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Charleston Property Management | Social Media and Your Charleston Property Management Company  (Scott Properties)

Charleston Property Management | Social Media and Your Charleston Property Management Company 

Charleston property management is a competitive business. There are dozens of people moving to the Charleston metro area every day and these folks are looking for places to rent while they are starting careers and families, but you have to be able to connect with them if you want them to consider your rental properties. One of the best ways to connect with prospective tenants, and current renters, is to use social media for business, and there are several reasons why. 

  1. Advertising- A Charleston property management company has to advertise their properties; otherwise, no one would know they were for rent. Social media advertising is the best way to target specific demographics or keywords to find qualifying tenants. There are easy social media management tools that make posting to social media easy and convenient. 
  2. Bring Value to Your Business- Tenants and residents in the neighborhoods where you have homes for rent should want to follow you on social media to be in the know about local events. Charleston property management should be the first ones to hear about special events, road closures, town ordinances, and other news. When you can relay this information to your tenants and how them you are invested in the communities, they are more likely to refer you to friends and family for their Charleston property management needs. Your current tenants will also appreciate being able to check a Facebook page and find out when inspections are happening to properties or any rent specials being offered. 
  3. Generate Leads- Social media platforms like Twitter are becoming the best way to reach renters and generate leads due to search functions that allow Charleston property management companies to search for keywords like “moving out.” This super specific targeting can only be done through social media. 

Are you looking for a Charleston property management company that understands how to take advantage of social media? Give Scott Properties a call at 843-352-8341. 

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Charleston Property Management | Increase Curb Appeal for High-End Rental Homes (Scott Properties)

Charleston Property Management | Increase Curb Appeal for High-End Rental Homes 

Charleston Property Management | When you’re renting your high-end home in an upscale neighborhood in the Charleston area, one of the most important things you need to keep in mind is a great curb appeal. When people are paying thousands of dollars to live in your home, they expect a well-maintained property with excellent curb appeal. When you show your home to prospective tenants in an upscale neighborhood, they will know as soon as they step foot on the property if they can see themselves living there. Here are a few tips from Charleston property management on increasing your curb appeal for high-end rental homes:

  1. Clean it Up- If the rental home hasn’t had a good deep cleaning inside and out, now is the time. Power washes the siding, clean out the gutters, trim the bushes, pick up sticks and branches, update the landscaping, mow the yard, and clean off the driveway and walkways of debris. This will make an immediate impact on the curb appeal of your rental home. 
  2. Add Accents- Add bright shutters, paint the door blue, add color to the trim, or talk to Charleston property management companies about what the current trends are for unique curb appeal and home aesthetics in Charleston. 
  3. Modern Light Fixtures- Exterior light fixtures may seem like a small outdoor accessory, but they can make a significant impact on your curb appeal according to Charleston property management companies. Use modern light fixtures, add lights to your drive or walkways, hang pendant lights from your covered porch to make a great statement. 
  4. Small Updates- You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it can make when Charleston property management updates the little things on an upscale rental property. A brand-new mailbox, a beautiful garden bench, planters with colorful flowers, or a new and healthy tree can make a huge difference in curb appeal. 

Charleston property management like Scott Properties has the best know-how on keeping curb appeal on your rental home high. Call today to see how Scott Properties can manage your home at 843-352-8341. 

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Rental Property Management in Charleston | How to Market to Generation Z Renters (Scott Properties)

Rental Property Management in Charleston | How to Market to Generation Z Renters

Rental Property Management in Charleston | Millennials are transitioning into home ownership and investing in their portfolios of the property while Generation Z is going to or graduating from college and looking for homes to rent. Generation Z isn’t like previous generations though, and marketing to these tech-savvy, frugal, and conscientious renters requires a different approach than you may be accustomed to. Rental property management in Charleston, where dozens of young people are moving daily, need to ensure they follow these strategies to connecting with the next generation of renters. 

