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Year: <span>2020</span>
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Lowcountry Property Management | How Long Does a Property Showing Take?

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Lowcountry Property Management
Lowcountry Property Management

One of the most time-consuming parts of renting out properties is touring the unit with prospective tenants. Sometimes, Lowcountry Property Management companies spend their entire day showing homes to one person, couple, or family, after another. By the end of the day a great property manager’s voice with be hoarse, their feet sore, but a stack of applications will be in their hands.

New property managers often do not understand how to budget time for property showings. Some people will walk into a property, take a quick peek around, and then leave, without saying much to you. Others will take their time, opening every door, cabinet, and window to inspect the home, asking lots of questions, and make sure it is their dream rental home.

When you work in Lowcountry Property Management, however, you must learn to balance these showings and keep to a tight schedule to work efficiently. The consensus is that a property showing should take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the size of the property. However, the entire appointment for the prospective tenant could take longer.

Steps to Property Showing

The tenant should meet the Lowcountry Property management representative at the home they are interested in renting.

  1. Greet the tenant and provide them with any literature you have on the home.
  2. Give a quick tour of the exterior of the property including highlights such as a recently redone deck or patio, a spacious backyard, or heated garage.
  3. Take the tenants into the home through the entrance they would use if they were to move in if there are multiple entrances.
  4. Move the tenants through each room pointing out highlights such as new hardwood floors, countertops, or appliances. Make sure to not oversell.
  5. Stand back and give tenants a few minutes to look around each room but aim to spend no more than 2-4 minutes in each.
  6. After the showing, ask the tenants to complete their application for the property onsite or back at the rental office.

Showing the property is the top way to get the home rented; however, you need a professional property manager to make the most of your property and every tour.

Scott Properties can get your home rented quickly. Call us today at 843-790-4929.

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Lowcountry Property Management | Tips for A Successful Property Showing

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Lowcountry Property Management
Lowcountry Property Management

Every great Lowcountry property management company understands how important a property showing is to getting a home rented. However, giving a tour of a property is not as easy as some people might think. There are many tasks that go on behind the scenes to prepare for a property tour and all these things help the tenant fall in love with their next home.

When property showings go poorly however, prospective tenants can not only leave your home vacant, they might leave bad reviews or tell friends about their negative experience with your company. However, the best Lowcountry property management home tours can have everyone in town raving about your amazing homes. If you want rave reviews and homes that are always leased, follow these tips for a successful property showing.

  • Clean and Pristine- Before you start showing a property to tenants you should always tour the home yourself first to ensure the home is clean, everything is in order and any last-minute maintenance has been completed. You never want a tenant to see a home that is not move-in ready.
  • Dress it up- Empty homes do not inspire tenants. Having a few pieces of home décor and furniture can help tenants imagine themselves living in the home and get excited about moving in their own belongings. You should also try to give special attention to the outside of the home as well such as flower beds, potted plants, a clean porch, and fresh cut grass.
  • Application Folders- Single-family home rentals are generally not located on the same property as the Lowcountry property management office. Getting prospects to come back to the office to apply immediately can be difficult, but you can make sure each prospect leaves with a folder full of enticing literature such as a picture of the home with the specs, an application, instructions on how to turn in the application and what other documents are needed, and information about your company.

Property showings are the most important part of the rental process. They will make the tenant fall in love or turn them off completely. However, a great showing can lead to long-term tenants and keep your properties full.

If you need a professional Lowcountry property management company to help you with your properties, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | The Top Customer Service Skills A Property Manager Needs

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: charleston property management
Charleston Property Management

If you are going to find a job in Charleston property management, you will need to have a specific skillset in addition to relevant experience. Your customer service skills need to be on-point and top-notch if you are going to be one of the best property managers in Charleston. You should also be prepared to speak to these customer service skills in a job interview; and if you do not have these skills, but you are trying to rent houses, you should hire a professional instead.

Top customer service skills for property managers

  1. Active Listening- You must be an active listener if you are going to be effective in Charleston property management. You need to listen and understand your tenant’s concerns, comments, and needs to be able to respond in a while that is beneficial for everyone.
  2. Responsive- Tenants become long term residents when their needs and concerns are being tended to and their property manager is responsive. Even when solutions cannot be provided at once, when a tenant makes a maintenance request or has a complaint, you should do your best to acknowledge receipt of the communication as soon as possible.
  3. Accommodating- Whenever possible a great Charleston property management company will be accommodating to their tenants and try to offer solutions. While it is important to follow the rules outlined in the lease, providing bill payment solutions, preventive maintenance, and keeping things convenient for renters with online tenant portals, are great ways to increase tenant satisfaction.

