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Property Management Services Charleston SC | How to Get Lease Renewals Early 

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Property management services Charleston SC investors hire are expected to keep properties maintained and a rent check coming in every month. When properties are vacant because a tenant has moved out and no one else has leased, investors are losing money and profits. This is why keeping tenants in their homes if they are great tenants is very important. 

Unfortunately, resident retention is often overlooked by owners and landlords because of all the other duties that are attending to daily. However, when you can work with property management services Charleston SC has to offer, you can get lease renewals early and often, so you never have to worry about vacancies. 

Tips for Lease Renewals

One of the qualities of a good property manager is being able to communicate clearly and often so that there is no miscommunication with tenants and expectations are set early. Make sure the lease also outlines the renewal process. Best practice is to require tenants to renew their lease at least 30-60 days prior to the lease deadline. 

Some of the ways you can entice your tenants to renew their leases earlier include:

  • Offering a service such as carpet cleaning or a fresh coat of paint in a common area of the home
  • Offering a discount off the rent for the first month of the new lease
  • Thank-you gifts for signing early such as gift cards to local restaurants or entertainment.

Not only will these tactics help to get your leases signed early, but they will also help keep your renters happy. When renters are happy with the property management services Charleston SC offers, they are more likely to pay rent on time, not violate the lease, and have good professional relationships with the management and maintenance crews. Residents who are happy with their space, the management, and know they will be living in the home long-term will also take better care of the property which results in less maintenance requests. 

Call Scott Properties in Charleston if you need professional property management services at 843-790-4929.

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Property Management Services Charleston SC | How to Expedite the Move-Out Process

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Towards the end of a tenant’s lease a property manager can start feeling anxious wondering if the tenant will renew or move out, the condition the home will be left in, how long it will take to find a new tenant. Property management services Charleston SC investors hire can overcome these feelings by having an organized, preplanned move out process. When property managers follow a move out process plan using the tips and tricks below, the process can be expedited which is best for everyone. 

Move Out Process Planning 

Property management services Charleston SC investors work with should always have a proper and planned move out process detailed in the lease. These tips and tricks will help make the moving out process and transitioning to a new tenant run smooth and efficient. 

  1. Communicate early and often- Property managers should be talking to tenants at least 120 days before the end of the lease to determine eligibility for renewal and intent to renew. A strong lease will include a clause that tenants must sign a renewal at least 60 days before the end of their lease. 
  2. Utilize tenant referrals- If a great tenant is moving out consider offering incentives for referring a qualified tenant that can move in within 30 days of the vacancy. If your tenant was great, the chances that their friends and family would also be great tenants is pretty good. This can also reduce the amount property management services Charleston SC companies have to spend on marketing efforts. 
  3. Move-out prep- The more preparation a property manager puts into move out, the smoother it will go. Make sure to do an inspection 30 days before the lease ends so you can get an idea of possible damages that will need to be addressed. Before you allow the tenant to turn in their keys, schedule a move out inspection that will address any damages that will be held against the deposit, so your tenants know what to expect. Get their signatures on this inspection form. You should also schedule maintenance as soon as this inspection is completed. 

The move-out process does not have to be a headache or hassle for property managers or tenants. If you own a single-family investment property, consider utilizing property management services Charleston SC offers to make the most out of your investment. 

Call Scott Properties in Charleston if you need professional property management services at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | What Do Tenants Want in a Single Family Home?

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One of the most difficult things about owning rental investment property is knowing which properties will be the best to sink money into. Trends are constantly changing and what tenants want can fluctuate quite a bit between demographics and markets. Charleston property management companies hear from potential renters every single day about what they are looking for in their next home, what’s missing from their current home, and what is driving the rental market in Charleston. 

If you are thinking about investing in single family rental homes, contact a property management company first who can help you learn more about the wants and needs or renters in your marketplace. However, we can give you some of the top desires of families and professionals! 

Most Attractive Qualities of Single Family Homes 

The most obvious reason that people seek out single family homes opposed to multi-unit buildings, townhomes, or condos is the addition of privacy. Families are especially appreciative of the privacy and extra space that a home typically affords compared to apartments. However, not all homes are built the same and there are several considerations that Charleston property management companies regularly hear about from tenants. 

