Blog

Property management services Charleston SC investors hire are expected to keep properties maintained and a rent check coming in every month. When properties are vacant because a tenant has moved out and no one else has leased, investors are losing money and profits. This is why keeping tenants in their homes if they are great tenants is very important. 

Unfortunately, resident retention is often overlooked by owners and landlords because of all the other duties that are attending to daily. However, when you can work with property management services Charleston SC has to offer, you can get lease renewals early and often, so you never have to worry about vacancies. 

Tips for Lease Renewals

One of the qualities of a good property manager is being able to communicate clearly and often so that there is no miscommunication with tenants and expectations are set early. Make sure the lease also outlines the renewal process. Best practice is to require tenants to renew their lease at least 30-60 days prior to the lease deadline. 

Some of the ways you can entice your tenants to renew their leases earlier include:

• Offering a service such as carpet cleaning or a fresh coat of paint in a common area of the home
• Offering a discount off the rent for the first month of the new lease
• Thank-you gifts for signing early such as gift cards to local restaurants or entertainment.

Not only will these tactics help to get your leases signed early, but they will also help keep your renters happy. When renters are happy with the property management services Charleston SC offers, they are more likely to pay rent on time, not violate the lease, and have good professional relationships with the management and maintenance crews. Residents who are happy with their space, the management, and know they will be living in the home long-term will also take better care of the property which results in less maintenance requests. 

Call Scott Properties in Charleston if you need professional property management services at 843-790-4929.

Towards the end of a tenant’s lease a property manager can start feeling anxious wondering if the tenant will renew or move out, the condition the home will be left in, how long it will take to find a new tenant. Property management services Charleston SC investors hire can overcome these feelings by having an organized, preplanned move out process. When property managers follow a move out process plan using the tips and tricks below, the process can be expedited which is best for everyone. 

Move Out Process Planning 

Property management services Charleston SC investors work with should always have a proper and planned move out process detailed in the lease. These tips and tricks will help make the moving out process and transitioning to a new tenant run smooth and efficient. 

1. Communicate early and often- Property managers should be talking to tenants at least 120 days before the end of the lease to determine eligibility for renewal and intent to renew. A strong lease will include a clause that tenants must sign a renewal at least 60 days before the end of their lease. 
2. Utilize tenant referrals- If a great tenant is moving out consider offering incentives for referring a qualified tenant that can move in within 30 days of the vacancy. If your tenant was great, the chances that their friends and family would also be great tenants is pretty good. This can also reduce the amount property management services Charleston SC companies have to spend on marketing efforts. 
3. Move-out prep- The more preparation a property manager puts into move out, the smoother it will go. Make sure to do an inspection 30 days before the lease ends so you can get an idea of possible damages that will need to be addressed. Before you allow the tenant to turn in their keys, schedule a move out inspection that will address any damages that will be held against the deposit, so your tenants know what to expect. Get their signatures on this inspection form. You should also schedule maintenance as soon as this inspection is completed. 

The move-out process does not have to be a headache or hassle for property managers or tenants. If you own a single-family investment property, consider utilizing property management services Charleston SC offers to make the most out of your investment. 

Call Scott Properties in Charleston if you need professional property management services at 843-790-4929.

One of the most difficult things about owning rental investment property is knowing which properties will be the best to sink money into. Trends are constantly changing and what tenants want can fluctuate quite a bit between demographics and markets. Charleston property management companies hear from potential renters every single day about what they are looking for in their next home, what’s missing from their current home, and what is driving the rental market in Charleston. 

If you are thinking about investing in single family rental homes, contact a property management company first who can help you learn more about the wants and needs or renters in your marketplace. However, we can give you some of the top desires of families and professionals! 

Most Attractive Qualities of Single Family Homes 

The most obvious reason that people seek out single family homes opposed to multi-unit buildings, townhomes, or condos is the addition of privacy. Families are especially appreciative of the privacy and extra space that a home typically affords compared to apartments. However, not all homes are built the same and there are several considerations that Charleston property management companies regularly hear about from tenants. 

• A fenced in backyard 
• A Porch or deck 
• Multiple bathrooms 
• Off-street parking 
• A garage (attached is most coveted)
• Professional landscaping 
• Off street parking 
• Large bedrooms 
• Large windows for natural lighting
• Walk in closets.
• Extra storage space 
• High-quality, modern appliances
• Updated fixtures, carpets, and painting

Many tenants also look for services that different Charleston property management companies will offer such as snow removal, lawncare, carpet cleaning, etc. Tenants want to be sure that they are getting the most possible for their rent, and the more perks you can add, the more value tenants will assign to your property. The easier seeing the value in a home becomes, the easier justifying the rental price or raising the rent to be more aligned with market pricing will be. 

If you’re interested in finding out how our property management companies can make the most out of your single family home investment, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.