When you can master these three customer service skills, you will make a fantastic addition to a Charleston property management team. When you own rental properties, it is important to ensure that the property manager you hire to help you make the most of your investment owns these skills and more. A professional property management company often has all the solutions you are looking for when it comes to a high-quality team with the best skill set and vendor partnerships.

If you are interest in working with one of the top property rental companies in Charleston, give Scott Properties a call at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | How to Make the HVAC in Your Rental Last Longer

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Charlestons Property Management
Charleston Property Management

One of the most stressful parts of owning rental property is the large expense occurred when a major appliance breaks down or needs replaced such as the HVAC system. The price of the new system as well as installation can run thousands of dollars—an expense that many property owners are not always prepared to shoulder. When you partner with a Charleston property management company, you can discover the key to making your HVAC system last longer.

Preventative Maintenance- Every year your HVAC system should have an inspection that cleans the system, removes any debris from the exterior components, change thermostat batteries, and change the air filter along with checking for damages to the ductwork. The air filters should also be changed every three months or more often depending on how dirty they are. Charleston property management companies have the best rates worked out with local vendors to provide scheduled maintenance and keep warranties valid.

Lease Instructions- Include safety measures and precautions to keep the HVAC system up and running in the lease. Many times, Charleston property management makes sure to include keeping HVAC closets free of boxes and personal items into the lease. If these units are in the basement, you can mark out lines on the floor with tape showing tenants to keep four feet clear on all sides of the furnace or air conditioner.

Inspections- Property managers should do inspections on properties every six months or at lease renewal to ensure that the home is being taken care of according to the lease instructions. The HVAC system, air filter, and thermostat can also be checked during this time to ensure proper working order, along with other appliances.

The best way to increase the longevity of rental properties and appliances is to be proactive and preventive. Let a Charleston property management team with maintenance connections handle the management and upkeep of your rental properties.

Schedule an appointment with a property manager at Scott Properties today at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | The Most Common Rental Properties

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Charleston Property Management Companies
Charleston Property Management Companies

If you have been looking to invest in rental properties, you have probably been wondering which types of rentals are the most popular and profitable. Charleston property management companies offer many distinct types of rental to appeal to all the demographics of renters in South Carolina. However, first time investors will have some security by investing in one of the most popular type of rental homes.

Single-Family Homes- The most popular type of rental for families are single-family homes. These detached homes usually have yards, and neighbors have defined property lines.

Multi-Family Buildings- These can be large apartment complexes with dozens of buildings and hundreds of apartments, or smaller like duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.

Townhomes- Also called row houses, these homes are built connected to each other on at least one wall. They are normally two stories and often share connecting yards as well. Townhomes are often built as part of larger multi-family complexes.

Condominiums- Condos are multi-family units that are privately owned. Investors can purchase these buildings and then sell individual units.

Investors in rental properties have traditionally pursued long-term rentals of a year or more when trying to attract tenants. There are other investors who have ventured into the Air BnB side of renting where short term rentals of just a few nights are popular. Air BnBs are generally in houses, apartments, or guest houses. These rentals can be unpredictable, and tenants are not screened the same way they would be for long term renters signing leases.

Charleston property management companies understand the risks and benefits of the distinct types of rental properties. Once you find the perfect investment, you will need a property manager that can find the best tenants through marketing, screening, and taking care of the day-to-day tasks of managing rentals.

Single family homes are some of the best properties to focus your investment on. When you are ready to hire a property manager to take your investment to the next level, call Scott Properties at 843-790-8502.

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Why Your Property Is Still Vacant?

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Services in Charleston,Scott Properties
Property Management Services in Charleston

One of the most frustrating things for property management services in Charleston is when properties are not renting quickly. Vacant properties mean no rental income and no rental income is the last thing that an owner wants to hear. When a home is left empty a property manager needs to decide why the renters are not interested in the home. There are several things that could be contributing factors to a home that is not garnering much interest.

