Many people have chosen to make property an investment, and the smart and lucky ones have made a significant amount of money with this investment. Using a professional property management company can assist you in turning your investment into a profitable one.
A Property Management Company can maintain your property, find and screen tenants to lease your real estate to, collects the rent and handle maintenance and other tenant issues. Here are just a few reasons you should consider a Property Management Company:
1. Experience and Expertise:
Your goal with your investment property is to have the property make money for you. You do this by keeping the expenses low, and maximizing the income potential. An experienced property management company knows what can be done and has the ability to do it in an efficient way. They are also aware of the best practices, rules and laws in property management in your area and can give you the advantage of their knowledge so that you don't make errors in judgement that end up costing you your profits!
2. Property Maintenance.
Keeping your property maintained and attractive is important to retain its value and attract tenants. Maintaining a property can be hard work and require anything from minor grounds-work to major repairs. Your property management company not only has the relationships with the best contractors, they will be able to manage the day to day and the non-routine maintenance such that your investment is kept in tip-top shape at the best possible cost.
3. Getting the Price Right.
Getting the price right, and marketing it correctly can make or break your investment. If you go too high, you wont get tenants; not marketing it correctly, means you wont get tenants. AND... without tenants, you are losing money each month! By working with a qualified and professional property management company, you can assure yourself that the prices set are competitive in your market, for the type of property you have and that you have directed your marketing efforts at the proper demographic.
Owning investment property can be a lucrative income stream, but it takes good decision making and professional know-how to make this work. Feel free to contact Kuester Property Management to learn how we can assist you manage and market your investment.
Showing posts with label property ownership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label property ownership. Show all posts
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
What you ALWAYS need to do when you own rental property
Do you own rental property? Here are a few tips for you and your property management company to keep your business running smoothly.
1. Always Screen Your Tenants.
Never rent your property to anyone before doing a thorough credit history, checking references, and doing background checks. Failure to screen tenants often result in problems such as late-paying tenants, or those who damage the property. Your property management company should be able to assist you, (or in some cases completely manage) the tenant screening process.
2. Always Get It In Writing.
It is never wise to enter into a property agreement without a written lease or month-to-month rental agreement. It is important to document the terms of the relationship with your tenants -- including when and how you, or the property management company will handle tenant complaints, emergency and non-emergency repair requests, notice you must give to enter a tenant's apartment, etc. Your property management company should be able to assist you with a proper contract.
3. Always Handle All Financial Transactions Properly.
Establish a fair system of setting, collecting, holding, and returning rent and security deposits. Always inspect and carefully document the condition of the rental unit before any tenant moves in, (and make any necessary repairs to keep it in rent-ready condition) to avoid disputes over security deposits when the tenant moves out.
4. Always Stay on Top of Maintenance.
Maintaining a clean and safe property as well as making the needed repairs in timely fashion is vital to being successful at rental property ownership. If the property is not kept in good condition, you'll likely alienate good tenants, and tenants may even have the right to withhold rent, or sue for injuries caused by defective conditions, or even move out without needing to give notice.
5. Always Provide a Secure Environment.
Your tenants deserve a safe a secure premises. Assess your property's security situation and take the appropriate steps to protect it with proper lighting, tidy landscaping, security patrols where necessary and whatever else you need to do to protect your assets and tenants.
6. Always Let Tenants Know Before You Enter Their Rental Units.
It is not only polite, but in many cases the law to notify your tenants whenever you plan to enter a rental unit. You should provide as much notice as possible, at least 24 hours or the minimum amount required by state law.
7. Always Disclose Environmental Hazards.
If there's a danger such as lead or mold on the property, you need to disclose this to your tenants. You could be held responsible to any health problems your tenants suffer due to these types of hazards. It is always best to remedy the situation properly and as soon as possible, but at the very least you need to let the tenants (and potential tenants) know.
8. Always Work With a Reputable Property Management Company.
Choose and supervise your property management company carefully. Choose a company with a good reputation, references and experience managing the specific type of property you have in that market.
9. Always Purchase Liability and Property Insurance.
It is important to protect yourself by purchasing enough liability and other property insurance. Insurance can protect you from lawsuits by tenants. Injuries, fire and storms damage, burglary and vandalism are all things that can happen, and you should carry insurance to keep a small disaster from turning into a major one.
10. Always Resolve Disputes Quickly.
Dispute will occur eventually—in any time of property relationship. It may be something small—such as a client paying a day late each month, or something big, like the need to evict. But it is important to resolve disputes with your tenants quickly and without lawyers and lawsuits when possible. If a dispute becomes more difficult, you can consider mediation by a neutral third party, (again, your property management company can be very helpful here). By addressing any issue that arise quickly, you will be able to avoid costly and potentially devastating repercussions.
Kuester Property Manager
1. Always Screen Your Tenants.
Never rent your property to anyone before doing a thorough credit history, checking references, and doing background checks. Failure to screen tenants often result in problems such as late-paying tenants, or those who damage the property. Your property management company should be able to assist you, (or in some cases completely manage) the tenant screening process.
