Question 1

How much will my property rent for?

Accepted Answer

We'd love the opportunity to provide you with a complimentary Market Rent Analysis specifically for your property. This will require some research, and to get started, we'll need some information about your property. Feel free to contact us to get the process started!

Question 2

What do I need to do in order to make my home rent ready?

Accepted Answer

We recommend ensuring all holes are patched, and the paint has been touched up on the walls, ceilings, and trim. You may need to have the house professionally cleaned. You will also need to ensure the yard is in good order. Remember, the condition of the property at the time the Tenants move in will set the tone for how the property is to be kept during their tenancy.

Question 3

How long will it take to rent my property?

Accepted Answer

While we can't predict exactly how long it will take to find a qualified tenant to rent your home, we are very proactive and employ strategic marketing to minimize the amount of time your home is vacant. The size, location, and condition of your home all play a role, as does the rent amount that we are seeking. On average, it takes us approximately two weeks to secure a tenant once we begin marketing the property.

Question 4

How do you collect rent?

Accepted Answer

The majority of our tenants pay rent online via either EFT (bank account draft) or credit card. However, we also offer a cash payment option via a third-party service provider called PayNearMe, where tenants can make 24/7 cash payments at over 27,000 participating retail locations, including CVS, 7-Eleven, etc.

Question 5

What happens if the Tenant is late to pay their rent?

Accepted Answer

Rent is due and payable on the 1st of each month, and considered late after the 4th. If rent is not paid in full by 11:59 pm on the 4th, a $50 late fee will be charged, plus an additional $10 per day. If rent has not been paid in full by the 10th of the month, Tenants will be subject to eviction proceedings.

Question 6

What happens if a Tenant breaks their Lease?

Accepted Answer

We understand that sometimes life circumstances change, and a Tenant may wish to seek an early termination of their Lease. Here are the steps that must be adhered to for an early termination: (1) Tenant must provide a written 60-day notice to vacate and must continue to pay all rent, charges, and utilities through the end of the 60-day period; (2) Prior to moving out, the Tenant must pay an Early Termination Fee equal to two month's rent; (3) We will amend the Lease to reflect the early termination at the end of the 60-day period, assuming all charges have been paid in full.

Question 7

How do you decide the rent amount when re-leasing a property?

Accepted Answer

Whether renewing a Lease for an existing Tenant or advertising a vacancy, we will perform an updated Market Rent Analysis. This involves researching what similar properties in the area have recently rented for, and making adjustments based on differences in location, level of finishes, size, and other factors. Our goal is to determine the fair market rent and maximize your income and ROI, without pricing the home out of the market, which could result in an extended vacancy.

Question 8

How do you handle Security Deposits?

Accepted Answer

We hold all Security Deposits in our Trust Account until the Lease has ended, the property has been inspected, and actual charges for cleaning and damages in excess of normal wear and tear have been calculated. We disburse all Security Deposits minus charges to the Tenant within 30 days from the end of the Lease.

Question 9

Should I allow pets?

Accepted Answer

We leave the decision of whether or not to allow pets up to each Owner. Although pets are not a protected class and can sometimes cause additional wear and tear on a home, we've found that homes that do not allow pets can take longer to rent. In addition to potentially finding a great tenant much quicker, choosing to allow pets could also help to increase the income of your property as we charge a non-refundable Pet Fee, along with additional monthly Pet Rent.

Question 10

What is your Smoking Policy?

Accepted Answer

We do not allow smoking or vaping of any kind inside the property or anywhere on the rental grounds. Tenants violating this term of the Lease may be subject to fines and eviction proceedings.

Question 11

Can you help me if I already have a tenant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can take over management of a property with a tenant already in place. If the Tenant is in good standing, we will simply reach out to the Tenant to introduce ourselves and explain how we operate. If the Tenant is behind on their rent or currently violating another term of the Lease, we will immediately begin taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the Lease or start eviction filings if necessary. Often, a difficult or non-paying Tenant will find a way to get caught up or move when a professional property management company has been secured to take over and ensure compliance with the Lease.