  1. Overpriced- Single-family homes are more expensive than apartments but if the home you are renting is priced way over the others in the area you will likely have a difficult time renting it out. Property management services in Charleston are diligent in doing market research to figure out the best rental price for a home in various neighborhoods.
  2. Poor Marketing- A sign in the front yard is not always enough to get the attention of quality tenants. Property owners need to ensure they are marketing across many platforms including social media, rental sites, and craigslist to ensure maximum exposure. Some property management services in Charleston also do radio and TV advertising, billboards, and more.
  3. Curb Appeal- Ask yourself whether the home is attractive. When siding is dirty, the lawn is sparse and brown, the porch steps are broken, or there are cracks in the sidewalk leading to the home, possible tenants may think the home is not safe. They might also be weary of whether the home is clean inside which will turn them away from scheduling a showing.

Outside of price, marketing, and curb appeal, the only other reason a home would remain vacant is if there is no demand for rental homes; however, this is almost never the case in Charleston. Single family homes are in hot demand and great homes are not likely to stay on the market for long. If you have been interested in diving into real estate investment now is the time!

Great property management services are vital for success in Charleston renting and Scott’s Properties is here to make sure your rental business is the best it can be. Call today to set up an appointment at 843-790-4929.

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Are Move-In Deals Effective?

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property Management Services in Charleston,Scott Properties
Property Management Services in Charleston

One of the things that is always on the mind of property management services in Charleston is how to keep tenants in homes so that occupancy rates are high, and turnover is low. Resident retention is especially important but getting quality, long-term tenants can sometimes be difficult. Many landlords are tempted to offer move-in deals to sweeten the pot and try to get more traction to their properties; however, there are many things to consider before offering incentives on rental properties.

  1. What is the Market? The first thing you must consider before offering deals is what the rental market is currently like. Are many of the property management services in Charleston struggling to fill homes? Are there move-in specials being advertised everywhere? If rentals are filling up fast, there is no reason to offer money off or incentives for new leases. Supply and demand must always be the first consideration you make when figuring out specials.
  2. Quality vs. Quantity- When you offer good deals for homes you will have an influx of tenants that will request more information or book showings; however, not all these tenants will be the high-quality tenants you are looking for. Some tenants who are looking to move as fast, and cheap, as possible may not be credit worthy or have the income available to sustain the rent long-term. Therefore, it is important to never offer free application fees either. You only want tenants that know they are qualified to apply.
  3. Time Vacant- When a property management service in Charleston has homes that are vacant for longer than a few weeks after a previous tenant moves out, they may think about offering a deal, especially if they have had showings but no concrete interest. However, before coming up with special offers, consider ways to make the property more attractive such as power washing the outside, planting fresh flowers, or redoing the driveway to increase curb appeal.

In addition to considering the market, quality of tenants, and time vacant, property management services in Charleston must also ensure that they will not be losing money or costing the property owner any money in offering deals or incentives.

If filling up your properties has become a hassle and you would like to talk to a property manager with years of professional experience, contact Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Screening Options without Social Security Numbers

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property management companies in Charleston,Scott Properties
Property Management Companies in Charleston

The main way that property management companies in Charleston screen tenants is through a credit and background check. However, background check only produces what the applicant has done in the United States and social security numbers are needed to establish credit. When people from other countries are moving to the United States, they might not have a social security number or any background in the country that can be checked.

How to Credit Check Without A Social Security Number

When a potential tenant wants to apply for a rental home the property management companies in Charleston usually require the social security numbers for everyone over 18 years old. Foreign born tenants may not have social security numbers or may not have credit established under their temporary numbers. So, how can you determine their credit worthiness?

One of the ways you can establish if a tenant is credit worthy is to ask for current utility bills from their last known address showing that there is no balance due on the account. You can also ask for multiple months of income statements rather than the standard 30 days that is usually required by property management companies in Charleston.

You can also request a copy of their VISA or permit to be in the country. Immigrants must go through a rigorous process to enter the United States legally and those who are issued a VISA or have resident status have been thoroughly vetted by the United States government.

Other Options for Tenants without Social Security Numbers

The standard lease term on a single-family home is one year. When potential tenants lack social security numbers and you are worried about their credit worthiness, consider offering a shorter lease term.

You can also consider if the tenant has a co-signer that is willing to take responsibility in the lease. Some employers that bring workers from overseas to work for their companies will often lease apartments for their workers that do not have social security numbers.

