Property Management Blog

Many of our property management clients decide to work with us because they’re new landlords and unsure of how to navigate the complex processes of leasing, management, and maintenance. We often help owners who have been renting out a property for a while, but find themselves tired of fielding phone calls from tenants, driving over to the property, and chasing down late rent. 

As professional property managers, our job is to protect your investment and create a rental experience that’s positive for your tenants and profitable for you. We’re here to take care of all details while communicating with you about what’s going on at your property. 

We provide a lot of specific services. Overall, however, we see our role as one of enhancing your experience. When you partner with property managers, you can enjoy the benefits of being a landlord (consistent rental income, tax breaks, and long-term property appreciation) without any of the frustrations and hassles. 

Property management companies essentially run the day-to-day operations of rental properties for landlords. We market and advertise your rentals, we screen tenants, we negotiate and draft lease agreements, collect rent, handle maintenance and repair issues, and address tenant complaints. 

We create better experiences for both you and your tenant.

Establishing Peace of Mind for Landlords

Being a landlord is only getting more complicated. There are laws to pay attention to, a competitive and fast-moving rental market to follow, and a growing list of shifting demands from tenants who are very particular in what they want and expect from a rental home. When your real estate investment isn't your full-time job, you will likely find yourself struggling to keep up with tenant relationships, maintenance needs, and property inspections. By hiring a property manager, you gain several advantages that can provide peace of mind:

1. Time Savings. You only have so many hours in the day. Delegating tasks associated with your rental frees you up to focus on your career, family, or other investments. Protect your time with the help of a management partner.

2. Expertise. Property managers are well-versed in local laws and regulations which can protect landlords from potential legal issues. It’s easy to make a mistake, and those mistakes are often expensive. You won’t have to worry about compliance or liability when you have a property manager who understands both laws and best practices when it comes to effectively managing rental homes.

3. Quality Tenants. Thorough screening processes are employed by property managers to ensure reliable tenants occupy your space. The type of tenant you attract and place will have a huge impact on your entire rental experience. Do you want conflict and problem after problem? Or, would you prefer a tenant who pays rent on time, takes care of your home, and follows the lease agreement? Property managers find better tenants. We can also deliver higher tenant retention rates, which saves you money on vacancy and turnover.

4. Financial Management. Property managers will handle all financial aspects, from setting the right rental prices to managing budget for repairs. You can expect detailed and transparent accounting reports and financial statements every month. This takes a lot of worry off your plate; you don’t have to track your income and expenses, but you are always aware of what they are.

For landlords, turning over their investment property to a reputable property manager can turn a passive income investment into a truly hands-off experience that's free of everyday hassles.

Enhancing Tenant Satisfaction with Property Management

The benefits provided by property managers are not just for landlords; tenants are more likely to appreciate a professionally managed rental home, too. Property managers serve as an accessible point of contact for tenants, allowing them to have their concerns addressed promptly without directly involving the landlord. They can count on:

1. Responsive Maintenance. A dedicated team ensures quick responses to maintenance requests, leading to happier tenants. Your residents don’t like waiting for their maintenance issues to be addressed, no matter how minor they may be. 

2. Effective Communication. Property managers facilitate clear, consistent communication between the landlord and tenants. This is important for tenants who likely prefer to communicate electronically. We provide online portals that make it easy.

3. Convenience and Ease. Managers often provide online rental payment capability and automated lease signings and renewals. Tenants appreciate the ease that’s involved in these processes.

Tenants who feel their needs are met and have a sense of security are more likely to take care of the property and continue renewing their lease year after year. 

Choosing the Right Property Manager

Property management is a benefit, but you have to make sure you’re choosing the right management company. To enjoy the benefits a management company can provide, you have to select the best property manager for you, your property, and your tenants. 

Consider a management company’s experience. How long have they been in business? Do they manage properties like yours? Spend some time doing a bit of online research. What do the reviews and testimonials say? Is there a lot of information provided on their website? A strong online presence indicates they’ll have an easier time marketing your property. 

You also want to make sure they offer the services you need. Most management companies will be transparent about their services and corresponding costs. 

By making an informed decision when choosing a property manager, landlords can ensure both their peace of mind and the satisfaction of their tenants.

