Landlord Leader: Beth Rasmussen

Rachel (Interviewer): Hi everyone, my name is Rachel, and I’m a content marketer at Turbo Tenant. I’m here today to kick off the celebration of Women’s History Month with a very special interview with one of our very own female landlords, Beth Rasmussen. Did I say that right?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Rasmussen, yeah.

Rachel (Interviewer): Wonderful. Well, thank you so much for chatting with me today and to begin our interview, just tell me a little bit about yourself and about your rental business.

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Awesome, thanks for having me. So, I have two rental properties with my husband. We have a duplex and a single-family home. We are in Fort Collins, Colorado, and both of our houses are near campus. We primarily rent to college kids, which we love. We really love that demographic. We have two young kids, a nine-year-old and a five-year-old. We both work full-time; my husband works for a non-profit, and I’m a middle school teacher. We love the outdoors, have two dogs, and we’re active in the real estate community now too.

Rachel (Interviewer): You sound like some busy people. How have you managed to juggle both jobs? Any tips for your fellow landlords looking to juggle both?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Yeah, well, it’s definitely helpful that I have summers off. That’s really nice for tenant turnover, especially because we primarily rent to college students. The biggest thing for us has been having systems in place. The first time you do anything, it’s going to be hard, you know? So, the first time you create your lease is going to be a lot harder than the second or third time. Just having those systems in place has been really helpful. Turbo Tenant has been super helpful for us, especially marketing our properties. It’s so easy to market on multiple websites through just one platform. Also, take advantage of busy and low seasons. Every job has those times. And just remember, you’re putting in the time upfront, and it gets easier with time.

Rachel (Interviewer): Absolutely, that makes a lot of sense. So, what does it mean to you to be a woman in the property investment space?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Being a female landlord is powerful. 50 years ago, a woman couldn’t even get a credit card without her husband’s signature. Now, I can buy a rental house on my own and manage it on my own too. It’s cool to think about how far we’ve come and how we’re paving the way for the next generation of female entrepreneurs and real estate investors.

Rachel (Interviewer): Have there been any difficulties you’ve had to overcome as a female landlord?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): In any landlording situation, there can be challenges, whether related to gender or not. For me, I used to believe I couldn’t be a landlord because I wasn’t handy. But I realized that’s not true. You don’t need to know everything; you just need to know how to find the resources. Also, overcoming limiting beliefs, like not needing to be a handywoman, is important.

Rachel (Interviewer): How have you sought out education on everything you need to know in the rental real estate space?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): I started with little knowledge about money and real estate. My husband and I decided to educate ourselves. I’ve read more books this year than in a long time. Just being a lifelong learner, seeking mentors, and utilizing resources like books, podcasts, and meetups has been crucial.

Rachel (Interviewer): How do you think we can bring more visibility to females in the real estate and rental industries?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Women are gaining momentum in the field, and platforms like Instagram, podcasts, and books are amplifying their voices. Diversity is essential too. Having more representation from different backgrounds and communities will help change the dynamics of the industry.

Rachel (Interviewer): What’s your number one tip for fellow women looking to start investing in real estate?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Mindset is huge. Overcome limiting beliefs, seek mentors, and remember that success leaves clues. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and trust that you can make good decisions.

Rachel (Interviewer): Where do you see your rental business in the next five to ten years?

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): I want to continue growing our business, aiming for ten houses in ten years. I hope to be work-optional in five to ten years, achieving financial stability and flexibility.

Rachel (Interviewer): Thank you so much for your time today, Beth. It was great talking to you.

Beth Rasmussen (Landlord): Thank you, Rachel. This was fun.