A good rule of thumb for property management companies in Charleston is to ensure they have a policy in writing for how they screen tenants without social security numbers so that they are not discriminating accidentally.

If you would like a professional property manager in Charleston to handle renting your single-family home, call Scott Properties at 843-790-0148.

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The Move Out Process for Landlords

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Property management companies in Charleston,Scott Properties
Property management companies in Charleston

Some landlords think that the move out process is as easy as getting the keys back and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint between tenants, but property management companies in Charleston know better. The move out process is one of the most vital parts of leasing a home and one of the most tedious. Without following the proper move out plan, landlords can end up losing money, having property damage to deal with or home that is dirty and disgusting. Some landlords even end up with home still full of tenant belongings because the tenant skips out the last month.

Fortunately, property management companies in Charleston are professionals when it comes to the processes of renting and can provide you with an overview of the move out process.

  1. Intent to Vacate- The first part of the moveout process that all property management companies in Charleston should be sure to include in the lease is a mandatory intent to vacate. Tenants should submit a letter of intent to vacate within 60 days of the end of their lease, or other terms set forth by the property owner or company. An intent to vacate gives landlords notice that they will need to schedule move out procedures and market the property for rent.
  2. Pre-Move Out Inspection- Scheduling a pre-move out inspection 30 days before the move out date helps the tenant know what is expected of them to end the lease on good terms. Property management companies in Charleston should be sure to include move out procedures in the lease and then go over these rules with the tenant. A pre-move out inspection also gives landlords a peek into the possible condition of the home. You will be able to start scheduling appointments for carpet cleaning, repainting, or other maintenance issues.
  3. Move-Out Inspection- Turning in the keys to a home should always be done in person whenever possible. Meet the tenant at the home and do a walk-through using a move-out checklist. You will be able to tell the tenant what to expect about getting their deposit back and what they will be charged for. Tenants can sign the move out inspection form when they turn in their keys acknowledging and final charges or monies owed.

After the final move-out inspection and the keys to the home are turned in, the home is back in possession of the landlord. Property management companies in Charleston need to ensure a prompt turnaround time because homes for rent are in hot demand!

If you would like a professional team to manage your move-out process and the other burdens of property management, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Rentals: Best Odor Elimination Methods

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Charlestons Property Management,Scott Properties
Property Management Companies in Charleston

One thing that property management companies in Charleston often run in to when getting a home ready for a new tenant is the need for odor removal. When people have lived in a home for a long time, the smells of spices they cook with, cigarettes, products and fragrances used in the home, pets, and sometimes dirt and mold, can permeate the walls and carpet. When you are showing a rental home to new tenants, you want the house to be fresh and smell as good and new as possible, otherwise renters will be turned off.

Luckily, property management companies in Charleston have been dealing with odor removal problems for a long time and we have some tips and tricks for you!

  1. Air it Out- When renovating a home after a moveout, keep the windows open and fans circulating as much as possible. One of the main reasons a home might smell musty is because of dirt and stale air. Circulation will draw the smelly air out and fresh air in.
  2. Deodorizing- Sometimes smells linger in the carpet fibers, especially if there’s been pets in the home or cigarette smokers. Sprinkling baking soda on the carpets and then vacuuming, cleaning hard surfaces like counters and walls with a vinegar solution are inexpensive ways of getting smells out of a home, although they do take some elbow grease.
  3. Carpet Cleaning- If you want to remove stains and smells from the carpets you will need to do a professional carpet cleaning. Most property management companies in Charleston use professional cleaning services to shampoo carpets between tenants as part of their routine. In worst case scenarios, some carpets need to be replaced to remove the smell. Carpet replacement is often what must happen if there has been flooding or mold issues in the home.
  4. Drape/Curtain Cleaning- Like carpets, the fibers in drapers and curtains can hold onto smells. Many property management companies in Charleston choose not to provide drapes for home and stick with blinds. If there are drapes in the rental home however, they can be taken down and professionally dry cleaned to remove odors.
  5. Duct Cleaning- Smells often get circulated through HVAC systems and remain trapped in the ducts and filters. Make sure to change the air filters between tenants and schedule professional duct cleaning at least once per year or as needed to remove odors.

One of the best ways to successfully rent a home is to ensure that home is always looking and smelling its best which is why you must be diligent in odor removal between tenants.

If you need a professional property manager to help you market and rent your single-family home, contact Scott Properties at 843-790-0148.

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