Independent Landlords, Real Stories, Real Solutions: A Podcast by Landlord Gurus

Landlord Gurus

Join Chris and Eli, the creators of LandlordGurus.com, as they share their firsthand experiences managing rental properties. This podcast is tailored for fellow independent landlords who handle every aspect of their rental business, from tenants to property maintenance. Chris and Eli dive into the real-life, day-by-day challenges they face managing their tenants and properties, offering practical tips, relatable stories, and hard-earned wisdom to help you navigate the ups and downs of being a landlord. Tune in and learn from landlords who truly understand what it’s like to be in your shoes!

  1. 08/01/2025

    Evaluating a Rental Property the Right Way: Lessons from Chris's Latest Purchase

    Thinking about buying a rental property but unsure what to look for? In this episode, Chris shares how he evaluated a recent property in Walla Walla, WA—from zoning to lot size, ADU potential, and walkability. Hear the real questions to ask before you buy. 🎯 You’ll learn: What zoning tells you about rental and development options How to check short-term rental restrictions before closing The importance of walkability and neighborhood feel Why lot size matters more than you think What to consider with older homes and historic neighborhoods How to think through multiple exit strategies 🔗 Links & Resources:Landlording A-Z Course Website: https://landlordgurus.com/ - Contact us Socials: - Instagram @landlordgurus - Facebook @landlordgurus - X @landlordgurus - TikTok @landlordgurus - Youtube @landlordgurus Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper Handpicked tools from our list of partners: - Collect Rent with PayRent  - Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep - Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane  - Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need - Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant  - Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane - Or check out our full Toolkit  #RentalProperty #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #ShortTermRental #WallaWallaRealEstate #LandlordGurus #EvaluateBeforeYouBuy

    35 min
  2. 07/04/2025

    How Lula Is Changing Property Maintenance for Landlords – with Nate Smoyer

    🛠️ What if maintenance didn’t have to be the most stressful part of being a landlord? In this episode of Landlording A-Z, we’re joined by Nate Smoyer, long-time landlord and Head of Marketing at Lula, a property maintenance platform designed specifically for landlords and property managers. Nate shares how he’s successfully managed rentals remotely across multiple states, his background in the PropTech world, and how Lula is offering a smarter way to handle maintenance — one of the biggest challenges landlords face. 🎙️ In this conversation, we cover: The real reasons maintenance is so difficult (and what to do about it) How Lula integrates with platforms like TurboTenant & AppFolio Tips for triaging maintenance issues to avoid wasting time and money Why solving maintenance can improve tenant satisfaction and retention Whether you’ve got one rental or fifty, this episode is packed with insight, strategy, and tools to help you manage more effectively. 👇 Resources mentioned in this episode: 🌐 Learn more about Lula: https://lula.life 🔗 Connect with Nate Smoyer: 877-523-6936 | nsmoyer@lula.life 💬 Have a maintenance horror story or question? Send us a message or leave a comment — we’d love to hear from you! Landlord Gurus Resources: Landlording A-Z Course Website: https://landlordgurus.com/ - Contact us Socials: - Instagram @landlordgurus - Facebook @landlordgurus - X @landlordgurus - TikTok @landlordgurus - Youtube @landlordgurus Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper Handpicked tools from our list of partners: - Collect Rent with PayRent  - Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep - Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane  - Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need - Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant  - Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane - Or check out our full Toolkit

    33 min
  3. 06/20/2025

    Rent Control in Washington: What Landlords Need to Know

    Washington State has passed its first rent control law since the 1980s, and it’s a big deal. In this episode, Eli and Chris break down what the new law means for landlords, including: The new 7% + CPI cap (and how the 10% max works) What legally counts as a valid rent increase notice Why using the right form and serving it correctly matters more than ever The risks of non-compliance (hello, $7,500 fines) What landlords can do now to stay protected in 2025 and beyond We also talk about tightening up your operations: like screening tenants more carefully and updating your leases to adapt to this shift. Whether you’re in Washington or just want to stay ahead of trends, this episode is packed with actionable advice. 🔗 Rent Control Law: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?billnumber=1217&year=2025 💡 Don’t forget to follow and share the podcast to stay informed on all things rental property management! Landlording A-Z Course Website: https://landlordgurus.com/ - Contact us Socials: - Instagram @landlordgurus - Facebook @landlordgurus - X @landlordgurus - TikTok @landlordgurus - Youtube @landlordgurus Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper Handpicked tools from our list of partners: - Collect Rent with PayRent  - Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep - Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane  - Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need - Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant  - Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane - Or check out our full Toolkit

    17 min
  4. 06/13/2025

    BREAKING NEWS for Landlords & Property Managers!

    🚨 Big News in Property Management Software! 🚨 In this episode of the Landlord Gurus podcast, Chris and Eli from Landlord Gurus unpack the recent acquisition of Azibo by TurboTenant—a significant move that could impact many landlords and property managers. Chris shares his personal experience using both platforms, while Eli offers insights into what this merger could mean for lease creation, rent collection, advertising, and legal compliance. They also discuss how this change might affect tenants, onboarding, and the practical side of managing rental properties. What you'll learn in this episode: Key differences between TurboTenant and Azibo How the merger may streamline (or complicate) property management Why having up-to-date, local lease documents is more critical than ever What landlords and tenants can expect during the transition If you're using either platform—or exploring software options—this is a must-listen. 🔗 Related resource: Check out our article on choosing the right lease documents: https://landlordgurus.com/understanding-rental-lease-agreements-a-landlords-guide/ 💡 Don’t forget to follow and share the podcast to stay informed on all things rental property management! Landlording A-Z Course Website: https://landlordgurus.com/ - Contact us Socials: - Instagram @landlordgurus - Facebook @landlordgurus - X @landlordgurus - TikTok @landlordgurus - Youtube @landlordgurus Try out “Sage” our AI landlord helper Handpicked tools from our list of partners: - Collect Rent with PayRent  - Thoroughly screen applicants at RentPrep - Set up your dedicated landlord bank account with Baselane  - Check in with Obie to make sure you have the rental property insurance you need - Use the property management software we’re using to handle daily rental tasks, with Avail or TurboTenant  - Get full property management services, at a fraction of the cost, with Hemlane - Or check out our full Toolkit

    10 min

About

Join Chris and Eli, the creators of LandlordGurus.com, as they share their firsthand experiences managing rental properties. This podcast is tailored for fellow independent landlords who handle every aspect of their rental business, from tenants to property maintenance. Chris and Eli dive into the real-life, day-by-day challenges they face managing their tenants and properties, offering practical tips, relatable stories, and hard-earned wisdom to help you navigate the ups and downs of being a landlord. Tune in and learn from landlords who truly understand what it’s like to be in your shoes!