How to Find the Best Tenants for Your Rental Unit

The Fort Worth area is experiencing growth with new jobs and people relocating to the area. If you own rental property, now is a great time to get your unit ready for potential tenants looking for a comfortable place to live. Fort Worth property managers know that the higher the quality of a tenant they place in their home, the better their management experience will be. Responsible tenants will pay on time more frequently, stay longer in the unit, and cause less damage to the property. Here are three essential steps to finding and leasing to the tenants you want for your property.

Fort Worth Property Managers Start With the Right Rental Property

Before you even think about tenants, you need to think about the property you want in your investment portfolio. Consider the age, size, and location of properties before you make that purchase. Investors should look for homes that:

●     Have around 2000 square feet of living space

●     Are located close enough to grocery stores, schools, and transportation

●     Are less than ten years old

Finding the best rental property will go a long way to finding the best tenants to occupy that property.

Thoroughly Screen Applicants

Probably the most important key to finding reliable tenants is the screening process you have in place for tenant applications. Any potential applicant over the age of 18 can legally be screened with:

●     Credit checks

●     Background checks

●     Rental histories

●     References

●     Employment verification

●     Sex offender list checks

Don’t confuse a screening process with discriminating practices. Your screening cannot include questions about race, religion, or disabilities. Fair housing laws don’t allow for discrimination, but Texas law does allow Fort Worth property managers to careful verify if an applicant has an adequate income to pay rent or whether or not someone has a criminal record.

Don’t Forget to Meet in Person

Before you agree to rent your home to a stranger, landlords should meet applicants in person. Even with all the screening, you can trust your first impressions. Again, never turn down an application for reasons protected under Fair Housing regulations. But, as we live in a society with potential identity theft, you should always meet your applicants and verify the information you have matches with the person.

Specialized RPM the expert property management company Fort Worth rental community comes to for bringing together the best tenants with the best homes. Start their proven processes working for you today. http://www.specializedrpm.com/

Teamwork With Tenants: Landscape Responsibilities

Fort Worth property management companies should keep the curbside appearance for your property always looking its best in any season. Now that summer is over, and the annual flowers are gone, you still need to consider what needs your property has on the outside. Landscape responsibilities can be shared by both the tenant and landlord. Clearly defined property policies that include landscape issues are explained during lease signing making the tenant and the landlord partners in maintaining the exterior appearance of your rental home.

The Lawn: Landlord or Tenant

Landscape maintenance is a gray area with rentals. Most rental policies will say that the owner or management is responsible for maintaining the yard. Different Fort Worth property managers have different policies when it comes to yard work. If your rental unit is in an Homeowner's Association, you will need to follow specific landscape rules that apply to that community. Usually, an HOA has a professional lawn care company take care of all the lawns in the community. Whether the tenant or the landlord is responsible for maintaining the lawn, make sure the lease clearly states who has the job.

The Big Job: Trees and Shrubs

As important as the curbside appeal is, the safety of your tenants and others in the neighborhood is a high priority for Fort Worth property managers. Trimming back trees and shrubs should be the responsibility of management for both aesthetic and safety effects.

●     Trim trees around window and roof to avoid damage to your home

●     Make sure branches are cleared away from power lines

●     Clean up shrubs close to the home to avoid unwanted critters setting up house around your property

●     Remove any dead branches that could risk falling and causing property damage or tenant injury

Specialized RPM is the Fort Worth property management company that can take care of your property inside and out. They have been doing just property management for over 30 years and has the experience to keep your rental property well-maintained with efficiency. Learn more about all their incredible Fort Worth property management services and put their team to work for you today. http://www.specializedrpm.com/

Tips for Better Communication With Your Tenants

The one thing that makes property management easier is excellent, clear communication between tenants and landlords. Tenants will always appreciate having well-explained expectations and policies about their rental home. That kind of communication only comes from expert property managers. Ft. Worth managers can certainly do their job more efficiently when the line of communication with tenants is an open ongoing dialog. When you want better communication, here are some ways to get it:

●     Talk More Often— Once tenants move in, it doesn’t mean they are forgotten. Fort Worth property management can schedule regular inspections, so the line of communication is open in regards to maintenance and property needs.

