Maximizing Your Return: Expert Tips for Selling a Rental Property

Selling a rental property can be an intimidating and overwhelming process, especially if you’re a first-time landlord.

You want to maximize the return on your investment, but you’re not sure how to do it. Fortunately, there are expert tips and strategies to help you maximize your rental property sale and get the best return on your investment.

Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or a newbie, these tips can help you navigate the process and make the most of your sale. From understanding the current market conditions and setting the right price to staging the property for showings and negotiating with potential buyers, these expert tips will help you maximize your rental property sale and get the most out of your investment.

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Maximizing Your Return: Expert Tips for Selling a Rental Property

Selling a rental property can be an intimidating and overwhelming process, especially if you’re a first-time landlord. You want to maximize the return on your investment, but you’re not sure how to do it. Fortunately, there are expert tips and strategies to help you maximize your rental property sale and get the best return on your investment. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or a newbie, these tips can help you navigate the process and make the most of your sale. From understanding the current market conditions and setting the right price to staging the property for showings and negotiating with potential buyers, these expert tips will help you maximize your rental property sale and get the most out of your investment.

Understanding the Current Market Conditions

Before you can set the right price for your rental property, you need to understand the current market conditions. This means researching recent sales in the area to get a better understanding of the going rate for similar properties. You should also look at the median sale prices for comparable properties in the area. This will give you an idea of what buyers are willing to pay for a property like yours. Additionally, you should check the local housing market to get an idea of the current trends in the area. Knowing the average days on market, the number of active listings and the average listing price will help you set the right price for your rental property.

You should also consider the current economic conditions and how they may affect your sale. For example, if interest rates are low, you may be able to get more potential buyers interested in your property because they’ll be able to get a better deal on a loan. Likewise, if the economy is booming, you may be able to get a higher price for your rental property.

It’s also important to consider the current rental market conditions. If rental prices in the area are high, you may be able to get a higher price for your property. On the other hand, if rental prices are low, you may need to adjust your price accordingly. Knowing the current rental market conditions will help you set the right price for your rental property and maximize your return on investment.

Setting the Right Price

Once you have a better understanding of the current market conditions, you can start setting the right price for your rental property. It’s important to be realistic about the price you set as you don’t want to overprice your property. You should also consider any repairs or upgrades you’ve made to the property, as this may affect the price.

When setting the price, you should consider factors such as the size of the property, its location, and any amenities it may have. For example, if the property is in an area that’s close to amenities such as schools, parks, and shops, you may be able to get a higher price. Additionally, if the property has features such as a pool or a patio, you may be able to get a higher price.

It’s also important to consider the condition of the property. If the property needs repairs or updates, you should factor this into the price. You don’t want to overprice the property and put off potential buyers, so it’s important to be realistic about the price you set.

Staging Your Property for Showings

Once you’ve set the right price for your rental property, it’s time to start staging it for showings. Staging your property can help make a good impression on potential buyers and make them more likely to make an offer.

When staging your property, you want to make sure it’s clean and tidy. This means getting rid of any clutter and sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming the floors. You should also consider renting furniture to make the property look more inviting. Additionally, you should make sure the property is well-lit and add plants, flowers, and other decorations to make it look more appealing.

You should also make sure any repairs or updates are done before the showings. This will make the property look more attractive and help you get a better return on your investment. Additionally, you should consider painting the walls to make the property look more modern and up-to-date.

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Advertising Your Property for Sale

Once your rental property is ready for showings, you need to start advertising it for sale. You should consider the various advertising channels available to you, such as online listing services, newspaper ads, and print flyers. You should also consider using social media to spread the word about your rental property.

When advertising your property, it’s important to include all the relevant information about the property, such as its location, size, and any amenities it may have. You should also list the price and any other details that may be relevant to potential buyers. Additionally, you should include photos of the property to give potential buyers an idea of what it looks like.

Negotiating with Potential Buyers

Once potential buyers start showing interest in your rental property, you need to be prepared to negotiate with them. Negotiating is an important part of the process and can help you get the best return on your investment.

It’s important to be prepared for negotiations and know the limits of what you’re willing to accept. You should also consider any repairs or upgrades you’ve made to the property, as this may affect the price. Additionally, you should try to remain flexible and be open to negotiation. This will help you get the best possible price for your rental property.

It’s also important to remain professional and polite during negotiations. Don’t let emotions get the better of you and try to remain focused on getting the best price for your property. Additionally, you should be prepared to walk away if the negotiations don’t go your way.

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Hiring a Professional Real Estate Agent

Hiring a professional real estate agent can be a great way to maximize your return on your rental property sale. A real estate agent will be able to help you navigate the process and get the best possible price for your property.

When hiring a real estate agent, it’s important to make sure they have experience dealing with rental properties. You should also make sure they are familiar with the local market and know what buyers are looking for in the area. Additionally, you should make sure they have a good track record of successful sales and can provide you with references.

A real estate agent can also help you with the paperwork and ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. They’ll be able to handle the negotiations and help you get the best possible price for your property.

Choosing the Right Contractor for Repairs

If your rental property needs repairs or updates, you should consider hiring a contractor to do the work. Hiring the right contractor can help you save time and money and ensure the work is done to a high standard.

When choosing a contractor, it’s important to make sure they have experience dealing with rental properties. They should also have the necessary tools and equipment to do the job correctly. Additionally, you should make sure they have a good reputation and can provide you with references.

It’s also important to get quotes from several contractors before making a decision. This will help you get an idea of how much the repairs will cost and ensure you get the best price for the work.

