by Barker Realty, Inc. | May 19, 2020 | Property Management Blog, Property Management Company, Raleigh Investment Property, Tips for Landlords
As a property owner, you are probably already aware that service animals must be accommodated in all public property, including rental property. However, since the line between “service animal” and “therapy animal” can be a bit blurred, upholding accommodation laws can be a bit confusing. Here’s everything you need to know about having service animals in your apartment complex, condo unit, or rental home.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classifies a service animal as a dog—not any other animal—that is trained to perform tasks for a disabled person (defined as someone with “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”) Importantly, the dog must be trained to take a specific action to assist its owner; for example, alerting a diabetic that his or her blood sugar levels are too low.
An “emotional support animal”, however, does not take a specific action to assist its owner. So, for instance, if a dog is trained to sense a panic attack, and bring the owner medication or a phone, it is legally defined as a service animal. But if the dog merely helps provide therapeutic comfort through its presence, it is not considered as a service animal under the ADA or Fair Housing Act.
Many animal rights groups encourage pet owners to obtain a doctor’s note stating that they have a medical need for an emotional support animal. However, the ADA is firm on the fact that a doctor’s note does not turn a companion animal into a service animal. While emotional support animals, comfort animals, or therapy animals are often used to relieve loneliness, depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, they are not protected as service animals unless they have been specifically trained to perform a task for a disabled person. Medical conditions such as anxiety and depression, while serious, are usually not considered disabilities.
Service Animals and the Fair Housing Act
Importantly, if a person is disabled, it does not matter if the animal is a service or companion animal. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities so that they have an equal opportunity to enjoy and use a dwelling. In cases when a person with a disability uses an emotional support animal, a reasonable accommodation may include waiving a no-pet rule or a pet deposit.
Property owners may not ask a housing applicant about the existence, nature, and extent of his or her disability. However, an individual with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation may be asked to certify, in writing, (1) that the tenant or a member of his or her family is a person with a disability; (2) the need for the animal to assist the person with that specific disability; and (3) that the animal actually assists the person with a disability.
Need Help Managing Your Raleigh Investment Property?
Hopefully, these tips will help you be fully ADA compliant when it comes to the subject of service animals. However, it’s important to remember that laws vary from state to state, and decisions can always be challenged or disputed, so if you have any confusion in this area it’s best to hire legal counsel. If you need help managing your Raleigh investment property or tenants, contact Barker Realty today.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | May 5, 2020 | Barker Realty, Property Management Blog, Tenant Acquisition, Tips for Landlords
Once you’ve purchased your Raleigh investment property, signed all the paperwork, and made all the renovations and touch-ups you desire, you’re doubtlessly eager to start filling up rooms with tenants. However, don’t let your enthusiasm cloud your vision. Taking the time to find responsible, respectful, gainfully-employed tenants will save you a lot of headache and money in the long run, even if it means you have to sacrifice a few rent checks now. Below are the 3 most important tenant screening tips to follow, from our Raleigh property management team.
Always Require an Application
An application seems like a pretty basic no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the number of property owners who forgo this simple step. Make no mistake: ex-tenants with troubled rental histories are out there, looking for a new place that won’t thoroughly investigate their past. An ideal candidate should have no issue with submitting an application and waiting for approval.
Always Run a Credit Check
The best way to gain insight into a potential renter’s payment habits is to review their credit activity over the past seven years. Even if a prospective tenant has a strong credit score right now, they may still have missed payments on a previous property. Of course, making a mistake in the past shouldn’t exclude someone from moving forward—but that’s a decision you need to weigh with full understanding of the risks involved.
Always Run a Background Check
Again, this is another basic protocol that shouldn’t even bear mentioning, but again, we hear of so many property owners in our industry who forgo it! No matter how nice a prospective tenant seems or what their story is, it’s important to always run both a background check and criminal record check on them. Again, you don’t have to scrap an application for someone who has simply made a mistake or two in the past—but you do need to be fully informed of what you’re getting into.
Need Raleigh Property Management Help? Call Barker Realty!
Most property managers who forgo these three tips aren’t stupid—they’re simply pressed for time, and don’t have the resources to devote to proper tenant screening. If this description applies to you, consider working with a Raleigh property manager who can handle tenant screening and other tasks for you. A bad tenant can easily cost a property owner thousands of dollars in damages, legal fees, and other costs, so having a good property manager on your side is well worth the investment! To learn more about us and what we do, please click here.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Apr 14, 2020 | Property Management Blog, Raleigh Property Management, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords
Though we are only a few months into weathering the coronavirus pandemic, it has effectively changed life as we know it. Below are some tips that can help you maintain a positive landlord-tenant relationship during these tough times.
