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Rent your Home Columbia | Top Amenities Renters Want

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Property Management,Property Management Companies in Columbia SC,Property Management in Columbia SC,Uncategorized
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One of the best ways to make residual income is to rent your home in Columbia. However, the generation looking to rent single-family homes are younger millennials and generation Z who are now in their early to mid 20’s. These generations of tenants are looking for properties that are modern, spacious, and can be their safe haven to entertain and relax with friends and family. Homes that had owners for many years, or decades, are often in need of a lot of updates to increase the appeal. Luckily, we know just the top amenities renters are looking for in and around Columbia, SC. 

 

Top Amenities for Rental Properties 

  1. Outdoor Space- The weather is beautiful most of the year in the Midlands and renters are looking for space to entertain their friends and family both indoors and out. A patio or deck in the backyard, lots of space for a fire pit and chairs, and maybe even room for a swingset will help investors get top dollar for rent. 
  2. Energy Efficient Appliances- The younger generations are more eco-conscious than ever and if the appliances are more than 20 years old you should consider upgrading them before you rent your home in Columbia. Energy efficiency isn’t just good for the environment, but it will help lower the utility bills for the tenants.
  3. Ample Parking- Off street parking can be hard to find depending on where you are renting in Columbia and the surrounding areas. However, a driveway and garage can increase the value of the property and land your home on the higher end of the market rate. Everyone wants off-street parking if they can get it!
  4. Smart Home Features- The more a millennial or genZer can control with their phone, the better for them. Smart Home features such as digital thermostats, automatic lights, and even shades that go up and down with the tap of the screen will impress tenants and future buyers. 
  5. Lots of Storage- Minimalism is in, but not everyone wants to throw out every item that doesn’t bring them immediate joy. Millennials are especially into the streamlined look where they can keep most of their kitchen appliances, dishes, and food tucked away into pantries and cabinets. They also love large walk-in closets with built-in shelves and bookcases. 

 

These top amenities will help your property stay occupied and turn a profit in Columbia and all around the Midlands. Most of these amenities are easy and fast to complete without breaking the bank!

 

If you need property management services in Columbia, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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Rental Policies Essential to be in Your Lease | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Propert Manager,Property Management,Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

A lease is the most important and essential component to renting your single-family home. The lease is a legally binding document that outlines the rental amount, due dates, and obligations of the landlord and tenant. Having a lawyer or experienced property management companies in Columbia SC involved in creating your lease is always a good idea. Property managers are experts in leasing and can let you know the policies that are most essential to protect owners and the property. 

Most Important Lease Policies for Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

  • Fees- There are more charges that tenants are responsible for above and beyond rent; however, these fees must be outlined in the lease to be enforceable. Fees could include municipal garbage, bulk waste, or recycling fees, late fees, lease violation penalty fees, charges made to the deposit such as cleaning fees post move-out, pet fees, and more. 
  • Overnight Visitor Policies- Long term overnight visitors can quickly end up becoming roommates which can put your tenants over the occupancy limits in the lease. Too many people living in a house and not being on the lease is a problem property management companies in Columbia SC are familiar with and we always recommend having clear occupancy policies for visitors and tenants. 
  • Exterior Upkeep- Lawns, sidewalks, porches, patios, decks, gardens, garages, and other exterior areas of the property require upkeep from mowing and weed pulling to keeping these areas free from trash and debris. Outlining responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant in the lease for these areas is important to maintaining the curb appeal of the property. 
  • Renewal and Termination Policies- The last thing you want is for a tenant to move out unexpectedly and be stuck with unplanned costs to clean, market, and lease the property. Adding policies that outline how to properly terminate or renew a lease will protect your investment financially. Make sure to consider how far in advance tenants must renew or give notice of moving out, any early termination fees or late renewal fees, and what the move out procedures should be. 

These four policies are essential to have in each property lease; however, there are many other factors that are very important. Partnering with property management companies in Columbia SC is a great way to ensure your leases are legally binding, protect your property and investment, and increase your return on investment. 