Property managers are an important part of the success that many investors and landlords experience with their rental properties. We create a buffer zone between landlords and the day-to-day operational stress of rental properties. Working with a property manager can not only enhance your experience but also enrich the living experience of your tenants. 

Let’s talk about what you love about being a landlord and what you find most challenging. This will help us propose some solutions and a set of customized property management principles that may help you do better as a landlord. Please contact us at Rental Homes USA. 

Communication is an essential part of your relationship with tenants, and here’s some additional good news: responsive communication can improve your return on investment (ROI). The way you communicate with your residents will determine whether you have a successful rental experience together or one fraught with misunderstandings and conflict. 

In our experience as Virginia Beach property managers, we can tell you that transparency and accountability are huge cornerstones of good communication between landlords and residents. When your tenants know exactly what you expect from them, there will be less confusion and blame. 

It’s also a good idea to remain responsive and accessible. Tenants who feel empowered to come to you with any questions or concerns will typically take better care of your property and do a better job of communicating proactively with you.  

One of the benefits to partnering with a property management company is that you won’t have to worry about tenant communication at all. You can leave the entire relationship to your property manager.

But when you manage independently, you need to be the point of contact for your residents at all times. 

We’re sharing some effective communication strategies today, which are sure to help you maintain a positive and respectful landlord-tenant relationship. 

Communication During the Leasing Process

Your relationship with tenants begins even before they move in. Communication during the leasing process facilitates a clear explanation of responsibilities, lease terms, and expectations. Make sure your residents understand the requirements of the lease agreement, and most importantly, make sure they know when they should reach out to you. Tenants will need to communicate with you when:

• Maintenance is needed

• Rent may come in late

• There’s a question about how something in the property works

• Problems have arisen with a neighbor or another tenant

• There’s an emergency

• They’re deciding whether or not to renew the lease agreement 

Let your tenants know early when and how they should initiate communication, especially around things like maintenance and rent. You want them to feel comfortable with communication. If they understand that you’d rather here bad news right away, there won’t be any unreported or deferred maintenance and you won’t be chasing down late rent, wondering when to expect it. 

When expectations are out in the open, tenants can help contribute to a successful rental experience. There’s less confusion, and less work for you.

Investing in Technology for Better Communication with Tenants

Are you comfortable with technology? Because you will find that today’s residents are likely to prefer communicating via text message, email, or any kind of chat app that allows for instant notifications. 

Technology has made communicating easier and more efficient. Your tenants aren’t going to be terribly thrilled with phone calls or in-person meetings. They want convenience and efficiency. 

During the move-in process, ask your residents for their communication styles and preferences. When you’re able to share information and take questions in a way that’s easy for them, you’re making yourself more available to your residents. That’s going to improve the flow of communication and contribute to trust and good owner/tenant relationships. 

Practice Your Active Listening Skills

Listening is a lot harder than we realize, but good communication actually starts with good listening. Be a proactive communicator by becoming an active listener. Even when they’re complaining and angry, many residents really just want to feel like they’re being heard. They want their experiences validated. You won’t always be able to solve their problems or provide the answers that they need. But, you can always listen and be supportive. 

A good landlord communicates with empathy, kindness, and an interest in solutions. Communicate with residents as a partner. It’s much easier to solve problems when you’re collaborative. Stay professional, listen to what your tenants are saying, and ask questions to gather more information. 

Always Document Tenant Communication 

Good documentation is an important part of protecting yourself. We recommend that you document every conversation and every interaction with your tenants, just so you can remember what you promised or agreed to. It also helps you to hold your residents accountable to doing whatever they agreed to. 

Written communication is always best when it comes to communication between landlords and tenants. It also helps you document the information that was exchanged. When you have an informal chat or a phone call, make notes.  

A great way to ensure that your communication is documented is by using email. As property managers, we’re able to provide online portals for our residents, which is an excellent way to document and follow all communication threads. Conversations can be managed online, and we can also track payments and maintenance requests and ask questions and share resources with our residents. 

You may not have a portal as an individual landlord, but you can ask for all correspondence to be sent via email so you have a clear record of what was shared and discussed. 

Maintenance Communication is Especially Important

If there’s ever an appropriate time to over-communicate, it’s during the maintenance process. Tenants need to trust that you’ll make the repairs you promise to make.  

