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Fall Overhaul | Our Seasonal Cleaning Guide for Renters in the Treasure Valley

Fall has officially arrived! Our favorite season! The mornings are feeling cooler, the days are getting shorter, and there are pumpkins everywhere. You’ll likely spend more time indoors as the temperatures drop. As you snuggle up on the couch with some hot cider, you may look around and realize it is time to tidy up your rental. Spring gets all the credit for the “cleaning season”; however, we think that fall is the perfect time to organize and declutter.

Proactively getting ahead of the cleaning game is essential as we will soon enter a new holiday season. Here is some motivation; there is a good chance you’ll be hosting friends and family for the holidays and will soon pull out all those beautiful decorations. Regrouping and decluttering before you add gifts and guests will make the fall and winter seasons even sweeter! These fall overhaul tips can boost your mood while providing a welcoming place to relax as the seasons’ change.

Decluttering & Organization

1. Take Charge of Your Closet

One of the easiest ways to know if you’re wearing most of what is hanging in your closet is to reverse your hangers the opposite way. Each time that you wear an item turn the hanger the right way. At the end of the season, you’ll have a solid idea of what needs to go due to not being worn.

2. Donate, Regift, or Recycle Unused Household Items

Donate gently used clothes & toys to shelters and other community-focused organizations that accept donations if possible.

3. Organize in Storage Totes

Keeping organized is no easy feat, and we’ve all been there. Separating and storing seasonal items, craft supplies, decorations, and more into their designated storage totes will make things easy to find when the time comes.

Fall Cleaning Tips

Living Areas

  • Vacuum all carpets and rugs, and vacuum your furniture. If you have a carpet cleaner, steam your floors and furniture.
  • Dust and wipe down all the hard surfaces such as bookshelves, end tables, dressers, and so on.
  • Wash all blankets and throw pillows
  • Wash all curtains and dust blinds
  • Clean all windows inside & out
  • Wipe down doorknobs, light switches, handrails, counters, and faucets with a disinfectant
  • Wipe down all baseboards
  • Dust off ceiling fans

Kitchen

  • Clean and disinfect the microwave, inside and out
  • Change the hood vent filter above your stove and clean off any grease from the hood
  • Use a plumbing safe cleaner for your garbage disposal
  • Pull the refrigerator out and vacuum the coils and the floor behind the unit
  • Clean out your pantry and, wipe down the shelves, donate any items that you may not use
  • Wash and disinfect your trash can
  • Clean out from under your sink and throw away any old cleaners
  • Clean out and disinfect the inside of the refrigerator and freezer
  • If applicable, run a self-clean cycle on your oven

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

  • Scrub your sink and remove any build-up
  • Disinfect the shower and tub
  • Scrub all the grout in the shower with a grout safe cleaner
  • Clean the inside and outside of the toilet
  • Sweep and scrub the floors
  • Wipe down cabinets and vanity
  • Clean all of the mirrors
  • Wash your shower curtain and shower curtain liner

Exterior & Safety

  • Keep gutters free of leaves and tree branches
  • Sweep your patio and/or deck and keep free of leaves that could damage the finish
  • Power wash your outdoor lawn furniture and outdoor toys and prepare to store them for the winter
  • Change the batteries in your smoke and CO2 alarms throughout the home
  • Change your HVAC filter at least once every 30 days
  • Test your furnace and thermostat to make sure that it is properly functioning

 

Free Printable Checklist

We’ve included a free printable checklist just in case you are anything like us and want to keep a reminder hanging around.

 

It is our ultimate goal here at RentWise to be the best in the business. We take pride in our team and the properties that we manage. If you would like more information on how we can help make owning an investment property “Less Hassle, More Happy”- we would love to speak with you! Give us a call at 208-949-3083 or email courtney@rentwisepm.com

3 Tips To Protect Your Vacant Rental Property

Do you own a rental property in the Treasure Valley in Idaho?

The overall vacancy rate between Ada & Canyon counties is at an all-time low of 1.67%! Although the vacancy rate is historically low, your rental property will become vacant at one point or another.

