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| Acknowledgments | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Is Property Management Right for You? | |
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| Do You Have What It Takes? | |
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| The Right Personality | |
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| Evaluate Your Business Skills | |
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| Adopt a Business Attitude | |
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| People Skills | |
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| Define Your Market | |
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| Do You Have What It Takes? | |
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| The Pros and Cons of Being a Landlord | |
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| Pro: It's Not a Nine-to-Five Job | |
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| Con: It's Not a Nine-to-Five Job | |
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| Pro: Virtually Anyone Can Succeed | |
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| Con: The Learning Curve | |
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| Pro: Unlimited Potential for Success | |
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| Con: Unlimited Potential for Disaster | |
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| A Property Manager's Pop Quiz | |
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| What You Need to Know to Get Started | |
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| Your Financial Options | |
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| Making Your Investment | |
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| Real-Estate Profits | |
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| Leveraging to Buy Property | |
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| Ten Tips: Working with Lenders | |
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| Read the Writing | |
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| Everybody Needs a Partner | |
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| How to Form an Investment Group | |
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| Establish Management Responsibilities | |
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| The Downside of Sharing a Load | |
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| Know Your Partners | |
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| Your Partnership Options | |
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| Individual Property and Partnerships | |
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| Potential Investment Risks | |
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| Losing Your Investment | |
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| Losing Family and Friends | |
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| Get Insured | |
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| Markets Change Quickly | |
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| Regulations Can Lower Profits | |
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| "Out of the Blue" Concerns | |
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| Do Your Research | |
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| The Right Property | |
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| Start Looking Now | |
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| Get All the Information | |
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| A Residential Inspection | |
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| Responsibility for the Utilities | |
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| Potential Profits | |
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| Real-Estate Taxes | |
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| Prepare to Make Your Purchase | |
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| Visualize the Future | |
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| Working with a Buyer's Agent | |
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| Elements of a Contract | |
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| How to Negotiate | |
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| Hire an Inspector | |
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| Financing Options | |
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| Know How to Sell Real Estate | |
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| The Mechanics of the Process | |
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| Why "Fizzbo" Fizzes | |
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| Hire an Attorney | |
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| Kick out the Tire Kicker | |
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| Be Wary of Holding Out | |
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| Tax Considerations | |
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| The Art of Sales | |
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| The Ins and Outs of Managing Property | |
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| Managing Residential Property | |
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| Start Small | |
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| Rent Control | |
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| Lease Compliance | |
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| Evaluate Your Maintenance Skills | |
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| Working with Contractors | |
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| Work with City Hall | |
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| In Summary | |
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| Managing Land for Development | |
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| Look for Potential | |
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| Determine the Zoning | |
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| Combine Properties, Increase Value | |
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| How Much of Your Land Do You Own? | |
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| Managing Commercial Property | |
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| Commercial Rental Property | |
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| Financing Commercial Property | |
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| Start with Multitenant Buildings | |
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| Run Credit Checks | |
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| Commercial Leases | |
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| Office Buildings | |
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| Shopping Centers | |
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| Dining Establishments | |
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| Ranches and Farms | |
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| Be Aware of Special Opportunities | |
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| What Are Special Opportunities? | |
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| Don't Forget: It's a Business | |
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| What Are Your Options? | |
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| Check the Zoning | |
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| The Realities of Rezoning | |
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| Win Some and Lose Some | |
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| Finding Good Tenants | |
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| Working with Rental Agents | |
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| How to Screen a Tenant | |
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| Meet Every Applicant | |
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| Conduct Background Checks | |
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| Evaluate the Facts | |
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| Tenant Inspection Tours | |
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| Sign the Lease | |
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| Working with Tenants | |
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| Basic People Skills | |
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| Maintain Good Rapport | |
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| Practice Aggressive Listening | |
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| A Fast Response | |
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| The Five Basic Types of Tenants | |
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| Like Attracts Like | |
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| When Tenants Cause Problems | |
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| Ask for Feedback | |
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| Problems Can Hide Other Problems | |
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| Avoid Childish Behavior | |
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| Handling Hard Luck Stories | |
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| Bad Luck or Bad Attitude? | |
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| Keep Move-outs Moving | |
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| Lease Termination | |
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| Enlisting Professional Help | |
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| Find a Good Lawyer | |
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| An Important Role | |
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| What You Need in an Attorney | |
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| The Hiring Process | |
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| Working with Your Attorney | |
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| Accept Your Responsibilities | |
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| Get Clear Title | |
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| Problem-Solving Tips | |
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| When to Sue for Malpractice | |
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| Find a Good Accountant | |
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| What Is Accounting? | |
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| Accountants Aren't Property Managers | |
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| Accountants Aren't Bookkeepers | |
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| What to Seek in an Accountant | |
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| Understand Tax Considerations | |
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| Get the Accountant on Your Side | |
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| Computer Programs Aren't Accountants | |
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| Find a Good Financial Advisor | |
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| Banking Is Business | |
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| Learn the Tools of the Trade | |
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| Other Financing Options | |
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| Seek Good Advice | |
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| Talk with the Experts | |
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| Leave Some Things to the Pros | |
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| Keep This in Mind | |
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| Other Issues to Consider | |
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| Insurance Matters | |
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| Educate Yourself | |
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| Required Insurance | |
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| Shopping for Insurance | |
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| Types of Insurance | |
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| Insurance Myths and Scams | |
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| Insure Yourself | |
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| Eliminate the Risks | |
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| Worrying about Taxes | |
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| City Taxes | |
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| Taxes That Look Like Taxes | |
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| State Taxes | |
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| Federal Taxes | |
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| Corporate and Investment Groups | |
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| The Biggest Tax Mistakes People Make | |
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| Legal Concerns | |
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| Pay Attention to Everything | |
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| Handle Legal Matters Immediately | |
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| Property Issues Can Become Legal Issues | |
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| Nonlegal Influences | |
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| Tenant Responsibilities | |
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| Entry Rights to Your Property | |
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| Legal Issues Related to Eviction | |
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| A New Legal Option | |
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| Contracts: Reading the Fine Print | |
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| Contract Elements | |
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| The Need for Legalese | |
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| Don't Do It Yourself | |
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| Contract Negotiations | |
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| Breaking a Contract | |
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| Contract Stipulations for Attorney Fees | |
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| Banking and Financial Issues | |
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| Loans and Banks | |
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| Comparison Shop | |
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| Out-of-Market Financing | |
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| Applying for a Loan | |
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| How to Make a Bad Impression | |
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| Have Deep Pockets | |
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| Beware the Contractor | |
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| Advertising and Public Relations | |
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| Putting the Information out There | |
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| Your Advertising Strategy | |
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| Television Ads | |
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| Radio Commercials | |
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| Magazines and Newspapers | |
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| News Releases | |
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| Additional Resources | |
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| A Few Comments on Federal Law | |
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| Property Management Forms | |
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| Glossary of Terms | |
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| Index | |
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| About the Author | |