Frequently Asked Questions for Owners
We understand that with owning a property or investment, there are usually a lot of questions. We have answered some frequently asked ones to help you.
Can You Help Me Invest in a Rental Property?
Yes, we are the #1 provider of rental single-family homes and upscale townhomes in the Triangle. Our full-time property managers and real estate experts have 28+ years of experience assisting REALTORS and landlords learn about the opportunity to invest in residential real estate. We are well equipped to help you identify the right opportunity and help you prepare for being a landlord.
What Makes You Different From Other Property Management Companies?
There are four things that set us apart:
- Our 28+ years of experience in the leasing and management of residential properties in the Triangle area
- We have the largest and most professional staff
- We have been the market leader in residential leasing and management for more than two decades
- We pride ourselves on our service model, which is a high-touch, hands-on model
The benefit to you of our size and deep experience is that we know all the possible missteps that can potentially occur, which allows us to guide you through the process of getting your home rented without pitfalls or mistakes.
How Do You Price My Property?
There are many things to consider in properly pricing a property for rent. We will do an exhaustive analysis of comparable properties. We will also factor in the age of your property, its current condition, plus the neighborhood and its amenities as we price your home accordingly. The goal is to help you obtain the highest possible rent, from the best possible tenant, while minimizing your vacancy time on market.
How Long Will It Take to Rent My House?
How long it takes to fill a vacancy depends on the time of year, competition, and the condition and price of your home. We will work with you and advise you about what needs to be done to make sure your property is ready for the rental market and is attractive to potential tenants. There is some seasonality to the rental market with spring and summer being much more active that fall and winter, but homes are rented every month, and we rent more of them than anyone else!
Will I Be Responsible for Utilities, Pest Control, and Other Small Items?
During the term of the lease, your tenant will be responsible for paying the utilities, as well as some small maintenance items. When the property is vacant, those items will be your responsibility. We conduct a detailed move-in assessment, and if we are managing the property, we do a detailed move-out assessment. If your tenant has a pet, we also do a six-month interim assessment. These assessments are done to make sure the tenant is properly maintaining the home and is abiding by the lease conditions and HOA rules, if applicable. As a landlord, can order additional interim assessments as often as you wish for a nominal fee.
What If a Tenant Stops Paying Rent?
With the detailed vetting that we do of all potential tenants, we seek to ensure you that your tenants are truly qualified to rent the property. This reduces the likelihood that your tenants won’t pay rent on time. However, if a circumstance arises where your tenant does not pay rent on time we will investigate the situation, have a conversation with you, and when necessary, begin the eviction process. Obviously, we would also start the process of finding a new tenant. In the case of an eviction, we work with the very best landlord-tenant attorneys in our market, and you will receive a favorable rate for their legal services.
Who is responsible for marketing the property?
As we’re taking responsibility for finding tenants, we will of course manage the marketing of your property using all appropriate methods, including listings on our site and other national and local websites. We also have strong networking capabilities for finding tenants and directing them to our managed properties.
How can you help with legal compliance?
Our team intimately understands all relevant laws and regulations governing properties in the state, and will take the time to become intimately familiar with any rules, HOAs, or other considerations to ensure optimal compliance for the properties we manage. If maintenance or other expenses are necessary to maintain compliance, we’ll make sure you understand and put you in contact with the right contractors for the task.
What can you do to reduce turnover?
Keeping your properties occupied means keeping your tenants happy and satisfied with their lodgings, and this holds true regardless of whether your property rents to families or businesses. We find that fairness, quick resolution of complaints, and high standards for the state of the property make tenants more than happy to stay when their leases end.
Will I still need to do anything once you take over?
While we aim to make property ownership as painless for the owners we serve as possible, there are situations where you’ll need to be involved. For example, unexpected maintenance expenses may warrant a call and consulation, as will evictions and similar legal actions. We want to minimize your need to pay attention to the minutia of renting your property, but you will need to be involved when something unexpected occurs.
Do you have experience managing commercial rental properties?
Yes, we manage a number of commercial rental properties alongside our residential properties. We understand the unique challenges of renting commercial properties, keeping commercial tenants satisfied and compliant, and keeping properties attractive for new commercial tenants.
How is maintenance handled for the property?
Routine maintenance can be handled through a fund set aside for covering such expenses, and handled through a system for tenants to register complaints and have them resolved which we provide and maintain. In the event of more serious emergency maintenance issues, outside of the routine tenant needs, we will contact you and work out a plan for contracting and paying to resolve the issue. We have relationships with contractors in the area and can have maintenance performed at discounted rates on your behalf.
Will you provide legal advice when necessary?
We don’t act as attorneys on behalf of owners working with us, but we can put you in contact with effective legal representation should it become necessary for evictions or other processes.
Can I keep pets, children, or smokers out of my properties?
While you have some control over who can come into your properties, there are legal considerations that must be kept in mind. For example, children, the elderly, and the disabled cannot be kept out of your properties legally as part of the Fair Housing Act. Smokers and pet owners have no such protections, though pet owners make up a significant proportion of residential tenants and thus this decision isn’t one to make lightly. Furthermore, some animals may be required to be allowed entry to your properties under the ADA or FHA as support animals.
How will I get paid each month?
We receive rent due and distribute your proportion of the collected rent each month through either a direct deposit or a mailed check, as per your preferences.
Will you prepare my property for rental?
If your property isn’t immediately ready for tenants, our maintenance contractor connections can be used to prepare it at a reasonable rate before taking on tenants.
Maximize Your Rental’s Potential With Property Management You Can Trust
With the detailed vetting that we do of all potential tenants, we seek to ensure you that your tenants are truly qualified to rent the property. This reduces the likelihood that your tenants won’t pay rent on time. However, if a circumstance arises where your tenant does not pay rent on time we will investigate the situation, have a conversation with you, and when necessary, begin the eviction process. Obviously, we would also start the process of finding a new tenant. In the case of an eviction, we work with the very best landlord-tenant attorneys in our market, and you will receive a favorable rate for their legal services.