RentWise Property Management

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Rent-Ready: What does that mean?

Whether this is your first time as a landlord or you have been renting out your investment property for years, you have likely heard the term ‘rent-ready.’ You might be thinking, “my property is in awesome condition,” or “my home is new construction.” Even if this is true, not all homes are automatically ready to rent. Getting a property rent-ready means that you are taking the time to ensure that it is in the proper condition to be on the market.

If you have hired a professional property manager, their team will walk you through the steps to get your rental prepped for your next tenant! So, before you list your property, we will walk you through a few necessary steps! Attention to detail will attract fantastic tenants and maximize rents collected.

Inspection Time

Taking the time to inspect the property thoroughly will prevent more significant issues. When you walk the perimeter of your home, this allows you to check every inch, top to bottom.

  • Turn on all of the faucets, check for leaks, and run the garbage disposal.
  • Test each outlet and light switch to ensure they are functioning correctly.
  • Inspect each appliance, ensure they are working, and replace them as necessary.
  • Check for blemishes on the walls and ensure that the paint looks clean and fresh.
  • Test the locks on each window and make sure they open, close, and seal properly.
  • Review the carpet’s condition and ensure that there is no damage to the seams or corners.
  • Test all of the utilities in the home; HVAC, Water Heater, Water Softener, etc.
  • Double-check all doors to ensure that they close correctly and that the seals are in good condition.

Taking the time to perform this inspection on the front end will undoubtedly save you time on the back end if any issues arise. Ensuring that all of the main components of a property are correctly functioning will make for happy tenants when they move in!

Curb Appeal

More than likely, the first thing that a prospective tenant will do is drive by the property once they see your listing. You’ll want to keep the outside of the home looking as flawless as possible! The exterior of your home is your first impression and can make or break a deal.

  • Keep the lawn mowed and tidy.
  • Rake any leaves.
  • Trim trees that could pose a risk to your property.
  • Check the fence and make any repairs to loose boards; restain if necessary.
  • Paint the exterior of the home and any doors.
  • Inspect the roof and ensure that there are no missing shingles or tiles.
  • Plant some greenery or flowers, and lay mulch.
  • Remove any trash or debris.

Make A List Of Necessary Repairs

Once you have inspected the property inside and out, you may have found a few things that need your attention. Most property managers have a team ready to assist with getting these repairs handled quickly and efficiently. Allowing your property management team of vendors to conduct maintenance repairs may even be part of your property management contract. Getting repairs completed will get your home on the market and rented faster!

Clean, Clean, Clean!

You’ll want to hire a professional cleaning crew to conduct a deep clean on your property. This will include baseboards, light fixtures, under and behind appliances, bathrooms, windows, blinds, and more! It is also a good idea to have all of the floorings in the home professional steam cleaned as well. You do not want any stains, pet odors, or discoloration on the floors.

Deep cleans are crucial to effectively listing your property. Tenants will not want to move into a dirty home, especially a house with the previous tenants’ dirt and dust. A home that is not spick and span will sit vacant for much longer.

Time To Rent & Work With Professional Property Managers

Once you have completed the rent-ready checklist, it is time to list your property! If you do not have the resources or the time to dedicate to tenant turnover and rent-readiness, then it is time to work with a professional property manager. Property managers have the knowledge and expertise necessary to get your property rented quickly. Property managers will determine comparable rents in the area, tenant screening, lease preparation, property showings, and collect security deposits.

If you would like more information on how we can make the rent-ready process LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY- visit us at www.rentwisepm.com 

Simple Tips To Prevent Pests From Invading Your Rental Home

Spring has sprung, and summer is on its way! With warmer weather on the horizon, this may open up an invitation to some very unwanted houseguests- pests! Unfortunately, pests are a common nuisance no matter where you live. Everyone will have to deal with pests at one point or another. Not only are pests a huge annoyance, but there can also be potential health risks.

When you are a tenant, you may be wondering who is responsible for pest control at your home. It is always best to check your lease agreement to understand the requirements for keeping these unwelcome guests under control. Some property managers will offer a nominal payment option that includes treatment of your home, inside and out. Regardless of what your lease states, there are a few surefire ways to minimize the risk of having a pest invasion.

Vacuum Frequently

Vacuuming often may seem silly and is likely something you are already doing. Things like crumbs and dust can accumulate in carpet fibers or under appliances and become the latest hot spot for an ant or roach party. It is guaranteed that these guys will invite the rest of the neighborhood to make themselves at home.

Take Out Your Trash

This is another tip that many of you are likely doing on an almost daily basis. Pests treat anything smelly such as trash as an open invitation to come in. Emptying your trash bins as soon as they become full will take some of the fun out of it for any roaches, ants, flies, and their friends. It is also a good idea to disinfect and rinse out your trash bins every month to remove any residue left behind.

