of landlord pain is doing good for a prospect the landlord feels sorry for.  No matter what is done, sooner or later the landlord must pay for every good deed.  Treat all tenants the same, eschew special deals.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you work at more than one PC, or want to transfer files to others, and need to move large quantities of data, consider Netdrive.com as an alternative to e-mail.  Netdrive is offering 100 megabytes of free space on the Internet that you can access from any computer.  

    COMPUTER TIP:

    VIEWING DISABLED  IMAGES

    To view a specific image after you have disabled the Automatically Load Images option, right-click the image location (a small, square icon appears in its place) and select Show Image. Communicator reloads the page and includes only that image.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, March 6th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Before you show your apartment to prospective tenants, take a little time to remove those indentations furniture leaves in the carpet, at least in the most strategic places, such as entryways, etc.This can be easily done.Lay a damp bath towel over the indentation then press lightly with a warm iron.When the towel is dry, the indentation will be gone.

    INTERNET TIP:

    If you are curious about the World Wide Web’s vital statistics, its size, what has been added in the last 24 hours, how things are being done, then The Censorware Project will tell you everything you ever wanted to know.The numbers are staggering.

    COMPUTING TIP:

    Browse Your Hard Drive From Internet Explorer

    You're browsing the Web in an Internet Explorer window, and suddenly you want to look at something on your hard drive. Do you go back to the desktop and navigate your way there? Sure, if you like to take the long way around. For the most efficient route, try this: Select Go, My Computer (or press Alt-G, C), and there are your local hard drives. Now you can navigate your way to the folder you need, as you would inside any other Explorer window.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, February 28th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are engaging a contractor to do work on your rentals, or your own home for that matter, make sure that he has a current insurance policy in effect and that it is a condition of the contract that it remain in effect throughout the job.Insist that he submit a current certificate of insurance, then CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY to make sure the policy is still in effect before the contractor begins work.The company and policy information necessary to verify coverage will be on the certificate.A certificate issued in July may be obsolete in August.

    INTERNET TIP:

    It is that season of the year.This freeware site offers you a program that allows you to prepare your tax return on-line .TaxACT will allow you to prepare the return and all the schedules, double check it for you in a limited way, and even permit electronic filing for a nominal charge, or by mail.It may not be for everybody, but check it out, it may work for you, and it is free.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To use advanced search methods

    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Files or Folders .

    2. Click Date to look for files that were created or modified on or between specific dates.

      Or, click Advanced to look for files of a specific type or size.

    3. Click Find Now .

    Notes

    • To get a shorter list of files or folders, use both the Date and Advanced tabs.

    • If you specify All Files on the Date tab, all the files on the hard disk are searched according to the specifications on the Name & Location and Advanced tabs.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, February 21st.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Most pros agree that fresh paint and a neat appearance to the front of your building is the cheapest way to assure full occupancy.  How do you know if your building needs some work?  Take some photos of the front of your building, the part that faces the street.  Then look at the photos after they come back from the drug store.  Your eye will trick you when you look at the front of the building, because your brain tells you what you want to see.  A photograph, however, will give you a whole new perspective, and show you your building as prospective residents see it.

    INTERNET TIP:

    All of you greedy landlords out there, we know you want to be billionaires.  Well, you can take a few moments from trodding down the down trodden and despoiling the proletariat for your own unjust enrichment, and dream and drool by visiting the driveways of the rich and famous .  


    COMPUTER TIP:

    To quit a program that is not responding
    1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL .
    2. In the Close Program dialog box, click the program that is not responding, and then click End Task .

    Note

    • You can also shut down your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and then clicking Shut Down in the Close Program dialog box.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, February 14th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Eventually all your tenants will move, or die.  If they move, an often overlooked issue is their mail.  The next resident will not be appreciative of receiving flyers, magazines, and bills intended for the person he has replaced.  You certainly do not want to receive calls asking you to be sure to hold a dividend check for your ex tenant, a check you probably never saw in the first place.  To try to avoid this, stop by the post office some day and pick up a stack of USPS change of address cards.  When your tenant gives his move out notice, give him the cards he needs and remind him to fill them out and send them in.  If your tenant is on-line, refer him to Movecentral.com , which provides a free change of address service on-line. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    Did you know that the Encyclopedia Britannica is now on line?  Not only that, but they update their site with features and links to current events and about everything else to broaden your store of knowledge.  Check them out at http://britannica.com/ .  [Link to: http://britannica.com/ ]

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To remove unneeded files

    1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer .

    2. Right-click the disk you want to free space on, and then click Properties .

    3. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup .

