46. Navigating Evictions and Difficult Tenants | With Dion & Chelsea

Send us Fan MailWhat if the reason your property manager keeps dropping the ball isn't incompetence—but a business model that actually profits from tenant turnover?In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Violeta in San Antonio, joined by special guests Dion and Chelsea (of Dion Talks Financial Freedom), for an impromptu, no-holds-barred conversation about the messier side of real estate investing. The episode kicks off with Violeta explaining why she just fired her property manager after months of red flags—unexplained charges, tenants calling her directly to complain, and issues that never got resolved despite repeated follow-ups.Dion breaks down why most property managers' incentives are misaligned with landlords from day one, explaining that many earn a full month's rent on tenant placement, meaning turnover is actually profitable for them even though it costs the property owner time and money. He shares practical strategies for pushing back, including comparing your rents to area averages and asking your property manager to justify why your rents are below market instead of just accepting whatever they set.The conversation moves into tenant relationships and the "good cop, bad cop" strategy Dion and Chelsea use to maintain boundaries without damaging rapport, plus why building a real relationship with tenants leads to lower turnover and fewer surprises. Chelsea shares her experience navigating four evictions—including a squatter with a gun—and the lessons learned about screening, leases, and staying firm without losing empathy.They also dig into why Dion targets very specific property types (side-by-side units, washer/dryer hookups, pet-friendly fenced yards) to minimize turnover, even if it means accepting a lower return than "maximum rent" strategies. Dion and Chelsea openly debate their differing philosophies—hers focused on maximizing rents, his focus on stability—and how that shows up in very different eviction histories.The group shifts into a broader conversation about navigating new real estate markets, as both Violeta and Dion/Chelsea recently relocated to San Antonio from California and Washington. They talk candidly about why moving to a new market means starting over on due diligence regardless of experience level, and why competitive markets require being ready to act fast on good deals.Finally, the conversation turns to the truth about LLCs—including why an LLC often provides zero real asset protection, makes refinancing harder, and increases insurance costs, and why new investors should be cautious before falling into the trap of paying for an LLC before they even own a property.This episode is a real, unfiltered look at the operational side of real estate that doesn't always make it into the highlight reel—property management headaches, evictions, market research, and separating the products people sell you from what actually protects your investments.Links Mentioned:Free Latinas in Real Estate Community:https://www.skool.com/real-estate-jefas-9075/aboutFollow Dion: Dion Talks Financial Freedom on Skool and YouTubeSupport the showJoin my Latina Real Estate Investors Community (FREE)https://www.skool.com/real-estate-jefas-9075/aboutGet my FREE Real Estate Investing Starter Kit https://moneychisme.kit.com/rei-starter-kitProperty Management made easy with RentRedihttps://app.rentredi.com/signUp/AOK400?utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=referralShareManage Your Funds with BASELANE Bankinghttps://invite.baselane.com/Violeta84614Follow us on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/money_chisme/https://www.instagram.com/lindoesinvesting/Disclaimer:We are not financial advisors. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: ...