Keep Kitchen & Bathrooms Clean

Implementing a daily cleaning routine for your kitchen and bathrooms will immensely reduce the risk of pests congregating there. Be sure to put food away as soon as you are finished. Wipe down the countertops at the end of every day. Be certain to empty the garbage disposal and keep the drains clean. Not only will a clean kitchen and bathroom boost your mood, but it can also provide some peace of mind that you’re putting up a roadblock from attracting pests.

Check Secondhand Furniture & Clothing

I think we can all agree that nothing beats a great deal! You went to a yard sale or your favorite thrift shop and found your dream couch and a new outfit too! Unfortunately bringing items into your home that have been in someone’s residence opens up the potential for pests such as fleas, bed bugs, roaches, and spiders. Your dream couch could have been in storage for many months and your new outfit could have been in a trash bag in their garage. Fully inspecting and cleaning and even spraying pest repellent on the new furniture can work wonders in keeping those creepy crawlies out.

Remove Clutter and Debris- Inside and Out

There is nothing better for unwelcome insects and pests than a pile of clothing, a stack of boxes, and a woodpile. Picking these items up and keeping your home tidy will deter pests from making these things their newest home.

Proper cleaning regularly goes a long way in preventing a pest party from starting in your home. If you should find yourself in a situation where some unwelcome guests are residing in your home, inform your property immediately so that you may work together to solve the problem before it gets out of hand. Visit us at www.rentwisepm.com for more information on our pest control program and how we strive to make every experience LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY!

 

Fire Safety In The Winter Months

The winter season brings beautiful scenery, fun activities, and traditions. It also means more time indoors. Spending more time indoors to stay warm and snug also comes with an increased risk of a fire in the home. The National Fire Protection Agency states that 48,530 house fires involving heating equipment occurred between 2014-2018 with nearly all fires occurring in December, January, and February.  Below, we have outlined some of the leading causes of house fires as well as some preventative measures to keep your property safe!

Portable Space Heaters

Portable heaters are involved in about 1,700 fires per year, resulting in about 80 deaths and 160 injuries, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates. When the weather turns cold, portable heaters are one of the quickest ways to supplement heat in a home. If you plan to use a space heater in your home, choose one that has been tested and certified by an independent laboratory and that will automatically shut off if the heater tips over. While you are using a space heater, plug it into the wall outlet, rather than using an extension cord or multi-plug adaptor. Place it at least three feet away from anything that can burn such as furniture, bedding, rugs, and clothing.  Be sure to turn it off and unplug it before you leave the room.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal. Anytime a gas-fueled appliance is used, such as a gas furnace, there is, unfortunately, an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Fire protection experts recommend having your gas furnace inspected and serviced annually. Ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your home and test them once monthly. Avoid starting your vehicle inside your garage to get it warmed up as this can also release carbon monoxide into the home.

Keep Your Chimney Clean

There are over 25,000 reported chimney fires a year in the U.S. They are almost always preventable. Make sure that a Certified Chimney Sweep inspects your fireplace, venting, and chimney annually prior to lighting a fire.

Fire Extinguisher

In about 80 percent of property fires, a fire extinguisher is all that’s needed to put out a fire. It is estimated that thousands of lives are saved with fire extinguishers each year. Fire extinguishers have an expiration date of 10-12 years and need to be recharged after every use.

Electrical Outlets

Fires caused by electrical outlets are typically due to worn wiring behind sockets breaking off. Inspecting outlets every few years can prevent this from happening and the potential for fire. Additionally, if your home is over 20 years old, the electrical outlets will need to be replaced and are unlikely able to handle the workload of today’s electronics and technology. Avoid overloading electrical outlets as this is also a fire hazard.

Insurance Coverage

This one is not a fire prevention tip, but more so a preparation tip if the unexpected happens. Check with your insurance provider to make sure that there is adequate fire coverage on your policy regardless of you are a property owner or tenant. Reviewing your insurance coverage each year will offer peace of mind and prevent any surprises if something were to happen.

We take managing properties very seriously from onboarding to exit for clients and tenants alike. If you would like more information about our services, visit our website or give us a call! Less Hassle. More Happy.

 

 

10 Tips For Attracting And Retaining The Best Tenants!

One of the primary concerns of a good property manager is maintaining occupancy in all of the properties they manage. High occupancy is a result of resident retention. Winning the loyalty of current and prospective residents is a key piece in maintaining a high occupancy rate. Location and luxury amenities may seem like home runs for keeping residents, but this isn’t always the case.

