--23.123.xx.xxx

Don’t tell people what you do. --24.152.xxx.xx

I keep my rental success and business very low key. I drive my 14 year old truck and 18 year old car everywhere I go. I still live in the house I bought in 1971 that’s been paid off for decades. --146.70.xxx.xxx

I gave up caring what other people think a long time ago. I know I provide quality affordable housing to grateful people and made good financial decisions my whole life. So what other people may think does not concern me at all. I know who I am and that’s all that matters. And most people would be astounded if they knew what I had accomplished- but they don’t need to know. --24.236.xx.xx

--69.130.xxx.xxx

Only talk about Landlord stuff with other Landlords - like y'all --68.229.xxx.xxx

I have not found that. Occasionally as a woman I run into a contractor that responds better to my husband but if that’s the case, I won’t hire them again. I respect those I deal with at the apartments whether it is a tenant, contractor, person installing flooring, person trimming bushes, cleaning crew and they respect me. Occasionally when I hold a tenant to the lease terms they then hate me but that is part of the business. I disagree that it’s luck. I work hard and manage my rentals as a business. I keep a professional tone in all my dealings. Occasionally when things go sideways with a tenant or I’m working a lot at a nasty job, extended family might suggest I should get out. I understand they want think they know what is best for me at times but I hold my course and get through the blip. There are times since I have started in this business that I need to take a step back, reflect on how to handle a situation, shift my business strategy and/or change my attitude. --73.159.xxx.xx

I am with the above. Very few knew at work what I did outside of work. Many feel the rich LL is taking advantage. Some are jealous. I have a few who knew I had property, ask about certain things. Most of the time there was more to the story than they were told originally. For example, one person said a "friend" was given 10 days to go. I said it is 30 days on a MTM here and something wasn't right. Turns out there was an unauthorized person living there. My buddy told me a few days later what the real reason had been. Sometimes people who rent say something and I happen to be in the room and I would put forth the law on it. Got ignored. Whatever.Yep, I am stupid and haven't been doing this for a long time. People hear or know what they want. --73.230.xxx.xx

I provide good roofs over good people, there is speculation proven in background credit checks, If you can't swim choose a motel without a pool. --184.59.xxx.xx

When I get around normies, my conversations with them last about 10 seconds. 1, I don’t like small talk and 2, I don’t have much in common with them. When asked what I do, I tell them I dabble in construction a bit. Then they proceeded to tell me about this one room that the sheet rocked blah blah blah or they ask me if I have any time to work on a project. Nope. Then after that, I’m quickly at a loss for conversation as they typically drift toward working jobs and buying the latest gadgets/vehicles and taking the trendiest trips. None of which I can identify with. --24.152.xxx.xx

It’s not like you can tell the average Joe that last year you met with this woman who was out of her mind and bought her three unit building off of her for $3500 that was worth 100 grand and then dumped 40,000 into it and re-sold it and made over 100 grand. First of all they’re probably going to think you’re a liar, cuz you can’t do that in America right? Or you’re a criminal or it wasn’t fair because you took advantage of that lady. No, congratulations for all your years of experience leading you up to that deal. So yeah, I don’t really care what their opinions are. I don’t engage with them. --24.152.xxx.xx

When I *have* to tell people what we do, I say, "We have rental houses. Long-term, not Vacation." and we are immediately more loved that THOSE people hahahahahaha People hate the vacation rental owners. --173.28.xx.xxx

It's maybe not hate but envy? Just agree with them "get a job..." Answer "what type of job?" Answer their question with a question but agree with them. And come here to get your cup filled up. Agree don't share with them, talk about the weather, sports, anything but your business..when they ask how the rents are going... "going well thanks for asking" no details. Everything they hear is a blanket canned respond. --172.59.xxx.xx

I purchased my first rental about a year after I graduated college. I worked a W-2 job along side that for about 20 years. I tell folks now I worked 2 jobs for 20 years so I could work 1/2 a job for the next 20. --45.17.xxx.xxx

Work on in your job till you are old, collect your retirement, and enjoy your life. I have other things to do. --172.58.xxx.xxx

On facebook people like to slam me when I post on anything in a local group. Mostly blue people so they hate my politics and I make sure I mention when appropriate that I am a LL because these are the people who may become my tenants. For example, there is a painter asking for work so I posted to him that I will have work in July for a One br. and the fall for a two br. So everyone else can see that and I may get a tenant from that. My relatives don't hate me because they all have businesses, the ones that are left. Most of them have died. I'm good to the tenants so they don't hate me. --173.61.xxx.xxx

Sometimes it is hard to converse with anyone about the business side. I am just happy that I have the wife in on it. She doesn't always relate to the turmoil of dealing with the tenants, but she gets the number portion for the most part. --107.147.xx.xx

That said, it's hard to have a conversation about what I do. I'm intensely interested in their challenges with employees, lawsuits, marketing, etc. Nobody seems interested in hearing about my battles with groundhogs and unauthorized girlfriends. Thankfully DH is a good listener! To civvies, I'm a "housing provider." Not many people ask a follow-up question after that. --104.230.xxx.xxx

