Spring Cleaning & Maintenance Tips For Property Owners
The dark, cold months of winter are officially over. Spring is here and with warmer weather on the horizon, Salinas Valley is buzzing with activity. This couldn’t be more true for property owners. While many homeowners view this time of year as a cleaning opportunity, good property owners know that this season is not only full of cleaning. It’s also full of maintenance work.
That’s right, property owners not only have to ensure their rental properties are clean, they also have to make sure all necessary spring maintenance tasks are completed before summer arrives. If you are preparing property to rent, or are currently renting, it’s vital that keep your tenants satisfied by making sure your property is fully prepared for spring.
Not only will this keep your current tenants happy, it’s also a great way to draw in future tenants. After all, it’s hard to beat the appeal of a well-maintained, fully modern property. If you want to get the most out of your real estate investment, you need to make sure your rental property is fully prepared for the spring season. Keep reading to learn useful spring cleaning and maintenance tips all property owners should be aware of.
Clean and Repair The Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals usually need a little care and attention, especially ones in rental properties. If a garbage disposal within one of your properties has a foul odor, don’t worry. The remedy is simple. Cut a lemon and grind it in the garbage disposal.
Once the garbage disposal is clean and smelling better, inspect it to make sure everything is working properly. If there’s a problem, call a plumber immediately. The longer you wait, the more costly this problem can become. You’ll also face the risk of your tenants becoming upset by the inconvenience.
Inspect Windows And Door Screens
Clean all the screens on your property. While doing so, check for any holes. If the holes you find are bigger than the size of a quarter, you need to patch up the holes or replace the screen entirely. After all, you don’t want to take the risk of bugs creeping in and damaging your property.
You can also tighten any loose frames and give them a fresh coat of paint.
Check Your Deck And Patio
Make sure all decks, patios, porches, railings, and stairs are in good condition. If there are any signs of deterioration, you need to take the proper steps to repair the damaged areas. Remember, wood fences and open decks need to be treated every four to six years. If you don’t know how to do this, you can hire a deck professional to treat your property’s deck, patio, and fence for you.
Upgrade Your Property’s Irrigation System
When did you last check your property’s current sprinkler system? An irrigation system older than five years is ready to be upgraded to a newer model. If your sprinkler system is up to date, make sure it doesn’t need any leaky valves, exposed lines, or broken sprinkler heads repaired.
Have you noticed an area in your property that is always saturated with water or is always dry? Yes? Then test the irrigation system to figure out the issue. If you’re unable to solve the problem yourself, you can always call a professional landscaper to help you out.
Invest In Your Landscape
To improve the value of your property, you must invest in your landscape. If your property doesn’t have a landscape, reach out to a local landscaping team to design one immediately. After all, a property’s landscape is the first thing potential tenants will see.
A landscaper can also assist you with maintaining your landscape. Spring is the perfect time to add new flowers and plants to your property. It’s also a great chance to get the yard pruned, trimmed, and prepped for renewed growth.
Make sure you take time to repair and clean up any damages made during the winter. This includes tasks such as cleaning out clogged gutter. Clogged gutters run the risk of causing leaks and poor drainage which can result in a number of costly problems. You can save both yourself and your tenants the hassle of dealing with foundation issues or basement flooding by cleaning out your property’s gutters.
While you’re cleaning, take a moment to check for any holes, cracks, or other signs of damage. Anything your find should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent water damage from occurring.
Make Sure Your Property Is Maintained All Year Long
While it’s important to maintain your property, it’s not always easy to find the extra time to do so. If you don’t want to have to deal with the hassle of maintaining your property, consider hiring a property manager. For example, property owners in Salinas, California can get professionally assistance from Coast & Valley Properties. Their property maintenance services even include annual property inspections.
4 Simple Ways To Upgrade Your Rental Property
Finding the right tenants for your rental property can be tough. Making sure your best tenants become lifelong ones can be even trickier. Luckily, there's an easy way to keep your favorite tenants around for a long time. Simply upgrade your rental property.
