Effectively Managing Rental Properties | Mortgage

by ErinCureton

Lear as much as you can about your rental market. The number one key to managing rental properties is to know your market place. What is your property worth as a rental? How nice is your rental versus others in the community? What types of extras are standard? Knowing the answers to these questions is usually the difference between renting your unit in 2 weeks or 6 months. The easiest way to find the answers to these questions is to call other rentals in your area and schedule a showing. Many times other land lords will help you, especially if you want to rent to better tenants. You want to view as many apartments near your property as you can so that you have information on the market that you are competing in.

know the local rental laws in your area. This is very important. Not much more to say. Follow the laws. If you don't, they could cost you a lot of money.

Advertise correctly. For the past 2 years, I have put zero "FOR RENT" signs in my front yards they advertise that your place is vacant. I advertise on free websites like Craigslist, Plugged-In, and other local websites that cater to young profesionals. (This is another reason you want to be familiar your market.) These sites typically attract a higher quality tenant. This tenant is not a life time renter, but a young professional needing a nice place to live until they buy a house. In these cases, if you offer additional amenities, you can often get a higher rent. Why would anyone pay for an ad in a local paper? These websites work and they are free.

Ask for referrals & be willing to pay for them. My best advertisers are my current tenants. I make my places very nice and I stay on top of problems that arise quickly and in a friendly manner. This makes my tenants happy to refer their friends and family to my rental units. Another way to keep my tenants referring clients is by paying them to do so. I have a policy that if you refer a friend and that friend signs a 1-year lease, I will give you half off next months rent. This is a great program!

I am most concerned with evictions on a back ground check. It is a last resort for landlords. This means they have tried everything couldn't make it work. To me if someone has been evicted, they were terrible tenants. I don't want problems, I want income. In today economy no one is perfect, so I am very understanding when it comes to poor credit.

Many people buy a lease from an office supply store, these are cookie cutter contracts that may not fit your situation. I also think they send the wrong message to a Judge if you have a problem (which is the law was an after thought when we signed the lease.) Find a local attorney who has experience in residential real estate. Plus they may help refer you some business.

Be flexible on your rent. When it comes to rent, I am flexible. Let's say I want $700 per month for rent, but a tenant offers to pay $650 per month. If I wait I may be able to get more rent from someone else. If however, I don't rent it this month, I just lost $650! It will take me- month at $700 per month to make that up. If I don't rent it for 2 months, it will take me 22 months to make up that lost rent. This is where I think a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. If I make a concession for lower rent, I will only do it if I get something in return, like the tenant agreeing to yard work or snow removal.

Hire a crew. I can fix just about any little problem that arises in my units, and I don't pay myself. However, I have three handymen who work part time. This way I am not inconvenienced by late night calls, evening calls, early morning calls, or Sunday calls. I have three In case I can't get a hold of the first two. My tenants are important to me, and so is my family. I have back ups so that I don't have to make a choice between them. When I have a family commitment I call my handymen. Everyone is happy, most importantly my family!

Stay ahead of problems. The number 1 complaint from tenants is that their landlords are not quick to resolve problems that arise in their homes. No one cares if the kitchen sink is clogged, as long as someone comes to fix it in a timely manner. Leave it clogged, and they will move out. I tell my tenants that all maintenance calls will be answered in person within one day 7 days a week (see "Hire a Handyman.") I stick to that pledge and you will have happy tenants.

Thank your customers (your tenants). If I were selling copiers or pharmaceuticals this would be obvious. Why is renting an apartment any different? Sending a holiday card, or congratulating a tenant on the birth of a new child, you may be viewed as more of a friend than a landlord. Become a friend and your tenant will want to take care of your property. Become a friend and your tenant will communicate problems to you rather than just moving out. Become a friend and your tenants will refer their friends to you.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

Erin Cureton is the managing partner of Cureton Property Alliance. Erin Cureton Flips and rents houses in Lakewood and Akron, OH. Erin Recommends Solid Ground Construction for Kitchen Remodeling Avon Lake and Co-Op Optic for eye glasses Kent Ohio.