Question 12

How do you advertise properties available for rent?

Accepted Answer

Rather than simply putting a sign in the yard and advertising your property in the Multiple Listing Service, we take a much more proactive approach. We order professional photography for all of our properties, and depending on which Management Plan you select, we may also utilize Matterport 3D virtual tours and aerial drone photos. We also syndicate all of our listings to Zillow, Trulia, Hotpads, and hundreds of other local and national websites.

Question 13

How do you facilitate showings of my property?

Accepted Answer

While many property management companies allow prospective Tenants to check out a key and view the home unsupervised, we guarantee that 100% of our showings will be conducted by a licensed agent (unless you, the Owner, specifically opt-in to allow prospective Tenants to conduct self-guided tours). This helps reduce risk for our Clients, and can also make a big difference in finding the right Tenant much quicker. Not only does this allow us to highlight the features of your home, but meeting the prospective Tenants face-to-face at the property can give us the opportunity to encourage applications.

Question 14

How do you screen prospective Tenants?

Accepted Answer

We believe that carefully screening prospective tenants is one of the most important keys to the long-term financial performance of your real estate investment. We require all potential occupants who are 18 years of age or older to submit a complete application so we can verify income, check references from previous Landlords, review credit history, perform a criminal background check, and check for any prior evictions or judgments. We have very strict Rental Application Requirements and Qualification Standards , and focus on finding the most qualified Tenants for your property. We are committed to equal housing, and we fully comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act and with all state and local fair housing laws. We do not discriminate against anyone because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Question 15

Can I see the applications and select the tenants?

Accepted Answer

We screen and approve applicants based on our predetermined list of Rental Application Requirements and Qualification Standards that are published on our website. Our team members are trained in reference checking, income verification, credit screening, and Fair Housing guidelines to ensure we find the most qualified Tenants. Because applications contain personal information such as Social Security Numbers for each prospective Tenant, we do not share these with our Owners. You've hired us to operate as a Fiduciary and utilize our skills and expertise in this area, so we reserve the exclusive right to screen, deny, or approve Tenants.

Question 16

What type of insurance do I need for my property?

Accepted Answer

It is very important that your insurance carrier is made aware of your intent to rent the property, so that the proper type of policy and coverage can be selected. If the property was previously used as your primary or secondary residence and there are no changes made to your homeowner's insurance policy before placing a Tenant, you might have the wrong type of policy, which could potentially give your insurance company a reason to deny a claim. It is also very important to maintain a reasonable amount of liability coverage as part of your policy. We strongly recommend that our Owners consult directly with their insurance agent to make sure they understand the type and amount of coverage that is adequate for their needs. Bluefield Realty Group requires proof of current insurance to be on record with our office, and we also require that our brokerage be named as an additional insured on the policy.

Question 17

How are utilities handled?

Accepted Answer

Typically, the Tenant is responsible for all utilities. For units in a multifamily building, the Landlord may provide certain utilities. These terms will be specified in the Lease. All new Tenants must show proof that any utilities that will be their responsibility have been turned on in their name prior to obtaining keys and moving in.

Question 18

Who pays for lawn maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Typically, the Tenant is responsible for lawn maintenance. For units in a multifamily building, the Landlord typically provides lawn maintenance for common areas. This will be specified in the Lease.

Question 19

Do I have to provide pest control?

Accepted Answer

Our Leases state that the Landlord will be responsible for the cost of curing any evidence of a pest problem found within the first 7 days of the tenancy. Any future pest control would be the responsibility of the Tenant.

Question 20

Who is responsible for changing air filters?

Accepted Answer

Tenants are responsible for changing the air filters in the property at least once every 90 days.

Question 21

What if there is an emergency outside of normal business hours?