If you promise to fix something on a certain day and you realize you’re not going to make it, get in touch with those tenants as soon as possible to reschedule. Don’t leave them thinking that you forgot or didn’t care. 

Your time is valuable, and so is your tenant’s. Be considerate when you’re scheduling repairs, and contact your tenants before, during, and after the maintenance process. They’ll appreciate updates, they’ll want to be a part of scheduling vendors and contractors, and they’ll be happy to report whether the problem was fixed or there’s still a lingering issue. 

Rental property owners who make maintenance a priority find that they have better relationships with their residents. Communicating with your tenants throughout the entire repair process will keep them in the loop and help them understand how long the repair will take or what went wrong to cause it in the first place. This will help you establish and build that trust, which is so important to your relationship. 

We’d be happy to help you communicate better with residents. If you’d like to hear more about how to facilitate better communication and relationship strategies, please contact us at Rental Homes USA. 

Complying with local, state, and federal laws is an important part of renting out a home. There’s a long list of laws and regulations that need your attention. Making a legal mistake is surprisingly easy, and it’s almost always expensive. You need to protect yourself from extra risk and liability by familiarizing yourself with the legal landscape of Virginia Beach rental properties. There are things you must do and things you cannot do. 

New landlords are often surprised at how much legal regulation there is within the rental industry. Even experienced landlords need to work hard in order to stay up to date on all the legal changes that require understanding and compliance. 

Familiarize yourself with the specific laws and regulations that will govern your role as a landlord in Virginia Beach. If you run into any confusion, make sure you have a great attorney or an experienced Virginia Beach property manager you can reach out to. We make a point of staying at the forefront of all legal changes and requirements. Our job is to protect our owners and their properties. 

Here are some of the essentials that you absolutely must start with when you’re renting out a property lawfully.

State Laws Governing Virginia Beach Rental Properties 

The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) is the state legislation that will be of particular interest to any rental property owner because it sets forth the specific responsibilities and rights for both landlords and tenants. Here are the most important sections of this law that need your attention:

• Security Deposits

One of the easiest places for landlords to make legal mistakes is with security deposits. In Virginia, the law limits security deposits to no more than the equivalent of two months' rent. That means if you’re renting out a home for $2,000 per month, your security deposit cannot be any higher than $4,000. 

You must return this deposit within 45 days of the tenant vacating the property, minus any deductions for damages or unpaid rent that are clearly itemized in a written statement. You cannot deduct for normal wear and tear. Those repairs will be your responsibility as the property owner. 

• Maintenance and Repairs

It’s your job to provide a rental home that’s safe, habitable, and functional. You're legally required to maintain the rental property, ensuring it meets health and safety codes while also keeping major systems in working order. If a tenant requests a repair, you have a legal obligation to address the problem in a timely manner. 

Not only is this a good way to comply with habitability standards and laws, it also provides you with protection for your property. Don’t let repairs linger. They’ll only become more expensive and potentially chase away good tenants. 

• Right to Enter

Your tenants have a right to privacy and the quiet enjoyment of their home. You cannot simply show up whenever you want and demand to take a look around. Virginia law stipulates that you must provide tenants with reasonable notice—usually 24 hours—before entering the property, except in cases of emergency or if the tenant requests repairs or maintenance without delay.

• Evictions and the Eviction Process 

What will you do if tenants stop paying rent? There’s an entire legal process that needs to be followed, and you need to understand that evictions are a sensitive and complicated aspect of property rental. In Virginia Beach, as in the rest of the state, landlords must provide tenants with a written notice for eviction, detailing the reason and giving a specified amount of time to remedy the situation or vacate the property. The most common grounds for eviction include nonpayment of rent and violation of lease terms.

Fair Housing Laws in Virginia Beach

You don’t want to be in a position where you’re defending yourself against fair housing violations. These are not only expensive, they’re also rather damaging to your reputation as a landlord. It’s essential that you understand fair housing requirements so you can avoid potential risk, liability, and lawsuits.  