Remember That You are a Leader
First things first: remember that, to your tenants, you are in a leadership position. You control one of the most important aspects of their lives—their housing—and that means that, like it or not, you are a voice in their community that they will turn to for guidance and reassurance. Keeping this frame of mind will help you stop thinking of yourself as a victim on a sinking ship, and start thinking of yourself as a leader guiding the way through a dark tunnel. While you don’t have more answers than anyone else does, you can corral the troops, so to speak.
Inform & Reassure Tenants
If you have not already done so, send an email to your tenants alerting them to the measures and precautions you are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You should also use this as an opportunity to assuage fears, open the lines of communication, and address tenant concerns. Let your tenants know that, though you have not yet finalized a plan for addressing rental defaults, they will not be kicked out onto the street overnight if they cannot make rental payments. If citizens start to think they might lose everything very quickly, it could result in mass hysteria, which will only negatively impact you (and everyone else in your community) even further.
Explore Your Options
As we stated above, there is no one blanket way to address the financial impact of the pandemic. The actions you take will depend on your city and state ordinances, personal feelings, budget, current tenant relationship, and estimation of the future. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and that every other property owner in your city is facing the same questions. Reach out to local housing committees and state housing boards to discuss your options regarding funding and rent collection. You might work with local and federal government agencies to help your tenants find aid; work out a repayment plan once the crisis is past; waive late fees; or take some other course of action.
Prioritize a Positive Tenant Relationship
Without knowing you personally, can’t tell you how to manage your financial situation amidst this crisis. But what we can tell you from our experience in property management is that good tenants are worth their weight in gold. If you have tenants who are pleasant to interact with, timely with rent payments, respectful of your property, and respectful of their neighbors, it might be financially worth more in the long run to keep them than to replace them. “Good tenants” are actually saving you a lot of money in property damage repair, pest extermination costs, cleaning and trash pickup, and more; whilst bad tenants can often be an endless hole of frustration and lost revenue. For these reasons, sending out a panicked letter stating that you expect your rental payments come hell or high water might damage your long-term profitability more than it helps it.
Barker Realty, Inc. is a full-service real estate brokerage firm with more than thirty years of Raleigh NC property management experience. To set up a consultation appointment with one of our skilled representatives, click here.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Mar 10, 2020 | Barker Realty, Property Management Blog, Property Management Company, Tips for Landlords
There’s no doubt that these are stressful times for everyone, especially landlords. With so much economic uncertainty, it can become easy to become overwhelmed by fears and anxieties. Before you do, though, take a moment to step back, breathe, and refocus. Recognize that your tenants are depending on you to provide some sense of leadership and direction, since you are the one in control of their home, and becoming overwhelmed is bad for them and you. Below are some stress management tips for landlords which can help you help you keep calm and carry on during this, and other, crises.
Manage Your Media Intake
While it’s good to stay informed about the latest developments surrounding the Coronavirus, being too informed does little good and a lot of harm. As terrible stories continue to emerge from Italy, New York, and other epicenters of the pandemic, you may find yourself submerged in misinformation and worst-case scenarios that paints a pretty black picture. Pay close attention to your emotions as you read the news, and step away if you start to feel overwhelmed. It may be necessary to stop consuming news entirely, or limit your consumption to a specific timeframe and duration each day (e.g., thirty minutes each evening).
Put Your Mind to Work
The mind is a very dangerous place to be during a time of crisis. Instead of sitting around and stewing in your thoughts, give your brain an assignment—any assignment. This can be as simple as completing a difficult crossword puzzle, or testing yourself on basic knowledge, like naming the capital of each U.S. state or the countries of Africa. It is very difficult—nigh impossible—for your brain to worry and solve problems simultaneously.
Make a Goal and Focus on Crushing It
If you find yourself out of work due to the pandemic, don’t fall into the trap of browsing the web and watching T.V. all day. Recognize that this is your chance, perhaps your only chance in a while, to tackle a big goal you never have time for, or take steps to come out even stronger once the crisis is over. If you have creative aspirations, try working on your novel, developing your body of work or learning a new craft or skill. If you have always dreamed of starting a side-business, put together a business plan, try your hand at building a website, research ideas for logos, and create social media pages. Always wanted muscular arms, or a six-pack of abs? Now’s your chance to make it happen!
Practice Grounding Exercises
Much has been written about mindfulness and breathing techniques when managing anxiety, but one less-popular technique, which is often much more effective, is that of mental grounding. When things get tough, simply take out a piece of paper and record all the physical details of your surroundings: the number of tiles in the floor or ceiling; everything you can see from your window; the precise color of each object in your line of vision. Since your brain cannot focus on the external world at the same time as your internal dialogue, this helps quell panicked emotions and reaffirm that, while some things feel out of control, everything around you is still here.
Stay Strong – And Come Out On Top
Aside from staying indoors and practicing social distancing, there is very little landlords can do to bring the Coronavirus pandemic to an end. What we can do is let our tenants know that we are here for them; that we will work with them as best as we can; and that we are taking steps to keep the property safe, sanitary, and secure. By being available, calm, and compassionate to our tenants’ needs, we stand to forge stronger, longer tenant relationships that will last long after this situation is past.