2. Always Get It In Writing.
It is never wise to enter into a property agreement without a written lease or month-to-month rental agreement. It is important to document the terms of the relationship with your tenants -- including when and how you, or the property management company will handle tenant complaints, emergency and non-emergency repair requests, notice you must give to enter a tenant's apartment, etc. Your property management company should be able to assist you with a proper contract.
3. Always Handle All Financial Transactions Properly.
Establish a fair system of setting, collecting, holding, and returning rent and security deposits. Always inspect and carefully document the condition of the rental unit before any tenant moves in, (and make any necessary repairs to keep it in rent-ready condition) to avoid disputes over security deposits when the tenant moves out.
4. Always Stay on Top of Maintenance.
Maintaining a clean and safe property as well as making the needed repairs in timely fashion is vital to being successful at rental property ownership. If the property is not kept in good condition, you'll likely alienate good tenants, and tenants may even have the right to withhold rent, or sue for injuries caused by defective conditions, or even move out without needing to give notice.
5. Always Provide a Secure Environment.
Your tenants deserve a safe a secure premises. Assess your property's security situation and take the appropriate steps to protect it with proper lighting, tidy landscaping, security patrols where necessary and whatever else you need to do to protect your assets and tenants.
6. Always Let Tenants Know Before You Enter Their Rental Units.
It is not only polite, but in many cases the law to notify your tenants whenever you plan to enter a rental unit. You should provide as much notice as possible, at least 24 hours or the minimum amount required by state law.
7. Always Disclose Environmental Hazards.
If there's a danger such as lead or mold on the property, you need to disclose this to your tenants. You could be held responsible to any health problems your tenants suffer due to these types of hazards. It is always best to remedy the situation properly and as soon as possible, but at the very least you need to let the tenants (and potential tenants) know.
8. Always Work With a Reputable Property Management Company.
Choose and supervise your property management company carefully. Choose a company with a good reputation, references and experience managing the specific type of property you have in that market.
9. Always Purchase Liability and Property Insurance.
It is important to protect yourself by purchasing enough liability and other property insurance. Insurance can protect you from lawsuits by tenants. Injuries, fire and storms damage, burglary and vandalism are all things that can happen, and you should carry insurance to keep a small disaster from turning into a major one.
10. Always Resolve Disputes Quickly.
Dispute will occur eventually—in any time of property relationship. It may be something small—such as a client paying a day late each month, or something big, like the need to evict. But it is important to resolve disputes with your tenants quickly and without lawyers and lawsuits when possible. If a dispute becomes more difficult, you can consider mediation by a neutral third party, (again, your property management company can be very helpful here). By addressing any issue that arise quickly, you will be able to avoid costly and potentially devastating repercussions.
Kuester Property Manager
Saturday, October 10, 2009
When Should You Hire a Property Management Company?
One of the major decisions as a property owner is whether you should hire a property management company. Many landlords manage properties all by themselves, occasionally with the help of an employee or associate. Depending on the type of property, and how demanding your tenants are, some landlords might need outside assistance.
Property management companies often are the landlords first line of defense. They take the late night phone calls, they collect the rent, they haggle with demanding tenants. Nightmare tenant? The property manager will even handle the eviction. A qualified management agency will also bring their contacts and experience to your property, sometimes having more solid networks and resources then an individual.
If you have lot of properties or units that you rent to the public, the more you're likely to benefit from a management company. Especially if your full-time job isn’t going to be a landlord. Living out of the region from the property in question is also incredibly tough. You can’t react quickly or easily to any property issue if you are several time zones or states away. Hiring a property management service is critical in dealing with issues that you will not be able to handle from across the continent.
Many landlords and property owners are looking at additional properties as investments. They shirk away from any type of hands-on management, as it is either not their forte, or simply they have different priorities. If you have never had to find a tenant or renter for a property, you will discover that it can a rewarding, interesting, frustrating, stressful, and exhausting process. Spending your weekends interviewing possible renters may not be your cup of tea. If you view rental property ownership strictly as an investment and want little or nothing to do with the day-to-day management of your properties, consider hiring help to manage your property.
If you happen to participate in an affordable housing program, things are going to get super complicated. In these programs, the landlord receives financial assistance, in the form of a grant, low-interest loan, or tax credits, in return for agreeing to rent at least part of the property to tenants earning below a certain income level. In order to receive the financial assistance, the landlord must comply with a STRINGENT set of rules. There is a ton of paperwork, as there always is with anything that the government hovers around. Again, if you are not planning on being a landlord FULLTIME, then you should hire a property management company that has past success with these particular housing programs.
Now if all this sounds interesting or intriguing to you, then perhaps you need to start talking to some possible property managers. How do you find a property manager? Well….That is a completely different article! Tune in again in a few weeks to find out our advice on how to FIND a qualified property manager.
Property Manager
Kuester Companies
Charlotte Concord Boone Myrtle Beach Fort Mill
Property management companies often are the landlords first line of defense. They take the late night phone calls, they collect the rent, they haggle with demanding tenants. Nightmare tenant? The property manager will even handle the eviction. A qualified management agency will also bring their contacts and experience to your property, sometimes having more solid networks and resources then an individual.
