by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jan 24, 2023 | Featured Article, Local Property Management, Property Selection, Raleigh Investment Property, Raleigh Property Management
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.
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Jan 10, 2023 | Raleigh Property Management, Tips for Property Investors
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.)
Crime & Government
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, Raleigh’s reported crime incidents are usually lower than the state and national average. Its neighboring city, Cary, ranks consistently as one of the top 3 safest cities in America.
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.
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. | Mar 21, 2019 | Property Selection, Raleigh Investment Property, Raleigh Property Management, Tips for Property Investors
After more than 35 years in the Raleigh NC property management business, we’ve seen almost every trick in the book when it comes to disguising a property’s flaws. If you’re browsing investment properties for sale this week, here are some red flags that might indicate it isn’t as new, clean, or safe as it appears.
New Paint and Carpet; Nothing Else
When sellers put investment properties on the market, it’s standard to give them a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting. But other details like the tiles, trim, and foundation will often be left as-is. Therefore, pay attention to these areas when browsing available options, and ask if the kitchen or bathroom have been updated. If not, it’s possible that the owner doesn’t have the budget to make any other harder-to-find improvements, either.
Cans, Bottles, and Noise
It’s always a smart idea to tour the neighborhood in which the investment property is located after hours. Listen and look for dogs barking, road noise, loud neighbors, beer cans, and trash. Note the location of the nearest college–if the property is near a lot of rambunctious students, it might be one to avoid (although your property will always be in high demand). You might also call the police department and ask how many reports have been recently filed in the neighborhood.
Excessive Caulk
It’s not always possible to tour investment properties when it’s raining outside, but if you can, it will allow you to see any water issues in the foundation. If you tour the property on a dry day, look for multiple, thick layers of caulk around windows and other points of entry, indicating that there might be a leakage problem.
Overwhelming Air Fresheners
If you walk into the property and are immediately hit by the scent of air fresheners, it might be covering up smells like animal urine, smoke, or mold. Most real estate agents light a candle or bake cookies to make a property more inviting, so a little bit of scent is to be expected, but if it seems that an entire can has been emptied, be wary.
Invest for Success with a Raleigh NC Property Management Company
Barker Realty, Inc. is a leading full-service real estate management, investment and development company in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for a qualified, experienced Raleigh NC property management company, our agents are ready to help. Click here to check out our listings, and contact us here to set up an appointment!
by Barker Realty, Inc. | Mar 5, 2019 | Local Property Management, Property Management Company, Raleigh Investment Property, Raleigh Property Management
When you are searching for a Raleigh NC property management company to take care of your investment property, here are a few essential qualities to look for.
Responsiveness
If a major issue arises in your investment property, such as a water main break or serious storm damage, you will want a company that is available 24/7 and able to communicate in a quick and timely manner. Look for a property management company that always gets back to you promptly.
Experience
When you are researching your property management options, be sure to inquire as to the number of clients the company has served and how many years it has been in business. A property management company that has experience managing multiple, diverse properties over a long period of time will be much more capable than a company which has only managed one or two.
Accounting Services
One of the best advantages of hiring an investment property management company is that it can manage rental fees, contractor payments, and miscellaneous financial elements for you. For this reason, when you meet with a potential company, be sure to inquire as to the financial or accounting services it offers.
Partner with a Raleigh NC Property Management Company Today
Barker Realty, Inc. is a full-service real estate brokerage firm with more than thirty years of experience in Raleigh NC property management. Whether you are interested in buying, selling, or investing, let us put our vast resources behind you and your real estate goals. To set up an appointment with one of our skilled property managers, click here.
