by Barker Realty, Inc. | Sep 23, 2019 | Property Management Blog, Tenant Acquisition, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords
Almost all investment properties include a criminal background check, credit card check, landlord reference check, proof of employment, and eviction report in their tenant screening process—and these are all musts for you, as well. By asking just a few simple questions, you can separate the wheat from the chaff and only allow qualified renters to sign a lease. Below are key questions to ask when screening tenants for your Cary investment property.
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What date would you like to move in?
This is one of the best preliminary tenant screening questions, because it quickly establishes whether or not you and your applicant will be the right fit for each other. Perhaps you have a vacancy that needs to be filled immediately, but your potential tenant can’t move in for another month or so. Or, perhaps the applicant is looking for somewhere to live immediately. It you determine up-front that your property won’t work out for each other’s timeline, you’ll save yourself significant time and hassle.
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How long have you lived in your current home?
It’s smart to ask potential renters about the duration of their past and current residencies. If they seem to lack stability, hopping around from property to property, chances are that they’re likely to do the same to you, leaving you with a vacancy to fill. Keep in mind, though, that this behavior is more typical for recent graduates and young professionals, so it is not always necessarily a red flag.
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Why are you moving?
This simple, yet mighty question could help to reveal a tenant’s past issues which they will bring to the new property. Ask tenants what bothered them about their previous living situation, and note how they communicate their frustration. If your very first interaction with a potential tenant leaves you wanting to pull out your hair, just imagine what it will be like when they have a legal right to the property! It might be better to save yourself the headache, and move on.
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Are you a pet owner?
This isn’t so much a question you should ask the tenant, as much as a question you should try to answer for yourself through observation. Many pet owners do not give an honest answer when asked this question, because they do not want to incur the additional fees. However, you could use context clues to suss out more information. You may be able to observe cat or dog hair clinging to their clothing, for instance. This is why we highly recommend interviewing prospects in person, not over the phone.
Make Property Investment Easy with Barker Realty Property Management
While credit reports, background checks, and reference checks are indispensable parts of the tenant screening process, nothing compares to the “gut feeling” a seasoned property manager has when speaking to a prospect. With over 30 years in the Raleigh property management arena, we know what makes a good tenant and what makes a bad one—and we’re happy to pass our expertise onto you!
If you need help screening tenants or any other aspect of investment property management in Cary or Raleigh, call Barker Realty today. We can’t wait to help you find and manage the Raleigh investment property of your dreams!
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jun 4, 2019 | Property Management Company, Property Selection, Raleigh Property Management, Safety & Security, Tips for Landlords
As a landlord, one of your top priorities should be keeping your investment property secure. Firstly, so that your tenants feel safe and protected; and secondly, because a property that is constantly being robbed or vandalized might scare away potential tenants in the future.
While many safety measures are up to the tenants themselves (locking the doors, etc.), here are a few steps you can take as a property owner to protect your investment.
Install Solid Doors
Flimsy, cheap doors, or doors with a lot of windows, can easily be kicked or smashed in by unwanted guests. To make sure your property is as secure as possible, it’s a good idea to install thick wooden or metal doors at each entryway. Even though the tenant’s rental insurance will usually cover damages from a break-in, the money you spend on extra security will still be worth the hassle and worry.
Install Lighting and Cameras
Lighting up an outdoor area is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to deter intruders. It also helps your tenants feel safer on the property, and reduces the risk of tenants injuring themselves in the dark. Motion sensor lights are excellent deterrents which don’t use a lot of electricity. Adding surveillance cameras is also a good way to deter criminal activity.
Document All of Your Valuables
If you include furnishings with your investment property, then it is a good idea to have a detailed record of all the items in the building. If your property is broken into and something is stolen, this will make it easier to replace and claim it through your insurance. Document the manufacturer, model name, serial number, and color of each item, whenever possible. This also includes appliances.
Need More Property Management Tips?
If you need more tips and ideas on taking care of your investment property, or would like to invest in Raleigh property, call Barker Realty. With over 30 years of experience in the real estate investment industry, there are very few questions we can’t answer! To speak with one of our helpful associates, just give us a call.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | May 6, 2019 | Landscaping & Grounds, Pest Control, Raleigh Property Management, Tips for Landlords
Most states legally require property owners to maintain a pest-free rental, but it’s also good business sense. No one will want to rent from you if word spreads that there are pests, and owners who won’t do anything about it! Then there’s the fact that pests like termites and carpenter bees will actively damage your property, forcing you to make expensive repairs. Here are some ways to keep your rentals as pest-free as possible.
Educate your tenants about pests
When it comes to educating tenants on pests, most rental complexes follow the standard procedure of handing the tenant a sheet of paper and hoping that they read it. You can do much better by having a face-to-face conversation with each new tenant about cleanliness and sanitation. Stress the fact that, this being the South, there are roaches and other pests, and they will enter any place that seems like a comfortable habitat. Encourage tenants to always seal food in plastic containers; always keep a clean sink; seal garbage can lids; and take out the trash regularly.
Inspect and maintain the property
Even if you have a property management company, it’s a good idea to visit the property yourself once every few months to inspect it personally. Check to see that the walls, floors, and foundations are sealed; that garbage isn’t lingering on porches; and that common areas are litter- and trash-free. Encourage residents to report any tiny cracks and openings they may find in their rental units, and look for them yourself during tenant turnovers.
Make sure garbage bins stay closed
Pests, especially rodents, are attracted to food and garbage that’s left out in the open. You can deter them by encouraging residents to keep garbage can lids closed at all times. It might also be a good idea to place a surveillance camera over the garbage area, just to give residents some extra encouragement to follow the rules.