Preparing for Closing

Once you’ve negotiated with potential buyers and hired a contractor to do any repairs or updates, it’s time to prepare for closing. Preparing for closing involves a lot of paperwork and legal documents, so it’s important to be organized and make sure everything is in order.

You should also consider any taxes or fees you’ll need to pay when closing the sale. For example, you may need to pay capital gains tax or transfer fees. Additionally, you should make sure all the paperwork is signed and the funds are transferred to your account.

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Benefits of Selling a Rental Property

Selling a rental property can be a great way to maximize your return on investment. You may be able to get a higher price for your property than if you kept it as a rental. Additionally, selling the property can free up capital that you can use to invest in other rental properties or other investments.

Selling a rental property can also help you diversify your portfolio. This can be beneficial if the rental market takes a hit, as you’ll have other investments to fall back on. Additionally, selling the property can help you avoid the hassle of being a landlord, such as dealing with tenant issues and maintenance issues.

Contact Us!

Selling a rental property can be a daunting and overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. 

If you plan on holding your investment property, contact us for professional property management today by calling us at (503) 447-7788 or click here to connect with us online.

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4 Rent Local Office

4 Rent Local Opens Office in Tigard

4 Rent Local is proud to announce the opening of their brand-new office located at 10260 SW Greenburg Road in Tigard.

The company looks forward to serving the Tigard, and Great Portland area, with its comprehensive property management services.

Owned by Fred Marlow Sr, a long-time property management professional in the Portland area, 4 Rent Local has decades of combined experience in property management and looms forward to helping homeowners who are renting their properties.

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Tigard Property Management

Unlike some property management corporations that have a satellite office in the PDX area, this company is owned and operated by local property management professionals who know the Portland area and are committed to getting owners the most ROI for their properties.

Now is a great time for homeowners to rent their Portland properties because the demand for rental properties in Tigard and the greater PDX area has never been higher.

With an experienced property management team like 4 Rent Local serving them, owners can count on all their property management needs to be served including property marketing, rent collection, maintenance, customer service and more.

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Property Management Professionals

Hiring a property manager is the best way for owners to earn passive income from their rental properties because an experienced property management professional like 4 Rent will handle all day-to-day property management tasks involved with the rental property so the owner can earn passive income.

Having a property management team on their side will provide owners with the peace of mind in knowing that they can enjoy passive income from their property without having to do any of the management work themselves.

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Contact 4 Rent Local

To learn more about 4 Rent Local, and the property management services we can offer you, contact them today by calling (503) 447-7788 or click here to connect with us online.

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tenant move out

A Comprehensive Guide to the Tenant Move Out Process: Making It Easier for Landlords and Tenants

Searching for more information on tenant move out? Moving out of a rental property can be a stressful experience for both landlords and tenants, as there are many different steps that need to be taken to make sure that the process is completed correctly and smoothly.

To make life a little easier for all involved, this comprehensive guide to the tenant move out process outlines all the necessary steps for landlords and tenants to follow, from giving notice to the landlord to returning the keys.

With this guide, landlords and tenants can be sure that they will have all the information they need to make the move out process smooth and hassle-free.

What to Consider Before Tenant Move Out

Before tenants decide to end their tenancy agreements, they should first consider the various factors that may impact their decision. Depending on the terms of a rental agreement, tenants may have a certain amount of time (usually 30-60 days) to terminate their tenancy. If a tenant moves out before the end of the tenancy agreement, they may be required to pay rent until the end of the term or they may be responsible for paying any fees associated with breaking the lease.

Additionally, tenants may also have to pay a penalty fee if they have signed a lease that has a penalty fee for breaking the contract. Before a tenant decides to move out, it is also important for them to consider the amount of time that the move out process will take and the steps that they will need to complete. The tenant move out process may involve scheduling and completing multiple appointments with various contractors, cleaning professionals, and utility providers. The amount of time that the move out process will take will largely depend on the amount of time that tenants must complete each step.

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Giving Notice to the Landlord Before Tenant Move Out

Before tenants move out, they must give the appropriate amount of notice to the landlord. The amount of notice that tenants must provide to the landlord will depend on the terms of the tenancy agreement. In some cases, tenants may also be required to provide notice because they signed a lease that requires it. Many tenants assume that they are only required to give 30 days’ notice to the landlord, regardless of what is written in the tenancy agreement.

However, tenants who want to be sure that they are complying with the terms of their tenancy agreement and who want to avoid potential issues with the landlord should provide the amount of notice that is required in their tenancy agreement. As a best practice, tenants should also document all communication with the landlord and keep a copy of the notice and any other related communication in a safe place, such as in a digital file or folder.

Preparing the Property for Move Out

After tenants have decided to move out and have given notice to the landlord, the next step is to prepare the property for move out. This step is important because it will help tenants avoid incurring fees and fines from the landlord and will ensure that the move out process is as easy as possible for tenants. Before preparing the property for move out, tenants should gather all their belongings, such as furniture and appliances, as well as any tools, materials, and cleaning supplies that they will need to complete the move out process. Once tenants have gathered all the necessary belongings and items, they should store them in a safe and secure place. This will help tenants avoid incurring fines from the landlord and will make it easier for them to complete the move out process.

Taking Pictures and Preparing Documentation

Before tenants move out, they should make sure to document the condition of the rental property. This will help tenants avoid incurring fines for damages to the property and will help speed up the landlord’s move out process. A good way to document the condition of the rental property is by taking pictures of all areas of the property. Pictures will help tenants keep track of all necessary documentation, including any stains, dents, and other damages to the property. Tenants can also prepare documentation that includes a detailed list of all belongings and items that they have in the rental property. This will help tenants keep track of all their belongings and will make it easier for them to complete the move out process, since they will already have a list of all items in the rental property.

