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Year: <span>2020</span>
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Charleston Property Company | How to Create A Successful Online Rental Ad

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: charleston property management,Scott Properties
Charleston Property Company

Few people use the newspaper to find rental properties, which have made the classified ads obsolete for any Charleston property company. Instead, nearly every person looking for a rental in Charleston is going to look online to find the perfect home.  In a market as competitive as Charleston, property managers must make advertising and marketing online a priority.

5 Steps for Listing A Rental Property Online

There are five basic steps to creating a successful online rental ad that will get your property rented quickly to the perfect tenants.

  1. Choose Your Platform- There are several online platforms where rental homes are advertised. The best Charleston property management company will post across several, including Zillow, rent.com, Trulia, Relator.com, DoorSteps, Craigslist, and others.
  2. Click Worthy Title- The title of your advertisement is what makes them click. Be sure to include the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as the neighborhood in your title.
  3. Detailed Description- There is nothing worse than tenants viewing a property only to find out it lacks what they need. Make sure your descriptions are detailed with pet policy, deposit, rent, and fees. It would help if you also mentioned neighborhood highlights and amenities, school district, and date available.
  4. List Tenant Requirements- Taking time to show prospective tenants around to discover they aren’t going to qualify is a waste of time. Make sure tenants know the application requirements before the showing by listing in the ad.
  5. Photos: The best Charleston property company understands that pictures are worth 1000 words. Make sure you include clear photos taken while the home was clean and well-lit. If you can, stage the rental home with furniture and artwork for your marketing photos, this will help tenants envision themselves there.

Following these steps will help ensure potential renters see your advertisements. If you need a Charleston property company to help you manage your single-family rental home marketing, call Scott Properties of Charleston at 843-790-4929.

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Property Management Company in Charleston | How to Make Sure Tenants Pay Rent on Time

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Rental Property Management in Charleston,Scott Properties
Property Management Company in Charleston

Even the best property management company in Charleston can struggle to make sure tenants pay their rent on time each month. Getting rent payments on time is one of the most important tasks a property manager must perform for owners. When a property manager is consistently depositing rents late, the owner can have a large financial burden and the property manager may end up losing their job as a result.

There are a few ways that every property management company in Charleston can help to ensure rent is paid on time each month.

  1. Rent Is Clear- Your lease needs to clearly say the rental amount and when it is due, as well as any grace periods offered.
  2. Screen Tenants- Your tenants should have an income of three times the rent amount to be able to afford living there. When you are screening tenants request at least three back paystubs and make sure to verify by calling the employer. You should also consider the amount of time they have been employed by their current job.
  3. Online Rent Portal- When a property management company in Charleston can offer tenants online rent payments, they are more likely to be paid on time because of the ease and convenience. Online tenant portals can also be set up to deliver maintenance requests, communicate with the property manager, and receive notifications about events, neighborhood alerts and more.
  4. Reminders- When a tenant is a day late, make sure to send them a friendly reminder. If the office is going to be closed the day rent is due, or for a long holiday weekend, make sure a drop box is available for rent payments. Reminders can be sent via text, email, or through the online rent portal. However, a paper copy that is signed and dated by the property management company in Charleston also needs to be delivered.

If you are tired of dealing with late rent and tenants that do not pay consistently, call Scott Properties in Charleston and see how we can help manage your rental properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Company | Top Features of a Successful Rental Property

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Rental Companies in Charleston,Scott Properties
charleston property company

When you are investing in rental properties or starting a Charleston property company, you’re most concerned with how to have the most successful rental property possible. How can you make sure your property is always rented out and taken great care of so that you make the most profits? These are the number one thing you are thinking about when making a purchasing decision on a home.

Once you start shopping, make sure that the rental properties you are interested in have these top features and you’ll be set up for success.

