Property Management Blog

Blog Post Real Life Resident Screening Tools
By Cruise Property Management - Thursday, July 17, 2025

Real Life Resident Screening Tools

When I rented out my 1st rental in 2008, I knew that a solid resident screening is the backbone of a smooth, profitable rental experience. Over the years, I’ve built a reliable toolkit that goes far beyond the basics. This isn’t theory. It’s the system I use eve...
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Blog Post How to Handle Maintenance Emergencies
By Cruise Property Management - Monday, June 9, 2025

How to Handle Maintenance Emergencies

Disclaimer: This blog is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Cruise Property Management is not a law firm and does not offer legal services. Laws and regulations can vary by location and may chang...
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Blog Post Do You Need a License to Manage Property in Illinois?
By Cruise Property Management - Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Do You Need a License to Manage Property in Illinois?

Disclaimer: I’m not an attorney; this blog is for informational purposes only. Laws and requirements can change, so if you’re serious about getting licensed or need legal or regulatory advice, check the latest information from the Illinois Department of Financial...
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Blog Post Different Approaches to Pricing Rent for Lease Renewals
By Cruise Property Management - Monday, April 7, 2025

Different Approaches to Pricing Rent for Lease Renewals

Determining rent during lease renewal is a crucial aspect of property management, and there are several approaches to consider. Setting the right rent ensures profitability while maintaining resident satisfaction and reducing turnover. However, there is no one-size-fits-all strat...
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Blog Post Is owning a rental even worth it?
By Cruise Property Management - Monday, March 10, 2025

Is owning a rental even worth it?

Have you ever questioned if owning a rental is the right move for you? If you own a rental already, you might be sick and tired of all the repairs and/or the resident not paying the rent. If you don’t have one, you might be worried that you might become that person. I&rsquo...
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Blog Post 16 Things you need to do after you decide to become a landlord
By Cruise Property Management - Thursday, February 6, 2025

16 Things you need to do after you decide to become a landlord

Preparing a property for rent takes more than just good intentions; it requires careful steps to ensure success. Maybe you want to become a rental property investor, maybe you have a house you don’t know what to do but don’t want to sell, maybe you have a condo you wa...
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Blog Post 2025 Illinois Landlord Laws: Key Changes You Need to Know
By Cruise Property Management - Thursday, December 19, 2024

2025 Illinois Landlord Laws: Key Changes You Need to Know

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult with an attorney for advice specific to your situation. Just when you thought you were getting comfortable with th...
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Blog Post Why you never know everything (
By Cruise Property Management - Friday, September 6, 2024

Why you never know everything ("Just Housing")

I try to write a blog that is timeless rather than timely. But sometimes, that is impossible, especially regarding new rules and regulations. It seems like every year, new laws that are mostly more restrictive to landlords come up.Navigating Constant Change in Property Management...
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Blog Post Are All Property Managers Lazy Cheaters?
By Cruise Property Management - Sunday, January 28, 2024

Are All Property Managers Lazy Cheaters?

As a property manager, I often face the challenge of proving my value to my clients. A common perception is that property managers are lazy and/or dishonest with the owners about finances. They assume that we just collect rent automatically, once in a while pay some bills, and ch...
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Blog Post Self-Showing
By Cruise Property Management - Thursday, October 26, 2023

Self-Showing

In the not-so-distant past, if you were a prospective tenant, let's call you Mike, on the hunt for your next rental property, your options were pretty limited. You had to coordinate with a landlord, property manager, or an agent to schedule a viewing. The catch was that both ...
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