My partner and I were just talking the other day about all the great people we've met through our local landlord association, going back decades. Some have passed on, but many are still among our closest friends. Associate with like minded individuals and ignore other friends and family when they criticize you. They are envious of your lifestyle. --173.189.xxx.xx

--75.11.xx.xx

Years ago, ( long before I had the rentals) when I was struggling with depression,/ migraines, I had a harder time being positive, and people just don't like to hear a chronic complainer. But, I got proper treatment, and feel I'm at an even keel. Now, I can use social skills to keep conversations light, funny, uplifting. Everyone asks about my rentals, and I try to have a funny tale at the ready, or just a positive tale. And then we move on to other topics. --72.135.xxx.xx

--209.122.xx.xxx

As they used to say, haters gonna hate. --174.228.xxx.xxx

Hanging with the wrong crowd. --68.1.xxx.xx

I must be doing something wrong, or they don't like fat dudes. --107.147.xx.xx

People feel that you pocket all the rent which far from reality. Having 39 rental units where it costed $1,000 per day then took a modest salary of $20,000 per year. Never made money on the rent where built equity. My younger sister told me get a job then move out the house which meant turn over everything to her then move into a rooming house absolutely no way. Critics have accomplished absolutely nothing in life where if turned over rental complexes within six months would be bankrupt. It would be like a Cinderella story where the clock struck twelve. During the pandemic seen many of the hate groups where some were arrested for vandalism. Rental housing providers spent less one per cent of time with collecting rent where most days doing renovations, repair appliances, coin laundry equipment, fixing plumbing problems, clearing snow then taking things to the dump that can not be recycled. One tenant in apartment wanted a renovated rental unit below where told him it would be $900 per month where he called me a slumlord. The apartment he lived in was completely trashed out where did not want another completed trashed out rental unit. So he moved to one of those illegal apartments in houses. He was able to work where was on disability. Think about a business that buys goods and services in the local community which is rental housing. Those who are social assistance should be working as they are able to do so. In the world we have one madman who hates the Us where invaded another country then was going to invade more countries until the EU would be part of Russia. I believe that supporting Ukraine is going to help eliminate the axis of evil where once Putin is out then the others will be less likely to cause problems. Take the Island of Socialist paradise where a few blocks from tourist area the housing is failing completely apart where seen when was in Cuba. They do not pay rent or utilities. No money for repairs and renovations. During the Soviet times Russia built oil power generating stations where they do not have the money to run all the time where there are black outs. If not a member of party then have 35 years to get a apartment to live in where as someone passes away bumped up the waiting list. In meantime the party members live kings. --207.236.xxx.xxx

--75.11.xx.xx

I do not get the hate except from prospects who distrust LLs. There are a few slumlord in my area and my municipality appreciates me vs them. Going to community meetings I was surprised how many others have a rental unit or house. That group has a shared experience. The other people I meet are through the community work I do so when I talked to someone at a cleanup day yesterday there is a positive association. --172.59.xxx.xxx

If you are not willing to do that, then I recommend you sell your hobby. The system is going to knock you down, wipe yourself off when you get up and be a stronger person. --24.101.xxx.xxx

We can silently push forward and stay under the radar. BUT when the envy comes from your spouse , THATS something that can't be avoided. Ask me how I know. --198.168.xx.xxx

My trigger is “ You are so lucky to not have to really work”. My response is “ You are so lucky to not have to clean other people’s toilets”. Shuts them up every time . FYI- I hire someone to clean the toilets but I need to prove the point. --68.191.xx.xx

It's hard for people to not laugh with you when you tell them about the time you were in a rental and heard a rooster in the basement. "You can't have a rooster in the house" Poor rooster might have been dinner that night. --34.100.xx.xxx

Never had an issue, many of our friends have rentals so it was more a fun discussion topic and sharing ideas. A few people called me a "slumlord" without ever seeing one of my properties...until they saw pictures showing that my homes were usually cleaner and nicer than where they lived (although not necessarily as big in square footage). --64.38.xxx.xxx

This is why the convention makes since - you are placing yourself with others who think like you. These folks are not in your own backyard so you let your guard down instead of worry about disclosing a trade secret to someone in your own market place --24.101.xxx.xxx

We learn to navigate life with the help of others, and we ultimately decide what is our own path. Just part of the game. Do what makes sense to you. Funny stories or series story examples of what it is like on your end will help educate others, if you care to share with them. Everyone comes with their own ideas of what is right or wrong and lots of people will project their visions (and fears) on to you. --76.242.xx.xxx

Everybody seems to know our business. Small town. Everyone is related to everyone else. I taught school. Last situation---- Non paying tenant told me I was a rich landlord. I reminded her that I drive a 21 year old truck with 350K miles on it. I dont think that they will ever understand what landlords do/go through. And they really dont care. --69.161.xx.xx

--143.59.xxx.xx