  1. Great Neighborhood- The most successful rental properties are found in the best Charleston neighborhoods where the standard of living is high, but the cost of living is lower. If you plan to rent to students, make sure you are near campuses. If you plan to market to families, make sure you are in the best school district. If you want to rent to young professionals, make sure you are near the business district or downtown.
  2. Crime- Invest in homes where the crime rate is low. You’ll get the best rental value and have an easier time selling for a great price if you ever offload your portfolio.
  3. Amenities in the Neighborhood- Charleston neighborhoods are exceptionally large, so when starting your Charleston property company, you should look for homes where there are great amenities within walking distance such as parks, gas stations, grocery stores, entertainment and more if you are trying to attract families. Depending on your target demographics, the amenities might change, but these amenities will attract the right tenants.
  4. Average Rent- A Charleston property company will do a lot of market research into the average rental rates of a neighborhood to ensure they will make the best return on investment when comparing the monthly mortgage to the rent.

One trick to knowing if a neighborhood is worth investing in for rental property is to check out home many vacancies are currently in the area. Homes that sit empty for extended periods of time are indicators of an undesirable area.

If you’re ready to hand the reins of your Charleston property company to an experience property manager that can take your investment to the next level, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | What Style House Should I Invest In?

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: charleston property management,Scott Properties
Charleston Property Management

One of the best parts of Charleston property management is finding the perfect house to invest in. You might wonder what are the trendiest style of houses that people are looking to rent in Charleston? Some of the most popular styles of architecture found around Charleston include:

  • Georgian
  • Federal
  • Greek Revival
  • Italianate
  • Queen Anne
  • Charleston Single House
  • Art Deco

One thing all these houses have in common is they are multi-story homes. They also have lots of personality and charm. Newer homes built after the 1950’s, are commonly more modern with attached garages. There are also beautiful ranch houses around Charleston.

Features of A Desirable Rental Property

The style and architecture of a home are less important than the features that renters are most looking for from a Charleston property management company. Some of the requests renters most often have include:

  • Off street parking
  • Porches
  • Yards
  • Central air
  • 2+ bedrooms
  • 2+ bathrooms
  • Dining room
  • Kitchen with all appliances
  • Washer and dryer hookups or included
  • Large master bedroom
  • Walk in closets
  • Overhead lighting and ceiling fans

The more features you can include with your rental home, the more desirable the property will be. When you start adding in luxury amenities such as whirlpool bathtubs, hot tubs or swimming pools, beach access, and other such features, the rental rate can be higher than less desirable properties in the same area. You will have a competitive edge over the other Charleston property management companies and see your single-family homes always occupied.

Services Offered by The Best Charleston Property Managers

Not only do property features drive the rental value, so do the services you offer as a property manager from lawn and garden maintenance to online rental portals and request forms, the more you can offer your tenant from a customer service standpoint, the more likely they will be to renew their lease, not complain about rent increases, and stay satisfied.

If you are looking for a Charleston property management company that can do it all, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | How Much Should You Charge for Rent

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: charleston property management,Scott Properties
Charleston Property Management

One of the struggles of Charleston property management is determining how much a property owner should charge for rent on a single-family home. You don’t want to charge too much because it will be hard to rent out. On the other hand, charging too little means you’ll make fewer profits. Luckily, there are some standard ways that Charleston property management companies use to set rent on a single-family home.

  1. Home’s Value- The great thing about investing is that you can purchase a home for much less than it’s worth. Rent should be based on what your property is valued, not what you paid for it. Most property managers charge between .8% and 1.1% of what the home is appraised for. If the home value is $250, 000 you can charge anywhere from $2,000 per month to $2,750 per month. Rule of thumb is to charge less on the more expensive homes and closer to the one percent mark on the more inexpensive homes.
  2. Market Value- Charleston property management companies do research on what other comparable properties are renting for in the same neighborhood. You should keep your rent price within a few hundred dollars of the average.
  3. Mortgage- Though it may seem like a no brainer, Charleston property management companies must ensure that the rent will cover the costs of the mortgage, property insurance, property taxes, and costs of maintenance on the home.

An experienced Charleston property management team understands the market rent in the various neighborhoods around Charleston and can help you decide the best price point for your single-family rental home. Teaming up with a professional property manager takes a lot of the burden of research and evaluation off your shoulders and into the hands of someone that knows the market better than anyone.