However, you may not have considered that a vacant home is a desirable target for thieves, crime, and vandalism. Empty homes are the easiest to break into without anyone noticing. Property damage from a break-in will likely be costly. Stolen plumbing, appliances, broken windows, and property damage can eat away your property’s profitability quickly. It will also take time to repair the damage so that it is livable again. There are several vital steps that you can take to ensure that your investment is protected and able to be rented as soon as possible.

Protecting Your Vacant Rental

1. Create The Appearance Of Activity

  • Increase Lighting- Keeping a vacant property well-lit is a considerable deterrent for those lurking. Installing motion-activated exterior lights on the front and back of the property is a great start. Further, having timed lights on the interior and exterior of the home will create the illusion that there is a resident in the home. If lights are kept on 24-7, it can quickly become evident to a criminal that there is no movement at the home.
  • Window Coverings- If you haven’t already invested in blinds or curtains, a vacancy is a perfect time to have those installed. Anyone can visit a property and look in a window; if it is apparent that the property is empty, this is an open invitation to crime. Covered windows can create the illusion that someone is home.
  • Maintain Landscaping- Overgrown and unkempt landscaping is the first sign that no one is living at a property. If your home is vacant and between tenants, landscaping will be a top priority to increase curb appeal. Further, keeping the lawn mowed and trimming shrubs and trash out of the yard will deter unwanted visitors.

2. Regularly Inspect The Property

  • Check Locks & Doors- Continue maintaining the home’s security by checking for broken doors and windows and ensuring that all locks are functioning correctly.
  • Remove Mail & Packages- Porch shoppers will quickly notice if there are boxes at the door. Additionally, if the mailbox is overflowing, this is a surefire indication that no one is home.
  • Visit the Property- If you are self-managing your rental and are local, visit your property regularly. However, be sure not to visit at the same time, as this will show a pattern. Thieves are sneaky and notice these small nuances when targeting a property.
  • Hire a Third Party to Inspect the Home- If you are not local or don’t have the time to dedicate to frequent visits, you may consider hiring a trusted third party to inspect the home. Experts such as TaskMasters Idaho will offer convenience and peace of mind to handle your vacant home inspections. A third-party inspector will enter the property frequently, test all doors, locks, and plumbing, and look for signs of forced entry.

3. Hire a Property Manager

It would be best if you were using one of Boise’s most-trusted property management companies. If you have potential tenants contacting you directly regarding your available vacant rental, be mindful of how much information you share. Your property manager can handle the many facets of protecting your vacant property and getting it tenanted quicker. Some of the details that your professional property manager will take of are:

  • Screening Tenants- Property Managers are skilled at screening potential tenants and spotting a scam. If you are inexperienced, you may disclose specific details regarding your vacant property to a stranger, which could set your home up for a break-in.
  • Marketing Your Property– The easiest way to eliminate vacancy concerns is to place great tenants in your property. Your property manager has access to a much more extensive network and will begin marketing the property immediately.

Final Thoughts

Owning a rental property in a place such as the Treasure Valley offers extremely low vacancy rates. Tenants are staying put and leasing properties for more extended periods. However, all rental property owners will experience a vacancy as tenants move from time to time. Additionally, considering the above tips, your vacant rental property will remain better protected. Further, staying proactive will lower the risk of costly damages due to theft, vandalism, or a break-in.

RentWise Property Management is committed to your success while owning an investment property. Investing in our services will not only save you time and money but will offer peace of mind that you are PROTECTING your investment long-term.

What is a Maintenance Emergency? | Your Guide to Identifying Emergency vs Routine Maintenance Requests

Undoubtedly, living at any property, you can expect things to break from time to time. Do you know what is considered an emergency maintenance situation? Sometimes, it can be undeniable in situations such as a severely leaking roof causing it to rain outside and inside your home. This certainly qualifies as an emergency, and requests must be submitted quickly. Other times, it may seem unclear as to what needs urgent attention. What if your oven stops working? Or your air conditioner isn’t cooling the home? Are these emergencies? What is considered an enormous inconvenience and emergency to a resident may not be an emergency when looking at the bigger picture. But, how can you identify an emergency or not? First, it is always a good idea to pull out your lease and read maintenance requests’ verbiage. Emergency maintenance may be identified as fire, flood, uncontrollable water, backed up sewer, electrical problem endangering life, or smell of gas. None of that sounds like fun. Let us break down a few situations that may fall under an emergency.

