Are pets ok for my rental? - 02/24/11 11:59 PM
Most owners prefer no pets yet many potential tenants have them.  How to best proceed?  Our policy at Homepointe is the best I am aware of.  We suggest "pets negotiable, with owner approval".  We still get a pet reference and a higher deposit or pet rent.  The reason for "negotiable" is to get the potential tenant to disclose the animal...its existence, its breed, its size and the number of pets they have.  Pets are not a protected class--if you do not like the animal you can decline the animal.  There may be a tolerable animal out there that even the most discriminate … (5 comments)

Vacancy turnover...move ins prior to work completion? - 02/24/11 04:09 PM
In an ideal world we prefer to move new tenants into pristine, turn key properties.  By setting the standard high you will lessen your heartache trying to pacify unhappy tenants.  Having a skilled property manager walk through a newly vacated home and competently assess what exactly needs to be done to expedite the work is key.  This speeds up the turn over maintenance and saves the owner money!  Costs rise with each passing day.  Every day the property is not occupied it is losing rental income and increasing costs such as power bills, advertisement and more. 
What happens when you have a family who NEEDS … (2 comments)

Carbon Monoxide detectors--follow up ON SB 183 - 02/19/11 06:31 PM
This is a reminder that all single family rental properties must have a carbon monoxide detector installed by July 2011.  This includes any single family property that has an attached garage and or any fossil burning appliance:  think gas stove, dryer, furnace, etc.  We encourage one be installed near each fossil burning appliance and one near the garage.  NOTE:  SB 183 makes noncompliance a criminal offense to the landlord or agent in charge of the rental property.  The language in the law requires the owner to maintain the detectors and check them regularly.  The law provides the landlord access to the property … (2 comments)

Domestic violence law and your rental - 02/19/11 06:20 PM
Senate Bill 782 pertains to residential tenant leases and instances of domestic violence.  It is important to know this law and how it can effect your rental property.  In a nut shell SB 782 permits residential tenants to break leases when they are victims of domestic violence.  The tenant must provide evidence of a police report or restraining order detailing the need to break the lease.   This year the law increased the period of time a tenant must notify the landlord of such an incident from 90 days to 180 days.  If the tenant decides to stay at the property they may notify the landlord of the need to change the … (2 comments)

Network for success - 02/08/11 06:47 PM
Word of mouth (and written blog) remains the best way to generate quality leads.  Meeting with agents and professionals in the industry periodically allows opportunity to keep you and your business in the forefront of their thoughts.  Out of sight out of mind is real.  Whether the relationships you work hard to cultivate and maintain generate free or paid leads...the resulting opportunity to meet and close on new business is key.  The opportunity must be seized.  Your knowledge, confidence and excellence will take you the rest of the way.  Keep meeting people and keep those relationships active.  Good things will happen.  I have a … (3 comments)