  • A fenced in backyard 
  • A Porch or deck 
  • Multiple bathrooms 
  • Off-street parking 
  • A garage (attached is most coveted)
  • Professional landscaping 
  • Off street parking 
  • Large bedrooms 
  • Large windows for natural lighting
  • Walk in closets.
  • Extra storage space 
  • High-quality, modern appliances
  • Updated fixtures, carpets, and painting

Many tenants also look for services that different Charleston property management companies will offer such as snow removal, lawncare, carpet cleaning, etc. Tenants want to be sure that they are getting the most possible for their rent, and the more perks you can add, the more value tenants will assign to your property. The easier seeing the value in a home becomes, the easier justifying the rental price or raising the rent to be more aligned with market pricing will be. 

If you’re interested in finding out how our property management companies can make the most out of your single family home investment, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | Why Single Family Rentals Are Best

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Real estate investors constantly debate each other on whether multi-family apartment buildings or single-family home rentals are the best for business. However, if you are looking to make the most bang for your buck with as little headache as possible, single-family homes and Charleston property management companies are the way to go. 

Benefits of Investing in Single-Family Homes

Many investors think that multi-family housing is the best way to make the most money; however, just because you Charleston property management companies may be able to collect more rent checks when multi-family housing investments are in your portfolio, doesn’t mean investors will make the most profit. 

Overall, single-family homes are much less expensive to maintain than multi-family homes or buildings. The startup cost of multi-family homes is usually a much larger commitment. Multi-family homes are expensive and have a lot of land that comes with them while single-family homes are much easier to finance with a smaller down payment. 

Maintenance on single-family homes will also be less expensive than multi-family units for Charleston property management companies. You won’t have to keep common areas cleaned and maintained, tenants take better care of single-family homes, and the grounds maintenance is considerably less involved and sometimes nonexistent with single-family homes. Additionally, turnover is typically much lower in single-family homes compared to apartments, townhomes, or duplexes which saves a lot of money in the long run when it comes to marketing, turns, and leasing.

In addition to being less costly, single-family homes are easier to manage because there is only one person or family per home that you are trying to collect rent on and keep retained. This will reduce the time Charleston property management companies have to spend managing your home which increases profits for you! Property managers also field far less phone calls and have significantly less tasks to complete throughout the day when you have one family in one home as opposed to four or more families in one multi-unit building. 

If you’re interested in finding out how our property management companies can make the most out of your single family home investment, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Property Management Services in Charleston | What Upgrades to Single Family Homes are Worth It?

Property Management Services in Charleston

Property investing can be a tricky business and it is all about balancing the numbers and making good choices on which properties are best to buy, and how to upgrade those properties to make the most of them. Property management services in Charleston have a lot of expertise when it comes to knowing what renters are looking for in single-family housing. We talk to tenants every single day who are asking for upgrades at renewal time and new prospects who expect only the best when living in Charleston. However, not every upgrade is worth it, and we will tell you what trends you can skip, as well as which are worth it.

Upgrades Worth Doing on Single-Family Rentals

There are many upgrades that will have tenants choosing to renew their leases without a second thought, and new tenants will appreciate. Some of these upgrades will even make it possible for you to charge more rent and make the property more competitive.

  • Upgrading the bathroom
  • Upgrading the Kitchen Appliances
  • Brand new carpet installation
  • Fresh paint
  • New cabinets and fixtures
  • A deck or patio
  • Hardwood floors to replace linoleum or vinyl.
  • Roof replacement
  • Siding Replacement

Property management services in Charleston see many tenants falling in love with properties that are newly renovated. Brand new roofs are also a great selling point that help renters feel safe and secure in the home.

Upgrades You Can Skip on Single-Family Rentals

Some upgrades are very costly and might not be worth it in the end. These are the upgrades you can skip, especially if budgeting is a concern.

  • Professional landscaping, especially if you are renting to families with kids or who may not be able to help with the upkeep.
  • Smart Home features may seem cool, but they do not add much value to the rental price. There are many wireless electronics that can turn your home into a smart home that tenants can use without the hassle and take to their future homes as well. Let them handle the technology.