    4. Click the unnecessary files you want to remove.

      You can read a description of each file type in the area under the list.

    5. Click OK .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, February 7th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    Sometimes we all need refreshers.  It should be no mystery why what should be a relationship based on good will, albeit at arms length, can degenerate into class warfare.  It is not just that there are bad tenants, although there are.  There are also bad landlords.  Take a few minutes to check out BAD LANDLORDS:  the resource for renters , for a look at why some of your new tenants may have their fists clenched before they even meet you for the first time. Be sure to look into their forum.

    INTERNET TIP:

    This one is just for fun.  They spent a bizillion dollars producing and airing them, and now they are gone.  We mean those great Super Bowl commercials.  This site has them all, playable on either the Windows or Realplayer media players, both of which are available at the site.  You can also vote for your favorite.  

    COMPUTER TIP:

    To set up a network connection by using Dial-Up Networking

    1. Double-click My Computer , and then double-click Dial-Up Networking .

    2. Follow the instructions on the screen.

    Notes

    • To dial a connection that you have already set up, click its icon in the Dial-Up Networking window.

    • If you have already set up a Dial-Up connection, you can click Make New Connection to create a new connection.

    • After you connect to another computer, you can see files and folders on the remote computer only if the files and folders are shared.

    • If you do not see a Dial-Up Networking folder in My Computer , then the component is not installed. To find out how to install Dial-Up Networking, click Related Topics .

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, January 31st.

    LANDLORDING TIP :

    Are you planning to acquire a new rental and want to know what biohazards are present and who is responsible for them?  Maybe you are just curious about the rental you now have.  Maybe you just want to know why you glow in the dark when you get up in the morning.  It started with lead disclosure and, in some states, requirements for more general disclosures of the presence of dangerous pollutants generally.  Landlords may increasingly be held responsible for offering rental units in hazardous areas.  Scorecard is a site that offers an assessment of biohazards in specific areas of the country by state or zip code.  It can answer a lot of questions about the safety of your present holdings and residence. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    There is an increasing concern with privacy on the net.  If you are one of those concerned, you should review Kim Komando’s Online Privacy Protection Tips .  

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Copying and Moving Files and Folders

    When you create files and folders, you may want to copy or move them to another location. Unless you’re an advanced user, you should avoid moving program and system files.

    To copy or move a file or folder

    1. In a window, select the file or folder you want to copy or move.

      Note You can select multiple items. To select nonadjacent items, hold down CTRL and click the items you want to select. To select adjacent items, hold down SHIFT while you select items. To select all of the items in a window, on the Edit menu, click Select All .

    2. On the Edit menu, click Copy to copy the file, or click Cut to move the file.

    3. Double-click the folder in which you want to place the file or folder.

    4. On the Edit menu, click Paste .

      The file appears in its new location.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday, January 24th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    If you are contemplating new acquisitions in 2000 or selling a property that you have, you should be aware of appraisals, how they are done, why they are done, and what they mean. Review this fine article on the basics of real estate appraisals.

    INTERNET TIP:

    You can never know what to believe and what to disbelieve on the Internet.The Internet has probably been the source of more hoaxes and bits of misinformation repeated as truth than any other publishing medium.There is a web site devoted to helping you separate the gold from the dross. Don’t Spread That Hoax! is a site dedicated to exposing a lot of these hoaxes so you are not taken in and do not spread misinformation.Lots of references and some useful links, too.

    COMPUTER TIP:

    Using shortcut keys for the desktop, My Computer, and Windows Explorer

    When an item is selected, you can use the following shortcut keys:

    To

    Press

    Bypass AutoPlay when inserting a compact disc

    SHIFT while inserting the CD-ROM

    Copy a file

    CTRL while dragging the file

    Create a shortcut

    CTRL + SHIFT while dragging the file

    Delete an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin

    SHIFT+DELETE

    Display Find: All Files

    F3

    Display the item’s shortcut menu

    APPLICATION key

    Refresh the contents of a window

    F5

    Rename an item

    F2

    Select all items

    CTRL + A

    View an item’s properties

    ALT+ENTER or ALT+DOUBLE-CLICK

    You can use the APPLICATION key with a Microsoft Natural Keyboard or any other compatible keyboard that includes the APPLICATION key.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    January 17th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    A friend of mine always used to say “IN-spect what you EX-pect.”What he meant was, “follow up.”This is nothing more than customer service and it is especially necessary in the case of maintenance and repair.When your resident complains of a leaky toilet or broken door lock, make it a point not only to have the problem corrected as soon as possible, follow up by checking to see that the repair has been done right.This can be as simple as a phone call and will do much to convince your resident you are serious about providing high quality housing.