If you’re ready to work with a qualified Charleston property management team, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management in SC | Licensing Requirements for South Carolina Property Managers

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Scott Properties
Charleston property management in SC

You might think all it takes to start in Charleston property management in SC is to purchase a house, then turn around and rent it to a single-family, but there is a little more to becoming a property manager than being an owner. In fact, in South Carolina, there are laws that govern what someone must do to become a property manager.

Charleston property management in SC companies don’t need real estate broker licenses, but they do need to be licensed as a property manager or broker-in-charge. If you own the property, and also plan to manage it, you may be exempt from this law; however, if you plan to hire a property manager, you will want to ensure they have the proper certifications and

How to Get A License for Charleston Property Management in SC

South Carolina property manager licensing requirements include:

  • Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be a property manager, and 21 to be a property manager in charge
  • Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent
  • Education: must complete a real estate commission approved course (30 hours) in property management fundamentals. You can bypass this requirement with a law degree or B.A. with a major in real estate will also qualify although college degrees are not required for becoming licensed.
  • Testing: Applicants must pass the property management exam and apply for the property manager or property manager in charge license within 12 months of passing the exam.

Hiring a property manager is always a great choice for investors who want to rent single-family homes. A qualified property manager will be able to get you top market rent value on the property you own, find excellent tenants quickly, and be able to effectively manage the tenants and properties with limited contact from you, the owner.

If you’re interested in hiring a property manager that will take the burden off your shoulders, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

 

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Charleston Property Management | What To Do If A Tenant Leaves A Broke Down Car Behind

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Scott Properties
North Charleston - James Island

Tenant moveouts are always a surprise. When you work in Charleston property management, you never know what state to expect the home to be in when a family moves out. Most renters are great and will follow the moveout checklist and do all the cleaning and replacing that is requested. However, sometimes, tenants leave behind personal property when they can’t take it with them and don’t have storage. When this property is broken down vehicles, the rules about removing the property is a bit different than if they left behind a couch, however.

When is a Vehicle Considered Abandoned?

When a vehicle remains on public or private for longer than seven days without the permission of the property owner, Charleston property management can start the process of having the vehicle removed. The tenant loses their permission to have the car parked on the property of the rental house as soon as the home is deemed abandoned. If the property is abandoned, the manager must all the police and report the vehicle abandoned. The police will then contact a tow company and handle the rest from there.

Many landlords have provisions in their lease that state vehicles not running, not registered, or not on wheels cannot be stored on rental property. If the lease has this provision, Charleston property management will be able to have the vehicle towed without notifying the police or the tenant, although it is a good idea to give the tenant a lease violation warning first, giving the tenant a chance to relocate the vehicle.

When is a Property Considered Abandoned?

South Carolina law says that rental properties can be considered abandoned when the rent payment is more than 15 days past due and the tenant has not been onsite or reachable. If the rent payment is late, and the utilities have been turned off by the tenant before the end of the lease, the property may be considered abandoned immediately, however.

Contact Scott Properties, Charleston Property Management

If you’re looking for Charleston property management that can deal with any tenant situations, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

 

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Charleston Property Management in SC | What Happens if A Tenant Abandons a Property?

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Scott Properties
charleston property management

Charleston Property Management in SC | The rent is late on one of your single-family properties. You’ve called, emailed, and even shown up and knocked on their door, but you haven’t heard from your tenants in weeks. When you go to tape the eviction notice to their door, it looks like most of the furniture is gone and no one has been home in a long time. You suspect the tenant skipped out on the rent and abandoned the house, but what can you do next?

Abandoned Property Laws in South Carolina

Code of Laws 27-40-730 in South Carolina outlines exactly how Charleston property management in SC can declare a home abandoned. If a tenant is missing or out of reach for more than fifteen days past the date of defaulting on the rent, the home can be considered abandoned. However, if the tenant skips out on the rent and has the utilities turned off, or reverted into the property manager name, the home can be considered abandoned from the date of the utility account change.

Once the property has been abandoned, the landlord can terminate the lease agreement and can lease the home to someone else. If the tenant left property behind and the items are valued at less than $500, Charleston property management in SC can dispose of the property without attempting contact with the tenant. If the personal property value is worth more than $500, the property manager or landlord needs to file an ejection application with the local court system and the judge must approve of the disposal.