Property management services in Charleston can work with investors to help create upgrade plans that add value to the home and be a reason to increase the rent at lease renewal time or for new tenants.

If you are looking for professional property managers to help you make the most of your rental property investments, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | When will the Federal Eviction Moratorium End

Charleston Property Management

Now, more than ever before is when rental property investors need Charleston property management the most. For the last year, landlords, property managers, and investors have been struggling to collect rent from tenants. Some tenants have been affected by COVID and not able to pay rent. With the federal moratorium on evictions in place, investors have had a tough time enforcing rental payments and due dates or being able to evict tenants who are refusing to pay rent.

The current situation has put a lot of strain on investors, and it looks like the moratorium on evictions will be in place until at least June 30th, 2021; however, Charleston property management services are available to alleviate the stress and make your life easier. When you work with professional property management companies, you get a landlord, maintenance professional, and legal expert all in one, because all those people work right there as staff of the companies.

Do I Need a Property Manager?

You might be thinking to yourself, “Why would I hire a property manager when I am not making any rent?” Well, the answer to this is that you must look at partnering with Charleston property management as not just another invoice to pay every month. Property management is an investment into your portfolio and business. Your property manager can represent you in court, file for collections on tenants, arrange cleanouts after evictions, handle property maintenance, and those daily calls for delinquent rent payments that no investor wants to spend their day making.

Charleston Property Management

Property managers can also keep an expert paper trail so that when the federal moratorium on evictions does end, and your renters are still not paying and did not receive assistance, you can go to court and have your bases covered and your business protected. A property manager can also help you find new renters that have a steady income and are qualified tenants to move in after an eviction. They can also manage to get the home ready to rent which will save investors a lot of time and money.

If you are looking for professional property managers to help you make the most of your rental property investments, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | Best Place In South Carolina to Buy Rental Property

Charleston Property Management Companies

If you have checked out the real estate market in South Carolina, you will see that homes are not on the market for long before a family or young entrepreneur has made an offer and is asking for the keys to move in. Investors are clamoring to scoop up single-family homes since the population, especially in the coastal cities, has seen steady growth with no signs of slowing down. Charleston property management companies are fielding phone calls left and right asking questions about the schools, neighborhoods, and amenities ahead of new families moving into town. And while other cities may be experiencing something similar, Charleston has shown itself to be the best place in South Carolina to buy a rental property.

Why Charleston Reigns Supreme for the Rental Market

Charleston has some of the most diverse home options in the state with luxury coastal, beach-front homes, as well as downtown apartments, and single-family suburban homes. The average home value in Charleston is nearly $330,000 which means market rental rates will be high and could turn large profits for investors especially when combined with Charleston property management companies’ services. In fact, rental rates in Charleston have risen by three percent over the last year as incomes and the GDP in Charleston, South Carolina, have increased.

Charleston also has a steadily growing population with more people looking to get away from the big cities and settle down into relaxed, Southern suburban lifestyles. Charleston still embodies the antebellum South and is ranked the number one friendliest city in the United States. Charleston property management companies also get to boast about the premier school system, booming economy, and is home to The Citadel—one of the top military academies in the nation, and The College of Charleston which was voted Most Beautiful College Campus by a renowned travel magazine.

All these factors have led to a population boom as well as college graduates choosing to state and continue renting even after graduation. Many of these recent graduates will be looking to upgrade their lifestyles for more professional living arrangements which is why investors should be purchasing single-family homes to rent now before property prices increase even more.

If you are looking for professional property managers to help you make the most of your rental property investments, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | Why Charleston is Where You Need to Invest

Charleston Property Management Companies

It is a seller’s market in many cities around the United States and in Charleston the real estate market reflects the same! Houses are going on the market and right back off seemingly overnight with investors sweeping in to turn single-family homes and duplexes into investment rental properties. In fact, the Charleston housing market is expecting to be booming for the next ten years and be in the top ten cities in the country for 2021. This trend is making Charleston property management companies busier than ever with investors needing professional rental management after the close of the sale.

