Ruby McKenzie
Owning and running a rental property can be pretty rewarding, both in terms of money and as an investment. But you know what? It’s not all smooth sailing. Even experienced landlords can slip up now and then. So, knowing about the usual slip-ups in property management is the first thing to help you steer clear of them.
1. Setting Inaccurate Rental Rates
One of the most significant, but often missed, blunders is setting rental rates based on feelings instead of doing solid market research. Sometimes, landlords set the rent based on how much they need to cover their mortgage or the profit they’d like to make. But here’s the thing: emotions can lead to trouble. You might end up charging way too much or, on the flip side, way too little compared to your competition.
When researching local rental rates, it’s worth considering not only what similar units charge but also exploring resources like Earnest Homes to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market in your area. There are handy online tools like Rentometer and RentRange that can help you compare rental rates. And, don’t forget to have a chat with local real estate agents – they’ve got their finger on the pulse of the neighborhood’s pricing trends and demand. By setting your rents based on what the market says, you’ll have a better shot at filling up those vacant units pronto.
2. Being Lenient on Late Rent Payments
It’s pretty tempting to cut some slack on rent due dates, especially when you’ve got good tenants. But here’s the deal: letting late payments slide too often can lead to some not-so-great habits and hit your profits where it hurts.
Think about it this way – if you owed money to a bank, they wouldn’t let you keep delaying your mortgage or loan payments without any consequences, right? It’s kind of the same thing for landlords. Having clear payment rules and sticking to them helps keep things professional between you and your tenants.
Plus, here’s the kicker: Making sure those rent checks come in on time keeps your cash flow steady. And, that’s a big deal because that money helps cover your mortgage, taxes, and the costs of keeping your place in tip-top shape.
3. Underinvesting in Marketing and Listings
In a sea of rental listings, it’s easy for ho-hum marketing to fade into the background. But you don’t want that. What you want are top-notch photos, descriptions that grab attention, and listings all over the place—that’s where the real magic happens.
First off, those photos need to pop. High-quality photos that show off your property’s best features beat out fuzzy, low-res phone shots any day. And when it comes to your property’s description, make it sing. Talk up the amenities, the cool stuff in the neighborhood, and any renovations you’ve done. That’s the stuff that’ll make potential renters say, ‘Yes, this is the place for me.’
And last but not least, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Get your listing out there on sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Craigslist. The more places people can see your rental, the better chance you have of snagging some awesome tenants.
4. Renting to Unqualified Tenants
One of the scariest things a landlord can do is rent to folks who aren’t quite right for the place. But don’t worry, with a bit of careful checking, you can avoid big problems down the road. Here’s how:
1. Check Their Money Stuff
- Ask for pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements to make sure they’ve got enough money to pay the rent. We’re talking at least three times the monthly rent here.
- Chat with their boss to double-check they’re employed and reliable.
- Make sure their cash flow is steady enough to cover the rent regularly.
2. Peek at Their Credit History
- Get a look at their credit report to see their credit score, debts, any past bankruptcies, and how they’ve handled paying other folks. A credit score of 620 or higher and a history of on-time payments to other creditors are good signs.
- Watch out for things like collections, judgments, or a huge pile of debt. Those can be red flags.
3. Investigate Their Rental History
- Ask for info about their past landlords, how long they stayed in their previous rentals, and why they left.
- Give those old landlords a ring to see if there were any problems. You want to see a history of a few good years in rentals with no evictions or property damage.
4. Chat With Their References
- Talk to the folks they’ve listed as personal and professional references.
- Ask about what they’re like, if they’re dependable, and other behaviors that matter.
- If something seems off, make a note of it.
5. Run a Background Check
- Legally, you can do criminal and sex offender background checks.
- See if there are any concerning civil or criminal records. And check if they’re on any government watch lists.
While all this checking is crucial, you’ve got to make sure it’s all fair and square with fair housing laws. You’ve got to apply the same standards to every applicant. Doing a thorough check like this helps you feel confident that you’re letting in folks who’ll treat your place right.
5. Attempting DIY Property Repairs
A lot of times, landlords think fixing stuff around the property is a piece of cake. They’re cool with handling small stuff, but when it comes to the big repairs, like heating and cooling systems (HVAC), electrical, plumbing, or anything structural, it’s a whole different story. These things need pros with the right licenses.
Now, here’s the deal: trying to DIY your way through these big fixes can turn into a real mess. You might end up with more bills and even bigger problems to deal with.
And don’t forget about the whole “prevention is better than cure” thing. It’s not just about fixing stuff when it breaks. Preventing problems in the first place takes some serious know-how too. You’ve got to be able to spot trouble before it gets out of hand and make the right fixes at the right time.
So, here’s a tip: team up with a property manager. They’ve got a bunch of trustworthy contractors in their contact list who can help with all kinds of repairs and maintenance. That way, you’re not going it alone, and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
6. Hiring Unreliable Contractors
Now, let’s talk about contractors. It’s a pretty big blunder not to have good relationships with skilled pros. Some folks make the mistake of picking contractors solely because they offered the lowest price. But here’s the catch: going with the cheapest option can often end up biting you in the long run with sloppy work that needs fixing all over again.
Here’s what you should do instead:
- Do some detective work. Check out online reviews to avoid those shady contractors who show up out of nowhere with sketchy business practices.
- Call up their references and see what they have to say.
- Take a peek at their Better Business Bureau ratings to make sure they’re running a legit operation.
But here’s the golden rule: build solid, long-term relationships with contractors known for doing quality work at reasonable prices. Trust us, it’s a smart move in the long run.
7. Being Unaware of Housing Laws
Okay, here’s the deal – when you’re renting out your place, you’ve got to play by the rules. There are all these laws at the federal, state, and local levels that keep changing from time to time. If you don’t know about them or just decide to ignore them, you’re asking for trouble.
Trust us, it’s a one-way ticket to legal problems. These laws cover stuff like how you need to maintain your property, how many people can live there, making sure you treat everyone fairly (that’s anti-discrimination stuff), and how you handle security deposits. If you mess up any of these, you could find yourself in a lawsuit. So, here’s what you’ve got to do:
- Stay on top of these housing laws. Go to workshops and use local resources to keep yourself in the know.
- Or, here’s a smart move: hire a property management company. They’ve got folks who are experts in this stuff. They’ll make sure you’re following all the rules – from fair housing to safety standards – so you can avoid getting into hot water.
FAQs
How do I figure out the right rent for my place?
It’s all about doing your homework. Dig into the rental rates for similar spots in your neck of the woods. You can use online tools like Rentometer or just have a chat with local real estate pros to nail down a competitive price.
Should I really be tough on late fees for rent that’s overdue?
Yep, it’s pretty important. Enforcing those due dates and late fees isn’t just about being a stickler. It’s pro behavior, and it keeps your cash flow steady, which is a big deal for covering your bills. Plus, it stops late payments from becoming a habit.
What’s the deal with following all those housing laws and rules?
You’ve got to stay on top of them because they change a lot. Go to workshops, use local resources, and consider teaming up with a property management crew. They’re like the rulebook pros, making sure you stay on the right side of the law.
Key Takeaway
So, remember, keeping an eye out for these common property management mishaps is how you turn your real estate gig into a smooth, money-making machine. Got any stories about slip-ups you’ve faced and how you tackled them? Share the wisdom in the comments below!