Barker Realty, Inc. is a full-service real estate brokerage firm with more than thirty years of Raleigh NC property management experience. To set up a consultation appointment with one of our skilled representatives, click here.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Feb 4, 2020 | Property Management Blog, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords, Tips for Property Investors
If you own investment property in Raleigh, you don’t need us to tell you how stressful it can be. Keeping your property maintained, acquiring new tenants, and managing the ones you have can take a toll on landlords, especially those who are operating alone. However, if you want to be successful, stress management isn’t an option—it’s a necessary part of your overall business strategy. If you can’t find ways to relax and recharge, you won’t be able to give your best to your tenants or your investment. Below are some ways to relax and refocus from our Raleigh property managers.
Become a Master Prioritizer
If you haven’t mastered prioritization yet, now’s the time to make it, well, a priority. If you try to do every single thing on your list, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed. Instead, highlight the top five, or even top three items you’d like to accomplish in a day, and focus only on these. If even that is too overwhelming, go even smaller: highlight the one most crucial thing on your list, and tackle that before moving on to the next.
Take Note of What’s Going Right
As a landlord, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things that are behind schedule, unfilled, or in need of repair. One good way to reduce your stress level is to try focusing on the things that are going right. A pen and a piece of paper are all you need—physically writing down your successes at the end of each day will help you have something concrete to focus on when things get tough.
Take Periodic Breaks
If you find yourself spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere, step away from the desk (and phone, and email). As a property owner, you’re your own boss, so take advantage of it! Take a long walk; sit on a bench and soak in some Vitamin D; or run a small errand—anything that takes your mind off of work. Once you’re refreshed, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the challenge anew.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
If running your investment property is driving you crazy, maybe it’s time to acquire some helping hands. Accountants can help you keep your books straight; marketing companies can help you reach new prospective tenants; and landscaping companies can keep the grounds clean.
Most importantly, a property management company can handle all of people the above, plus your tenants, and all the day-to-day tasks that are currently eating up your schedule. If you need a property management company in Raleigh, call Barker Realty, Inc. for a consultation appointment, and get ready for a more controlled, relaxing life!
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jan 7, 2020 | Investment Property Blog, Property Management Blog, Property Selection, Tips for Property Investors
The days of real estate investors traveling from neighborhood to neighborhood on the hunt for housing opportunities are long gone. Nowadays, buyers don’t have to confine their search to just one city or state—in fact, some buyers will purchase a property in another state, without even setting foot inside. While we aren’t advocating for this particular strategy, we can’t help but get excited about a world that is truly a property investor’s oyster. Below are some of the most promising cities to add to your search in 2020.
Atlanta, Georgia
Google, Microsoft, Coca Cola and Verizon are just a few of the major corporations that have recently expanded their presence in Atlanta. Known as one of the largest tech hubs in America, Atlanta’s business-friendly climate and relatively affordable housing environment continue to attract startups and established companies alike. As more and more players enter the market and create job opportunities, Atlanta’s single-family rental market is expected to see steady growth. By the numbers, single-family home appreciation was very strong last year at 13.1%.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Massive educational institutions and a flourishing technology center have long made Raleigh an excellent opportunity for real estate investors, and the latest reports show that this trend will continue in 2020. In the first half of 2019, financial investment activity in Raleigh reached $385 million, and the city boasts more than 89,000 tech jobs. In fact, on the list of biggest technology hubs in the U.S., Raleigh ranks #3, just behind Silicon Valley and San Francisco. All of this means that 2020 real estate investors are guaranteed a good rate of return on a Raleigh rental residential or commercial property.
Orlando, Florida
Thanks as always to its steady Disney World traffic, Orlando is expected to report another high watermark in tourism this year. Hailed as America’s most-visited city, Orlando is a great market for rental property, due to the high percentage of leisure- and hospitality-sector jobs. Key metrics to watch include an annual population growth of 2.4%, and a forecasted household growth of 3.4%.
Jacksonville, Florida
Steady population growth in Jacksonville, particularly from retirees who have the luxury of discretionary income, have helped Jacksonville become one of the most promising real estate markets in the U.S. Sandy beaches, championship golf courses, and historical military attractions draw tourists to the area year-round, and make it a reliable investment for property investors to bank on. Jacksonville experienced 3.7% rent growth in 2018, and household growth is forecasted at 2.1% in 2019.
Looking for Investment Property in Raleigh NC?
When you’re considering purchasing rental property in Raleigh, an experienced property management company can help you make the best decision! And once you have made your investment, we can help you manage tenants, rent, property maintenance, and more. If you’re ready to become a Raleigh landlord, call Barker Realty today.
