In today's video, I discuss Total Realty Corp's new Sanford, FL office- and how the company voted Volusia County's "Best Real Estate Company" and "Best Property Management Company" can help you buy a home, sell your home or find a great tenant for your home.
As always, I hope folks find a bit of value here.
Remember- Feel free to suggest a video topic! Have a Property Management question? Let me know, and I’ll answer it and make a video from it. Chances are pretty good that I’ll have … (0 comments)
Property Management: your Longwood neighborhood expert
Video production continues… with this one in which I discuss both the importance of employing the services of a local or “neighborhood expert“- as well as how I can be your Longwood neighborhood expert. Whether it’s Alaqua, Historic Longwood, Sweetwater or anywhere else in Longwood- let’s discuss how I can help you!
Hope folks find a bit of value here.
Remember- Feel free to suggest a video topic! Have a Property Management question? Let me know, and I’ll answer it and make a video from it. Chances are pretty good that I’ll have an answer for … (0 comments)
Pricing a property correctly is very important- for a few reasons:
1. Credibility with your client/owner. If a property is initially priced too high, an owner loses money as it sits vacant and others nearby that are priced correctly are rented out ahead of it. Initially pricing a property too low, however, will lead to an incredible amount of interest and a quick rental- but you’ll be doing a great disservice to an owner who is able to withstand a bit of vacancy time while netting … (0 comments)
OK, technically it is- though it shouldn't be included among the other four-letter words many have come to despise. Both renting and renters have surely taken their hits over the years. Who hasn't heard of the ol' "Rent versus buy" analysis? And how often do you hear that question answered with "rent"? Chances are it's been a rare occurrence. More often than not, owners are advised to sell rather than rent their homes out- while prospective buyer/renters are shown the many benefits of homeownership to the detriment of both … (8 comments)
You wanna put your what...where? And for how long?
The following is an excerpt from a tenant prospect's email this morning:
"I have a question since this request is associated with an out of state move from New Orleans. My cousins are arriving in the area on the 31st or latest 1st August. Is it practical for their movers to store their items in a POD or so in the driveway until the current tenant vacates the property?"
What? Our posted availability date for the property … (4 comments)
rent: HOA this, that and "Who's that?"
- 12/18/12 11:43 AM
HOA this, that and "Who's that?" HOA this, that and "Who's that?" We've all surely had our share of experiences both good and bad with our friendly neighborhood homeowners' associations (HOA's). I have a bit of interaction with them on the front end of my prospective tenants' move-in process- then I hope to never hear from them again until my tenants have vacated, quite frankly. Citations, warnings, liens, "friendly reminders", etc- not much good can come in the mail from an HOA once a tenant's in place. When looking to get everything in order ahead of a move-in, there are really … (6 comments)
rent: I know it's a free house, but...
- 11/30/12 07:08 PM
I know it's a free house, but... I know it's a free house, but... Saying business has been brisk recently would surely be an understatement. I'm seeing demand for rental properties here in Central Florida that continues to be at 5 or 6-year highs- and Economics 101 is a course taught daily. Our owner/investor clients are very happy when their homes are on the market for a very short time- and tenant prospects must move quickly to land a place they're interested in or risk losing it. That said, comments, questions and attitudes of tenant prospects continue to amaze me. While … (4 comments)
I stumbled across a pretty good Trulia article today- 4 tips to Keep the Vacancies Away. It can be found here: http://pro.truliablog.com/rentals/4-tips-to-keep-the-vacancies-away/
The four things they list as being helpful in reducing vacancy time (paraphrased here) are:
1) Featuring more than 3 photos in ads 2) Including videos in ads 3) Renting listings before they’re vacant 4) Promoting listings to a number of websites
I’d say that I agree with their suggestions for the most part, save the part where they discuss … (2 comments)
rent: Good communication is key- it could even save a life
- 10/25/12 08:53 AM
Good communication is key- it could even save a life Good communication is key- it could even save a life! http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-landlord-tenant-shooting-death-20121025,0,4556319.story From today's Orlando Sentinel comes this story that I dare say few could label as anything short of disturbing. Excerpts: "A Lake County landlord is accused of shooting and killing his tenant while the man was holding his 1-year-old granddaughter Wednesday evening." "...had just returned home from dinner with his ex-wife before the shooting began, according to an arrest affidavit. The two were getting their granddaughter out of the car when....started arguing." At … (6 comments)
Things continue to improve sales-wise here in Orlando. Great news if you're looking to sell- and mortgage rates remain ridiculously low if you're in the market to buy.
Investors? You're not left out to dry, either. The same low rates that are helping folks get into their first homes can help you buy that investment property you've had you're eye on for a while. Combine today's smokin' hot rental market with a great property manager- and what else … (0 comments)
It's been a long time since "rent versus buy" argument favored the "rent" side of life- but that's the news from here in Orlando these days. And I hope it's a sign of a rising tide that's going to lift a lot of ships.
