Tips for Landlords From Expert Property Managers

1911303 • Oct 17, 2023

Tips for Landlords From Expert Property Managers

Tips for Landlords From Expert Property Managers


   1. Screen tenants carefully. As a property owner and landlord, screening potential tenants is the most important step. It may include turning applicants away. The only information a property owner has is the applicant’s history, rental references, and credit report. This will help owners avoid problems down the road. It's important to verify that the applicant has enough income to pay the rent. This is why it is vital to verify employment, income, and rental history. If an owner wants to search for evictions, conducting a background check to uncover any past rental issues or legal problems will provide more information.


   2. Make Rules and Expectations Clear. Everything must be clear as to what is expected of the tenant. If a property owner is handling the landlord duties without a property manager, it will be necessary to enlist an attorney for preparing legal documents. A professional property manager would handle all of this for the property owner. The lease agreement should be detailed and outline all  expectations including rent payments, late fees, pet ownership, noise limitations, parking, and maintenance requests. Be sure to review the lease with your tenant in detail before they sign it.


   3. Handle tenant needs. Property owners who are handling landlord duties should be quick to respond when tenants have a maintenance request or concern about the property. If an owner has a good tenant paying rent on time, this shows that you value them as tenants and that you're committed to providing a good rental experience.

Be professional, respectful, and courteous, but be consistent in enforcing policies in the lease agreement.


   4. Keep property well-maintained. This includes making regular repairs and updates, as well as keeping the property clean and attractive if the property is vacant and prospective tenants are viewing the property. An attractive property will attract good tenants and support higher rents.


   5. Set a realistic rent amount. Check the area and do your research. If the rent price is too high, the property may be vacant for some time.


   6. Set flexible lease terms. If you are open to accepting pets this can attract more tenants. According to a 2023 Realtor.com® survey, 91% of pet owners said that their pet would be a factor in their decision to buy a home. This suggests that a significant percentage of Americans buy homes based on the needs of their pets. Renters are looking for pet friendly rentals.


   7. Advertise a vacant rental property. When an owner has a vacancy, advertising the property online, local community news outlets, and by putting up signs will give the vacant property visibility.


   8. Hire a property manager. Many owners don't have the time or expertise to manage rental properties. If all of this sounds like a lot to do, enlist the services of a property manager.  They can handle all day-to-day tasks of property management, such as screening tenants, collecting rent, and handling maintenance requests.


By following these tips, you can be a successful landlord and enjoy a long-term investment in your rental property.

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By 1911303 08 May, 2024
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By Kris Karlek 10 Nov, 2023
If you are a busy landlord and need help, look no further than a property manager. There are many tasks a property manager can do to assit a landlord. Take your time and take the steps necessary to find the right property manager. Remember that not all property managers are the same. If you search you will find a lot of property managers. Almost every real estate company manages properties.. With so many to choose from, landlords need to carefully select the property manager that is best suited for the job. It is important to know what to look for. Here are a few steps to take when choosing a property manager: Experience : Before hiring a property manager find out the level of experience they have. It is best if it is a local company. You will want to hire a property manager with experience managing residential properties. References : Ask the property manager for references from previous landlords. Take caution if they do not have references, or if you learn anything negative about the company. Conduct an online search for negative reviews. Licensing : This is especially important. Each state has different requirements. Make sure the property manager is licensed in your state. You can go online and look up licenses or contact your state's real estate commission to verify the property manager's license. Insurance : You are hiring a property manager to care for your valuable real estate. Don’t take this lightly. Make sure the property manager has enough insurance and the right kind of insurance. This will protect you in case the property manager is sued or makes a mistake. After you have found one or two prospects that you are interested in, contact them, and schedule an interview. It’s good to have an in-person meeting, but a phone interview would suffice. Here are a few questions you should ask during the interview: What do you charge for your services? 2. What property management services do you provide? Be specific: Tenant management, fiscal management, maintenance and repairs, compliance, etc. 3. How can you help manage the type of property I own? (Homes, apartments, townhouses, mobile homes, etc.) 4. How often do you communicate or report to landlords? 5. How do you handle tenant complaints? 6. Do you have service vendors to manage maintenance issues? Once you've found the right property manager you should have everything in writing and have a legal contract between the two of you. Landlords may want their attorney to review the contract. If you're considering hiring a property manager, be sure to do your research and choose a qualified and experienced professional.
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