by Barker Realty, Inc. | Feb 19, 2019 | Property Management Blog, Property Selection, Raleigh Investment Property, Raleigh Property Management
Raleigh is a booming city with a lot to offer. Its abundant attractions, high-quality school systems, and convenient central location earned it a #3 spot on WalletHub’s list of 2019’s Best State Capitals to Live In this year–the latest in a long list of accolades. WalletHub compared 54 key indicators of affordability, economic well-being, quality of education and health, and quality of life to reach its conclusion. Read on to learn why Raleigh is the perfect place to grow a career or raise a family.
Raleigh’s thriving economy
Raleigh’s economy is diverse and growing. It’s home to major employers like Duke University and Health System, Wake County Public Schools, and Duke Energy Progress. A major hub of science, research, and technology, Raleigh has no shortage of business opportunities. The city’s favorable tax laws make it easy to start a new business.
Raleigh real estate: affordable luxury
Raleigh real estate has been significantly increasing in value over the past few years. Since 2011, the average price of a home in Raleigh has doubled. However, Raleigh real estate is still more affordable than housing in the vast majority of US cities. The thriving real estate market is one of the reasons why so many people are investing in the city.
Top Raleigh schools
Raleigh is home to over 11 colleges and universities, including North Carolina State University, a major research center. Raleigh’s public school system has been nationally recognized for its diversity and innovation, and there are many excellent private schools, charter schools, and early college schools to choose from.
Recreation & activities
Anyone who enjoys being outside will love Raleigh’s mild weather and an abundance of recreational opportunities. Residents can bike, stroll, jog or play ball at many parks and community centers, or hike the mountains close to the area. As for indoor activities, there are countless museums, restaurants, theatres, and historic buildings to explore.
Invest in Raleigh real estate today
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to see why Raleigh was named one of the top places to live. If you’re interested in investing in Raleigh real estate, be sure to call the team at Barker Realty, and one of our associates will be happy to assist you!
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!