  1. Social Media Marketing- Getting a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Pinterest account for your rental property management in Charleston is vital to reaching Generation Z. Many people in this generation use apps like Facebook Messenger to communicate rather than use their texting or calling on cell phones. 
  2. Video Content- Generation Z is all about the video content and would much rather watch a virtual tour than read through a list of amenities. Providing video content for social media also means that tenants and prospects can share your content with their friends and family, which is free advertising for your rental property management in Charleston. 
  3. Don’t Inflate Prices- Generation Z watched their parents and aunts and uncles struggle through the Great Recession and, while they are more entrepreneurial than other generations, they are also much more frugal. Generation Z wants value in what they pay for, and if they don’t see the value, they won’t even consider your home for rent. 
  4. Go Digital- Generation Z doesn’t want to come into the office to pay rent every month. They don’t even own a checkbook. This generation of renters wants to pay rent online, and while you’re setting up an online portal for rent, you should also allow online maintenance requests. Generation Z also prefers to communicate digitally and will be more likely to ask you to text than call, so ensure that your rental property management in Charleston understands and is comfortable with this. 

Do you need help with your marketing techniques targeting generation Z? Give Scott Properties a call at 843-352-8341. 

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Property Manager | How Great Property Managers Embrace Technology (Scott Properties)

Property Manager | How Great Property Managers Embrace Technology

Property Manager | The 21st century is all about technology. We carry the internet with us in our pockets everywhere we go and can connect with people all over the world. This also means that more information than ever is available online and people are going to the internet first to find new places to live. If you’re a property manager who hasn’t embraced using technology in your business, you need to check out these easy ways to embrace technology and get vacancies filled faster than ever. 

Paperless is More Efficient- When you can store files electronically and offer online payments and maintenance requests, you reduce the number of expenses you have related to printing, paper, and storage of all those loose documents. You can also find documents more conveniently when they are stored online. 

Social Media- There is no debating that social media advertising is where it’s at when it comes to advertising and reaching consumers. Every proper manager should agree that reaching prospective tenants is easy via social media, and many of their best leads are generated through targeted advertising on these platforms. 

Property Management Software- A property manager that isn’t utilizing a property management software is missing out on a world where efficiency dominates. Property management software allows you to track which homes are vacant, when they will be ready, compile all your tenant information, streamline your leads onto one platform, use intranet-based communications with staff, and process maintenance requests. 

Video Tours- Life is busy, and renters can’t always take time off to tour properties during your office hours. A property manager also shouldn’t waste time showing someone a home that doesn’t meet that renters need or wants. Virtual tours that renters can access online to see what a home looks like allows renters who aren’t interested to keep looking elsewhere, and those that are serious will book an appointment for a closer look. 

If you aren’t ready to dive into embracing technology but want to hire a property manager who is already technology pron, give Scott Properties a call at 843-352-8341. 

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Charleston Property Management | Tips For Renting Your Home Between Tenants (Scott Properties)

Charleston Property Management | Tips For Renting Your Home Between Tenants

 

Charleston Property Management | Your tenant has moved out, and you’ve done the major work of repairing any damages left behind, repainting, and cleaning so that the home looks new again, but you may still have trouble renting it if all your prospective tenants see new carpet and freshly painted walls when you’re between renters and taking applications for your rental home use these tips from the best Charleston property management companies on how to make your home wow your tenants.

 

  1. Stage Furniture- One of the best ways to make a house feel like a home is to stage furniture. Outfit at least one of the bedrooms with a bed, dresser, and end table. Put a sofa and coffee table in the living room and set up dining set in the dining room. Give your guests a visual so that they can easily imagine what their furniture would look like in the space. Charleston property management companies even suggest staging photographs of landscapes or animals, adding decorative pillows, having vases with flowers, and other small touches to make tenants feel welcome.

 

  1. Make it Smell Good- No one wants to live in a home that stinks. Use air fresheners or diffuse oils or incense that smells calming and comforting such as cotton, fresh air, lavender, chamomile, or light citrus to help bring a little excitement. Baking smells are also a great scent to use when showing a home.

 

  1. Dust Before You Show- Even if the cleaning crew had done a detailed clean already, the day or morning before showing the home you should go back through and dust, wipe down mirrors and check for fingerprints on the appliances. You want your prospective tenants to feel like they are the first ones living in their dream home.

 

One of the best tips for renting between tenants is to hire a Charleston property management company to manage your rental home and ensure that you have quality tenants who rent for the long term and love your home as much as you do. Give Scott Properties a call when you are ready to work with the best property managers in South Carolina. 843-352-8413.

