Archive for the 'Property Management' Category
1.) If the vacating tenant has been a long-term tenant, and you had a good relationship, simply ask him. I bet over the years he’s followed the neighborhood and knows from friends and fellow renters. He can tell you if he thinks you should charge more or less. Feedback from your vacating residents should be ONE piece of the info you assemble to determine.
2.) The quickest way to figure out the market rent is to put your tenant "shopping" hat on and start looking. I observe area rentals (signs, newspaper, etc.), see how they are priced, and watch to see how long they stay vacant. Many times, I’ll even stop by to get up close to see the condition of the investment property. In every case, one that is priced right and sits for very long has "issues".
3.) Another resource is a property manager with local rentals (and a website) who knows what they’re doing. They make the most money by pricing at the top of the market and usually have little interest in discounting unless a property sits vacant for too long. I usually price mine 2% to 5% below their prices.
The caveat with property managers is that some have owners that force them to overprice. That happens fairly often, but it is usually pretty obvious.
A good real estate team is the way to assure your investing success. Failure increases when you tend to be a “lone wolf” and try to do too much by yourself.
In real estate, you need a good team of people you can trust and rely on. Here are some possible team members, and why they need to be on your team.
Mortgage broker or banker: A broker can offer you many loan options and shop your mortgage to find the best deal that meets your needs. A mortgage banker may be limited in the loan options they can offer you but they can make more decisions on your loan than a broker can. They each have their advantages and you should have both on your team. In either case, it’s important that they understand your needs (i.e. fast closing, low interest, concession approval, etc.)
Property manager: Be sure that the company you hire has experience, is responsive, and will have time for you when you call. Good property managers can tell you what you should get for rent in a given area BEFORE you buy. Your property manager is one of your most important team members. Your real estate investments live and die by them.
Good real estate agent: An agent with experience in the area you invest in and access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) can be a great help. Even if they are a seller’s agent, they can still ethically bring you the best deals once they know you’re a serious investor.
Real estate investment firm: In addition to a real estate agent, you should work with a good real estate investment firm. These companies offer pre-screened investment properties in growth markets around the country. Read more »
Setting the right rent can be one of the most difficult areas for many people who are investing in rental property. If your property rents out in no time, it could be an indication that you are not charging enough rent. On the other hand, if your property seems to take a long time to rent out, it could be a clear indication that your rent is too high. So, how do you go about setting a rental rate that is in line with the current market?
One of the best places to start is the local newspaper. It is imperative that you do some research to find out what rent prices are driving the local market. Location is the most important factor in determining rental rates. For example, a three bedroom, one bath home in one part of town may rent for $1,100 a month while a similar property on the opposite side of town may only be able to draw $900 per month.
The ultimate goal of investing in rental property is to turn a profit. To ensure that you achieve that goal it is essential that you follow several critical guidelines.
First, always make sure that you check tenant references. This can be a burdensome step and many landlords overlook it because they feel as though they have good instinct when they meet with the tenant. But not checking references can lead to a number of problems later on. You will uncover a wealth of information about potential problems before you rent to a prospective tenant.
Second, make sure you have everything in writing. This is to protect your rights as a landlord as well as the rights of your tenants. Everything from the code of conduct you expect your tenants to abide by while renting your property to the rental application itself must be in writing.