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Cleaning the Rental Property

Once tenants have gathered all their belongings and have prepared the rental property for move out, the next step is to clean the property. The first step in cleaning the rental property is to schedule a cleaning appointment with a cleaning or cleaning service. This will make it easier for tenants to clean the property and will ensure that they do not miss the move out cleaning deadline. After scheduling the cleaning appointment, tenants should start cleaning the property. Cleaning the rental property is an important step in the tenant move out process because it will help tenants avoid incurring fines from the landlord and will make it easier for them to pass the final walkthrough.

Returning the Keys

After tenants have cleaned the rental property, they should make sure to return the keys to the landlord. Before giving the keys to the landlord, tenants should make sure that they have a record of the keys. Tenants should also check the rental property to make sure that they do not leave any keys behind. As a best practice, tenants should return the keys in person and keep a record of when they gave the keys back to the landlord. This will help tenants avoid fines and make it easier for them to pass the final walkthrough.

Final Walkthrough

After tenants have cleaned the rental property and returned the keys, the next step is a final walkthrough of the property. A final walkthrough is an inspection of the rental property by the landlord and tenants. During the final walkthrough, tenants and the landlord will walk through the property and check for any damages or issues with the property. During the final walkthrough, tenants should be sure to point out any issues with the property and keep documentation of any damages they see in the rental property. This will help tenants avoid fines and make it easier for them to complete the move out process.

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Security Deposits

If the rental property is covered by a security deposit, tenants have the option of either returning the deposit to the landlord or transferring it to the next tenant. If tenants decide to return the security deposit to the landlord, they should make sure to do so in a timely manner. If tenants decide to transfer the security deposit to the next tenant, they should make sure to document all necessary details, such as the amount of the security deposit, the name and contact information of the next tenant, and the due date for the transfer. This will help tenants avoid fines and make it easier for them to complete the move out process.

Setting Up Final Utilities

After tenants have completed the tenant move out process, they may be responsible for setting up final utilities, such as water and electricity. Before setting up final utilities, tenants should make sure to check with the relevant utility provider to find out what is required to set up utility service in their name. To avoid incurring fines from utility providers, tenants should make sure to set up utility service in their names as soon as possible after moving out of the rental property. This will help tenants avoid fines and make it easier for them to complete the move out process.

Terminating Lease Agreements

In many cases, tenants will sign a lease agreement that specifies the terms of their tenancy, including the end date. If this is the case, tenants should make sure to end their tenancy agreement according to the terms specified in the agreement. If tenants have a written lease that does not have an end date, they should end their tenancy as soon as possible.

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in local property management for Beaverton and surrounding areas.

Our team makes tenant move outs a breeze, saving owners the time, money and hassle of going through that themselves.

To learn more about the services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7788 or click here to connect with online.

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The ABCs of Renting Your Property to Tenants: A Beginner’s Guide

With the slowdown of home sales in the real estate market, more homeowners are stuck with homes that they thought would sell and they are now considering renting those homes to tenants.

This is to be expected because many homeowners have already moved on to bigger and better properties even though their first homes didn’t sell.

Thankfully, even though the real estate market has slowed, the good news is that homeowners work through this difficult situation by renting out their properties until the real estate market picks up again.

Keep It Simple

You might think that renting your property to tenants is risky and stressful. But if done right, it can be a source of additional income as well to filter out the right tenants without being directly responsible for maintenance and repairs.

You may not want to hear it, but being a landlord isn’t easy. It involves taking on responsibilities that you probably don’t want or expect to deal with. However, with the right preparation and management, you can do so while avoiding some of the risks inherent in renting your home to strangers. With this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about renting your home as an investor and what you need to consider before signing on the dotted line.

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Find The Right Tenants 

After deciding what type of tenant, you’re looking for, you should do some research on the local rental market.

This will help you to create a profile of the kind of tenant you want to attract and give you a better idea of what your rental property will be worth in the open market. – Where to look for information. The best way to research the rental market in your area is to get your hands dirty. This means looking at rental listings on websites like Craigslist, Zillow, and Trulia.

You should also attend local real estate investor clubs, visit rental property management companies, and talk to property managers in your area. – What to look for. When researching the rental market, you should pay special attention to the following factors: – The average rent in your area. – The average vacancy rates. – The average length of time that a unit is on the market. – The average cost of repairs. – The average rental yield in your area.

Step 2: Know Your Rights as a Landlord

When renting out your property, you are essentially putting your money into a partnership with your tenants.

But the law doesn’t treat you as a partner—instead, you get almost none of the benefits of a partnership. So, before you even sign a rental contract, you should know what your rights are as a landlord and what your tenants’ rights are as renters. – Liability for injuries and damage. As a landlord, you are liable for injuries that your tenants sustain on your property, and you are responsible for all damage. This applies whether the tenant is at fault or not. If a tenant breaks something, you are responsible for repairing or replacing it. If someone gets hurt on your property, you are responsible for their medical bills. This can lead to lawsuits, fines, and even imprisonment. – Your right to enter the property.

As a landlord, you have the right to enter your property to conduct repairs, inspect the property, and/or show it to prospective buyers. However, you must let your tenants know that you’re coming and provide them with a reasonable amount of time to get their things out of the way. You can’t enter a rental property without a legitimate reason or without the tenant’s consent.

