Recently, I leased a Charlotte property to a lovely young couple with two small children. Although this was a great property, priced right and in excellent shape, it had been on the market for more than 90 days. When I spoke with the owner about a light cleaning, he questioned the need, since the house had been thoroughly cleaned just prior to placing it on the market.
While I understood his position, I also felt the tenant's request was not unreasonable. Even a house in pristine condition today may need some TLC in as little as 30 days. Unused toilets can acquire a water mark, dust settles, and floors have been walked on by showing agents and their clients. Any one of these issues is a tiny thing, but combined, they require attention.
I also look at this, and similar requests by tenants, as a positive indicator of the condition they will keep the property. Most times, tenant's high expectations result in tenant's high standards, all great for owners and Property Managers!
For a list of our current vacancies or information about our property management services, visit our website at http://cmrpropertymanagement.com .
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Why Owners Should Consider Professional Property Management
Many owners come to us frustrated and disenchanted with their role as a landlord. Many have a problem tenant behind on their rent, others are just too busy with their family and careers to deal with the day to day issues of property management. Others have been sitting on a vacant property for some time and need help finding a tenant.
As professional property managers, we handle issues such as these every day. We know how to deal with problem tenants, up to, and including the eviction process. Because of our stringent screening process, we minimize the chance of a similar problem with the next tenant. We screen not only credit, but criminal and eviction as well. Past records of collections, write-offs and evictions are a strong predictor of future behavior. We also obtain employment and prior landlord verifications.
For owners that are just too busy to continue managing their properties, we are here to help. Our property management team includes professionals to assist with maintaining your property in good condition. Our experienced property managers coordinate routine as well as emergency repairs. No more calls in the middle of the night for you! We also closely monitor tenant payments. All rents are due on the 1st of each month and are late on the 6th. Late notices are sent the 6th of the month, with 2nd notices sent on the 10th. If payment is not received by the 15th, eviction proceedings are initiated.
Our property managers know the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Monroe, Concord, Harrisburg, Fort Mill, and surrounding area markets, and will do an in-depth market analysis to determine a fair rental value for your property. We will market your property to minimize the time it is on the market, thus maximizing your income. We have the know-how to reach potential renters and the experience to weed out potential bad renters.
For more information about the benefits of professional property management phone us at 704-405-0634, or visit our site http://cmrpropertymanagement.com .
As professional property managers, we handle issues such as these every day. We know how to deal with problem tenants, up to, and including the eviction process. Because of our stringent screening process, we minimize the chance of a similar problem with the next tenant. We screen not only credit, but criminal and eviction as well. Past records of collections, write-offs and evictions are a strong predictor of future behavior. We also obtain employment and prior landlord verifications.
For owners that are just too busy to continue managing their properties, we are here to help. Our property management team includes professionals to assist with maintaining your property in good condition. Our experienced property managers coordinate routine as well as emergency repairs. No more calls in the middle of the night for you! We also closely monitor tenant payments. All rents are due on the 1st of each month and are late on the 6th. Late notices are sent the 6th of the month, with 2nd notices sent on the 10th. If payment is not received by the 15th, eviction proceedings are initiated.
Our property managers know the Charlotte, Waxhaw, Monroe, Concord, Harrisburg, Fort Mill, and surrounding area markets, and will do an in-depth market analysis to determine a fair rental value for your property. We will market your property to minimize the time it is on the market, thus maximizing your income. We have the know-how to reach potential renters and the experience to weed out potential bad renters.
For more information about the benefits of professional property management phone us at 704-405-0634, or visit our site http://cmrpropertymanagement.com .
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tenant Security Deposits
A common question asked by both owners and tenants regards the return of a tenant's security deposit. Once the lease term expires and the tenant moves out, we are required to return tenant's security deposit, less and damages, within 30 days of move out. The question is, how do we determine damages? The short answer is that tenants are responsible for damages over and beyond normal wear and tear.
As your property management company, it is our job to know, within reason, the condition of your property. During our initial visit to your property we make notes, take pictures, etc. Additionally, each tenant is provided with a move-in inspection form which is used to note any maintenance issues that need to be addressed, or to simply note something that they do not want to be held responsible for when they move out. A great example of this would be a carpet stain. Those of you that have children as well aware of the problem that occurs when a "red" beverage is spilled on carpet . . . it is nearly impossible to get out, even by a professional carpet cleaner. The owner has chosen not to replace the carpet, the stain may be small and will be hidden by furniture. The tenant needs to note the location of this stain on the move-in inspection form so that they have it on record that the issue existed when they moved in. Because we use this same form for move-out inspections, the tenant's security deposit would not be charged.
Which brings us to normal wear and tear. Will a tenant's security deposit be charged to repaint the house? If there is only normal wear and tear, no it will not. If their budding Picasso has used the living room wall as a canvas, then yes it will. Also at move-out tenants, at minimum, will need to make sure that the kitchen (including appliances, counter tops, cabinets) and bathrooms are cleaned, that you have swept and mopped floors, carpets are vacuumed, and that all trash has been removed from the property. If carpets are dirty, they will need to be cleaned. If walls have been painted, they may need to be returned to their original color. Doing these things will help us in returning a tenant's security deposit more quickly.
For more information on our property management services, or for a current list of our available homes for lease in Charlotte, Monroe, Waxhaw, Fort Mill, Harrisburg, or the surrounding areas, visit our site at http://cmrpropertymanagement.com .
As your property management company, it is our job to know, within reason, the condition of your property. During our initial visit to your property we make notes, take pictures, etc. Additionally, each tenant is provided with a move-in inspection form which is used to note any maintenance issues that need to be addressed, or to simply note something that they do not want to be held responsible for when they move out. A great example of this would be a carpet stain. Those of you that have children as well aware of the problem that occurs when a "red" beverage is spilled on carpet . . . it is nearly impossible to get out, even by a professional carpet cleaner. The owner has chosen not to replace the carpet, the stain may be small and will be hidden by furniture. The tenant needs to note the location of this stain on the move-in inspection form so that they have it on record that the issue existed when they moved in. Because we use this same form for move-out inspections, the tenant's security deposit would not be charged.
Which brings us to normal wear and tear. Will a tenant's security deposit be charged to repaint the house? If there is only normal wear and tear, no it will not. If their budding Picasso has used the living room wall as a canvas, then yes it will. Also at move-out tenants, at minimum, will need to make sure that the kitchen (including appliances, counter tops, cabinets) and bathrooms are cleaned, that you have swept and mopped floors, carpets are vacuumed, and that all trash has been removed from the property. If carpets are dirty, they will need to be cleaned. If walls have been painted, they may need to be returned to their original color. Doing these things will help us in returning a tenant's security deposit more quickly.
For more information on our property management services, or for a current list of our available homes for lease in Charlotte, Monroe, Waxhaw, Fort Mill, Harrisburg, or the surrounding areas, visit our site at http://cmrpropertymanagement.com .
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