The federal Fair Housing Act prevents you from discriminating against tenants or applicants based on the following seven protected classes:

• Color

• Race

• Disability

• Familial status

• National origin

• Religion

• Sex

The state fair housing laws go a bit further than the federal laws when it comes to who is protected. In addition to all of the federal protected classes, Virginia also makes it illegal to discriminate against tenants or applicants based on: 

• Elderliness

• Source of funds

• Sexual orientation

• Gender identity

• Military status

You may not be able to imagine a scenario wherein you would discriminate against anyone who wants to rent your home, but discrimination can be perceived in marketing language and inconsistent tenant screening processes. Mistakes are easy to make. Be cautious, and always work with a Virginia Beach property manager if you’re in doubt about how you should proceed.

Disclosures Required in Your Virginia Lease Agreement 

Virginia law mandates that you disclose certain conditions at your rental property to prospective tenant before signing a lease with them or accepting any rent or security deposits. The disclosures that are required in your lease agreement include:

• Mold disclosures. If mold has been detected at your property, let prospective tenants know when it was discovered and how it was remediated. This can be common in Virginia Beach homes, and as long as you’re proactive in cleaning it up and preventing it going forward, it’s not a big deal and something you should always be transparent about.

• Lead Paint. This is also a federal law because exposure to lead can cause health problems. If there’s lead paint on your walls or window sills, disclose this to your tenants. The government provides specific information you’ll need to share.

• Renovation or Demolition. Plans for significant structural changes to the property within the next six months must be disclosed. 

You also must let your tenants know if you sell the property during the tenancy. You should be prepared to share information on the new ownership if this occurs during their lease term. 

These are some - but not all - of the laws you need to be aware of when you’re renting out a property in Virginia Beach. We’re happy to be your property management resource. Please contact us at Rental Homes USA with any questions about laws and legal requirements. 

Investing in rental properties should deliver great short term income in the form of stable and recurring rents. Your real estate investment should also provide long term financial benefits, through appreciation and the equity you earn as your property grows in value while your tenants pay down the mortgage. 

To truly maximize your rental income and attract the most qualified tenants, you need to ensure you are always looking for ways to maximize your rental value. You want your investment property to stand out in the market so you attract both high rents and great tenants. Whether you're an experienced real estate investor looking for ways to strengthen the value of your portfolio or you’re a new landlord who wants to earn as much as possible, we have some tips and tricks that will help you enhance your property's rental value.

In our experience as local property managers in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and the surrounding areas, we’ve found that these strategies work best to increase what you earn. 

Know the Rental Market

Before making any changes to your property or your investment strategy, it's essential to understand the local rental market. Study the area's average rental prices, days on market, tenant demographics, and the features most in demand by renters. This data will guide your decisions and investments to ensure they align with what potential tenants are seeking and what your competition is offering.

We can help deliver this data. As property managers, we’re always watching the market. We can be a resource when it comes to understanding where your property’s strengths currently are, and where there might be opportunities to increase the value and appeal of your rental home.

Make Smart Upgrades to Your Property

Updates and upgrades to your rental property can significantly increase its value. However, not all improvements offer the same return on investment. You don’t want to invest too much if you won’t see a huge impact. Focus on modifications that boost aesthetic appeal and functionality, such as:

• Kitchen and bathroom renovations. Modern, updated kitchens and bathrooms greatly appeal to renters. Focus on lighting and clean, new fixtures such as drawer pulls, a tile backsplash, and shiny faucets. 

• Energy-efficient appliances. Not only do energy-efficient appliances attract environmentally conscious tenants, but they also reduce utility costs, which can be a selling point when prospective residents are looking for their next home. Invest in appliances that offer the Energy-Star rating. 

• Fresh coat of paint. New paint always lifts the look of a property and makes it look move-in ready. Choose neutral colors that make the space feel bright and open. 

You might want to consider investing a bit more for something like hard surface floors. These are in higher demand lately, not only because they’re more attractive, but also because they are cleaner and easier to maintain than carpet. Tenants with pets or allergies are especially susceptible to dust, dirt, and dander getting caught in carpet fibers. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on hardwoods. Laminates and even vinyl can look great and cost less.

Enhance Curb Appeal

First impressions matter. They also impact whether good tenants will be interested in applying to rent your property. Pay attention to curb appeal. 

The exterior of the property sets the tone for prospective renters. Simple changes like updated landscaping, a well-maintained front yard, and a welcoming entrance can make a huge difference. Consider improving your exterior lighting for both aesthetics and security.