    INTERNET TIP:

    The rumors about free DSL service may be coming true.Broadband Digital Group is up, running, and taking applications for free DSL service slated to begin in April.Check them out here . 

    COMPUTER TIP:

    If you are interested in what is going on inside your gray box, then this is the site for you .It explains, with non-technical words and excellent graphic images, exactly how microprocessors work and how they are made.It is a great site for the kids as well, but go through it before hand so you can maintain your image of omniscience.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    January 10th.

    LANDLORDING TIP:

    So you have a prospect who has a good record with his previous landlords, takes care of the apartments he rents, but has a few blemishes on his credit record that might disqualify him?  Do not overlook the possibility of getting a solvent relative or friend to co-sign for him and guarantee payment.  You should not have the co-signer sign up on the rental agreement, as he may become a tenant.  Instead, use our co-signer form.  This should provide you with just the security you need and you may end up with a jewel of a tenant. 

    INTERNET TIP:

    The Internet is becoming a good resource for loan information, and even for the consummation of loan transactions.  If you are shopping for a mortgage or other loan, try the resources at this site .

    COMPUTER TIP

    To change the appearance of items in a folder

    In My Computer or Windows Explorer, on the View menu, click Large Icons , Small Icons , List , or Details .

    Notes

    • You can point to Arrange Icons on the View menu to sort the items by name, size, date, and type, depending on the view.

    • When you point to a menu command, the status bar at the bottom of the window displays a description of what that command does. On the View menu, you can click Status Bar if the status bar is not visible in your window.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    January 3rd

    LANDLORD TIP

    This is the perfect time to check your properties for fire safety.  You or your employees should inspect the common areas for compliance with fire codes, check the extinguishers, and provide the tenants a reminder to replace the smoke detector batteries.  See our articles in the Info Center for more information         (Apartment Fire Safety) , and be sure to follow the links.

    INTERNET TIP

    Just for fun:  Do you remember the Three Stooges?  If you need a laugh and it’s break time, try     http://www.xmission.com/~rudye/NS.htm with the history of the act, sound files, and more nostalgia and reminiscence than your bad humor can stand.

    COMPUTER TIP

    To start a program from the taskbar

    For an easy way to start frequently used programs, you can put a shortcut to a program in the Quick Launch portion of your taskbar.

    1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, click Toolbars , and then make sure that Quick Launch is selected.

    2. From My Computer or Windows Explorer, drag a program file (a file with an .exe extension) onto the Quick Launch portion of the taskbar.

      The icon for that program is now next to the other Quick Launch icons on the taskbar.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    December 27th.

    LANDLORD TIP

         Never let your tenants do their own maintenance.  Most tenants are not capable of repairing things, nor are they motivated to do so.  Taking care of maintenance yourself through competent people assures your property will not erode due to shoddy work or neglect.  A handyman working for you can make a general assessment of the care the tenant is taking with your property or be on the lookout for unauthorized pets or subtenants, which is valuable information to have.  Even if you only have a few units and do not employ a handyman full time, most will agree to report on general condition.  Finally, maintenance is an important customer service.  If you provide it in a timely, competent, and friendly manner, you will retain your good tenants longer.  The investment in a good, general-purpose handyman for small items, with a trustworthy contractor’s number on the rolodex in reserve, is well worth it.

    INTERNET TIP

         Would you like to hear from the guy who really invented the Internet?  This week’s tip is an interview with Timothy Berners-Lee who first proposed it in Switzerland in 1989.  It is available in both text and audio versions.  

    COMPUTER TIP

    To get the newest drivers using Windows Update

    1. To start Windows Update, click Start , and then click Windows Update .

    2. Follow the instructions on your screen.

    Notes

    • You can also start Windows Update by clicking Start , pointing to Settings , and then clicking Windows Updates .

    • If you have the CD-ROM version of Windows, you can install specific drivers from the Drivers folder on the compact disc.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday December 20th.

    LANDLORD TIP

    Oh, if only we had a dime for every eviction that was botched because of this one.In virtually all jurisdictions, if the date for making a rent payment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the time for payment is extended to the next business day.Next month, January 1 falls on a Saturday and is a holiday in any event.If the rent is due on the first, this means your tenant has through Monday to pay .He will not be in default until Tuesday.If you serve your notice to pay or vacate on Sunday or Monday, your eviction will fail because the rent will not be in default yet.

    INTERNET TIP

    Take the time to download a free audio player from the Internet.There are literally hundreds of radio stations that put their programming on the net and other sources that use the Internet exclusively.Most have archives and many have extensive real estate related programming.With an audio player you can pull up these programs and listen to them whenever you wish.Distance does not matter.You can also get video and audio players of higher quality and with more capabilities for a relatively modest outlay of cash.