If the tenant left a vehicle on the premise, the rules are a little different. A motor vehicle is considered abandoned when it has been left and unmoved on private or public property for a week or longer with consent from the property owner. Charleston property management in SC is not allowed to remove the vehicle on their own, however. An abandoned vehicle must be reported to the police in South Carolina who will arrange for the towing.

Contact Scott Properties | Charleston Property Management in SC

If you’re looking for a property manager in Charleston that can deal with even the most complex tenant issues, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Company | Why 2020 is the Best Time to Start Investing in Property

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Scott Properties
charleston property company

COVID-19, Coronavirus, has caused a worldwide pandemic like no one has seen in more than a century. Markets and economies all around the planet are struggling amidst the rising cases of the virus, but especially in the United States. You might think now is the worst time to take a risk and start your own Charleston property company, but there’s never been a better time for qualified investors.

Millions of people in the United States have lost their jobs and haven’t worked for months. Many people were never able to receive the extra unemployment stimulus and the number in the checking account is getting smaller and smaller for many families. While this is terrible news for the housing market, it’s a ripe time for investors that can get past the tightened restrictions on mortgages and have cash on hand.

Many sellers will be willing to sell their homes for deals they would never consider pre-COVID-19. They might have a limited time to pay the mortgage before entering foreclosure and selling as fast as possible will save their credit and reputation. Even properties that are paid off are being put on the market to ensure that families have the extra money in the bank to make it through at least the end of the year.

Although the best part about buying a home during the pandemic is the nearly guaranteed ability to buy for a steal, the sellers are also being put into a position where they will want to rent, rather than buy again. This means that more people will be looking for a Charleston property company to help them find the perfect home for rent.

Every Charleston property company owner knows that having a lower than average interest rate is not something offered to all developers or investors. If you’re wanting to become a property manager and invest in new houses, or flip houses, then rent—the market is on the buyer’s side in 2020.

If you’re ready to take your Charleston property company to the next level, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management in SC | How to Increase the Value of Your Rental Property

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Scott Properties
Charleston Property Management in SC

Charleston property management in SC | One of the most important aspects of Charleston property management in SC is always making sure the property owner is getting the best return on their investment possible. Often, property managers are tasked with finding ways to increase the value of the rental price to turn a bigger monthly profit. However, staying within the market value range for a property is very important. Unless you’re offering some big incentives such as a hot tub, pool, temperature-controlled garage, or renting the home furnished, if you charge too much, the home might be sitting empty for a long time regardless of the appraised value of the home.

There are a few improvements Charleston property management in SC companies can make to rental homes that are easy, affordable, and can give you a few hundred dollars more on the rent price.

  1. Outdoor Entertainment Space: You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars installing an inground pool at your rental property. After all, no one in Charleston is far from the beach. However, Charleston residents love to socialize and backyard parties are one of the best ways to enjoy the company. Consider installing a deck or patio, providing a grill, firepit, and maybe some nice patio furniture with the property. If the home already has a deck or patio, it might be time to repaint or stain for a fresh, updated look.
  2. Curb Appeal: The nicer a house looks on the outside, the more rent people are willing to pay. Charleston property management in SC companies should make sure the exteriors of the homes they manage are not peeling, windows aren’t broken or cracked, the siding is all present, and the yard is clean and tended to. Simple landscaping that doesn’t require much upkeep from the tenants is also a great selling point.
  3. Including Utilities: One way that some Charleston property management companies in SC make additional profits is by including utilities in the rent. The tenant gets one easy payment for all their bills and the company can usually come out ahead, especially if the occupancy in the home is just one or two people who work full time and aren’t home much.

These are the top three ways to easily increase your rent value, but there are a few other things you can do that will have tenants not thinking twice about the rent. You can charge for pet rent every month as well as a non-refundable security deposit per pet. Many property managers also charge more for short term or month to month leases.

If you’re interested in getting the most value out of your rental properties, call Scott Properties of Charleston at 843-790-4929.