Step 3: Advertise Your Property and Select Tenants

You have done the legwork to find a great tenant and are now ready to start looking for a place to rent. But before you sign a lease, you need to put yourself in your prospective tenant’s shoes. What kinds of questions will they have?

What do they need to know before committing to rent your property? – The right way to advertise your property. The best way to advertise your property is by posting an online listing on a site like Craigslist or Zillow, and then following up with phone calls and emails to interested parties. You should include the following in your listing: – When you’re ready to sign a lease.

When you’re ready to sign a lease, you should meet with your prospective tenants and hammer out all the important details so that everyone is on the same page. You should discuss the following: – Written rental agreement. You should sign a written rental agreement with each tenant. Your rental agreement should include:

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Step 4: Set the Right Terms for Your Contract

You’ve found the tenant of your dreams and have signed a rental agreement. But you aren’t quite done yet. You need to make sure that you have everything covered in the rental agreement so that nothing goes wrong, and your tenant is happy.

Security deposit – A security deposit serves two functions: it’s a partial payment of the final rent and its insurance for you (the landlord). A security deposit is a money that you take from a tenant at the beginning of a rental agreement. If your tenant breaks their contract (for example, they don’t pay the rent) then you can keep their security deposit. At the same time, you must deposit 10% of the security deposit in a state-approved escrow account.

The terms of the lease – The terms of the lease are especially important because they set the stage for the relationship between you and your tenant.

Your lease should also include terms for when rent is due, how it should be paid and when it’s considered to be late. This is by far one of the most important parts of your lease because tenants must know that they are expected to pay rent on time each month.

Step 5: After Finding Excellent Tenants

Congratulations! You’ve found wonderful tenants who have agreed to rent your property and you have signed the lease.

Now it’s time to kick back and relax, right? Nah. You still have a lot of work to do.

Stay in contact – While you don’t want to be a nagging landlord, you want to stay in contact with your tenants so that you can look out for their best interests and vice versa.

Send them a friendly text or email every few months to check in and let them know that you’re available if they need anything.

Be a good landlord – Being a landlord isn’t easy. But it is rewarding when you find good tenants and they treat your property with respect.

Step 6: Hire A Property Manager

If your goal is to keep living your life without the hassle of owning a rental property, then the best decision you can make is to hire a property management company like Rent Portland Homes – Professionals.

Our property management team will save you the time and money of managing your property yourself so you can continue living your life while leaving the property management to us.

To learn more about the property management services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-735 or click here to connect with us online.

real estate investing

Buying a Property That Will Earn You Rent: A Real Estate Investing Starter Guide

Real estate investing can be a great way to build wealth over time. When you invest in real estate, you don’t just get a second home that you can visit on the weekends or a beautiful space to throw parties; you also get an asset that can generate cash flow.

If your goal is to build long-term wealth through real estate investing, buying properties that will generate income from rent is essential.

In this article, we’ll explain what it means to buy a property that will earn you rent and give you pointers on where to find properties like these and how much you should pay for them. Let’s dive in!

What Does It Mean to Buy a Property That Will Earn You Rent?

If you buy a property that you can rent out, you’re essentially operating as a landlord. If you’ve ever been a landlord, you know it can be a full-time job, but it’s worth it if you can find the right tenants and charge a fair price for the rent.

And if you’re buying a property that will be rented out and generating your income, you want to make sure to buy a property that will give you a good chance of having great tenants, paying rent reliably on time, and having a low vacancy rate.

How to Find Properties That Earn You Rent

Before you start looking for properties that will earn you rent, you need to have a specific type of property in mind.

If you don’t know what kind of property you’re looking for, you’ll have a much harder time finding the right one. Here are a few things to think about when choosing a property:

Location – This may sound obvious, but it’s one of the most important factors when picking a property to buy.

You want to make sure your property is in a neighborhood that will appeal to tenants.

When picking a neighborhood, consider factors like crime rates, local schools, job growth, public transportation, and walkability.

You should also make sure the neighborhood has a below-average vacancy rate.

Property type – You’ll want to choose a tenant-friendly property type, such as a single-family home, a duplex, or an apartment building.

Property condition – You’ll want to make sure the property you buy is in good condition. If repairs need to be made, make sure to factor that into the price you pay for the property.

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Real Estate Investing Tips for Finding a Property to Buy that Will Earn You Rent

Start looking for properties that earn you rent sooner rather than later – The earlier you start looking, the more time you’ll have to find the right deal, which will make your investing process easier.

Be open to different neighborhoods – Be sure to look in all different kinds of neighborhoods because you might find a great deal in a neighborhood that isn’t super desirable right now. Be flexible with your budget – You might find a great deal on a property that’s outside your budget. It’s important to be flexible with your budget because you don’t want to pass up a great deal just because it’s out of your price range.

Find a great realtor – A great realtor can help you find properties that earn you rent, walk you through the process of buying a property, and help you get a good price for the property you’re selling. A realtor can be an invaluable resource for any real estate investor.

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3 Types of Properties that Will Earn You Cash Flow

When you buy a property that will earn you rent, you want to make sure it’ll give you a steady stream of income over time. If you buy a property that only brings in a few thousand dollars in rent, you may not have enough income to make the investment worth it.

To make sure you buy a property that will earn you cash flow over time, you’ll want to choose a rental property that has a high rental yield, below-average vacancy rates, and low maintenance costs.

These three factors help ensure that your rental property will continue to be a reliable source of income for years to come.

Apartment building – An apartment building is a great property to buy if you want to earn cash flow from the get-go. It’s one of the most expensive properties to buy, but it’s also one of the most reliable sources of income since you’ll have a long-term tenant at one location.