Spray insecticides regularly
Since we are in the South, it’s a good idea to have an exterminator spray the perimeter of your rental property each month. The cost for exterminating typically ranges from $40 to $60, but it’s a small price to pay compared to the high cost (and danger) of a total fumigation. Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than a repair, even when it comes to bugs!
Work with a Raleigh property management company
Want to keep your investment property pest free, without worrying about it? A property management company can look after the grounds and common areas; encourage residents to pick up after themselves; hire and manage maintenance crews and exterminators; and all the other nitty-gritty parts of managing a property. If you’d like to learn more about our Raleigh property management services, contact us here!
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jan 19, 2019 | Property Management Blog, Raleigh Property Management, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords
Even if your rental property doesn’t allow pets, service animals are not considered pets, and therefore do not fall under any lease’s jurisdictions. But since service animals aren’t legally required to wear identification vests, upholding and enforcing accommodation laws can be a bit tricky. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to having service and companion animals on your property.
What is a disability? What is a service dog?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classifies a “disability” as a condition in which a physical or mental impairment affects the quality of an individual’s life. According to the ADA, a service animal is a dog (not any other animal) that is trained to perform tasks for a disabled person. 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. People with disabilities have the right to train their animal themselves and are not required to use a professional service dog training program.
Service dog or emotional support animal?
The key to identifying a service animal is noting whether or not it takes any specific actions to help its handler. If a dog has been trained to sense an anxiety attack and takes a specific action to help its handler avoid or lessen its impact, that would qualify it as a service animal. However, if the dog provides comfort due to its mere presence, it is considered a therapy or emotional support animal and is not protected by the ADA.
Rules and regulations for service dogs
Again, a service dog is not required to wear an identifying vest. However, it is required to have a harness or leash. If the handler is physically unable to hold a tether, or if a tether would interfere with the animal’s tasks, the animal must be under the handler’s control through voice commands or hand signals.
More landlord questions? Call Barker Realty
When complying with state and federal regulations regarding service animals, landlords have the right to ask questions and enforce their “no pet” policies. Hopefully, these tips will help you be fully ADA compliant. If you have other property management questions, contact Barker Realty or our sister company, Barker Property Maintenance.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jan 5, 2019 | Property Management Blog, Tenant Acquisition, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords
Even though you’re excited to rent out a freshly renovated apartment building or single-family residence, don’t let your enthusiasm cloud your vision. Even though you undoubtedly want to rent to the first bidders, it’s important to find the right people who will bolster positive tenant relations (and treat your property with respect!) Here are some real estate screening tips that will help you find quality tenants.
Always request an application
Having a potential tenant fill out an application lets them know that they will be thoroughly screened. Many prospective renters with troubled rental histories will bow out gracefully upon seeing your intent to investigate their past. An ideal candidate will have no issue with both credit and background checks.
Run a credit check
In some cases, consumers have figured out the credit reporting system and know that activity is reported every 30 days. They could be using this time to apply for residence because they know that their credibility will drop soon. 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, they may still have missed payments or a significant income-to-debt ratio.
Run a background check
It is important to run both a background check and criminal records check on every prospective tenant. An applicant who has made a mistake or two in the past may have just fallen on hard times, but someone who is consistent with his offenses may be bad news for your property.
Need property management in Raleigh? Call Barker Realty
Finding and managing tenants isn’t easy. Signing a bad tenant can easily cost a real estate investor thousands of dollars if the deal goes south, or damage existing tenant relations at the very least. Hiring a Raleigh property management company like Barker Realty is an excellent way to save time and reduce frustration with the whole process. For just a small monthly fee, we can quickly find and screen tenants and protect your investment property. If you have more questions or have more property management questions, just give us a call!
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Sep 28, 2018 | Landscaping & Grounds, Safety & Security, Tenant Management, Tips for Landlords
The Labor Day weekend offers many people one last opportunity to celebrate summer fun. Before the resumption of daily school schedules and the need to prepare for colder, blustery autumn weather, numerous households participate in friendly barbecues, large family gatherings, and pool side parties. Property managers in Cary, Apex, Raleigh and surrounding areas concerned about rental maintenance, may find this quick holiday checklist useful:
1. Prepare Recreational Facility Entrances in Advance
Do you anticipate a raucous end to summer rental maintenance with the arrival of numerous Labor Day guests? It makes sense to prepare for holiday celebrations at apartment complexes and trailer parks well in advance. Post property rules clearly at the entrance. If tenants can only admit a specific number of visitors, let everyone know in advance property managers expects to enforce those rules!
2. Supervise Pool Area Activities
Similarly, property managers in Cary need to ensure pool side area regulations also command a prominent, visible location. If your property requires everyone to adhere to basic safety guidelines (e.g. no running or rough horseplay beside the pool), post these rules clearly. Let tenants know about your overriding concern for safety. You’ll make your summer rental maintenance obligations much easier by ensuring everyone enjoys a happy, accident-free Labor Day Holiday.
3. Maintain a Clean Picnic Area
If tenants and their friends plan outdoor reunions at your site, make sure you mow the grounds surrounding the grill and picnic area before the holiday commences. Also ensure you’ve placed public trash cans for litter collection close at hand. Arrange to check the area from time to time if necessary to prevent overflowing garbage receptacles.
4. Respect “Quiet Hours”
Finally, let tenants know in advance you enforce facility rules relating to quiet hours. Other residents deserve consideration from noisy neighbors. The burden of enforcing these rules ultimately rests with you! By limiting noise levels after dark you’ll enjoy easier rental maintenance.
We hope you enjoyed our quick Labor Day tips for a peaceful and uneventful holiday for your investment properties or those you may manage.
