How to Avoid Dangers from Rental Property Fireplaces!
Many tenants use fireplaces during the winter months, which is why it is important for tenants to know how to safely use a fireplace, from gas to wood burning to everything in between. Properly using a fireplace will prevent smoke damage, fires and a homeowner nightmare. Not to mention investors potentially losing their entire investment property from a fire. It’s happened plenty of times and our team at Barker Realty really focuses on educating both our clients, investors and tenants about these potential dangers.
Facts & Precautions
According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires cause 374,000 homes catch on fire per year. This costs $8 billion in damage every year. Fireplaces are one of the top causes of home fires. Fifty percent of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February.
Obstructed flue, creosote buildup and fireplace damage are one of the leading causes of fires. Fireplace damage can also cause fires. Safety is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do in order to prevent fires.
We advise all Durham property managers, investors, rental property managers and landlords to have their chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional every year. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, then creosote will build up inside of the fireplace and flue. Creosote does not deposit inside of a gas fireplace. However, deposit and moisture can develop inside of a gas fireplace, which can also cause big issues down the road, such as causing the fireplace to deteriorate and not function properly.
You will also need to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are working properly. The home should have a fire extinguisher inside of it. Furthermore, Durham property managers should educate new tenants about fireplace safety. They should also educate people about what they should do in order to properly use their fireplaces.
Let tenants know that they need to contact management as soon as possible if they suspect that something is wrong with the fireplace. There may not be a problem with the fireplace, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
If you need an experienced property management company to guide you through your new investment property or to take over your current portfolio, contact Barker Realty today to schedule a time to meet/talk. Our team is confident in helping you keep your rentals safe and your tenants happy.
New rental property managers or someone who’s just started with a new property management company may wonder what constitutes normal wear and tear on a rental property compared to what constitutes damage to a rental property.
Normal wear and tear can be vaguely defined as the depreciation that occurs through normal daily living in the home. But what does that actually mean? Let’s look at some examples of the differences between normal wear and tear and damage.
Carpet
Matted carpet is normal wear and tear, the result of people walking back and forth or furniture sitting in the same place for many months or even years. Burned or stained carpet, however, is damage.
Walls
Small nail holes in the walls, from hanging photos or small knick-knacks, is normal wear and tear. Large holes in the wall are damage. Fading or yellowing paint is normal wear and tear, while large wall stains are damage. Loose wallpaper is normal wear and tear, while crayon markings, ripped paper or large stains are damage. Worn electrical switches or receptacles are normal wear and tear, while ones that are missing, melted or burned are damage (Note: melted or burned ones may not be the tenant’s fault if there is an electrical problem).
Hardwood, Linoleum & Tile Floors
Lightly scuffed hardwood floors are wear and tear, scratches, chips and deep gouges are damage. Worn linoleum is wear and tear, while holes in it are damage. Loose or mildly cracked tiles are wear and tear, missing or shattered tiles are damage.
Windows & Window Coverings
Faded curtains are wear and tear, while stained or torn curtains are damage. Dirty window screens are wear and tear, while cut or missing screens are damage. A cracked windowpane because the building settled is wear and tear, while a shattered window from a baseball being thrown at it is damage.
Hiring a local real estate management company can help avoid some of the damage. Rental property managers from a property management company or local real estate management company can perform regular inspections to ensure that damage is caught before it becomes more severe. The knowledge of a potential inspection can keep tenants on their best behavior, preventing damage before it starts.
How is Technology Changing and Improving Real Estate?
When it came to investing, real estate was traditionally something of a game for people who had access to money and capital, making it difficult for people with a moderate income to be able to purchase property unless you spoke to the right people. You had to schedule visitations over the phone where you would talk with someone prior to walking into your prospective home with an actual tour guide. Through the use of property management software, managing real estate has become much easier and more accountable.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence have been catching a lot of attention recently and may be integrated as part of our touring program, and we’re confident our current clients and new tenants will see a lot of value in utilizing this new, innovative form of technology to help rental properties even faster.
Innovation on the Horizon
Some property management companies are making it part of its mission to give investors and prospects the access they need to ensure that the property they’re looking at is right for them. We mentioned earlier how technology has changed the game of real estate management. Gone are the days where there are numerous obstacles that prevent investors or prospects from seeking out the property that they want. With the use of artificial intelligence, they provide automation to real estate agents that was not readily available in years past. Robots conduct menial tasks that were originally tied to the agents themselves before they came into existence.
Virtual reality also makes it easier for people to do remote tours of a property to see if they’re interested in it or not. No longer having to step foot in a house or house(s) they’re not yet familiar with, properties can be pre-staged with virtual furniture so that prospects have an idea of what exactly they’re looking into. Investors are already taking advantage of this significant advancement as it makes it easier for them to make determinations as to whether they want to go all-in or not on the property.