Add Conveniences and Amenities

Are you allowing pets? 

Pet-friendly properties almost always earn more than those that don’t allow tenants to move in with their furry family members. When you allow pets, you can collect a pet fee. You can also collect pet rent. 

Any additional features that add convenience or comfort can justify a higher rental price. In-unit laundry, for example, is a great amenity and can instantly raise your rental value and help you attract better tenants. When your rental property offers off-street parking, extra storage space, and smart home technology, you’ll find you’re getting the attention of great tenants who are willing to pay more for these conveniences. 

Prioritizing Preventative and Routine Maintenance

Emergency maintenance is expensive and disruptive. It stresses your residents. 

That’s why it’s so important to prioritize preventative services and routine repairs. Responsive maintenance is crucial to preserving and even increasing your property's value. By addressing repairs promptly and conducting regular inspections, you avoid potential larger expenses and show your tenants that you care about the property, which will lead to tenant satisfaction and create better retention. 

Have your HVAC system inspected and serviced annually, for example. This will ensure you’re not replacing a furnace or an air conditioning unit too soon. Make sure your plumbing is in good shape, schedule regular pest control, and get inside the property at least once during the tenancy so you can look for potential deferred and unreported maintenance issues. 

A well-maintained home always rents for more and attracts better tenants. 

Invest in Professional Property Management

If you're not already partnered with a property manager in Virginia Beach or the surrounding area, make sure you consider it for the purpose of earning more on your investment. There are so many benefits to working with a professional manager. Not only do we handle the day-to-day landlord responsibilities, but we also ensure your property is well-maintained, rents are collected efficiently and on time, and tenant relations are handled effectively. This can be especially beneficial if you own multiple properties or live far from your rental.

Good management helps you earn more and spend less. You’ll find there’s less vacancy, fewer turnovers, and maintenance services that are far more cost-effective than what you’d pay if you were negotiating rates on your own. 

Remember, investing in your rental property is investing in your financial future. The tips and tricks we have shared will help you earn more now and in the future. 

Let’s talk about ways to attract higher rents and quality tenants in ways that are specific to your property. Contact us at Rental Homes USA. 

When you find yourself researching the best property management companies in the area, one of the most important questions to ask is whether maintenance is performed in-house or contracted out to local vendors and contractors. This is important, especially if you’ve never worked with a property manager before, and you don’t know what to expect. 

Most property professionals will do one or the other. Either they’ll have their own maintenance division in-house, or they will not have any type of maintenance team, and they’ll subcontract the work out.  

Occasionally, you may come across a hybrid version, where the management company will perform limited maintenance and subcontract out the bigger or more specialty items to professionals like electricians or plumbers.

At Rental Homes USA, we have a team of highly skilled technicians who remain available to take care of emergency needs around the clock. Our team also provides routine maintenance including plumbing, electrical, and sheet rock repairs. We handle the painting, carpet and vinyl installation, landscaping, mowing and snow removal. Whatever the maintenance task, requiring interior or exterior attention, we can handle it. This is a huge benefit to our owners. 

We want to give you a look at how in-house maintenance measures up to outsourced maintenance so you can make up your own mind as you choose a property manager. 

Contracting Out Rental Home Repairs in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach

When a property management company outsources out all maintenance, the property manager or the maintenance coordinator takes care of organizing routine and emergency maintenance needs between the vendors and your tenants who are reporting repair needs. The vendor employs the workers and assumes all liability for those employees.  

You will want to make sure your property manager has verified the vendor’s professional license and insurance. If employees are involved, they need to have worker’s compensation insurance. The point of checking for licensure and insurance is protection. If a worker gets hurt at a property, the vendor makes any claim against their own insurance, not the property owner’s insurance. 

When a management company uses a vendor on a regular basis, they should be able to negotiate competitive rates. These discounts should be passed on to you, the owner. A good management company will also review and pay invoices on your behalf. 

How Landlords Can Benefit from In-House Maintenance

That’s generally how things work when your property manager outsources maintenance. 

There is an argument to be made in favor of in-house maintenance.   

When your property manager has their own maintenance team, they can control the scheduling, the pricing, and the experience. Your vendors will be well-screened. 