    COMPUTER TIP

    Ensure that your toilet paper is Y2K compliant.If you fail to do so, on January 1 it might roll over to 1900 and turn into a Sears catalog.

    Monday December 13th.

    LANDLORD TIP

    If you are going to engage a property management firm, screen them with the same care you would use in screening a prospective tenant.  Check their reputation in the community and get business references.  Ensure you understand the fee structure and exactly what your fees will buy.  Make sure they have professional liability insurance and that if they are going to handle your money, they are bonded or that your money is similarly protected in some way.  When you speak to the owner or his representative, determine whether they are experienced in managing the kind of property you are going to entrust to them.  We will be posting a longer article on this issue soon.

    INTERNET TIP

    Need a map?  No, not a map of downtown, but a world map, or a country map.  National Geographic has released its     Map Machine that will make a map of any are of the globe you are interested in.  It is perfect if there is a student in the house, or just a web surfer who is curious about where things are.  It is unbelievably free.

    Computer Tip

    Updating Your Windows Drivers - Hardware & Software

    To get the newest drivers using Windows Update

    1. To start Windows Update, click Start , and then click Windows Update .

    2. Follow the instructions on your screen.

    Notes

    • You can also start Windows Update by clicking Start , pointing to Settings , and then clicking Windows Updates .

    • If you have the CD-ROM version of Windows, you can install specific drivers from the Drivers folder on the compact disc.

    • You can also install specific drivers with Device Manager.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Monday December 6th.

    LANDLORD TIP

    If you must terminate your tenant’s tenancy on a 30-day notice without cause, wait until the tenant has paid the rent for the month.  That way you will minimize your rent loss.

    INTERNET TIP

    Do you want an instant library of the great works of literature?  Bookmark Carrie: a Full Text Electronic Library . 

    COMPUTER Tip

    To find a file or folder Windows 95/98
    1. Click Start , point to Find , and then click Files or Folders .
    2. In Named , type all or part of the file name.

      Enter a word or phrase in Containing text if you do not know the name of a file but know a distinctive word or phrase it contains.

      If you want to specify the location to start the search, click Browse .

    3. Click Find Now .
    Note
    • If you want the search to be case-sensitive, click the Options menu and make sure a check mark appears next to Case Sensitive . Click to create the check mark; click again to clear it.

    Tip of the Week Archives:
    Monday, November 29th  


    Landlord Tip:

    ACCEPT ONLY ONE TENANT RENT CHECK

    Make your life easier and rent collection more certain by insisting that one check and one check only is submitted for the full amount of the rent.  In a roommate situation, make it clear that each roommate is responsible for the entire rent each month.  Require one payment of the full amount by the due date.  Never accept separate checks from separate tenants.  Not only will this make administration easier, it will prevent one tenant from successfully contending he can remain in a $1000 apartment because he offered his $333 share. Additionally, don’t accept any checks from any one other than the tenant.

    Internet Tip:

    Web Style Guide

    If you have a web site or are planning to build one, this online guide is great. Check it out.

    Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for Creating Web Sites ,     from Yale University. 

    Topics covered:
    Philosophy

    Introduction
    Purpose of the site
    Design strategies

    Interface Design

    Site Design

    Page Design

    Web Graphics

    Web Multimedia and Animation

    Computer Tip:

    Do you know how to change your monitor’s screen resolution?

    Here’s how; some software programs, in order to run properly, require a screen resolution that is different than what yours is currently set. To change you screen resolution, follow these steps:

    1.         Right-click a blank area on the Desktop,

    2.         Click Properties,

    3.         Click the Settings tab,

    4.         Under Screen area, drag the slider to a desired screen resolution.

    Click OK,

    5.         Windows may ask you to reboot. If it does, click Yes.

    Tip of the Week Archives: 
    Starting Monday, November 22 

    Landlord Tip:

    Your deadbeat tenant does not have to get off free.  If he skips on the rent, and you charge it off, you can submit a form 1099 to the IRS showing the debt forgiveness as miscellaneous income.  He will be taxed on it and can deal with their collectors.

    Internet Tip:

    If you are looking for FTP software, upload your web page with WS_FTP Pro — one of the fastest, most powerful Windows file transfer (FTP) clients available.  With WS_FTP Pro, you can connect to any FTP server, browse through directories and files, and transfer files in either direction fast. Check it out first and then buy it if you like it.

    Computer Tip:

         Check Tucows for timely information and the best in freeware and shareware. 

    " Back To Tips of The Week "

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