Let’s Begin the Conversation for Your Investment Properties
In summary, we have discussed two fairly recent developments in the technology sector and how investors are using them to their advantage. As Barker Realty continues to improve ways of doing business and assisting are many clients and property investors, we are dedicated to making life easier for new homeowners and investors alike to meet their goals. Investing in technology is another way we help set ourselves apart. Who knows, we may be utilizing virtual reality and AI in the near future, too!
Raleigh, NC has experienced exponential growth in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. With plenty of job prospects, higher education options, and real estate investment opportunities, Raleigh is a hot spot for young professionals. Here’s why people are flocking to Raleigh–and why investing in rental property here is a great idea.
Abundant Career Opportunities
Raleigh is a thriving hub for technology, biotechnology, and healthcare, home to some of the largest employers in the Southeast. Startups and small businesses alike can benefit from the abundance of well-funded clients and investors in the area. As for large corporations, they enjoy the luxury of a big-city headquarters without the pricing of, say, New York or San Francisco. In 2016, Raleigh was featured in Forbes as the third best U.S. city for young professionals, and the city continues to top lists of best technical and biomedical jobs.
Convenient Centralized Location
Raleigh in the middle of the state and in the middle of the east coast, making it an ideal central hub for businesses and travelers. Raleigh is 15 minutes from Cary, 20 minutes from Durham, and 40 minutes to Chapel Hill, all thriving cities in their own right. It’s also surrounded by the suburbs of Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, and Holly Springs, all of which offer even more potential clients (and renters).
World-Class Healthcare
The Triangle is home to some of the best and brightest healthcare resources in the U.S., like Duke University Medical Center and UNC Medical Center. People across the nation, and even the world, travel to Raleigh to receive care here. Senior people like Raleigh for its temperate climate and its access to health facilities, which is why many choose to retire (and rent) here.
Higher Education Options
Raleigh is home to some of the best schools in the state and, indeed, the country. NC State University, Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University are just some of the biggest names you’ll see in the form of bumper stickers, T-shirts, and flags. Young people are consistently moving here to attend school, and often decide to stay once they graduate. That’s why you’ll never have a shortage of potential tenants here–our great schools are never going away.
Find Your Perfect Raleigh Investment Property Today
There are so many reasons to buy apartments and condos in Raleigh NC, we just couldn’t fit them all into one blog. If you’d like to read even more reasons to invest in Raleigh property, click here. And if you need help finding or managing Raleigh investment property, contact our agents at Barker Realty. With over 35 years of experience, we have the experience and industry know-how to find you exactly what you’re looking for. To schedule an appointment, click here.
In our previous post, we discussed the four biggest reasons people move to Raleigh: its abundant job opportunities; access to world-class healthcare; its nationally-ranked higher education options; and its unique central location. But there’s another big reason why people come to Raleigh—it’s fun! Raleigh’s thriving arts, sports, and foodie culture make it chock full of things to do. Below are a few reasons to invest in Raleigh NC property.
Arts, Culture, & Nightlife
Raleigh’s many colleges, and its status as one of the best cities for young professionals, attract young people from all over the country. As a result, Raleigh’s population is extremely young and vibrant. Every weekend sees people flocking to Raleigh’s numerous music venues, theatres, museums, restaurants, and bars. And if the usual nighttime scenes ever get boring, there’s always a concert, festival, or parade happening in Downtown Raleigh.
Basketball & Football
With three major universities located just minutes away, Raleigh’s sports rivalries are fierce, loud, and historic. The NCCA and ACC tournaments are practically city holidays in the Triangle, with every street, hotel, and barstool filling up with excited fans. When basketball season is through, you can watch NC State, UNC, and Duke go at each other again on the football field.
Warm Weather & Greenery
Nestled in the middle of the Piedmont, Raleigh is situated on mostly-flat land that gently slopes eastward towards the coastal plain. The climate is somewhat beachy, too: breezy and mild, with short, warm winters. Snow is a rare occurrence, and it’s rare for the temperature to drop below freezing. Raleigh’s balmy climate make it a favorite choice for retirees and, well, everyone. (The pollen, on the other hand, is another issue.)
On a somewhat-related note, Raleigh is also a great place to live if you would like to become more politically involved. As the capital and seat of government for a noted “swing” state, Raleigh is a theatre where national conversations are always playing out.
Need a Raleigh Property Management Company? Call Barker Realty
If you need help finding an investment property management company in Raleigh, contact our agents at Barker Realty. With over 35 years of experience in buying, selling, and managing investment property, we have the experience and industry know-how to help you find a great investment. To schedule an appointment, click here.