That's right. When it comes to successfully running your rental property, it's vital you stay on top of necessary upgrades to keep your tenants happy. Regardless of whether you own a single-family home, duplex, townhouse, or apartment complex, it's important that you keep your property looking and running it's very best. After all, the happier your tenants are, the more likely they are to renew their lease with you.
Upgrading your rental property is also a great way to protect your real estate investment. Not only will a state-of-the-art rental property keep your current tenants happy, it will also help you maintain your property more efficiently. This means if you ever decide to sell your rental property, you won't have to waste time making a mountain of repairs. All the hard work will already have been accomplished over years of consistent upgrades and improvements.
In short, you need to upgrade your rental property if you're looking to protect your real estate investment, keep your perfect tenants happy, and effectively maintain your property over the course of many years. Keep reading to learn 4 simple ways you can start upgrading your rental property today.
1.) Give Your Property A Fresh Coat Of Paint
Nothing makes a property look more disheveled than fading, peeling, or chipping paint. Fortunately, this problem is easy to fix. Just give your property a fresh coat of paint. Paint is affordable for most landlords and is an easy way to make a property look more welcoming.
Whether you're painting your property yourself or are having your property manager take care of all of the painting details, it's important to make sure the painting job is done correctly. Remember, sloppy craftsmanship can actually drive tenants away.
When selecting a paint color, go for neutral tones. This will give your property a clean and polished look. It also makes it easier for your tenants to bring their own touch of color to the property.
If you can't paint all of your property at once, make sure you can at least give the following areas a fresh coat of paint:
- Hallways
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
Freshening up these three areas with a fresh coat of neutral paint can make a huge difference.
2.) Replace Worn Out Doors
A door is one of the first impressions tenants and potential buyers notice when visiting your property. After all, doors that get stuck easily, provide poor installation, or are falling apart from years of use can give your property a negative impression.
A new door can dramatically increase the attractiveness of your rental property. Furthermore, if you look at local hardware stores, you can usually find beautiful doors at affordable prices. Some stores even help with door installation, making things even easier for busy property owners like yourself.
3.) Invest In New Curtains Or Shutters
While it may be tempting to leave the curtains or shutters on your property alone to save yourself a little bit of money, nothing can make a property than frayed, faded curtains or dusty, broken shutters.
Replacing old curtains or shutters with new ones is an easy way to give your property a fresh, modern feel your tenants are sure to love. However, if you're unable to replace all of them at once, at least invest in getting the remaining ones cleaned. Your tenants are sure to notice and appreciate your effort.
4.) Upgrade Your Rental Property's Appliances
One of the fastest ways to impress your current tenants is to give them something they'll really love: upgraded appliances.
It's important to keep track of the general wear and tear your property's appliances receive. Once an appliance gets to a point where it is no longer helpful for you or your tenants, it's time to upgrade. This could mean making repairs or even replacing the worn-out appliance with a newer, more efficient model.
During your scheduled meeting with your tenants, you may notice the various quirks of your property's appliances. For example, perhaps the bathroom faucet is always dripping. Or maybe the oven doesn't heat evenly. Or the dishwasher only works on a particular setting. Take note of all you see. It will come in handy later when you prioritize which appliance upgrades need to happen right away and which ones can wait a little longer.
With the ability to have stores deliver and install appliances, it's easy to make the switch. This makes it easy to keep your tenants happy without requiring much effort. Furthermore, it also gives you more adequate reason to adjust the rent to reflect the improvements you have made to your property.
Getting Started
Not sure where to begin? Don't worry! Many landlords can feel a little bit overwhelmed when it comes to navigating the many aspects of rental property upgrades. If you'd like a little help getting started, consider reaching out to a local property manager. An experienced property manager can have your rental property looking amazing in no time.
However, if you're more of the DIY type, you can browse through our helpful blogs for more useful tips and information.
How To Fill Your Salinas Rental Property Quickly
Located just a short drive from scenic Monterey and Pacific Grove, it's no surprise that the city of Salinas, California is constantly growing. Commonly referred to as "The Salad Bowl", this historical city is known best for it's mark in the agricultural industry. With housing in high demand, it's a great time to be a property owner in the Salinas Valley area. It's not always easy, but with the right resources and strategies, you can become a successful landlord in Salinas too.