Additionally, a picture-perfect neighborhood will certainly attract prospective residents right off the bat.  It is what happens behind the scenes that really make the true difference. An attentive, professional property manager and leasing team can set the tone for how the entire tenant-property manager relationship will go. Trust, credibility, reliability, and rapport with new and existing tenants will be what drives success in both new leases and renewals.

In addition, we have compiled a list of our Top 10 tips to attract & retain the best tenants!

1. Be Easy to Reach and Responsive

A good property manager sets the stage with creative options for communication.  This does not mean that you are on call 24/7, but that your tenants know you will be responsive if they need to reach out, for instance. If your tenants feel as if you aren’t responsive, they may give up. This can lead to larger issues down the road that you may not be aware of.

2. Build Professional, Flexible Lease Terms

If a tenant feels like they are locked into never-ending rules, regulations, and fees they may start looking to move. Maintaining positive communication and being flexible to reasonable requests can make a world of difference.

3. Create Personal Relationships

No one likes to feel like a number in a database. Starting the interactions off right with a positive impact will create lasting relationships between tenants and their leasing team. Helpful welcome packets, personal notes, or cards at the holidays and birthdays, and planning small events will create a sense of community & makes tenants want to live there.

4. Make Improvements To The Property

Inexpensive upgrades can make a property feel brand new again. This can look like a fresh coat of paint, installing new technology, new landscaping, or upgrading appliances. One of the personal touches that can go a long way is letting a resident choose their preferred color of paint(within reason). This will make their house feel like their own and they will likely take pride in their residence.

5. Observe Fair Housing Practices

Treating all tenants fairly and equally is one of the best things that you can do to retain your best residents. This ensures that you don’t overcharge your tenants in rent and also prevents illegal discrimination.

6. Conduct Routine Inspections

Creating a schedule for routine inspections at move-in will eliminate any confusion when the time comes. Additionally, a tenant may be putting up with a small problem in their home that they haven’t reported to you. Relying on tenant maintenance is ineffective to knowing the true state of your property. Conducting routine inspections will keep your property in tip-top shape and will keep your tenants happy.

7. Keep Up On Maintenance

The number 1 reason tenants choose to move out is a slow response to maintenance requests. From a tenant’s perspective, they are not in control when something goes awry and they rely on responsible property management teams to alleviate the problems quickly.

8. Make Rent Collection Easy

Having a reliable and user-friendly platform to collect rent is one of the most valuable tools a property manager can have. Reminders and receipts can be sent to tenants so that rent payments are received in a timely manner.

9. Conduct Thorough Tenant Screening

A property owner and management team only want to retain tenants who are responsible, maintain their home, and pay their rent on time. One way to get a good idea of if someone will be a good fit is to conduct a thorough screening. This will include a credit check, financial credentials, and a background check.

10. Respect And Prioritize Privacy

Tenants want and deserve to live somewhere peaceful and where they feel respected. This means that if you must enter a property, with the exception of urgent emergencies, you should always give at least 24 hours’ notice. This allows the tenant to prepare and also make arrangements if there is a pet on-premises.

This is only a small list of ways that you can attract and retain the best tenants!  It is our mission to provide excellent service to you when it comes to your most valued asset and do it with the highest quality of customer service, tools, technology, and expertise in our industry! Visit us at https://rentwisepm.com/free-rental-estimate-boise/ to receive a free, no-obligation, estimate on what your home may rent for! Our motto here is LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY when it comes to owning a rental property!

Ultimate Guide To Preparing Your Property For Winter

Winter is coming! I know, Fall just arrived, right? It is hard to believe that it is almost time to talk about snowy days and crisp air. Property Managers are always thinking ahead, so it is time to tackle some strategic planning before the snowflakes fall. We have created this ultimate guide to help you get ahead of the seasons and avoid any snowy situations.

Planning ahead for the winter months is one of the most important parts of maintaining a property, especially a rental. Tenants depend on their property managers and property owners to keep their homes safe and secure when inclement weather hits. Not only does being proactive keep future costs down, but it also protects you from a potentially costly liability. Here are some of the best tips to ensure that your property is in tip-top shape before the seasons change:

Have Your Furnace and Chimney Inspected & Cleaned

Tenants typically don’t think about the HVAC system in their home until it is time to turn them on. One of the largest dangers, when the seasons change, is a faulty HVAC system or a malfunctioning fireplace. This is a recipe for disaster as both can cause fire and release carbon monoxide into the home if they are not performing properly. While your inspection is being done, it is a good idea to ensure that the ductwork is clean and that the chimney is free from debris. This takes us to our next suggestion.

