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 21, 2019 | Property Management Blog, Property Management Company, Raleigh Property Management, Tips for Property Investors
If you own a condo, duplex, or other type of investment property, a property manager is a necessity. A good property manager can take all the nitty-gritty details of managing a property off your hands, so you can reap in the rewards with minimal stress and hassle. Since this person will be your right-hand-man (or woman), finding a good manager is extremely important. Here are some tips on finding the best property management company for you.
Ask for References
Property management is quite challenging, so your first priority should be finding someone with experience. A good property management company should have several strong recommendations and references from previous or current clients. While it might be tempting to go with the first property management company you find, this can be a big mistake. An inexperienced property manager won’t be able to predict, and handle, the challenges that lie ahead—such as missed rent payments, insect problems, and maintenance issues, just to name a few.
Ask the Right Questions
During the interview process, it’s important to ask questions that will reveal the applicant’s decision making skills, industry know-how, and personality. Some good potential questions to ask a property management company include:
- What is your process for screening potential tenants?
- How long does it typically take you to fill a vacant property?
- How many units have you managed/are you currently managing?
- What is your process for fulfilling maintenance requests?
- What is your process when a tenant doesn’t pay rent on time?
- Have you ever filed an eviction? If so, did the process go smoothly?
A good property manager should readily have answers to these questions. If not, consider it a red flag that they won’t be able to handle the responsibilities quite as well as someone else.
Hire a Raleigh NC Property Management Company
A good property management firm can significantly lighten the load and take the worry off your shoulders so that you can devote your time and energy to other things. If you would like to learn more about purchasing an investment property in Raleigh, NC, call Barker Realty. We are a full-service real estate brokerage firm with more than thirty years of Raleigh NC property management experience. To set up an appointment with one of our skilled property managers, 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. | 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.
