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Should I Turn My Home Into A Rental?

There are many reasons that you may be considering putting your home up for rent. Maybe you found your dream home and it’s time to move your family. Maybe the market isn’t thriving in your location. Or maybe you are looking to dip your toes into the real estate investing market and this is your first step!

Whatever your reason may be, there are a few things that you need to consider prior to jumping in feet first. Sure, it isn’t difficult to find a thousand landlord horror stories. It doesn’t have to be that way if you are proactive and do your homework. Keep reading and find out a few steps to take prior to putting the ‘For Rent’ sign in your yard!

Know The Laws

This is a big one to start with. Tenants have a lot of rights under The Fair Housing Act. You will want to be sure that you are familiar with the discrimination laws and the laws are constantly changing. These laws advise you how you are allowed to list your property and also what is considered prohibited. You will also want to be sure to check with your local city permit office. Many municipalities require rental homes to file special permits. Permitting is specifically focused on safety and an inspector will come out and inspect and be certain that there aren’t any safety hazards in your home.

Upgrades and Repairs

Once you have received your permitting inspection, there may be things that need your attention. Furthermore, you may want to update a few things to keep up with the current demands of the market. Upgrades don’t always have to be expensive and can be easy! Inexpensive upgrades may look like anything from a fresh coat of paint, to adding a smart thermostat in the home. Not only will this show well in a rental listing, but upgrades will also keep your home competitive in a booming rental market! The more pride that is shown in upkeeping your home, the higher rent you’ll be able to collect! Everyone wins.

Research Property Management

It is no secret that managing your own rental can cause some major headaches. You will be the ‘everything’ person. Accountant, maintenance department, legal representative, on-call for communication, and more! Hiring a reputable property manager will help alleviate some of these pain points! They will work on your behalf and you will likely be able to collect higher rents based on the amenities they can provide your tenants- and they will even screen potential tenants for you so that you don’t have to. Property managers can provide you with a market analysis and an estimate of what your property may rent for. Property managers will also be able to assist with any legal processes such as an eviction or past due rent collection.

Establish Ground Rules

Do you want to allow pets? Who is responsible for yard maintenance? How many people do you want to occupy your home? What about swimming pools, hot tubs, and fire pits? These are all things to heavily consider when you are looking at renting out your home as these are things that could end up costing you later if not handled properly. Property managers can most definitely build all of your wants into your lease to ensure that your property is protected and maintained.

Check With Your Insurance Agent

You already have the home insured, so why would you need to review your insurance? Insurance for rental properties is a different policy than an owner-occupied home. If you kept the same policy but were not living in the home, and a claim situation arose, your insurance provider may not cover the claim. That could equate to a financial disaster depending on the damage.  A rental dwelling policy includes coverage for the structure, liability protection, and also very limited contents protection. Your tenant will need to have renters insurance to protect their belongings.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when deciding to rent your home. It is always a good idea to gather the facts and make sure this is the best financial decision for your situation. Here at RentWise Property Management, we care for every property like it is our own from day one! If you would like more information on how to make the transition to property investor LESS HASSLE, MORE HAPPY, visit us at www.rentwisepm.com

Renters Insurance: Why Do You Need It? What Does It Cover?

You finally found your dream home! You paid your deposit, signed your lease, and have a move-in date. Your property manager gives you a checklist of things to take care of prior to moving in. On that list, likely near the top, is purchasing renters insurance and providing them a copy of the policy. Does this sound familiar?

At one point or another, most renters likely are wondering why they need renters insurance for a property they don’t own. Insurance can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. When an investor owns a property, they have a separate policy protecting the structure of the home itself as well as providing liability coverage. Renters insurance is financial protection for the tenant and their belongings.

There Are Three Main Components Of Renters Insurance Coverage

Personal Property

When applying for renters insurance, you will choose a dollar amount that will cover to replace all of your belongings inside your home. Personal property coverage will cover replacing your belongings such as furniture, clothes, appliances, etc. in the event that a covered claim situation has arisen. Covered claims will be instances such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm/hail. Coverage for your personal belongings will also be in effect even when you are not at home. For example, if you are on vacation or moving and you have something stolen, your policy coverage would kick in.

Personal Liability

If you have friends over and someone gets injured at your home, who is responsible? In instances such as a trip and fall, or a dog bite, you would be responsible, or liable. Your policy would help pay for some of their medical bills up to the dollar amount listed on your policy. What if this person decides to sue you? Well, good news. Your policy has liability protection to help assist with legal expenses.

Here is another scenario: you left a candle burning and it caught your apartment building on fire. What happens next? Your liability coverage protects you against lawsuits and expenses from unintentional damage to your rental property. Liability protection within a renters insurance policy can protect a renter from financial disaster and ruin. Most property managers require at least $100,000 in liability coverage, some requiring $300,000. Be sure to read your property’s requirements to ensure you have adequate coverage.

Loss Of Use

If your home has become uninhabitable, you have protection for that as well! Loss of use coverage provides you with a temporary place to live above and beyond your normal monthly expenses, up to a certain dollar amount that is predetermined in your policy. If your hotel doesn’t have a kitchen, your loss of use coverage can also help to cover meals at restaurants. Your loss of use coverage can even cover the additional cost of gas if you are driving further to work or doctor’s appointments.

Other Coverage Considerations

There are a few other things that you may have not thought about, that your renter’s insurance policy may provide coverage for. Certain items such as jewelry, firearms, business equipment, and electronics have different coverage limits than the blanket coverage your personal property provides

  • Identity Theft
  • Jewelry
  • Firearms
  • Property that belongs to others on your property
  • Your property in a storage unit
  • Monetary replacement of food due to a mechanical breakdown or power outage

It is a good idea to check your policy to ensure that there are no gaps.