You won’t have to worry about waiting for a plumber to be available of an electrician to get back to you. The maintenance personnel employed by your property manager are readily available to be scheduled for work. 

Coordinating repairs is often more efficient. 

Many of us in property management believe this approach to rental property maintenance is more cost-effective for the property owner and that repairs are made in a timelier manner. We can hold our maintenance team accountable, and we are also accountable to our owners and tenants.    

Maintenance is one of the most complicated parts of renting out an investment property. If you don’t already have a preferred list of vendors and contractors in place, you could spend a lot of time and money trying to get repairs made at your rental property. 

Professional property management can help. Even better is professional property management with an in-house maintenance team. Here’s how you’ll find you might benefit from in-house maintenance:

• You Know You’re Working with Licensed and Insured Contractors

Having access to licensed and insured contractors is critical. You don’t want to hire anyone off the street or off the internet to make important repairs. This only increases your liability and risk. You also don’t want to make the repairs yourself. Who knows when you’ll have the time? Our background and experience allow us to properly screen the maintenance team we send to the rental properties we manage. With our maintenance experts, you’ll know you’re getting licensed and insured professionals who can be counted on to do good work. 

• Repairs and Maintenance are Cost-Effective 

Maintenance can be expensive, and if you’re not sure what things should cost, you can end up paying more than you need to even for minor repairs. With access to an in-house maintenance team, you won’t have to worry about overpaying. Your property managers understand the repair and maintenance needs of your property. We work closely with handymen and maintenance crews to make sure your needs are met affordably. You won’t have to waste time collecting bids from competing contractors. 

• Responsive Emergency Repairs 

When there’s an emergency at the property, time is of the essence. You don’t want to waste time looking for someone who can respond. With our team, we can immediately dispatch a professional to diagnose the problem and make a plan for resolving it. This is good for you because any further damage will be mitigated. It’s good for your tenants because their issue will be responded to immediately.

Flexibility with Outsourcing When Repairs are Extensive

While our own maintenance team is excellent at taking care of the general repairs that are needed at your property, we’re quick to understand when a more nuanced professional is required. When there’s extensive renovation work that’s needed or a repair we run into that we just haven’t had the opportunity to address before, we have relationships in place with outside contractors who can help us. There’s never any concern that we won’t be able to respond to a repair or a problem that’s happening at your property. We’re confident in what our team can do, and we’re well-connected enough to ask for help if the need arises.

Most importantly, in-house maintenance means that vendors are readily available to respond to problems as they occur. This means better protection for your property and your profitability. 

Let’s talk about the best maintenance scenario for you and your investment. Contact us at Rental Homes USA. 

At Rental Homes USA, we are proud of being a military-friendly property management company, and if you’re an owner wondering what to do with your home while leaving for a new duty station, our team can professionally manage it for you. We’ll share the benefits of renting out your home while keeping your asset, and we’ll talk about how we’re here to make sure that your property is protected and your rental experience is exactly what it should be. 

In our market, we’re close to a number of military bases and naval stations. We understand the unique challenges of military members and their families, and we’re here to help you navigate this market and earn some money. Leverage our experience with the local rental laws, competing properties, and tenant requirements. 

We know what military owners need, especially when they’re preparing to leave the area and rent out their home. Our experienced management team is here to provide an outstanding experience.

Military Families in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake: Keep Your Home and Rent it Out 

If you’re a member of the military and you’re preparing to move to a new duty station, a lot of details are going to need immediate attention. It can be overwhelming, even if your military service means you’ve done this dozens of times before.   

The first and most important question to ask is: What will you do with the home you own? 

Selling might prove to be one extra thing you don’t want to worry about. With the market shifting and prices peaking, it may take more time than you’d like to sell the place you’ve called home while living in the area. Plus, you’d have to give up your asset, and what if you plan to potentially return to the area at some point in the future? 

There are a few important benefits to renting out your property while you’re serving elsewhere, and we can help you take advantage of: 

• Consistent and Recurring Income

This is a strong rental market. That’s due in part to the military presence here but also because we have been growing economically. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach are becoming a popular destination for people who are seeking a higher quality of life. There’s new industry moving in and remote workers who can live anywhere while keeping their jobs are finding that areas such as Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and the surrounding areas make sense. 

