Excellent customer service is not a “nice to have” in turnkey investing—it’s the foundation. Totally non-negotiable. Your turnkey provider or property management team can excel in virtually every other area, but if they stink at customer service, you’re in for a rough ride!
3 min read
The Foundation for Turnkey Investing Success: Exceptional Customer Service
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Oct 2, 2025
4 min read
Emergency Maintenance Response: What Investors Should Expect from Property Managers
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Sep 25, 2025
Picture this: you're coming home from vacation. After throwing elbows at the airport, suffering through layovers, and paying $40 for a disappointing burger and fries, you're finally home. You unlock the door and step in, luggage in tow.
And you immediately know something is very wrong. A quick look at the thermostat shows that it's 92 degrees Fahrenheit when it should be 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, you can't sleep like this. You're spending your first night home in a hotel.
4 min read
The Real Estate Investor's Quick Guide to 1031 Exchange Rules
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Sep 11, 2025
Real estate investors have a wealth of tax strategies at their disposal. This is one of the primary motivators for investors to choose real estate as their primary asset! We’re here to give you the rundown on one of the most powerful tax-deferral tools at your disposal: The 1031 Exchange.
Summary: A 1031 Exchange defers capital gains taxes through the sale of one investment property and the purchase of another "like-kind" property.
3 min read
5 Rules for Successful Turnkey Investing in Today’s Market
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Jul 31, 2025
In today’s real estate landscape, the rules of the game are evolving. Investors are entering the space with high expectations—and sometimes without the preparation necessary to meet them. I’m seeing it in investor conversations, online forums, and in the hundreds of inquiries we receive each month at REI Nation.
5 min read
This Old (or New) House: What’s the Better Buy-and-Hold Bet?
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Jul 24, 2025
If you’re investing in real estate for the first time, you probably have lots of questions. After all, there are so many options and strategies available. It can be overwhelming! But let’s focus on one of the bigger decisions investors must make: To invest in older properties that require renovation or opt for shiny, brand-new builds.
3 min read
The #1 Skill Every Turnkey Property Manager Should Have
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Jun 5, 2025
We’ve been in this business for a while now. It’s safe to say we’ve seen just about everything the market can throw at real estate investors, from housing market crashes to global pandemic panic. Good times and tougher ones, too.
We’ll let you in on a secret, though: your success in real estate investment rarely has to do with market conditions. It has everything to do with the things you can control. As a turnkey investor, you rely on a team to get the job done. Critical to that team is property management.
And what’s the most essential quality in your property manager? Proactive communication.
A survey shows that, aside from rent costs, the number one most cited reason for rental residents to forgo lease renewal was an unresponsive and ineffective property manager.
Further Reading: Crucial Questions New Investors MUST Ask a Property Management Company
3 min read
5 Ways Out-of-State Real Estate Investing Fast Tracks Early Retirement
By Chris Clothier on Thu, May 22, 2025
Where should you invest in real estate? It’s the age-old question. We can make an excellent case for a few specific markets, but we want to speak more generally here. Real estate investment strategy is often about the slow zoom-in—focusing on general principles that grow in specificity as you move towards your personal pinpoint.
4 min read
Prepare for the Potential Impact of Tariffs on the Real Estate Market
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Apr 17, 2025
Tariffs are likely to have a ripple effect on the real estate market.
4 min read
What Passive Real Estate Investors Must Do Before Scaling Their Portfolio
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Apr 10, 2025
As the Spring buying season kicks off, investors may find themselves with a bit of FOMO, or 'fear of missing out'. After all, property acquisitions are exciting! However, as responsible real estate investors, we understand that scaling one’s portfolio demands a plan.
3 min read
Real Estate Investors, Stop Dreading Tax Season!
By Chris Clothier on Thu, Mar 20, 2025
April 15th is creeping up on us. Many people procrastinate on tax filing (don’t worry, some of us are guilty, too!), but there’s little room for investors to make the same mistake. Dread and procrastination are holding you back in more ways than one.