What Is Not Covered?

We have discussed what is covered, but now it’s time to go over what may not be covered so that you may avoid any surprises.

  • Flooding
  • Damage caused by pests
  • High-value items such as artwork, expensive pieces of jewelry, collectibles
  • Your vehicle
  • Earthquake (this typically can be added as an endorsement)

Before Purchasing Renters Insurance

It is always a great idea to take a detailed inventory of your personal belongings, with photos. In the event that your home is damaged or even deemed a total loss, it will be difficult to try and remember everything you’ve lost. Also, read the fine print on your renter’s insurance policy. There are two types of policies: replacement cost and actual cash value. While an actual cash value policy may be more affordable on the front end, claim payouts will be depreciated. Replacement cost policies will pay what it costs to replace with like and kind in today’s dollar.

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

 

Q4 Vacancy Report-2021

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!

Demand for homes in the Treasure Valley

According to a recent Forbes article, real estate in Boise is booming and investors around the country are taking note. The numbers don’t lie! As of December 2021, there were 9,243 rental doors between Ada and Canyon counties! 2021 started out with the lowest vacancy rates in over 15 years. The 4th quarter of 2021 has demonstrated that the demand for rental homes has remained strong with an overall vacancy rate of 1.58% which is a vast improvement over Q3 of 2021 where the vacancy rate was 3.3%.

Reports

Summary

Ada County single-family marketed rental rates increased this quarter by $129 per unit in monthly rent. Multi-family units in Ada County increased by an average of $142 in rent per month. The overall marketed rent per unit increased by $242 making the average marketed rent $1,880 per month.

Canyon County rental rates saw a decrease of $19 this quarter putting the overall average market rent at $1,662.

The grand total of vacancies in the 4th quarter of 2021 between Ada and Canyon Counties was 143 with a combined average rent of $1,779.

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!

 

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.

 

 

Five Decorating Hacks For Renters!

Happy New Year! Whether you just moved into your dream rental home, or you just cleared out all the holiday decor- we know that decorating as a renter can be a challenge. Starting off the new year with some fresh, new decor can brighten the mood in the winter months and even make your space feel more open and light! We have compiled a shortlist of our landlord-friendly decorating tips to make your house feel like home!

Temporary Wallpaper

Wallpaper? YES! Wallpaper is making a comeback! Peel and stick removable wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to add a pop of color to your rental home! Since you are likely unable to paint the walls, this is a quick and affordable way to make your space stylish! Websites like Amazon have hundreds of options and are filled with inspiration! When you are ready to remove, just peel the design and be sure to wipe the walls down!

Area Rugs

When you are renting a space, you do not get to choose the floor coverings and they may not completely match your taste. Your landlord is very unlikely to change the flooring if it is still in good condition, so the renter will need to improvise. Area rugs are a great way to make a space come together with very little effort. The hardest part will be choosing the perfect design! Area rugs will also keep flooring in tip-top shape & prevent wear and tear of the flooring in your rental.

Photo Tiles

Nothing says “home” like personal photos! Your landlord may have strict restrictions on nail holes which can limit your decorating options. Websites like Snapfish and Mixtiles and many other photo sites have helped to solve this problem! While we have no affiliation to any specific provider, we have used these ourselves! You can upload your favorite photos, and they come printed on a lightweight surface and are ready to hang with double-sided photo tape. Photo tiles also create a clean, uniform look that solves the issue of mixing and matching photo frames.

House Plants

Whether you have a green thumb, or just prefer the look of an artificial plant, house plants are a stress-free decorating option for renters! If you opt for artificial plants, you do not have to worry about watering them or getting dirt anywhere. If you prefer live plants, be sure to keep a watch for bugs or leaks in the pots to ensure no damage occurs in the property.

Battery Operated Flameless Candles

Relaxing at home almost always includes lighting a candle. When you are a renter, you have to be especially conscious about fire hazards and your lease may even have specific terms against candles. Thankfully, there are many options out there to create the same ambiance of candles, but without the risk! Some flameless candles come scented and even have lifelike flickering flames. Battery Operated Flameless Candles usually come with timers so you can even set a daily timer so your candles are lit each night at dark! Pretty cool, right? You can find flameless candles almost anywhere that sells traditional candles. A side note, flameless candles are a huge bonus if the power goes out!

We hope you loved these easy-to-manage tips on how to beautify your rental home as well as keep your landlord happy! Want to learn more about our services or how to become one of our happy tenants? Contact us at 208-949-3083 or check out our website at www.rentwisepm.com. Less Hassle. More Happy.

From Our Family To Yours This Season…

One of the real joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New year! We understand and appreciate these last few years have felt like a challenge. All of us have experienced an uphill battle of some kind. As we spend some time reflecting, it must be said that we could not do this without our amazing property owners and residents! You make everyday fun and bring our RentWise family so much joy!

We love our community in the Treasure Valley and try to give back as much as we can! RentWise Property Management had the absolute honor of being able to provide The Idaho Diaper Bank with a $1,200 donation to fulfill their yearly supply.  This contribution will help to provide diapers and wipes to all birth and foster families in the community. Family is first to us and we are more than grateful we are in a position to bless these little boys and girls with the needs and necessities they deserve!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for choosing and trusting us! We are looking forward to a successful 2022 and all of the joys that a new year brings! We can’t wait to continue our relationships with each of you as it has been an honor and privilege to serve you! From the RentWise Family to yours, Merriest of Christmases and Happiest of New Years!

Want to learn more about our services and how owning an investment property can be LESS HASSLE and MORE HAPPY? – www.rentwisepm.com