Single-family home – A single-family home is a great property to buy if you want a blend of both long-term and short-term tenants. It generally takes longer to find tenants for a single-family home than for an apartment building, but once you do, the tenants tend to stay for a long time.

Duplex A duplex is a good choice if you’re looking for a lower-maintenance property and you don’t mind doing some work to keep both halves of the building in good condition. The lower maintenance costs are one of the biggest advantages of buying a duplex, but they also come with the disadvantage of a smaller profit margin compared to a single-family home or apartment building.

Wrapping up

Buying a property that will earn you rent is a great way to start your real estate investing journey. When you buy a property that will earn you rent, you’re buying an asset that will continue to bring in steady income for years to come.

When you’re picking a property to buy, be sure to find one that is in good condition, in a desirable neighborhood, costs less than $350,000, and has a high rental yield. Once you’ve found the right property, make sure to put in the work to make sure it stays in good condition, and you’ll have a reliable source of income for years to come.

Contact Us

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in local property management for Beaverton and surrounding areas.

Our team has decades of combined property management experience and looks forward to the opportunity of earning your business.

Contact us today for a quote at (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

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housing

Does A Housing Downturn Help Real Estate Investors?

As the United States enters a recession, the U.S. housing market is officially in a downturn that could potentially last for 12 months or longer.

The big question that most investors want to know is if a housing market downturn will help the rental market, or hurt it.

Thankfully, whenever the housing market faces a downturn, real estate investors can look for opportunities where economists expect defeat because real estate investors typically benefit the most when home prices fall.

Fewer People Buying, More People Selling

The housing market has been a nonstop boom for the last five to 10 years, especially in Portland Oregon, where home prices have gone through the roof, and in many cases, it’s made it next to impossible for people who earn under $100,000 a year to buy homes.

When it comes to investors, with fewer people buying, and more people selling, this means more properties are available than ever on the market for them to choose from.

Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, the last time that we saw market conditions like this was after the 2008 “Great Recession” when home prices tanked and stayed at record lows for several years.

The current recession is only just beginning, and even though some economists are saying that it’s not going to last very long, it’s likely that we could see this recession last for 12 months or longer.

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Is A Housing Crash Coming?

Housing recession usually stems from “speculations.” What does speculation entail? This activity occurs when investors buy houses to make huge profits from them when they make a sale in the future. Speculation creates high demand, invariably skyrocketing the prices of homes. 

With more speculators joining in on the party, an ultimate crash is imminent. When there’s a downturn in the economy, those who took mortgages and loans will find it difficult to clear their debts as interest rates increase. Most investors will seek to sell their properties for lower rates to stay afloat, giving room for lower prices.  

Although a housing recession can negatively impact a country regardless of its economic prowess, it’s vital to understand that these events are usually short-term, meaning that economic recovery is achievable within a short period. Nonetheless, select occurrences can make this recession form last for long periods.

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Ultimately, many economists have said that the state of the 2022 housing market is a lot different than what we saw in 2008 because the lending fundamentals are different than back then.

With the market built on stronger fundamentals, it’s likely that the current housing market downturn may not last for as long, or have as great an impact on the economy as some have predicted.

While investors wait for the housing market downturn to end, there’s still going to be a fair number of deals out there including multifamily and single-family homes for sale in Portland, and the greater PDX area.

Also, A Great Opportunity for First Time Investors

Besides being a great opportunity for longtime real estate investors, the current real estate market is also presenting ample opportunities for new real estate investors who are moving from stocks to real estate

Rental real estate presents a “steady Oasis” in any recession because of the simple fact that rental properties continue to earn passive monthly cash flow while most other well-known investments are tanking.

Once they add rental properties to their investment portfolios, some new real estate investors may choose to manage their rental properties themselves, getting first-hand experience in working with tenants, plus overall property management.

Yes, rental properties can be managed by any DIY investor, but the reality is that for passive income, it’s always a better decision for an investor to choose an experienced property manager like rent Portland Homes – Professionals.

When investors choose property managers to manage their rental they could have peace of mind in knowing that all aspects of property management will be handled from start to finish including property marketing, tenant selection, rent collection, maintenance, customer service and so much more.

Besides the ease and convenience of working with a property management company, another benefit is that owners can live anywhere in the United States while having confidence that their rental property is effectively being cared for and maintained by a company property manager.

New investors can take heart that rental real estate will continue to be a steady source of cash flow for them for years to come including good real estate markets, and bad.

What’s also most important to know about the state of the rental market is that with homes still out of reach for many buyers nationwide, rental real estate will continue to be in high demand in the years to come.

Why? People will always need a place to live and search for rental properties in Portland or surrounding areas nationwide.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals/4RentLocal.com, we specialize in property management for Beaverton, Portland, and surrounding areas.

Founded by Fred Marlow, our company has decades of combined property management experience in the PDX area. This means that regardless of if you are a new or inexperienced investor, you can have Peace of Mind in knowing that the best property management team in Portland is managing your rental property.

For a property management quote, or to learn more about the services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling or clicking here to connect with us online.

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Top Reasons Why Good Tenants Leave and How to Stop This Trend from Happening

In today’s economy, rental properties are still a great way to build wealth, and passive income, but during the process of owning rentals, every landlord must face the reality that good tenants are going to come and go.

Sadly, there are a wide variety of reasons why good tenants leave but, the reality is that there are several reasons why they leave, and there are solutions that landlords can utilize to keep those tenants for longer than 12 months at a time.

tenant

More Affordable Rental Options Are Available For Tenants Locally

One of the first reasons why good tenants leave is because more affordable rentals are becoming available locally.

