Archive for the ‘Rental Home Tips’ Category

Is It Time to Update The Amenities in Your Orlando Rental Property?

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

Sooner or later, it will come time to make improvements to your Orlando rental home property. Some of these upgrades are naturally more costly and/or time consuming than other improvements. Even though it is hard to attach a dollar amount to the return you’ll get by making improvements to your Orlando rental home, remember that modern/upgraded amenities remain a big draw for renters. Therefore, the time and money invested in improvements will come back in the form of renters willing to pay a higher rental price.

When considering upgrades for your Orlando rental home, think about the following:

  • In-Home Washer & Dryer: An in-home washer and dryer is one of the most asked for features in a rental home. There is nothing more convenient than being able to do laundry in your own home, rather than dragging it across town to a local laundry-mat. If space is limited, stack-able washer/dryer units are available and are reasonably priced. This is an upgrade your renters will truly appreciate.
  • Better Appliances: Stainless steel is always a major draw for renters because of the clean, modern look that it offers a kitchen. No matter which appliances you choose, make sure they coordinate well with each other because this will show your attention to detail and style. Also, make sure you get a good warranty for your appliances because that way, when an appliance starts to have problems, the company will pay for it to be repaired or replaced, saving you hundreds of dollars.
  • High Speed Internet Access: To make your Orlando rental home competitive in the market, high speed internet access is a must. In today’s world of instant information, renters expect a wireless high speed connection for their homes because the Internet is such an integral part of everyday life.
  • Countertops: A lot of rental owners go for the cheapest option when it comes to countertops, such as paper laminates. Unfortunately, these cheaper options stain, scratch, and dent very easily. It may be a better use of money to choose an option like granite, that will last through years of tenant abuse without a scratch.

It’s a good idea to update your rentals every five to ten years, but you have to be careful not to spend more than you’ll earn by raising the rent. Rental Home Management Services of Orlando is dedicated to helping you manage your Orlando rental home property. Our services include helping you find quality tenants, collecting rent payments, and arranging all maintenance and repairs through our professional property management services. To learn more about our rental home management services in Orlando, call us today at (407)261-5610.

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Should I Buy Renters Insurance?

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

If you are renting a home in Florida, whether it is an apartment, single family house, condo, or any other type of home, it is always a smart idea to buy renters insurance. Many people falsely assume that if something happens to their possessions while they are renting a home, than the homeowner’s insurance policy will cover them. However, this is not true.

The rental home property owner’s insurance policy covers any structural/building damage that the property incurs such as broken windows, a leaky roof, etc. Their policy does not cover any damage done to the renter’s personal property while living in the home. For example, if lightning strikes a tree and the tree falls onto the roof, causing rain to flood in and damage the renter’s furniture, the owner’s policy will cover damages done to the roof, but will not pay for damages done to the renter’s furniture.

This is where renters insurance comes in. Renters insurance fills that void in coverage and insures your personal belongings against damage and theft. In addition, renters insurance provides liability protection for the renter in case a guest is injured while on the property. Florida renters insurance is affordable and rates vary depending on the value of the items you wish to insure.

At Rental Home Management Services in Orlando, our team of Florida real estate professionals is dedicated to minimizing your stress while renting a home in Central Florida. To learn more about the rental home management services we offer, give us a call today at 407-261-5610!

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What to Look for in a New School

Friday, May 25th, 2012

If you’ve recently relocated your family to a new Central Florida rental home, there is a good chance that you will soon be searching the school market, looking for the perfect educational facility for your children.

A school visit is an invaluable way to find out whether a particular school is right for your child. Don’t feel awkward about asking to tour the school—you’re not the first parent to do so, and you definitely won’t be the last. After your visit, you’ll have a much more detailed picture of the school’s strengths, weaknesses, and whether or not it is a good fit for your child.

Before visiting the schools, do your homework. Examine the schools’ profiles within online databases and take note of any concerns you have regarding student performance, resources, or teacher backgrounds. Talk to neighboring parents about their experiences regarding education in the area, and search the Internet or your local library for articles about schools.

When you’re ready to schedule your visit, call the school’s secretary and explain that you are considering enrolling your child and would like to make an appointment for a campus tour. Also, see if you’ll be able to meet the principal and/or some teachers.

During your visit, ask as many questions as you possibly can. Be sure to bring up topics such as:

  • Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
  • What kinds of library resources are available to students?
  • Is free school busing available?
  • What extracurricular activities are available for students?

Also, keep your eyes open for more low-key signs of a perfect match:

  • Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
  • Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable?
  • Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers, and parents?
  • How well are the facilities maintained?

It may take a few visits to various schools before you find the right match for your child, but once you do, you can feel comfortable knowing that all the work you did was well worth it.

At Rental Home Management Services, we are committed to making our new Central Florida residents feel comfortable in their rental homes. To learn more about the management services we offer, please give us a call today at (407)261-5610.

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What to Look for in a Rental Home

Monday, May 14th, 2012

The search for the perfect Central Florida rental home can be undeniably difficult—especially if you’ve never gone through the process before. Here’s a list of the top factors to consider when searching for the perfect rental home for you.

Neighborhoods. Determining the quality of the neighborhood you’re looking at is extremely important in the rental home search. Consider this: if you rent in a neighborhood near a university, you will likely find yourself surrounded by college students who may not necessarily care how loud or destructive they may be.

Schools. If you have children, you will undoubtedly want to be located in a reputable school district. Also, if the school has a bad reputation, prices will reflect upon your rental property poorly.

Crime. No one wants to live near a hot spot for criminal activity! You can go to the police or the public library to find accurate crime statistics for various neighborhoods you are interested in. Factors to consider include vandalism rates, serious crimes, petty crimes, and recent growth or decline of crime rates.

Jobs. This may be one of the most important factors to consider. To find out how a particular neighborhood rates in regards to job growth, check out the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Amenities. Check the neighborhood you’re looking at for current or projected parks, malls, gyms, movie theaters, public transport and other perks. City halls typically have literature that will give an idea of where the best public amenities can be found.

Amount of vacancies. This is something that many people do not typically consider. If there is a large amount of vacancies around a property, chances are that it is located in an undesirable neighborhood.

At Rental Home Management Services, we have dedicated ourselves to helping both beginning and experienced home renters find their perfect Central Florida rental home. To learn more about how our team of dedicated property management professionals can help you, please give us a call today at (407)261-5610.

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