If you’re ready to talk about your property management options, give Scott Properties a call at 803-951-0702.

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Battling the Top Reasons Why Tenants Want to Move Out | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Propert Manager,Property Management,Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

One of the most important tasks property management companies in Columbia SC do for their investor clients is making sure great tenants don’t leave. When tenants pay ontime, keep the property clean and cared for, and don’t have any complaints, the most dreadful thing that can happen is non renewal of their lease and moving out. The best tenants are super hard to come by, and sometimes there is no way to convince a renter not to move, including when their job changes or they have personal reasons to move. However, there are a lot of ways you can increase resident retention and make it more likely for tenants to stay in place longer. 

How to Overcome Tenant Move Out Requests 

There are a few common reasons why tenants might want to move that will allow you some flexibility in changing their minds:

  • The House is Too Small- If tenants are expanding their family by having a child or wanting to have roommates, the rental home might not fit their needs any longer. Property management companies in Columbia SC can simply offer a lease transfer when this is the case! Work with the tenants to lease another property by the same owner or company so you aren’t completely losing out on the revenue from those tenants. Pre Leasing an upcoming property, or even allowing tenants to break their current leases early when transferring in-house can be a win-win for everyone. 
  • We Don’t Like the Schools- If the tenants are wanting to have kids, or their kids are starting school, they may start looking for a new home in a different school district, or closer to their school of choice. When this happens the best option is to ask them to transfer into a rental property near the school they want and offer them options that allow them to keep renting from the same property management companies in Columbia SC. 
  • No Longer Affordable- One of the toughest objections to overcome from tenants is when they can no longer afford the rent. You shouldn’t lower your rent to accommodate your renters, however, you can help them to see the great value they have by staying in their home. Moving costs, paying a new deposit for rent and utilities, and the loss of certain amenities such as on-site laundry can end up costing a tenant more than if they had stayed in the home and renewed their lease. 

Property managers often have great sales skills that help to increase retention among the tenants that you want to renew again and again. Working with a property management company can streamline your business and help you see a larger return on investment. Call Scott Properties today to find out how we can help you. 

Contact Scott Properties at 803-951-0702.

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Can You Collect Rent if the Tenant is Dies? | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC,Property Management in Columbia SC
property management companies columbia sc

Property managers always want homes to be full, resident retention to be high, and lease violations to be low. When property management companies in Columbia SC have good relationships established with quality tenants rent is more likely to be on time and profits will flow easily to investors. However, there are times when even the best tenants stop paying rent including tenant death which is one thing landlords have no control over. 

What Happens When a Tenant Dies?

Property management companies in Columbia SC have an obligation to work with the executor of the tenant’s will to manage the tenant’s belongings. The lease obligation is the tenant’s responsibility even if they are no longer alive and the estate will be responsible for rent obligations. 

However, most of the time the executor of the estate will not want to pay rent on an empty unit and property management companies in Columbia SC will want to release the unit as fast as possible. There are several options open to landlords and executors for how to handle the lease when a tenant dies. 

  • Treat the death as a broken lease agreement and work with the executor to pay any early termination fees listed in the rental agreement. 
  • As the judge to award full payment of rent to satisfy the lease during probate court proceedings
  • Allow the lease to break without any repercussions

Property managers need to be flexible and patient but should know the proper procedures to go through when a tenant dies while living in a rental property. If the property manager finds the tenant dead, they should call the authorities immediately and then the emergency contact information in the tenant’s file, followed by the property owner.

The tenant’s next of kin or executor will be responsible for cleaning out the home before the end of the lease, or the agreement made between the property manager or owner, and the executor. Investors will want to consult with their attorney if the property management company they are working with does not have one available. 

If you are looking for a property manager, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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Red Flags When Talking to Prospective Tenants | Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Author: MediaBeast
Categories: charleston property management,Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
property management companies in columbia sc

One of the most important jobs a property manager has is ensuring the most qualified tenants are living in investment properties. Investors count on property management companies in Columbia SC to know the best techniques for finding high-quality rental applicants including the red flags to listen for when showing the homes to prospective tenants. 