One of the biggest expenses landlords have to deal with is tenant turnover. Lack of rent income combined with utility costs, repair bills, and appliance upgrades can cause quite the financial headache. If you're a landlord, it's in your best interest to fill any empty vacancies as quickly as possible.
If you're a landlord in the Salinas, California area, you know that housing is always in demand. However, in your haste to find new tenants, you don't want to move so fast you fill your rental property with troublesome tenants. After all, trouble-making tenants usually end up having to be evicted, a costly procedure for landlords.
Take a look at the following strategies to learn how you can fill your Salinas rental property quickly.
Make Sure Your Property Is Move-In Ready
Salinas residents are very busy people. With many of them being commuters to nearby cities, convenience is key to closing that housing deal. Don't scare off potential tenants with a property long over due for maintenance.
Before you start advertising, it's important that you get your property move-in ready. In order to have your property ready inside and out, consider doing the following:
- Give the interior and exterior walls a fresh coat of paint.
- Upgrade any old appliances with newer models.
- Hire a landscaper to make sure your property's yards are healthy and green.
- If your property has a pool, make sure the pool is cleaned and ready for use.
- Replace old windows to improve the property's installation.
- Take care of any pest control problems.
- Hire a cleaning company to ensure everything inside your property is sparkling just in time for your next showing.
You are sure to impress any future tenant if you do the tasks listed above. Furthermore, you'll always be increasing your property's value. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved, especially you.
Communicate With Your Current Tenants
When it comes to long term housing goals, it's important that you and your tenants are on the same page. One of the worse things that can happen to a property owner is for his or her tenants to leave without warning. By maintaining a consistent habit of communication with your tenants, you'll be able to know what problems are bothering them. This will allow you to fix that broken heater, make sure the pool is clean, or settle any neighbor disputes before it becomes too much for the tenants and drives them away.
If you want to take your tenant retention a step further, ask your Salinas residents if they plan to stay another year at least 90 days before their lease actually expires. If they say yes, then keep up the good work. However, if they say no, don't be afraid to ask why. You may be able to offer incentives, such as a smaller rent increase than everyone else, to entice any tenants who are planning to leave to stay longer.
However, if their minds are made up, at least you have valuable feedback you can use to make your property more enjoyable for your next set of tenants. Furthermore, you are doing yourself a huge favor by asking 3 months ahead of schedule if tenants plan to stay longer or not. After all, wouldn't you want to have 2 extra months to find a tenant before your rent revenue declines?
Create An Optimized Marketing Strategy
It's crucial you have an optimized marketing strategy when it comes to letting the citizens of Salinas know you have available vacancies. If you are using a website, now is the perfect time to make sure it is fully optimized and user friendly. The last thing you want is an inefficient website that scares potential tenants away.
Make sure you take the time to understand your tenant market. Are you hoping to attract responsible college students? Would you prefer a young couple or a more mature family? The more you understand the desires and fears of your dream tenants, the easier it will be for your marketing message to reach them.
In addition to using a website to list your property, you can also use the following resources:
- Display a prominent "For Rent" sign near the available property.
- Put an ad in the local paper or on the radio.
- Invest in social media marketing to reach a wider audience.
- Collaborate with realtors to find new leads.
By following the strategies listed above, you'll have your Salinas Rental Property filled with great tenants in no time. However, if you find yourself still having trouble, consider reaching out to Coast & Valley Properties, Inc. This exceptional team of property managers can help you customize a fail-proof plan to bring in the perfect tenants for your property.
How To Deal With Tricky Tenants
If you own property, there's no way to avoid it; at some point you are going to have to deal with tenants. In a perfect world, all tenants would be polite, well-behaved, and friendly. And most importantly, they would pay their rent on time!
However, we are not living in a perfect world. At some point in your property owning experience, you will have to navigate the murky waters of working with difficult, tricky tenants.