Inspect Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With cooler weather comes the use of the furnace and/or fireplace if your property has that feature. Tenants are asked to test their smoke & carbon monoxide detectors each quarter. One of the largest hazards in the cooler months is fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The fireplace and the furnace have been lying dormant for many months and the tenant will likely assume they are functioning just fine and turn them on.

Clean your gutters

Fall is awesome and beautiful but also can leave a mess at your property. Another suggestion to prepping your property for winter is to ensure your gutters are free of leaves, branches, and other debris. If your gutters are full, it will weigh the gutters down. Also, ice may accumulate in the gutters from improper drainage. The extra weight from snow/ice/debris may cause the gutters to fall off your home while damaging the exterior in the process.

Inspect The Roof

The extra weight of snow and ice on a roof that is not in great shape can act like a ticking time bomb. This may cause leaks or even collapse of the roof into your rental. Having a certified roofing contractor giving your roof a good once-over will ease your mind and inform you of the remaining life of your roof.

Drain Sprinklers and Wrap Exterior Pipes

Draining sprinkler systems and wrapping exterior pipes and spigots will prevent leaks and frozen pipes. Standing water in pipes or irrigation systems will almost certainly freeze. This causes the pipes to crack and sometimes burst which in turn can cause water damage and a large mess to clean up!

Trim Trees

This is a tip that sometimes gets overlooked. Snow and ice love to sit on tree branches. If there is a tree close to your property you do not want the tree to break and fall on the property or other exterior features.

Inspect Exterior for Trip and Fall Hazards

Inspecting and repairing any trip and fall hazards is one of the most important steps you can take in getting your home ready for winter. Cracked sidewalks, broken handrails, loose decking are all liabilities and require your immediate attention. This is true anytime, but especially when mother nature is in control in the winter.

Check Trim on Doors and Windows

Increased drafts inside a home will cause the HVAC system to work harder. This means added wear and tear on your furnace and your property which will result in additional costs sooner than later. Having an energy-efficient home not only protects your pockets from a costly HVAC replacement, but it also keeps your home in great shape by keeping the elements outside where they belong.

As you can see, there are many effective ways to protect your property. We care about our property owners and tenants just like our friends and family. We would love to have you as part of our RentWise Family! For more information on how we make things “Less Hassle, More Happy”- visit us here! 

Taskmasters: Who Are They and Why Do We Use Them?

 

Property management is a multifaceted industry. Between onboarding new clients, resident applications, inspections, maintenance requests, and more- our days are busy! Have you ever wondered how we get it all done? I’ll share one of our secrets with you: utilizing a preferred vendor, Taskmasters. Our mission is to provide excellent service and do it with the highest quality of tools and technology. We strive to be the best. And using a specialized service such as Taskmasters allows us to focus on our property owners and residents and meet their needs in record time. 

So, who are they? Taskmasters Idaho provides additional expertise to our arsenal of professionalism and efficiency. RentWise manages many types of properties. We believe our vendors are the best in the business and take our service to the next level. Furthermore, Taskmasters specializes and assists with a wide variety of property management services, here are a few that we may utilize: 

Sign/Lockbox placement or drop off

Notice services such as placing 24-Hour and 3-Day Notices to enter the property with the resident

Move-out condition report

A final move-out condition report is indisputably one of the most important functions of a property manager. An unrushed, thorough condition report after a tenant vacates a property is in the best interest of all parties involved. Not only does the report include a floor-to-ceiling inspection with a written survey, but it also includes photos of any notations made. This allows us to compare the initial move-in condition report to the final move-out documentation. 

Exterior Surveys

Visual surveying of a property needs to be completed from time to time. This helps us to address any compliance issues and allows us to act quickly to remedy the situation.  Exterior surveys include a photo of each property and a compliance form sent to us if there are any issues spotted. Additionally, while this survey is being completed, there is no disturbance to the resident or owner and it is a quick and efficient way to confirm that the property is kept in great condition. 

Pet Checks

We love pets! However, sometimes pets can cause damage. A pet check includes a photo of the pet as well as a visual survey of the property for any damage. This protects our residents as well as the property owner. 

Vacant Property Checks

Keeping an unoccupied home safe and secure between showings is imperative! Conducting vacant property checks helps to provide our property owners with peace of mind that their investment remains in tip-top shape for the next resident.  The checklist includes: plumbing checks and testing functionality, ensuring that the home is secure and locked, confirms that utilities are on and functioning, removing any flyers or debris from the front entry, verifying signage, visually inspecting for pests. 

Our motto here at RentWise is “Less Hassle, More Happy”. We believe that you should love what you do and have fun doing it! Not only do we love our clients and our residents, but we also love our team of vendors too! Let us show you how hiring the right property manager can be a game-changer for your investment! We can’t wait to connect with you! Read more about our property management services, and give us a call at (208) 949-3083!