Red Flags to Listen for

When a property manager is showing a home to a prospective renter it is important to have a bit of a conversation. Red flags often slip out in casual conversation and professional leasing agents with property management companies in Columbia SC will catch these right away.

  1. What Do You Look for on the Background Check? If a prospective tenant wants details about what the background check is going to look for, chances are they have a few questionable things that might come up. These applicants may not want to waste time or money filling out the application if they may not pass the background check. 
  2. How Many People Do You Allow to Live Here? This question is a red flag because it indicates the prospect may not be able to afford the rent on their own, may have roommates, or additional people living in the home, whether they are on the lease or not. 
  3. I am Moving Because I Hate My Landlord. Whenever a prospective tenant trashes a landlord or other property management companies in Columbia SC it is a huge red flag that the tenant has issues, probably lease violations, with their current or previous landlords. Rental references and rental history will be important to double-check. 
  4. How Many Pets Are Allowed? When your tenant starts asking about the pet policy it is a sure thing that they have at least one animal they want to bring. If they ask how many pets can be in the home, chances are they have multiple pets or they want more in the future. Property managers will need to be upfront and clear about the pet policy in the lease.

The best way to ensure the top tenants are applying for and leasing your rental homes is to work with property management companies in Columbia SC with the ability to conduct thorough background checks and hold professional showings. 

If you are looking for a property manager, call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | Average Price for Rentals in Columbia SC

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | Average Price for Rentals in Columbia SC

One of the most important things real estate investors in Columbia need to determine is how much they will charge for rent on their properties. The amount you charge for rent should be competitive with the market rental rates of the area but also be more than enough to cover the mortgage, taxes, maintenance, and the services of property management companies in Columbia SC.

While many other factors also go into pricing rent, such as the size and condition of the home, nearby amenities, and recent upgrades, a good place to set your baseline, would be what is the average price of a rental in Columbia. Property management companies in Columbia SC track this information diligently so they can apply their knowledge to the owner’s portfolio.

Why Property Management Companies in Columbia SC Would Help You:

Average Apartment Rent in Columbia SC ranges from $812 to $1,100 depending on if you are renting a studio apartment or up to three bedrooms. Student housing can be more expensive as the rental rates are usually on a per bedroom basis which can skyrocket the price for an entire apartment or house.

Average Rent for a Single Family Home in Columbia is around $1,200 with some homes renting for upwards of $1500-$2,000 and others staying closer to $900-$1000 per month to rent depending on bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities.

The cost of living in Columbia is lower than the national and state averages with housing coming in incredibly more affordable with a rating of 59.1 compared to the US rating of 100. Transportation in Columbia is also more affordable which makes the area quite attractive for families, new young professionals, and first-time homebuyers looking to live in an up-and-coming area near the coast.

Columbia is also a college community which means the area is prime for renters and investors looking to partner with property management companies in Columbia SC to offer high-quality, affordable single-family housing with multiple bedrooms.

If you are looking for professional property managers to help you make the most of your rental property investments in Columbia, Call Scott Properties of the Midlands at 803-951-0702.

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Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | 3 Tips for Rental Property Investing

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Everyone who ventures into rental property investing and starting property management companies in Columbia SC wants to be successful and get a substantial return on their investment. However, you don’t start out investing by buying the first vacant home you can find, slapping a rental price on it, and listing it on Craigslist as a rental property. The best investors understand that investments need to be intentional with a lot of detailed planning and forethought about the future of the investment.

Three Tips from Property Management Companies in Columbia SC:

If you are looking to make wise and financially attractive investing decisions for rental property investing, consider these three tips.