Rents are high and so is demand, meaning you can count on a pool of qualified tenants. 

Having a tenant move into your property leads to regular rental income, and that can go towards paying down the mortgage on your investment. You’ll increase the return you earn on your property, and you’ll have some consistent cash flow coming in. 

When you have good tenants in place and a team of expert property managers helping you to maintain your home, you’ll be able to earn money on your property consistently. 

• Appreciation and Holding Onto your Asset

Did you enjoy living in this area? If you’re imagining a situation in which you’d move back, it makes sense to hold onto your home. But, you want to make sure that home is kept in good condition while you’re not in it. That’s where property managers like us can help. 

Even if you have no plans to return to the area, you know that an investment property in this part of the country is a profitable venture. Your asset grows in value the longer you hold onto it. As your rents increase, you earn more and more money over the long term. 

• Tax Benefits to Renting Out a Property 

You should also consider taxes. Selling may require you to pay capital gains taxes. Renting it out, however, will provide you some tax relief because you’ll be able to deduct mortgage interest, property management and other professional fees, as well as the cost of maintenance and repairs. 

Property Management for Military Members

Even when you know that renting out your property is the best way forward when you’re at your new duty station, there are concerns that are unique to military members. You’ll be far away; it’s not like you can be here to show the home, make minor repairs, or respond to an emergency that your tenant has reported with the plumbing or an appliance. 

That’s why you need a professional property management partner like our team at Rental Homes USA.

Here are the best tips and strategies that we can offer based on our extensive experience leasing, managing, and maintaining investment properties owned by members of the military and their families. 

• Establish a Strong Support Network

One of the first steps in successfully managing your rental property from a distance is to establish a reliable network of local contacts that can assist you when needed. Your property manager is an absolutely essential partner in this process. We will handle day-to-day operations such as tenant screening, routine inspections, maintenance issues, and emergency responses. We’ll have established relationships with vendors, contractors, and service professionals to ensure your investment is well-maintained, in good condition, and increasing in value. 

• Make Use of Technology

Leverage technology to streamline the rental process when you’re at a new duty station but still committed to staying connected to your investment and your management team. We facilitate this with online platforms that can simplify the management of your property. You will have access to digital and online listings when your property is vacant and we’re looking for a tenant. We’ll collect rent online so that you’re paid immediately. And we’ll provide accounting statements and financial reports in real time that show you exactly where you stand financially with your investment. 

Communication is essential. We provide a number of ways for you to reach us. We’ll have regular check-in conversations to let you know how things are going and whether there are any decisions that need to be made. We provide peace of mind. 

If you’re worried about becoming a landlord, that’s why we’re here. We protect the value and condition of your property once you leave it in our experienced hands. Contact our team at Rental Homes USA when you’re moving to a new duty station and need help with your property.

At Rental Homes USA, we manage homes professionally just as if they were our own. We are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and today we want to talk to you about why you might pick Rental Homes USA to manage your home.

Property Management Experience

We have been in business for 32 years as real estate agents, and for the last 20, we have been managing homes just like yours. Some of our clients own investment properties and others have left their homes in our capable hands just because the owners had to move away and leave the home behind as a rental. This is a common practice when you are leaving your house but you choose not to sell at that time. Whatever your circumstances, we have the experience and expertise to care for your rental property.

MPM Certification

We are master property managers as certified by the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). That means we have earned a higher level of training and competence in the property management business. That is a big plus for you, and our involvement with NARPM means we have access to a number of tools and resources that can be beneficial in rental management.

Tenant Screening

We conduct a heavy screening of all tenants. This includes background checks, income verification and other things we have learned to do to verify who they are before they rent your home from us. At Rental Homes USA, we have very few evictions. This is directly related to our thorough screening process.

On Time Rent Payments

We demand our tenants allow us to draw their rent from their bank accounts on first of every month. This is very helpful because we know that they are going to have the money in their accounts on the first, when rent is due. It ensures rent is paid on time and it works out really well.

Communication

We have great communication with our tenants. This means a lot to them, especially when we are quick to respond to their needs. We’re particularly proactive when it comes to maintenance and repair requests, but we’ll tell you more about repairs in a later blog.

If you’d like to hear more about why we might be a good fit for you, please contact us at Rental Homes USA.