Rent Ready Condition
Start with the property itself. The rental home needs to be clean on the inside as well as the outside. You want to create inviting curb appeal that good tenants will find appealing. Take lots of pictures for your advertising. Many prospective tenants look for rental properties online, and they are going to look closely at your pictures when they’re deciding whether to go and see the home. You need plenty of photos otherwise tenants will pass over your listing.
Competitive Pricing
Make sure the property is priced correctly. An overpriced property will sit vacant on the market for much longer than it should. Reliable, qualified tenants will have an idea of what the rental price in the area is, and they will not bother to see the overpriced properties.
Tenant Screening
When you’re talking to prospective tenants, ask them why they’re moving and when they plan to move. Ask if they have given notice at their current residence and ask for employment and income information. You will want to verify everything the tenant tells you once an application is filled out, but these questions will give you an idea about whether a tenant is qualified and respectful enough to give notice to the current landlord. It can provide a clue to what kind of tenants they are.
Additionally, your screening process should include looking at credit, past rental history and background. Do a criminal check and talk to current and previous landlords and employers. When you are screening tenants, make sure you’re using the same criteria for all applicants.
The bottom line to finding a good tenant is this: don’t make quick decisions. The more work you do now means there will be less work for you later.
If you need help finding a great tenant for your rental property, we can help you. Contact us at Zenith Realty Property Management in Orange Park, FL with any questions.