If you have lot of properties or units that you rent to the public, the more you're likely to benefit from a management company. Especially if your full-time job isn’t going to be a landlord. Living out of the region from the property in question is also incredibly tough. You can’t react quickly or easily to any property issue if you are several time zones or states away. Hiring a property management service is critical in dealing with issues that you will not be able to handle from across the continent.
Many landlords and property owners are looking at additional properties as investments. They shirk away from any type of hands-on management, as it is either not their forte, or simply they have different priorities. If you have never had to find a tenant or renter for a property, you will discover that it can a rewarding, interesting, frustrating, stressful, and exhausting process. Spending your weekends interviewing possible renters may not be your cup of tea. If you view rental property ownership strictly as an investment and want little or nothing to do with the day-to-day management of your properties, consider hiring help to manage your property.
If you happen to participate in an affordable housing program, things are going to get super complicated. In these programs, the landlord receives financial assistance, in the form of a grant, low-interest loan, or tax credits, in return for agreeing to rent at least part of the property to tenants earning below a certain income level. In order to receive the financial assistance, the landlord must comply with a STRINGENT set of rules. There is a ton of paperwork, as there always is with anything that the government hovers around. Again, if you are not planning on being a landlord FULLTIME, then you should hire a property management company that has past success with these particular housing programs.
Now if all this sounds interesting or intriguing to you, then perhaps you need to start talking to some possible property managers. How do you find a property manager? Well….That is a completely different article! Tune in again in a few weeks to find out our advice on how to FIND a qualified property manager.
Property Manager
Kuester Companies
Charlotte Concord Boone Myrtle Beach Fort Mill
Friday, March 13, 2009
To Lease or to Buy...The Best Decision for Business Owners
Dear Property Manager,
I am considering moving my business out of my home and into a commercial space. I am wondering if there is an advantage to buying the property instead of leasing. Is there a set of guidelines or a thought-process that will help me make this decision?
Any advice you can provide would be appreciated!
Mike K. Tega Cay, SC
Dear Mike:
To buy or to lease is a tough question for many business owners. And each individual situation is different--so the answer is... "it depends."
The first thing to consider is your finances. If you are able to purchase a commercial building--this could be a great option. You may also be able to lease out space that you are not using as a secondary income.
However, there are many headaches, frustrations, and extra work that can come from owning a commercial property. If you want or NEED to focus solely on your business, leasing may be the smartest way to go.
Below are the pros of leasing your business property:
1.) Flexibility. The biggest advantage is flexibility--when the lease is up, you can easily relocate to another office that better suits your needs.
2.) Less responsibility. If you are leasing, a property manager, or building owner will be responsible should maintenance need to be done--one less thing for you to worry about.
3.) Cash flow. If you aren't locked into a mortgage, you will have the option to take cash and allocate it to the projects and resources that you need to keep your business moving forward. Also, you won't need a down-payment, (typically 20-25% of the price of the down payment).
4.) Negotiable rates. The current market has plenty of properties available. You may be able to negotiate an excellent rate for your business, and lock it in for years to come.
5.) Easier tax paperwork. If your business is leasing office space, your income tax return will be simpler to file than that of a business owner.
Good luck with your decision and if you need any assistance in finding the right building--to buy OR to lease, please give Kuester a call at 704.973.9019.
Property Manager
Kuester Property Management
I am considering moving my business out of my home and into a commercial space. I am wondering if there is an advantage to buying the property instead of leasing. Is there a set of guidelines or a thought-process that will help me make this decision?
Any advice you can provide would be appreciated!
Mike K. Tega Cay, SC
Dear Mike:
To buy or to lease is a tough question for many business owners. And each individual situation is different--so the answer is... "it depends."
The first thing to consider is your finances. If you are able to purchase a commercial building--this could be a great option. You may also be able to lease out space that you are not using as a secondary income.
However, there are many headaches, frustrations, and extra work that can come from owning a commercial property. If you want or NEED to focus solely on your business, leasing may be the smartest way to go.
Below are the pros of leasing your business property:
1.) Flexibility. The biggest advantage is flexibility--when the lease is up, you can easily relocate to another office that better suits your needs.
2.) Less responsibility. If you are leasing, a property manager, or building owner will be responsible should maintenance need to be done--one less thing for you to worry about.
3.) Cash flow. If you aren't locked into a mortgage, you will have the option to take cash and allocate it to the projects and resources that you need to keep your business moving forward. Also, you won't need a down-payment, (typically 20-25% of the price of the down payment).
4.) Negotiable rates. The current market has plenty of properties available. You may be able to negotiate an excellent rate for your business, and lock it in for years to come.
5.) Easier tax paperwork. If your business is leasing office space, your income tax return will be simpler to file than that of a business owner.
Good luck with your decision and if you need any assistance in finding the right building--to buy OR to lease, please give Kuester a call at 704.973.9019.
Property Manager
Kuester Property Management
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