Why the shift? It boils down to a simple payment gap between the costs of renting and those of buying, same as it always has. With our sales inventory here running at about 2/3 of … (2 comments)
It seems like such a simple request, doesn’t it? Well, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Regardless, it is a frequent request. If handled properly, this can be a win-win scenario for both the tenant and your owner. The most important thing is to establish the following- and to do so in writing if at all possible. This will reduce the risk of any security deposit disputes that may arise if you need to retain any of … (6 comments)
rent: I wanna believe in Zillow...and Global Warming...and the Easter Bunny
- 08/09/12 09:37 AM
I wanna believe in Zillow...and Global Warming...and the Easter Bunny O.K. We know The Easter Bunny is real- I mean, could any Earthly rabbit lay eggs? Case closed. Global Warming? Alright, you got me on that one- I really don't have any interest in believing in the ol' Global Warming hoax. When the days arrive where we find 110 degrees in Arizona and Antarctica, I'll consider it. But until then...nope. Which leaves me with Zillow, creator of the Zestimate and virtually all things Z. http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-08-02/should-i-buy-or-rent-we-do-the-math-for-you/ Here, Zillow lays out the case for how one can determine whether … (12 comments)
rent: Homeless man leases home- twice!
- 07/02/12 12:59 PM
Homeless man leases home- twice! http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/Radio/WNDB/WNDB-Latest/Homeless-Man-Charged-In-Ormond-Beach-Home-Rental-Scam.html Yes, it's come to this in Scammerland: A homeless guy that looks like he just stumbled off the beach has managed to swindle a couple of young tenant prospects. No longer safe in trashing our broken-English Nigerian (or "classic") scam emails, folks now have a new scammer type to be wary of- the surfer dude homeless guy scammer.. What's the world come to? Levity aside, this story and our current "holiday week" does provide another opportunity to address these Craigslist-type scams. This one's a bit of a lay-up, but I'll point out a few … (0 comments)
Think about it, who what are some of your biggest time wasters these days? Are they outside influences or inside ones? Are they in your office or outside it? And perhaps most important of all- is it you?
I'm pretty sure I can come up with 2 great ones to top my list, though there order's tough to sort out. They're pretty much equal in how they thoroughly waste vast amounts of my day- and I'd really love to figure out some ways to … (49 comments)
rent: THIS is the Medal of Honor
- 06/29/12 01:54 AM
THIS is the Medal of Honor THIS is the Medal of Honor Or Congressional Medals of Honor, as the case may be. Commissioned by Congress and presented by our president, this is simply the highest honor members of our armed forces may receive. It's a unique instance where an award is offered in differing styles based on the recipient's branch of service. Never seen a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient? You're not alone. With only 81 living Americans bearing one right now, it's an award whose recipients are truly special. Want your children to know a hero? First, let it be … (13 comments)
Whether on the sales side of things or the property management side of things, a solid written agreement is the rock upon which our relationships stand. The “papers” lay out the duties and responsibilities of each side, and also spell out compensation one side will receive in return for services rendered.
Signatures of all parties are key to making agreements valid- and crucial to making them stand and enforceable should the parties land in front of a judge one day.
It seems like apologizing is the “in” thing these days. Rush Limbaugh apologized to some lady that didn’t feel she was a prostitute. George Zimmerman gave some kind of apology for killing Trayvon Martin. And our president has been on a 3 and 1/2-year “apology tour” that’s led him to apologize to anyone and everyone that might have ever thought America did them wrong. Ridiculous.
Won’t see me apologizing for an incident yesterday, though. Pigs will fly, Satan will be wearing a parka … (10 comments)
http://youtu.be/MS4F4CoJgQ8 Orlando Property Manager Dennis Burgess (Legends Realty) continues his series of Frequently Asked Questions. Today, he discusses an owner-type question. One of the inevitable down sides of owning rental properties is that sooner or later, stuff is going to break down or fall apart. Maintenance issues pop up from time to time- including necessary repairs to A/C units, kitchen appliances, roofs and more. Florida's landlord-tenant law provides specific guidance and directives as to what an owner must do towards fulfilling their … (2 comments)
Often, it's the simplest of questions that result in the most thoughtful of answers. Along that vein, what are your thoughts on that last sale of yours? That last lease, or last whateveryouwanncallit?
Did you...bust your tail and get your seller the highest and best price one could get for them? Or was it a difficult process that found you in a battle you'd never win?
Did you...get your owner client a great tenant that's going to pay the highest rent the market … (4 comments)
Orlando Property Manager Dennis Burgess writes about property management, general real estate and news/events affecting the metro Orlando, FL area.
With more than 13 years of property management experience and being a licensed Florida Realtor, Dennis surely has some sort of information you'll find interesting!
Feel free to comment, send questions he may be able to help you with, or any referrals he may provide with top-notch service.
Thank you kindly for stopping and reading, and thank you for the opportunity to be of service in the future.
Total Realty Corp- now in Sanford!
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