This is completely understandable because every tenant wants to save money monthly.

Landlords must regularly stay on top of what’s happening in their rental market to avoid losing their good tenants to lower-priced, competitive rentals.

This means taking the time to actively investigate comparable listings in the local area. This research will tell every landlord what other properties nearby are currently renting for and if those properties have any features or amenities that their rental properties don’t currently have.

After doing some comparable research, landlords must consider the price differentials and be willing to lower the monthly rent (if needed), or grant their tenants concessions if the tenant is willing to renew their lease for another 12 months.

Problems With Neighbors

Another common thing that stops good tenants from renewing their leases is when they have problems with neighbors in the area.

By neighbors, we mean other tenants in the same building that they live in or neighbors that may live on the same street.

When problems with neighbors occur, landlords must take their tenant’s feedback into account and work hard to resolve those issues with neighbors immediately because, if the tenant feels uncomfortable living in that rental property, they won’t hesitate to move when their lease is up for renewal.

Promises Were Not Kept

In today’s world, every tenant wants to know that their landlord sees them as more than just to rent check, the tenant wants to know that the landlord is going to keep their promises, especially when it comes to maintenance or repairs that may be needed at the rental property.

If promises are not kept, tenants won’t hesitate to move, especially if the promises that were broken directly affect the tenant’s quality of life living at the rental property.

Landlords who have problems keeping their promises should invest in a calendar-based system that will remind them of the promises that they’ve made and provide them with consistent reminders until they complete the jobs that need to be done.

The Landlord Was Hard to Reach

Besides knowing that they have a landlord who keeps their promises, tenants these days also want to know that their landlord is going to be easily accessible when they need to communicate with them.

Unfortunately, tenants who feel that their landlord is hard to reach or doesn’t respond quickly to their issues won’t think twice to move when their lease is up, especially if the lack of communication with the landlord directly affects their quality of life at the rental property.

Landlords who have difficulty communicating with their tenants should hire a property management company like Rent Portland Homes – Professionals because, our team has an in-house staff that handles everything from tenant selection to maintenance, so landlords don’t have to.

Problems BIG or SMALL Was Ignored

When problems arise, one of the first things every landlord should do is try to resolve the problem immediately, regardless of whether it’s big or small.

In 2022, many landlords often underestimate the importance of resolving problems, especially if it’s something that they consider to be minor that can wait to be resolved for 24 hours, or even over a weekend.

Tenants must know that when problems arise, and as soon as they report them, the landlord will take steps to resolve the issue immediately.

Not Enough Amenities

As more rental properties come on the market, another common reason why good tenants leave is that the property that they are currently living in doesn’t have enough amenities.

Aside from major renovation, there’s not much that a landlord can do to add new amenities to a rental property but, there are improvements that a landlord can make along the way including the following:

  • Adding smart appliances
  • Repainting the property
  • Adding new flooring
  • Adding more security features to the unit
  • Adding on-site storage
  • Adding a dog run

Landlords who are on a budget after COVID-19 can take heart that it’s entirely possible to retrofit a rental property with some of the latest high-tech amenities for under $1000.

Each landlord should make consistent improvements to their rental properties throughout the year because those improvements can often be the deciding factor that motivates a tenant to renew their lease for another 12 months or search for another rental property when their lease is up.

The Tenant Had Unexpected Life Changes

So far, we’ve offered you several common reasons why good tenants typically move out within 12 months, another common reason that good tenants leave is when they have unexpected life changes.

Some of the most common and expected life changes occur when a tenant loses their job, must relocate for a job, gets married, has children, or does something else.

Sadly, there’s not much that the landlord can do when there is an unexpected life change, but when it comes to a job loss, landlords who have good tenants who have paid on time within the last 12 months would be better served to work with the tenant until they start their new job and start earning an income once again.

Taking the time to work with the tenant will preserve that landlord-tenant relationship will be something that motivates them to renew their lease with the landlord once it’s up for renewal.

Do you have rental properties in Portland Oregon that need property management? If so, contact the Rent Portland Homes – Professionals team today by calling us at (503) 646-9664, or clicking here to connect with us online.

Our team has decades of combined property management experience and managing tenants that saves owners the time, money, and hassle of managing their properties themselves.

To get a better return on investment from your rental property reach out to us today, you’ll be glad that you did!

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Questions To Ask Your Tenants Before Renting To Them

Are you planning on renting your Beaverton home for the first time? If so, there are a variety of questions that you should ask applicants that will help you to choose the most qualified tenant for your rental property.

Asking the right questions during tenant screening is important because an applicant’s answers to those questions will offer you insight into the type of tenant that they could become.

In this article, we will offer you the top 10 questions that you should ask during the tenant screening process.

When do you plan on moving in?

A good first question for a potential renter is knowing when they plan to move. Maybe they have time left on their current lease and can’t move immediately. In this case, it may be best to find a tenant who can move in immediately to reduce vacancy time.

On the other hand, suppose the current tenant has given two months’ notice, and you have started advertising early. In that case, someone who wants to move immediately wouldn’t be a good match.

How long have you lived at your current address?

A basic tenant screening question is knowing how long they’ve lived at their current place. Their answer can give an idea of their stability as a long-term tenant. For example, have they lived there for less than a year? In that case, it’s good to find out why. It may be because of relocating with work or another legitimate reason. 

A tenant who is constantly on the move may be a sign of a problem tenant, and there’s a risk they won’t stay for the entire lease agreement term. 

Why are you moving?