Understandably, this is not something any property owner looks forward to. To makes things easier for you, we've created a handy guide full of useful tips to help your next tenant interaction go as smoothly as possible. Keep reading to discover helpful tips for dealing with tricky tenants that all property owners should know.
Record Everything
When it comes to protecting yourself from difficult tenants, one of the smartest things you can do is to record everything. Now, we're not saying you have to take the extreme measure and install cameras everywhere in your own modern version of 1984. You don't have to meticulously record every single mundane detail. However, it is best that you at least write down the key details of what happens during each of your tenant interactions. This takes away the hassle of actively trying to retain every tenant related memory.
It also makes it easier to deal with tenants who are always changing their story. By writing down what was discussed at each tenant meeting, you're making it impossible for tricky tenants to weasel their way out of their tenant responsibilities. After all, it's hard to change your story when you can see it plainly written right in front of you.
Remain Neutral
One of the best ways to maintain order and get tenants to follow your rules is to remain neutral. Now we understand that this is easier said than done. It can be hard to remain passively neutral when you have a tenant telling you one of their latest sob stories. However, it's important that you remember that it's still your tenants' responsibility to meet the standards you have listed in their lease. This means finding a way to make sure the rent is paid on time even if jobs are lost or personal emergencies happen.
That's not to say you have to be cruel or cold hearted. If you'd like you can work out a payment plan or special arrangement to help out your loyal and trustworthy tenants. However, if you have a tenant with a history of personal emergencies that only seem to pop up when the rent is due, it's time to put the emotion aside and stick to the facts: everyone has to follow through on their responsibilities. This means tenants need to pay their rent on time and you need to make sure they do so that you can keep your property running.
Be Personable
Yes, we know we just said to remain neutral, but that doesn't mean you keep every interaction robotic and cold. It's important that you check in on your tenants and try to see things from their perspective. Tenants are most happy when they know you care.
Maybe the elderly woman in 3B is always calling to complain about her upstair's neighbors loud footsteps or the maintenance crew's lack of attention to detail. Even if every bone in your body is screaming not to answer, pick up that phone. Hear what she has to say. While it may be frustrating in the moment, in the long run you are yourself a huge favor.
You see, by doing this you are proving to her that she is a valued tenant who matters to you. If you're able to see things from your tenants' perspective, you can be more effectively accommodating to their needs. Furthermore, if tenants feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be better behaved and overall more pleasant. In short, by listening to the voices of your tenants, you can create a win-win situation that makes everyone happy. What's not to love about that?
Hire A Property Manager
Running a property is hard. Trust us, we get it. You've got a million things to do. The last thing you have time for are late rent payments and obnoxious tenants who just won't leave you alone. Luckily, there's a way you can get all of your important work done without having to deal with tenants at all. Simply hire a property manager!
Property managers are well-trained to handle any type of property from simple single-family homes to immense apartment complexes. They have the vital experience needed to deal with any issues your current tenants may have. Even better, property managers know how to selectively find the best applicants for your property. Through intensive research and screening, they can make the existent of tricky tenants on your property nearly impossible.
Save yourself the headache of dealing with tricky tenants. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy your day and let your property manager take care of everything.
Top 4 Reasons You Need A Property Manager
You've worked night and day to improve your property and get it to where it is today. Don't let all of your hard efforts go to waste. Ensure everything on your property runs smoothly through the use of proper management. The person best fit for this job, the person who can make sure your property is efficient and profitable is a property manager.
A property manager is in charge of handling real estate investments. They can manage all types of properties ranging from small single units to immense apartment complexes. There are many benefits real estate investors get from hiring property managers. However, we know you're a very busy person. So to help you out, we've picked the best four reasons to share with you today. Read on to learn the top four reasons you need a property manager.
1.) They Make Managing Tenants Stress-Free
Let's face it, sometimes tenants are great, and sometimes they can be a real hassle. Luckily, you won't have to deal with the stress of managing tenants once you hire a property manager. This is due to several reasons. First, property managers are experts when it comes to finding the right tenants for your properties. They have a good judge of character and are able to weed out any bad apples from your list of potential tenants.