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Property Manager | Spotting Fake Landlord References (Scott Properties)

Property Manager | Spotting Fake Landlord References

As a property manager, one application process you are in charge of is checking references for previous landlords. Checking these references is one task you never want to skip because references tell you vital information about your prospective tenant that may not show up on the background or credit check. If previous landlords didn’t report to the credit bureau or sue the tenant, you might not ever know if they paid rent on time or if they damaged the property. Many tenants who have had problems with landlords or a property manager in the past will ask their friends or family to provide false references, pretending to be a previous landlord. You can easily spot these fakers by following these tips:

 

  1. Don’t tell them who you are. If you call asking for Joe Smith and they ask who you are, don’t say that you’re a property manager calling about a reference. You want to catch the imposter off guard by pretending to be a renter yourself. Inquire about available homes for rent, and if the landlord begins to humble over their words or suddenly hangs up, you know you’ve got a false reference.

 

  1. When you ask questions about the tenant, the landlord should be able to give you details about that person including how long they lived at the address provided if they paid on time, and other details. If the “landlord” is vague or tells you, they can’t remember, these can be red flags for false references.

 

  1. Search for the “landlord” online. If this person is a legitimate landlord, you should be able to find their name and phone number linked to rental properties or a property management company. You can also search the name on social media and see if they seem to be linked to the tenant such as being Facebook friends or listing each other as family. These are huge red flags for false references.

 

Taking the time to go through dozens of references every time you have a new property for rent can be tedious and exhausting. Consider hiring a property manager from Scott Properties to help you manage your rental home efficiently and with great return on investment. Call us today 843-352-8413.

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Rental Property Management Charleston | Renting Vs. Buying Your Next House (Scott Properties)

Rental Property Management Charleston | Renting Vs. Buying Your Next House

 

Rental Property Management Charleston | You’ve come to a point in your life where you need a house. Maybe you’re moving to a new town and feel ready for an upgrade, or your family is growing, and you need extra space. Whatever your reason for wanting to live in a house, you are going to have a big decision to make—should you rent or buy your home? There are advantages to both options, but you may be surprised at how easy renting a house is when you have a property manager.

 

Pros and Cons of Buying Vs. Renting

 

Many people want to purchase a home because they are paying money towards an investment that belongs to them, unlike when you’re paying rent. Owning a home also means you only have to abide by your own rules (and those of your homeowner’s association if you have one). Owning your property means you can paint the walls any color you want, knock down a wall if you want more space, add on a deck without asking for permission, and whatever else your heart fancies.

 

Buying a home can be expensive though. Not only do you need to have excellent credit, but you must also have a substantial down payment and money saved up for closing costs, inspections, and other fees. You’ll also need to have plenty of money saved up for other expenses that homes incur such as significant home maintenance. When you choose to rent through a property manager, all you’ll need is a deposit and rent payment up front which is usually thousands of dollars cheaper than closing costs and inspections.

 

Even if the money is no issue, owning a home can still be difficult when you are responsible for everything that happens, or any maintenance needed. When you rent your home, a property manager takes care of all those headaches for you. You also have the luxury of being able to move when your lease is up when you are renting whereas when you own a home, most people need to sell first which can take months and even years. The property manager of your home is the only one that needs to be worried about that home when you want to move on.

Choose a property manager from Scott Properties to help you find the perfect home for rent in Charleston. Give us a call today at 843-352-8413.

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Property Manager | Moving to Charleston, South Carolina During Summer (Scott Properties)

Property Manager | Moving to Charleston, South Carolina During Summer

 

Property Manager | Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. The city is a blend of southern charm and coastal elegance which creates an atmosphere that no other cities can match. During the summertime Charleston buzzes with excitement and welcomes tourists from all over the world which can sometimes make finding a suitable home rental difficult, especially if you want to live near the beach. This is why renting with a property manager is always a great idea in Charleston. Follow our other tips and tricks for moving to Charleston in the summer to be prepared for your big move.

 

  1. Plan Ahead- Summer is the busiest time for moving anywhere, but especially in Charleston where people often rent a house for months or half the year at a time. There are a lot of summer houses available in Charleston but finding the perfect home for long term rental can sometimes be challenging. As soon as you know you are moving to Charleston, you should start looking for a reliable property manager who can help you secure a rental ahead of time.