Emergency Maintenance

A maintenance emergency is something that, if it isn’t remedied immediately, could cause injury, pose a health threat, or cause severe property damage.

A few examples of maintenance emergencies can include:

  • A sewer back-up if it is flooding your home
  • A fire that is unable to be put out with your in-home fire extinguisher
  • The smell of gas / broken gas line / or suspicion of a gas leak (natural gas has an identifiable smell of rotten eggs)
  • Your roof is leaking and causes flooding and damage to the interior of the home
  • A broken pipe, waterline, or flooding inside your home
  • Air conditioning not working in sweltering weather
  • Furnace not heating home in frigid weather
  • Other electrical issues that, if not immediately repaired, could result in lasting damage, such as a fire

Routine Maintenance

Every maintenance issue is not an emergency. For example, if you have a leak from your toilet that is minor and can be contained with a bucket or some towels, this is considered a routine maintenance issue but not an emergency. Furthermore, a small leak, while annoying, would be considered a routine maintenance request.

Here are a few examples of situations where you can submit a routine maintenance request:

  • Your dishwasher isn’t properly draining
  • The garbage disposal is buzzing
  • There’s no hot water
  • Your stove burner won’t light or heat up
  • You have a clogged drain
  • Your ceiling fan stopped working
  • Your refrigerator is not cooling quickly
  • Your HVAC system isn’t heating or cooling in weather above 50 and below 90 degrees

Troubleshooting Maintenance

Many landlords and property managers expect their tenants to troubleshoot some issues before submitting a routine maintenance request. This isn’t because your maintenance team doesn’t want to help. Sometimes, things can be easily remedied with a quick DIY and will save you and the maintenance team time to tend to larger issues.

Below you will find detailed instructions on how to mitigate small maintenance issues in your home:

1.  Smoke Detector won’t work when tested: Test with approved smoke detector smoke spray and replace the battery.

2. Smoke Detector beeps: Replace the battery and check for proper wire termination connection.

3. No power to plugs or switches: Check and reset breaker panel or replace blown fuses. Check and rest all GFI outlets (located in the kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms, and garages). Check if the plug works off a wall switch.

4. Garbage disposal doesn’t work: When on, do you hear a buzz? If you do not hear a buzz, hit the reset button on the bottom of the disposal and test. If you hear a buzz, turn off the disposal and unplug it from the wall. Mounted on the side of the disposal or side of the cabinet is an Allen wrench. Put the wrench in the center shaft and twist back and forth (this un-jams the disposal). Remove the object, turn it back on, and test. Repeat until the object is removed.

5. No hot water: Check the thermostat on the tank for proper temperature setting. Check that thermostat is not set to “vacation.” Check and reset the breaker in the power panel. Check and reset the button next to the thermostat.

6. Hot water is too hot: Check the thermostat on the tank and turn it down.

7. Plumbing or fixtures leak: Turn off the water fixture, turn off the water at the supply line and notify Landlord immediately.

8. Toilet is plugged: Plunge and test.

9. No heat: Check the thermostat. Check that furnace covers are in properly. Check that a switch that looks like an ordinary light switch is turned on (located in or near the furnace room). Did you pay or disconnect the utility? Clean and replace filter and test.

10. Dishwasher won’t drain clean food out of the bottom of the dishwasher.

11. Dishwasher grinds or no water is coming in. Turn off; if there is no water on the bottom, pour two large glasses of water into the bottom and re-start. If the problem continues, call Landlord and discontinue use.

12. Refrigerator too warm or too cold: Check thermostat in the refrigerator is set correctly.

13. Water drips from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment. Remove all food and store it in a cooler. Turn off the refrigerator and allow it to defrost. Turn the refrigerator back on and replace food.