●     Be Close at Hand— Owners can hire local property managers. Ft. Worth tenants appreciate having Ft. Worth landlords that can quickly respond to needs and be more attentive to both property and tenants.

●     Communicate in Different Ways— When something needs to be said, you can make sure your message is received when you send it multiple ways: email, postal delivery, even text message. Always remember to keep a hard copy of all communications between tenant and their Fort Worth property management.

●     Certify Your Message— Make sure your communications are getting to the tenant by using certified mail, especially when your conversation involves lease or money issues.

●     Give Tenants Space— When tenants have clear policy expectations and easy access to managers in case of an emergency, you don’t need to hover over your tenant. Open and transparent communication allows you to be there when needed but not be a nuisance to your tenant.

Communication is vital to all relationships especially with tenants and property managers. Fort Worth is home to Specialized RPM where they offer a 24/7 live hotline for both tenants and owners to talk to a real person anytime when there is a concern about their rental home. They are a local company which allows them to respond quickly to emergency maintenance needs. With over 30 years experience, Specialized RPM is the Ft. Worth property management company that is the expert in communication, and their 98% customer satisfaction rating is proof. Let them show you how their experience with property management and communication will put your rental on the road to success. Learn more about their services at http://www.specializedrpm.com/

Landlords and Tenants Prepare Your Property for Fall

Every season brings different maintenance needs for your rental property. The work to keep the property well maintained and tenants comfortable seems to never end for property managers. Ft. Worth tenants can also have some responsibilities in maintaining the home. A clear definition of tenant responsibilities should be explained in the lease agreement, so that all the needed jobs are taken care of by the right person. Here are some suggestions on how fall maintenance can be divided between tenants and management, so your property is proactively taken care of.

Landlord Responsibilities

●     Service heating and air conditioning units.

●     Fertilize lawn and prune trees.

●     Clean out rain gutters and check for any roof repair needs.

●     Have the chimney swept if your unit has a working fireplace.

Tenant Responsibilities

●     Inspect doors and windows to make sure they are closing properly.

●     Change batteries in any security devices or detectors in the home.

●     Get hoses and outdoor equipment cleaned up, winterized, and put away.

●     Change filters on and vacuum under appliances and range hoods.

●     Take care of designated landscape needs.

Maintenance on your rental house can certainly be an ongoing job, but with shared responsibilities between tenant and property managers, Fort Worth rentals are prepared for every season. One thing the managers at Specialized RPM have learned is that preventative maintenance helps avoid bigger repairs when things go unattended, will save owners money, and keep tenants happy in the long run.

Specialized RPM offers regular inspections, cost-effective maintenance, and professional lease writing services by expert property managers. Fort Worth investors trust Specialized RPM with all their management needs. Find out for yourself why they are the leading property management company in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.  http://www.specializedrpm.com/

Protecting Your Property During the Holiday

The holidays are a busy time of year when people travel home, visit friends, and have chaotic schedules. We love the parties and the giving spirit of the season. Sadly, the holidays are also the time of year when communities see an increase in home invasions. Having a security plan for your property will help your home be less of a target for burglars.

●     Install a Security System— The monthly cost of a security system is less than the average cost of a home invasion in damages and property loss. The system will monitor your property when tenants are home and when they are traveling.

●     Place Inside Lights on Timers— Strategically placed timers can turn lights on and off making your property look occupied and not an easy target to burglars when your tenants are out of town.

●     Put Mail and Newspapers on Hold— A pile of newspapers at the end of the driveway is a statement that no one is home. Stopping the paper and holding the mail avoids that empty-home message.

●     Unplug the Garage Door— Thieves can use universal remotes to enter your home through the garage. Disconnecting the garage door makes it impossible to enter your home through the garage.

●     Don’t Leave a Key Outside— Burglars like to enter your home through the front door just like everyone else. They look for keys in the usual places residents leave them. If you need to leave a spare key, find a trusted neighbor or use your property management company.

Fort Worth is a great place to live. But every place has its share of dishonest people. No plan is foolproof, but the more safety measures you add to your rental property, the safer your unit and the property of your tenants will be. For the best property managers, Fort Worth investors and tenants appreciate the services offered at Specialized RPM. They help you put in place the safety measures you need for peace of mind.  Learn more about their comprehensive list of services at http://www.specializedrpm.com/