What Does a Seller’s Market Mean for Investors?

For investors, this means they may have to pay more for a property than they normally would because, in a seller’s market, it is the person selling the property that has the most power. Homeowners are getting multiple offers on their properties due to a shortage of homes being sold. However, COVID 19 has caused many people who once owned a home to need a rental property instead which is great for investors. This situation means that market rental rates will increase and offset the increased price you might have to pay for an investment property.

Link With Charleston Property Management Companies

If you are an investor and hearing that you will have to pay more for a property is making you nervous, hear us out. Charleston property management companies are thriving and successful in Charleston because the population boom happening in Charleston is creating a thriving tech industry with high-paying jobs and lots of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists setting down roots along the coast. These renters can afford to pay more for rent and will gladly pay premium prices to be near the ocean and their office. Charleston property management companies can also verify that the median household income of a Charleston family has increased by more than six percent and the GDP has increased by almost 75%. Now is the perfect time to get into Charleston rental property investing.

If you are looking for someone to help manage your rental properties in Charleston, call us today at Scott Properties, 843-790-4929.

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Property Management in Charleston | What Should be Included in a Tenant Welcome Letter

Property Management in Charleston

Providing great customer service is what will take property management in Charleston to the next level and help retain tenants longer. There is a lot of advice out there for property managers about how to provide the best service for tenants; however, one thing that is often missed is a tenant welcome letter. These letters should always be friendly, but also set expectations and provide vital information about the community and where to find other information.

If you’re in property management in Charleston, make sure these items are included in your tenant welcome letters:

  • Start the letter off positive, friendly, and welcoming.
  • Reinforce guidelines in the lease that keep the property safe such as policies regarding pets, smoking, renter’s insurance, utilities, smoke detectors, and pest control.
  • Information about the community such as school districts, non-emergency lines for the police and fire departments, closet hospital, grocery stores, and gas stations, special events in the community, and other amenities.
  • How to make maintenance requests
  • How to pay rent
  • How to set up an online tenant account if applicable
  • A change of address form for the post office
  • What maintenance requests constitutes an emergency
  • What to do and who to contact in case of an emergency

Companies offering property management in Charleston, and individual property managers need to have great relationships with tenants in order to increase resident retention. The longer you can keep great tenants happy and, in their homes, the better it is for creating a consistent cash flow for owners. Adding a personal touch such as a tenant welcome letter is a great way to keep channels of communication open and let tenants know you are glad to have them renting from you.  Some property management companies choose to offer their tenants welcome gifts such as plants or a fruit basket to welcome them into their new home as well.

If you need a property manager, call Scott Properties at Scott Properties of Charleston at 843-779-6527.

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Property Management Services in Charleston | Common Lease Loopholes

Property Management Services in Charleston

No matter how secure a landlord thinks the lease may be, there are tenants who will do whatever they can to get out of their leases, including finding loopholes. Sometimes, even leases written by lawyers can be broken because of local laws and city ordinances that do not favor property management services in Charleston. One of the best ways a property manager can get ahead of tenants that try to break their leases is to be aware of the common loopholes they will try to use.

Property is Uninhabitable- Owners are required to perform maintenance on rental homes that keep the home structurally sound and safe. If there is black mold, no running water or waste disposal, lead paint, asbestos, or other hazards, a tenant may be able to break their lease without consequence.

Accuse the Landlord of Violating the Lease- Tenants will often try to break their lease by claiming those performing property management services in Charleston did something to violate the lease agreement. Some of the common accusations they will make include the property manager or maintenance crew entering their home illegally.

Infestations- Mice, termites, spiders, and other pests can often cause big problems for renters and property management services in Charleston. Preventative pest control is the best option to ensure there are no infestations at your rental properties, but if it does happen, tenants will often use it as an excuse to break their lease and move out early or stop paying rent.

Property management services in Charleston should always document every interaction they have with tenants to best protect themselves. The more evidence and documentation property managers have to back up their case and hold tenants to their contractual obligations.

If you need Property Management Services in Charleston, call Scott Properties at Scott Properties of Charleston at 843-779-6527.