Second, property managers nearly all of the aspects of the tenant/landlord relationship. If a tenant has a problem, they go to the property manager, not you. Not only will your property manager deal with routine tenant situations but they will also handle emergency situations, do routine inspections, and handle any problems that come up.
2.) They Keep Your Property Current On All Regulations And Laws
When it comes to maintaining and even renting your properties, there are numerous regulations and laws that must be followed. Property managers help keep track of all of this. Don't forget, this includes not only local regulations but state and federal ones as well. Don't get pulled into a lawsuit just because of a simple oversight. When you hire a property manager, you are making sure that someone is always checking to make sure your property meets all legal requirements.
3.) They Help You Invest From Anywhere In The World
As mentioned earlier, property managers make sure your property is up to date all legal matters. This is extremely useful if you have invested in property far away from where you live. By hiring a local property manger from that area, you are making getting a backstage pass to local secrets you would otherwise never know. Your property manager will make sure you are getting the best investment possible from your property. They can do this by maximizing their efficiency with their specialized local knowledge.
In short, hiring a property manager can help you expand your real estate investment opportunities to areas far beyond your local area.
4.) They'll Make Your Property Stand Out From The Crowd
When your hire a property manager, you aren't just adding to the value in your wallet, your also adding to the value of your property. Many property managers, especially ones from companies, have relationships with a variety of skilled workers. This includes:
- Maintenance Workers
- Contractors
- Suppliers
- Vendors
- Tradesmen
- Contractors, suppliers, and vendors
Your property manger can help you negotiate a better deal with these workers. These connections will know how to improve the overall look and design of your property. Furthermore, a new and improved facade is sure to extract new tenants.
In addition to being well connected, the right property manager is also a savvy marketer. Due to years of experience, a good property manager will know exactly how to pinpoint your ideal tenants and draw them in. Then, with the use of compelling marketing techniques, your property manager will be able to have the tenants of your dreams falling in love with your property. This is a huge advantage when you want to diminish lingering vacancies and fill units quickly.
What Are You Waiting For?
You don't have to deal with the stress and the overall hassle of managing your properties. Leave all of that hard work to a dependable,reliable property manger. With the right property manager you can sit back and relax. They'll be able to successfully manage your tenants, keep your property up-to-date on all housing regulations and property laws, keep your real estate investment profitable no matter where in the world you are, and they will draw in new tenants by making your property stand out from the crowd.
So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to a local property manager and start enjoying the benefits today. If you live in the Central Coast, Coast & Valley Properties is an excellent property management company. They offer reliable and affordable property manager services in Salinas, California. Just give them a call at 831.346.4545 to learn more.
3 Easy Ways To Get Your Property Ready For Winter
Fall weather is finally here, making it the perfect time to get your property ready for the harsh winter months. While most Californians don’t have to worry about shoveling snow from walkways or removing icicles from roofs, there are still a number of property maintenance tasks one can’t ignore, especially if you’re a property manager with tenants who depend on you.
If you don’t take advantage of the fall weather to prepare your property for the cold winter, you could end up having to make costly repairs further down the road. Save on time and money by taking care of all potential issues on your property during the fall season. Here are 3 ways all landlords can get their property ready for the longest, coldest months of the year.
1.) Draft-Proof Doors and Windows
One of the most noticeable characteristics of winter is the rapid decrease in temperature. While we can all appreciate the natural beauty of winter, no one wants to wake up feeling like they are in the middle of Antarctica. Help keep the interior of your property warm and cozy by making sure all windows and doors are draft-proof.
Before you can fix any drafts, you need to find out how the cold air is getting in. First, double-check to make sure all doors and windows are properly sized. Cold air can easily seep inside a property’s interior if a door is not properly fitted to it’s frame. Sometimes adding something as simple as some self-adhesive foam weather stripping to gaps between frames of windows or doors is all it takes to keep the cold air out.