 

  1. Research the Area- When you are looking for homes for rent in Charleston you need to research the area where the homes you are interested are located. Because Charleston is a prime tourism spot, there are a lot of houses that are offered as short-term rentals through sites like Air B n B. If you prefer to live somewhere you won’t have revolving neighbors, make sure your property manager knows you want to live in a residential neighborhood with established homeowners.

 

  1. Avoid Moving During Peak Times- Labor Day Weekend, Fourth of July Weekend, and Memorial Day weekend is the most popular time to move during the summer because most people have a three-day weekend and are off work. The first and last weekends of the month are also busy as this is when leases typically end. Moving during the week can get you discounts on moving trucks and movers sometimes too!

If you are ready to start working with a property manager to find your dream home in Charleston, contact Scott Properties today at 843-3528413.

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Charleston Property Management | Deciding Whether to Sell or Rent Out Your Charleston Beach House (Scott Properties)

Charleston Property Management | Deciding Whether to Sell or Rent Out Your Charleston Beach House

 

Charleston Property Management | Your days of spending summers on the beaches of Charleston are long gone, and you’re in a position to decide what you should do with your summer beach house. You could sell it and make a decent amount of money, but you’ve also thought of holding onto the property and renting it as a single-family home to make some residual income in retirement. Charleston property management can help make this decision super easy for you.

 

Benefits of Having Charleston Property Management

 

You’ve probably already considered how the extra income from rent and the tax credits can help your nest egg for retirement, but you’ve probably also realized the disadvantages of becoming a landlord. You don’t really want to have to book appointments all day to show the house, especially if you aren’t living in South Carolina anymore. You also don’t want to have to be at your tenant’s beck and call when they have a maintenance emergency. Collecting on late rent is also a huge hassle, and you might be thinking the few extra thousand a few may not be worth it. Charleston property management can change your mind.

 

When you choose Charleston property management to manage your rental home, you don’t have to worry about the tedious day-to-day tasks associated with being a landlord. At Scott properties, our property managers have the know how to market your property quickly and effectively to ensure you have the best tenants for your property.

 

Using Charleston property management companies are super easy because all you have to do as a homeowner is pay one monthly fee and we will take care of all your tenant and property needs. You don’t have to worry about any of the little stuff, and if something big needs your attention, you can rest assured that your Charleston property management team is ready to support you.

 

Give us a call today at Scott Properties to discuss how we can help you make income off your beach house! 843-352-8413

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Property Manager | Why A Property Manager Should Accept Online Rent Payments (SCOTT PROPERTIES)

Property Manager | Why A Property Manager Should Accept Online Rent Payments

Property Manager | Tenants have hundreds of excuses for why they can’t pay rent or can only make a partial payment. When you only accept cash, check, or money order for rent payments tenants find it easy to try to haggle their way into an extension on rent. When you accept online rent payments from tenants, they start to run out of excuses for why they can’t pay rent on time. There are certain excuses that online portals help to squash.

1. Money Related Excuses- Tenants will tell you dozens of different stories about why they didn’t have the money for rent. From other bills being too high to a child or family member falling ill, or the government being late on payments, a tenant that doesn’t have the money will want you to empathize. Online portals help tenants to manage their money better because they can make small payments throughout the month to try to get ahead after their rent is paid and they can track their rent through their online account.

2. Transportation-Related Excuses- The check got lost in the mail. The money order got wet in the mailbox. My car broke down, and I couldn’t make it into the office. It’s snowing outside, and the roads are bad. Tenants who rely on someone physically taking their rent payment to another location can always use transportation as an excuse. Online rent payments make it easy for tenants to pay from the comfort of their home or even from their phone while on the go.

3. Confusion on Due Dates- Some tenants will tell a property manager that the reason they are late on rent is that they were confused on the due dates, rent amount, or any other fees that they owe. This is a common excuse for new tenants especially. Online rental portals can send reminders to tenants about when rent is due and how much the tenant owes. Paying rent online and having a tenant account eliminates confusion on the details of rent.

If you are ready to take your rental property business to a new level with a property manager that can manage rentals contact Scott Properties.