Moving can be expensive, not to mention stressful. So, it’s worth asking a prospective tenant their reasons for moving. Maybe their current place no longer matches their needs. Or, they may need to live closer to work or family. Was it an increase in rent prices? Regardless of their reason, always do your due diligence during the screening process. 

It’s always a red flag if the tenant lies about their reason for moving. For instance, they say they need to downsize, but you learn from references that they are getting evicted or regularly miss rent payments.

Do you have pets?

If you don’t allow pets in your rental unit, then you must find out about any animals they have. However, even if you have a pet policy allowing animals, you may have restrictions on the size and breed. So, it’s best to find out before signing the rental agreement. Additionally, you can discuss your policy on paying a pet deposit and any additional fees. 

If you allow pet owners to rent, always carry out pet screening beforehand. 

Pro tip: Remember that a service animal isn’t classified as a pet, and you can’t deny housing to someone who has one. You should also check that the emotional support animal letter is genuine.

How many people will be living with you?

Rental laws restrict the number of people per bedroom in a rental unit. If you have a multi-tenancy unit, asking this simple question is essential. In any case, anyone living in the apartment permanently should be named on the lease agreement. 

Are you or anyone who will be living in the apartment smokers?

A vital rental screening question to ask a tenant is if they smoke. Typically, a rental agreement should state your smoking policy and outline the consequences for violating the lease. However, asking if they smoke allows you to assess their reaction. 

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What’s your current income?

It’s not impolite to ask a straightforward question about how much a prospective tenant earns. After all, you must know if they can afford the monthly rent or not. Typically, a tenant can afford rent if they spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. According to a Harvard study, the 30% rule “remains a reliable indicator of affordability both over time and across markets.”

If their pay stubs or bank statements reveal a lower amount, you should be extra cautious about renting.

It’s worth noting that reports indicate that nonpayment of rent is the most common reason for evictions. 

Have you ever been evicted?

Asking about previous evictions may reveal why they were forcibly removed from a previous rental unit. Of course, if they were evicted, it’s good to be cautious. But were there extenuating circumstances? Or has enough time passed, and the tenant now has a good credit history for a previous eviction not to be an issue? Again, it’s good to find out. 

Do you have current or previous convictions?

Before asking about a criminal record, it’s crucial to know if any local laws prevent you from inquiring too deeply into this. There’s also grey area surrounding the Fair Housing Act, and if it’s truly legal to ask this question, as it may turn out to be discriminatory. However, if you can inquire about convictions, it’s good to do so. In addition, their criminal history and type of punishment could indicate if they are a suitable candidate for renting. 

Be very careful not to ask about arrests. It’s generally illegal to ask about previous arrests when conducting a screening interview. Arrests don’t always lead to convictions. 

Can you pay the security deposit and one month’s rent at the lease signing?

The last question is to ensure that the tenant can pay the upfront costs of renting. At the same time, you can ask if the potential tenant has any questions for you.

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Contact Us

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in property management for Beaverton and the surrounding area.

Our company saves owners the time, money, and hassle of managing their rental properties themselves.

To learn more about the property management services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 646-9664 or clicking here to connect with us online.

best property management company

7 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Property Management Company

Are you searching for information on how to find the best property management company? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Searching for the most experienced property manager is understandable simply because a property management company will save you the time, money, and hassle of managing your rental property yourself.

In today’s world, there are a wide variety of property management companies out there, but few are experienced or could be classified as a great property management company.

Thankfully, finding the most experienced property manager is easier than you think, especially when you follow these tips.

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How To Choose The Best Property Management Company

Even though some property management companies have a nationwide footprint, the reality is that few of those companies know the local area where they have offices.

Choosing a property manager that has local market experience is important because, they will know the rental market better than anyone, and have a tight vendor matrix of maintenance professionals, contractors, and service companies that they can turn to at a moment’s notice.

Tip #2 – Look for Experience

Another thing to be on the lookout for while searching for the property management company is a property manager with verifiable experience.

The property management company that you decide to work with should have been in business for at least five years and have verifiable references that can easily be found on websites like Google My Business, Facebook, Yelp, and other local business directories.

If the company cannot be found online, or if no customer reviews exist, this should lead to you questioning the legitimacy of this company and wondering if they truly have the experience that they had claimed to have.

Every service-based company currently should have reviews online, regardless of if they are good or bad, simply because this is one common trait that comes from doing business in the computer age.

By reading management reviews, you’ll be able to get a good understanding of the services that the company has to offer and you’re going to have Peace of Mind in knowing that they are the most qualified company to provide you with the services that you need.

Tip #3 – Make Sure They Have a Team

As the old saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work, and the same can be said about hiring a property management company.

One of your top goals during your search for the property management company should be to hire a company that has an actual team that manages their clients’ rental properties.

Yes, having a team does mean that they should have at least one person who specializes in each of the individual services that you need for your rental property including customer service, rent collection, maintenance, accounting and marketing.

Choosing to work with one person who does everything will only lead to failure because, that one individual may have property management experience but, once they get busy, the quality of their work, and the time that they’re able to invest in managing your rental property will only begin to fail.

It’s best to thoroughly analyze the property management company before you hire them and to confirm that they do have a team that manages their rental properties so that you could have confidence that your investment property will be professionally managed by caring professionals who will offer your tenants the best service possible.

#4 – Verify Their Licenses

You may have thought that you found the property management company but, one more thing to look for during your search is to verify that they are licensed in the State of Oregon.

Every property management company in the State of Oregon should have a license to manage rental properties, if a property management company is not licensed, this should make you think twice about hiring them to manage your rental property.