  1. Invest in Single Family Homes. When comparing condos to single-family homes, the condos will lose every time for many reasons. Single-family homes attract renters who want to stay rooted somewhere and will be long-term renters. These renters are reliable and can help your portfolio expand quickly because there is less risk in losing the rental income or having hiccups in the cash flow.
  2. Location, Location, Location– You want to choose properties for your property management companies in Columbia SC that will attract high-quality tenants, garner the top of the market rent for value, and be in high demand for tenants so the home is never vacant and there is no disruption to the rent collection process. Prime locations are also perfect for investing because of the upward trajectory of home prices.
  3. Don’t Choose a Fixer-Upper- Rental property investing with property management companies in Columbia SC is much different than flipping houses. When you invest in rental properties you remain the owner of the property rather than selling it to another investor. Because you are remaining in ownership, a better investment is a home that will not need significant repairs over the next ten years and will retain its value with warranties still intact.

Established property management companies in Columbia SC can guide you through more best investment practices to ensure the homes you are investing in as rentals will have the maximum return on your investment.

If you are interested in discussing property management, call Scott Properties at 803-951-0702.

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Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | How to Tell the Good from the Bad in Property Management

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

Investors who are looking for property management companies in Columbia SC are always looking for the company that will make them the largest return on their investment. Some investors will want to look for the lowest management fees, but they must always remember, you will get what you pay for. There are many property management options for investors, but there are ways to weed out the good vs the bad.

  1. What Is the Average Vacancy Rate? Ask the property management companies in Columbia SC you are interviewing what their vacancy rates are and the average time between renters on the average property.
  2. Are the Properties Comparable to Yours? You want to choose a property management company that has experience renting properties like yours. Do not choose a multi-family housing company to manage your single-family home.
  3. Ask About Vendors. Get a list of vendors that each of the property management companies in Columbia SC you are interested in work with so you can compare their reviews and reputations. Vendors such as maintenance crews, landscaping companies, and others will give you a snapshot of the quality of work that will be done to take care of your investment property.
  4. Compare Services. Property management companies will all offer different services and the pricing they offer will be based on those services. Make sure you are getting exactly what you need and want from a company before signing on the dotted line with one. You will want to work with a company that can meet all your expectations and keep your properties filled and well taken care of.
  5. Compare Reviews. Not only should you be checking out their vendors, but you also need to check out the reviews left on the property management company pages online as well. Do not forget to check Angie’s List, Google, social media, the company’s website, and Yelp.

There are a variety of property management companies in Columbia SC that work with many different types of investors. The best way to put your mind at ease when it comes to your rental properties is to hire the management company that fits you the best.

Give Scott Properties of the Midlands a call at 803-951-0702.

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Property Management Companies in Columbia SC | Before Investing, Study the Rental Rates

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Companies in Columbia SC
Property Management Companies in Columbia SC

When deciding where to invest in single-family rental homes there are many factors investors take into consideration. One of the biggest factors is the price of homes compared to the rental rates. The amount you pay on your mortgage on the rental property should be considerably less than what you are renting it for if you want to make a profit. However, some investors neglect to take a deep dive into the rental rates in the area and make the wrong choice when choosing neighborhoods their rentals will be most successful. Property management companies in Columbia SC put a lot of time into doing market research and rental analysis and can sometimes advise investors, but we can give you a few tips on studying rental rates now.

Tips for Studying Rental Rates

Market rent is the average price of rent on a single-family home in a particular market/neighborhood. Knowing the market rent is vital to making a great return because you need to know your profit margin to be expected. The way to find out more about market rent is to ask property management companies in Columbia SC, otherwise you have a lot of work ahead of you in research.

Another crucial detail you will want to study in rental rates is the consistency. Are rental rates fluctuating frequently? Do they seem higher than what is being offered in similar neighborhoods? These are signs of a volatile rental market and these neighborhoods make for bad investments in most cases. Choosing properties in Columbia is great because the rental market is consistent with minimal risk of a market fallout. Consistency is also key to planning future investments, renovations, and marketing efforts to build out your investment portfolio and continue working with property management companies in Columbia SC.

Consider partnering with Scott Properties of the Midlands on your next single-family home rental investment for all your property management needs. Call today at 803-951-0702.

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