About

Hi there, I’m Emily, a full-time mom of two little boys who owns and self-manages five rental properties in Iowa, doing my best to balance rentals with real life. 

My journey into rental ownership started when I bought my first townhome at 26. At the time, I planned to live there and eventually sell, not become a landlord. But after getting married and moving into a new home with my husband, we decided to keep the property as a long-term rental. I had zero background in property management and learned how to build everything from the ground up.

That first rental launched one of the best financial and personal decisions we’ve made. Fast forward, and it has grown into a portfolio of five rentals that I confidently manage on my own. 

In this space, I will share practical systems, landlord tips, turnover checklists, home repair hacks, and real-life lessons that help make rental ownership feel doable as a side hustle.