14. No Air Conditioning: Check all circuit breakers. Clean and replace filter and test.

Filing a Maintenance Request

Do not avoid maintenance requests! Although, some tenants feel as though they don’t want to bother their property manager with maintenance requests, so they don’t notify anyone. Any maintenance request that the property management team is responsible for should be filed as soon as possible. Further, if you fail to submit a maintenance request and the issue has escalated, resulting in damage to the property, you may be held responsible for any damages for neglecting to turn it in. A small issue now could turn into an emergency if it isn’t handled properly.

Additionally, if you have noticed an issue but are unsure of how to proceed, reach out to your property manager! Likewise, they will be glad to hear from you and can direct you toward a solution or suggestion. Your property manager will be able to explain if your issue is considered an emergency or routine maintenance.

Furthermore, if your property manager utilizes online maintenance requests, be certain to familiarize yourself with the platform. Undoubtedly, knowing how to submit a request will make your life less stressful should a maintenance issue arise.

At RentWise Property Management, we promise that we make every effort to act in our client’s best interests in every situation.

Interested in learning more about our services and how we can provide you with this type of service? RentWise Property Management. Less Hassle. More Happy.

SW Idaho NARPM | Q2 2022 Vacancy Survey Results

Have you ever wondered how to gauge the vacancy rate of a particular market? Further, have you ever wondered what the vacancy rates are based on the type of property you invest in? Well, you are in luck if you are investing in the Treasure Valley! Each quarter the NARPM Southwest Idaho Chapter conducts a vacancy survey with data sourced from local property management companies!

The Southwest Idaho Chapter of the NARPM(National Association of Residential Property Managers) has released its findings from the 2022 Q2 Vacancy and Rental Trends survey. The report is as of June 30, 2022. This survey tracks key performance indicators and market trends for single and multi-family homes across the Ada and Canyon County region. There are a total of 5,364 units managed between the counties, with a total of only 89 vacancies.

 

Q2 Vacancy Survey Results

The rental market has seen some very intriguing trends this quarter! The number of vacancies decreased by 152 units. The 2nd quarter of 2022 closed out strong with a market vacancy rate of 1.66%. The data collected indicates that vacancy rates have decreased significantly down by 28.75% from the 1st quarter of 2022! This is exciting news as it shows that the rental market in the Treasure Valley is as hot as ever.

Rental Rates

Ada County single-family rental rates decreased this quarter by an average of $81.00 per unit per month. The overall marketed rent rate for the combined single and multi-family comes in at $2,004 per month. To compare, that is a $325 or 19% increase per month based on the Q2 2021 Vacancy Survey.

Canyon County rental rates showed a larger increase in the second quarter of 2022 than the first. The rental rates for single-family homes showed an average monthly increase of $180. This puts the average rental rate at $1,927 per month. The current data illustrates that rental rates in Canyon County come in lower for both single and multi-family properties.

 

Rental Rate Comparison By County

Here are some of the key metrics for review that are broken down by respective counties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for the Q3 survey results that will be coming out later this year. If you have more questions about how we can help maximize the return on your investment property or would like more information about our services and how owning an investment property can be LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY,  give us a call at 208-949-3083!

See ya, Summer! | A Resource Guide for ’22 Back to School in the Treasure Valley

It seems hard to believe that it is time to think about kiddos heading back to school for another year. New school years bring hope, excitement, and sometimes stressful situations for parents. Whether you are new to the Treasure Valley, or are a lifetime resident, we wanted to make things easy for you. We’ve done our homework (see what we did there) and put together a resource guide filled with dates, school supply drives, and all of the extras to get a successful head start on the school year.

School Districts

Boise School District- https://www.boiseschools.org/

Nampa School District- https://www.nsd131.org/

Caldwell School District- https://www.caldwellschools.org/

Kuna School District- https://www.kunaschools.org/

Middleton School District- https://www.msd134.org

Mountain Home School District- https://www.mtnhomesd.org/

Back to School Fairs | School Supply Assistance

 

Boise Rescue Mission School Supply Fundraiser

Donations are accepted at: https://boiserm.org/school/

Backpack: A Program of The Idaho Food Bank-

https://idahofoodbank.org/programs/backpack-program/

Operation School Supplies

Assistance League Boise | https://www.assistanceleague.org/boise/philanthropic-programs/operation-school-supplies/

We sincerely hope that this guide helps to get a head start on the school year! The Treasure Valley community is phenomenal at supporting its residents. If you would like to know more about how RentWise Property Management ‘gives back’, visit us at www.rentwisepm.com, where we make finding your dream rental a LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY experience!

