Many people may not agree, but these are interesting times for real estate. Think about it. It’s the same world basically with one minor alteration — the virus. And so, far fewer buyers are zeroing in on buying a new house; and far fewer homeowners are listing their properties.
But it’s not all bad. As summer waltzed in buying conditions seem back to normal. And as work-from-home become the new normal, more and more people are looking for a suitable place to rent. There’s a move away from the major cities. That’s true. With the virus wreaking havoc in New York and California, that’s understandable. But certain places in America are raking rentals in. You just have to be aware.
The good news is you can forge a path to a good rental property out of a formula from experts. Check out their take below.
Location, Location, Location
We can add another location in that subheading to add more emphasis. But that should ring loud as a bell to you. Location is priority number one.
To that goal, check out the location. Familiarize yourself with what the location offers and cross-check it with your target market.
If your target market is families with kids ensure there are schools nearby. The usual laundry list of available services for anyone to consider is access to malls, schools, offices, hospitals, banks from their homes. It’s nothing fancy, all practical things.
It’s important that you do your due diligence. For starters, ensure the location is safe, away from any earthquake-prone part of the country.
Also, find out the safety of the neighborhood. Things like this assure potential tenants. It may sound obvious but you’ll be left to wonder how come lots of property investors miss these things.
Ready for Viewing
When you get the property it’s time to get it ready for display. Make sure you do what it takes to attract clients. In this regard, a study of your target market should be most useful. Remember, you can’t leave things to chance.
Depending on the market, some people are more interested in houses that are fully-furnished. Houses that look empty may not be so attractive.
If you need to, you may have to do minor renovations. Have the walls painted, to begin with. Factor repairs and also hang curtains. You can as well get nice basic furniture for the home. That way it’s presentable and attractive.
In getting the house ready, opt for experienced and time-tested contractors. A good example is Win Win Contracting LLC. First up, this company’s reputation is solid. Its long list of clients attests to its enduring quality. Plus, you can get quality roofing and good siding services done by experienced experts at a good price.
Post Your Available Space Online
This is the technology age. Everyone is almost always online especially now that the virus is still largely at large.
So to be able to reach people in times like this posting the property online is the way to go. That way you can reach a larger number of people that might be interested. All you need to do is get pictures of the property ready. There are many real estate websites where you can post those pictures. Better yet, you can get the help of an online marketing expert.
Screen Possible Tenants Thoroughly
One thing you definitely don’t want to deal with is problems with your tenants. Many have been frustrated along the way because of the kinds of tenants they allowed into their property.
So right from the get-go, make sure you screen your tenants properly. As much as possible ask for documents of proof. Anybody willing enough to find a place to stay could lie through the teeth. And that should include employment history and current income.
Take Care of the Fine Print
The lease agreement is another part that shouldn’t be neglected. Many tenants have cheated on their landlords because of loopholes in the lease agreement.
The way to go about it is simple. Let a legal expert do it. That way you ensure you won’t leave any important details to chance.
For instance, state when the payment should be due every month. State the things you want and the things you don’t want. State how many month’s notices should be given before a tenant vacates and what they stand to forfeit if not followed.
Keep Your Property Occupied
It’s a tall order but definitely worth keeping. Your property shouldn’t be without occupants for a long time. That’s why it’s important to notify your tenants that they have to tell you ahead before leaving.
A month’s notice should be fair depending on your situation. Note that the rental business is also an advertising business. The better you handle your customers, the more they’ll talk about you.