Accepted Answer

We have a dedicated 24/7 Emergency Hotline that is available to our Tenants in the event of a legitimate maintenance emergency. We understand that some issues are urgent and have to be addressed outside of normal business hours in order to ensure that Tenants receive the vital services they are legally entitled to, and to help mitigate damage to your property.

Question 22

Do I need to maintain a reserve fund for emergency repairs?

Accepted Answer

We currently do not require that our Landlords maintain an emergency reserve balance on deposit in our Trust Account. If we receive an invoice on your behalf for repairs or maintenance that is due before the next regularly scheduled Disbursement, or that exceeds the amount available to be disbursed to you or on your behalf, we will forward the invoice for you to pay directly to the third-party.

Question 23

Do you always consult with Owners for necessary repairs?

Accepted Answer

In order to maintain efficiency, our Management Agreements provide us with the authority to make minor repairs and conduct regular maintenance on your property at our discretion, provided those expenses don't exceed $500. We also reserve the authority to make emergency repairs in excess of $500 in instances where failure to act immediately could cause considerable damage to your property or deprive the Tenants of vital services they are legally entitled to. We will always consult with our Landlords to obtain approval prior to authorizing non-emergency repairs or maintenance that would cost more than $500.

Question 24

Can I select my own vendors for repairs?

Accepted Answer

It is incredibly important to us that all maintenance issues are resolved in a timely and efficient manner. Our high standards help provide a more enjoyable experience for our Tenants, which increases the likelihood that they will renew their Lease. Happy Tenants tend to result in fewer vacancies, which is one of the most important factors in maximizing the ROI of your investment property. For these reasons, we do not allow our Landlords to coordinate repairs and maintenance. However, if you have a relationship with a vendor who provides quality work at a fair price, who is responsive and courteous, and who is fully licensed and insured, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with them and potentially add them to our approved vendor list. Please note that even if this vendor meets all of our criteria and is added to our list, we cannot guarantee that this is the vendor who will always be used for work at your property. We always seek to balance the needs for expediency and cost savings when scheduling repairs and maintenance.

Question 25

How often do you visit the property?

Accepted Answer

We will visit the property and conduct an inspection each time a Tenant moves in or out. We may also visit the property more frequently to conduct additional inspections, depending on which Management Plan you select.

Question 26

What kind of records do you provide to Owners and how often?

Accepted Answer

Financial reports are available online 24/7 through our Landlord Portal. Because your account is connected directly to our payment processing and accounting software, you can log in and access real-time financial data for your property whenever you wish. We also provide detailed move-in and move-out reports.

Question 27

Will the tenant have my name or contact information?

Accepted Answer

We make sure that Owners remain anonymous to the Tenants in all of our paperwork. We will never provide your name or contact information to any Tenant. However, please keep in mind that the deed to your property is recorded in public records, and a savvy Tenant may be able to obtain some of your information through online research. For privacy reasons, we strongly recommend that our Owners consult with an Attorney to discuss holding property in a Trust.

Question 28

Do you charge for vacant units?

Accepted Answer

No, we only earn our management fee if the property is occupied and the Tenant is paying.

Question 29

I own the property with a business partner. Can we receive separate disbursements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can easily set up disbursements to multiple Partners based on predetermined percentages of ownership.

Question 30

What types of properties do you manage?

Accepted Answer

We currently only manage residential rental properties, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, and small to medium apartment complexes (5-99 units). If you're interested in us managing your commercial property or large multifamily complex (100+ units), we may consider this on a case-by-case basis.

Question 31

How soon can you start managing my property?

Accepted Answer

We can get the process started as soon as we have a signed Management Agreement and keys. If the home is vacant but ready for placement, we'll go ahead and schedule photography and can usually have the home listed within one or two days. If there is already a Tenant in place, we can take over management responsibilities right away and will immediately reach out to the Tenant to introduce ourselves and explain how we operate.

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