Should You Turn Your Rental Into A Smart Home? | Considerations Before Making The Switch

The world around us is surrounded by technology that is constantly evolving. Investment property owners are following the trends, and some have been converting their rental properties into ‘smart homes’. The technology industry has created devices that range from video doorbells, voice-activated appliances, noise control, flood detection, and more! While smart home devices were created for convenience, they can sometimes feel a little intimidating. Additionally, smart home devices can come at a cost as they are in high demand. So, is converting your rental property to a smart home the best choice? Let’s take a look at some of top considerations associated with adopting smart technology into your rental.

What is a Smart Home?

Simply put, a smart home is a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by a phone or computer. Smart home technology allows you to control almost every aspect of your home at the touch of a button.

Types of Smart Home Technology

The most commonly used smart home technology devices control lighting, security, appliances, and temperature control.

  • Lighting– The resident has the ability to set schedules for turning lights on and off, dimmable light features, and control energy output, all from a hub or smartphone device. Smart lighting also eliminates the need for additional outlets and wall switches due to the smart lights’ ability to be plugged in anywhere.
  • Security- Smart Home security is the largest component of adopting a ‘smart’ lifestyle. Smart home security allows the owner and resident to view live footage of their property when away, receive notifications and alerts, detect carbon monoxide or potential fires, trigger alarms to local police and fire departments, and remotely lock doors and windows.
  • Appliances– Many new appliances on the market are equipped with smart data technology that will provide maintenance alerts and recalls and provide the ability to request service.
  • Temperature Control– Possibly the most commonly seen facet of smart technology. Temperature control or ‘smart thermostats’ have taken the smart technology market by storm. Smart thermostats provide the ability to remotely control a home’s temperature by lifestyle sensing, programming schedules, and adjustments based on the local weather.

Why Should a Landlord Invest in Smart Technology?

The next generation of renters is among us. Millennials are more tech-savvy than generations prior and expect the accessibility and convenience of technology at their fingertips. Converting a rental property to a smart home is a value-add amenity for many potential tenants. Additionally, many rental shoppers may have smart home technology at the top of their requirement list. The added technology may create somewhat of a niche market when advertising to future tenants. This can also work in the owner’s favor as more technology and amenities equals the ability to market a higher rent for their respective property.

Benefits of Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology has huge benefits for both the renter and the property owner. Tenants enjoy the ability to set temperature control schedules, turn lights on and off, and get alerts from their appliances, such as when the dishwasher cycle is complete. This can help to keep their utility bills low and help with month-over-month budgeting.

Property owners can immensely benefit from smart home technology by ensuring that their investment remains in ideal condition. Landlords who provide utilities as part of their benefits package can maintain energy efficiency in their rental with smart thermostats. Smart technology can also track necessary maintenance in the home, which can save thousands of dollars down the road if they were not made aware of an underlying issue.

Concerns with Smart Home Technology

The largest concern surrounding smart technology is maintaining privacy. Smart technology can store a lot of data regarding a tenant’s habits, daily activities, and even where the tenant is located in the home. This may raise some serious concerns for potential residents. Owners can mitigate this risk by vetting smart home providers to ensure that data is stored securely.

Another concern that falls on the owner of the property is the cost surrounding converting to a smart home. According to homeadvisor.com, a full smart home conversion can cost anywhere from $10,000 – $150,000, depending on the features you are requesting.

Smart technology can be a great way to make your rental property more efficient and convenient for tenants. Well-managed smart technology can make a landlord’s job much easier! With some research and uncovering your needs as well as your tenants, you can create a positive tech experience for everyone

Are you currently looking for homes to rent in the Treasure Valley area of Idaho? Our lists are continuously updated, and houses move quickly here at RentWise Property Management. Feel free to check out our current listings!