However, if the property’s doors and windows are too weather worn to effectively keep the cold air out, it could be time to consider updating them. New, sturdy doors and windows will be better at preventing heat from escaping. In addition, they will also increase the property's overall attractiveness and value.
2.) Clean Out the Gutters
As each autumn leaf falls, cleaning out the rain gutters on your property should rise to the top of your to-do list. Putting off this chore for another season could lead to problems in the future. These costly problems include falling gutters, cracked foundation, and even flooding. Thankfully, these problems are easily avoidable if you take the time to clear all of the leaves and debris from each gutter.
Most experts recommend cleaning your rain gutters once a year. However, if your property rests beneath a loft of trees your rain gutters may need more attention. If rain gutters and downspouts are clogged with leaves, dirt, and other debris they run the risk of causing falling gutters, wood rot, staining, and more. Save yourself the headache of fixing these preventable problems by efficiently cleaning your gutters this fall.
Home improvement specialist, Ben Stillwell, recommends taking action early and cleaning your gutters before the rainy season begins. Gutters are easiest to clean when they are dry. Make sure you check the weather forecast before you get started on this important maintenance task.
3.) Evaluate the Roof
While you’re up on the roof cleaning your gutters, you might as well evaluate the state of your roof. The last thing your tenants want to deal with this holiday season is a leaking roof. Stop moisture damage and minimize expensive repairs by taking the time to have your roof properly inspected this fall.
Whether you hire a professional or are doing the inspection yourself, make sure someone is keeping an eye out for:
- Rust spots
- Curling, buckling, broken, or missing shingles
- Cracked rubber around vent pipes,
- Masses of moss or lichen (this could indicate that the roof is decaying underneath the shingles)
While inside the property, keep an eye out for these signs of a leaky roof:
- Dark spots on ceilings
- Damp areas near fireplaces
- Water stains on pipes connected to the water heater
- Peeling paint underneath roof overhangs
If you notice any of these warning signs of a damaged roof, it’s time to make some repairs before winter arrives. While the cost of getting your roof repaired may seem intimidating at first, realize that you are saving money in the long run from not having to do costly emergency repairs in the winter.
Keep in mind that if your roof is 15 years old or more, it is more than due for a replacement. Replacing your roof in the fall will ensure that your tenants and your property remains warm, dry, and secure throughout the long winter months.
Keep In Mind
In short, whether you live in a mild climate like California or a more turbulent area, it is vital that you take advantage of the fall season to get your property ready for winter. Doing things as simple as draft-proofing your property’s windows and doors, cleaning rain gutters, and ensuring all roofs are up to code are easy ways to keep your property weather-damage free this winter season.
Landscaping Resources for Property Managers
As a property manager, you have the well-being and welfare of the entire premises on your shoulders. Yet no matter how capable you personally may be, it is impossible for you to see to every aspect of the property's needs first hand. The key to keeping your job as stress-free and rewarding as possible is to compile a list of high quality resources for every aspect of the property's upkeep. In this short post learn about must-have landscaping resources you should always keep at the ready.Read more
Pool Maintenance Tips to Pass Your Next Inspection
At least once a year, the national, federal and local authorities mount assessments on all pools to confirm compliance with the set standards. It is, therefore, of the very essence to make sure that you meet the basic pool standards stipulated to avoid any altercations with the authorities. It is also of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the users of the pool, whether clients or family members. It is very necessary to possess some basic knowledge on pool requirements to pass the annual pool tests. Read more
Preparing Your Property for the Summer Season
Summer is one of the most important seasons when it comes to maintenance on your property. There are a number of things you need to do to ensure your property is in tip-top shape for the summer months.
Check your HVAC system
An A/C unit that goes out in the middle of the summer heat will make things miserable for everyone, and while you can't totally eliminate that possibility, you can make it a lot less likely by preparing your HVAC unit for summer.Read more
Property Management Software: Why You Need It
property management software" width="300" height="208" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-403" />Today property managers in many locations benefit clients through the use of sophisticated property management software. As advances in computer technology improve theefficiency of businesses, property managers in greater numbers have developed an awareness of the importance of software products in helping them serve customers.Read more