Are You a First-Time Rental Property Owner? Do These 5 Things!

October 10, 2023 by Tiffany Ferdus

Are You a First-Time Rental Property Owner Do These 5 Things!

While buying a rental property is a dream for many people, that dream can turn into a nightmare if you’re not careful. Many potential pitfalls exist for investment property owners. That’s especially true if you’re new to the space and are still trying to figure things out.

That’s one reason it pays to hire a property management firm that can take on some or all of the landlord duties on your behalf. For a relatively small percentage of rental income, a property manager can help find tenants, collect rent, maintain, and increase your rental property value. 

Many inexperienced and experienced rental property owners realize the importance of hiring a service provider for Houston Property Management or Austin Property Management. Retaining an experienced service provider is an investment in your real estate investment and tenants.

Again, while property management services can help inexperienced and experienced property owners, continue reading to learn about five things to do as a first-time owner. And, yes, one of them is to retain the services of a property management firm in Austin or Houston.

  1. Treat It Like a Business

You need to treat your investment property like a business. If you buy real estate and rent it out, you’ll want a steady flow of rental income. That’s why you must establish a professional relationship with tenants. Don’t blur the lines. You’re the owner — and they’re the tenant. 

If you have family and friends you care about, be mindful of accepting them as tenants. You can strain or ruin the relationship if you don’t treat the arrangement as a business. So, get legally enforceable leases and ensure your tenants know their rights and obligations. 

Going about things the right way will help to avoid many avoidable problems that can come with renting to people you know — especially if some of them seek to take advantage of you.

Owning a rental property requires clear boundaries, especially when it comes to ensuring tenants pay rent on time and adhere to the lease terms. By treating your property as a business, you’ll protect your investment and avoid potential pitfalls that can arise from mixing personal relationships with rental agreements.

  1. Perform Maintenance and Repairs In a Timely Manner

You can’t take maintenance and repairs lightly. For one thing, your tenants won’t stick around and provide that steady supply of rental income if proper upkeep is a concern. A property manager can set a schedule for maintenance so that nothing slips between the cracks.

Companies that provide such services have a network of contractors and suppliers. So, you’ll get the help you need at competitive prices that you won’t be able to find as readily independently. 

For real estate investors, especially those managing their first rental property, ensuring regular maintenance is crucial to protecting your investment and maximizing your annual rental income. A well-maintained property not only attracts higher rent payments but also positions your investment rental properties competitively in the rental market, ensuring long-term success.

  1. Find Tenants the Right Way

Do you know the right way to find good tenants? One bad tenant can wreak havoc on your real estate investment strategy. There’s no guarantee that a tenant won’t go rogue even after a promising start. But there are effective strategies to increase the chances of getting good tenants. That’s one area where property managers excel. They have processes to screen applicants so that you get the best candidates to occupy your rental property.

If you treat tenants well, they’ll likely stick around for the long term. You can avoid a revolving-door situation where tenants don’t renew leases. If you work with a company specializing in screening tenants and weeding bad candidates, you’ll have a high occupancy rate. Your tenants will feel respected, be proud of the upkeep of their units, and renew leases.

  1. Hire a Property Manager

As you’ve seen above, there are many reasons to consider hiring a property management firm for your Houston or Austin rental property. It makes sense whether you’re new or experienced as a property owner. But rookie investment property owners may be more prone to making rookie mistakes that can cost them a ton. There’s no need to repeat the mistakes that property owners before you have made. A property manager can help you succeed over the short and long term.

Whether you need help with marketing your property, screening tenants, setting rental rates, maintaining and fixing, collecting rent, providing customer service, evicting tenants, or doing other things required of landlords, a property manager can help. 

At Green Residential, our business is helping property owners the assistance they require. We can make your experience as a property owner successful and rewarding. Some investment property owners want help with everything, while others want to outsource one or a few duties while doing everything else themselves. We’ll work with and for you.

  1. Treat Tenant Relations Seriously

Good customer service is a must. If you go through the intensive process of finding great tenants, why lose them prematurely because of poor customer service? Customer service is an investment in the people you count on for passive income. You might be unable to provide customer service 24/7, but you can outsource tenant relations to a professional service provider.

Your tenants will get a dedicated phone number or email address they can use to request help. That means you can enjoy a work-life balance that meets your needs. And your tenants will get the assistance they deserve in a professional and timely manner.

Need a Property Manager? Green Residential Has You Covered

Do you have one or more rental properties and need to find a property manager to assist you? Landlord duties aren’t for everyone, which is why many investment property owners look for companies offering property management services. That’s our specialty at Green Residential.

Whether you own a single rental property or a group of rental properties, get in touch to see how we can help. We specialize in helping property owners manage their rental units and take good care of their tenants. 

You don’t have to look any further for property management in Houston or Austin. For the best service in Houston or Auston, contact us for a confidential consultation. You owe it to yourself to explore how to make your real estate investment strategy a successful one.

Tiffany Ferdus
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