Choosing to work with a licensed property manager shows you that they are fully committed to their business and willing to go the extra mile to ensure that they get the training and skills that they need to professionally manage their clients’ rental properties.

#5 – How Mane Properties Do They Manage?

While searching for a property management company in Portland Oregon, or elsewhere in the United States, you should also be willing to ask the company how many rental properties they currently manage.

A professional property management company should be willing to tell you upfront how many properties they currently manage in their portfolio and where those properties are located.

Yes, you won’t be able to inspect those properties in person but, you should be able to drive by each property to get a bird’s eye view of how that property looks on the outside.

If the property looks well maintained, clean, and has tenants, this should be able to provide you with confidence and Peace of Mind and knowing that you’re going to be working with a property management company that will apply the same standards when managing your rental property.

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#6 – What Is Their Vacancy Rate?

Last of all, another key question to ask during your search for a property management company is what is their vacancy rate?

In 2022, the state of Oregon currently has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the United States, especially in the Portland area, where vacancy rates have dropped to record lows in recent years.

An experienced property management company should be able to quickly and efficiently rent their client’s properties so that there are no more than 30 days between the vacant property and its next tenant.

#7 – Thoroughly Analyze Every Company

Since the start of the real estate market boom, there are more property management companies out there than ever before but there are also many companies out there who lack the experience that they need to professionally manage their clients’ rental properties.

The Internet can also make it more difficult when comes to finding the property management company because it’s easy for any company to establish an online presence so they look legitimate when the truth about that company could be far different.

Before you take the last step and choose to work with a property manager, you should also thoroughly analyze that company and use your best instincts before choosing them.

You must realize that if a property management company excels in one area, but you find them lacking in other areas, ultimately, it’s going to be the areas that they are lacking in which could ultimately hurt your ability to continue earning passive income from that property.

Contact Us

At Rent Portland Homes Professionals, we specialize in property management for Beaverton and surrounding areas.

Our team will save you the time and hassle of DIY property management so that you can focus on enjoying the passive income that comes from your rental property.

To learn more about the services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 646-9664 or clicking here to connect with us online.

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Strategies That Help Landlords Avoid Eviction

Since the end of the pandemic, evictions have been on the rise in Portland, and across the entire state of Oregon.

Even though eviction is something that every landlord must deal with at some point, the reality is that it’s entirely possible for landlords to avoid evicting tenants if they use the right strategies to help avoid eviction.

In this article, we will share with you several strategies that landlords can use to help the costly eviction process.

eviction

Steps For Avoiding Eviction

One of the best ways you can avoid the eviction process with a tenant is to make sure that your lease is very clear about rent, and the consequences for paying rent late.

Some key points that your lease should include area:

  • When rent is due
  • What your grace period is
  • When rent is considered late
  • Late fees
  • When the eviction process starts

Having clear language in the lease regarding rent is not enough, you must also be willing to enforce the rules because, if you let your tenant get by with paying the rent late, that tenant will take advantage of your generosity and be willing to do that again anytime in the future.

Worse yet, tenants who pay their rent late won’t hesitate to tell their friends, family members, or other renters that they’ve paid rent late and that those tenants can do the same should they encounter similar circumstances where they must pay late in the future if they are renting from you.

Encourage Communication When If Your Tenant Has Financial Problems

Another important thing that you can do to help avoid the eviction process with your tenant is to be willing to communicate with them when they experience financial problems.

Since the start of the pandemic, it’s not uncommon for many tenants to have lost jobs, changed jobs, or industries, so it’s best to encourage your tenants to be very upfront and communicate with you if they are experiencing financial problems.

It’s always best to be willing to work out payment arrangements with tenants, especially if you know the money is coming because good tenants are worth their weight in gold.

It’s better to work with them rather than just take that tenant through the eviction process and start all over again with finding a new tenant for your property.

Connect Tenants with Local Social Support Services

Another important thing to do once your tenant reaches out to you regarding a job loss that will cause them to be late paying their rent is for you to connect them with local social support services.

Tenants must be made aware that help is available to them if they’re unable to pay their rent on time or if there’s faced with not being able to buy food for the month, they should know that support programs are out there that they can tap into to help cover the gaps until they get back on track financially.

Offer Them Cash for Keys

Let’s be clear, the absolute last thing that a tenant wants is to have been an eviction on their rental record, the same is true for the landlord, every landlord wants to avoid eviction with their tenant, therefore offering them an arrangement like cash for keys is ideal.

Cash for keys is one of the most time-tested ways to avoid eviction because, instead of taking the delinquent tenant through the eviction process, the landlord offers them a viable cash payment for them to move out within a set period.

Even though cash for keys is an ideal way to avoid eviction, this agreement must also be in writing and the tenant must be made aware that if they violate the agreement, they will immediately face eviction.

Inform Your Tenants That You Will Report the Eviction to The Credit Bureaus

Last of all, but most important, if an eviction with a tenant is moving forward, you should also inform the tenant that you will be reporting the eviction to the credit bureaus.

This is important to mention because, in today’s world a credit score is priceless, and nobody wants to have an eviction on their Portland credit report which could hinder their ability to successfully apply for a mortgage loan.

It’s best to lay out all the consequences of the eviction to the tenant right from the very beginning so that they’re aware that there’s more than one consequence that could affect them financially in the years to come.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At 4RentLocal.com/Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in local property management services for the Portland Oregon area.

Our property management team saves owners the time, money, and hassle of managing their rental properties themselves so that they could focus on earning passive income and passive cash flow from those rental properties.

If you need help with property management services, including evictions, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or clicking here to connect with us online.

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