18Dec
What is the Sell and Rent Back option? It is something that has been more and more popular in recent years. In this option, you will be selling your home but you will sell it to someone who agrees to let you be the renter. There is a contract that determines this. With this option, you will sell the home, which means that you will have the money to pay the mortgage that you owe.
Then, you will be able to take the extra money (which you have already put into your home) and pay off your other loans, your credit cards and any other bills you might have.
11Jun
High unemployment has many rental properties in metro areas vacated leaving property owners to lower rent to get them occupied. As with many city centers that have seen a steep rise in rent, the good times may be over for the ever increasing numbers of people being laid off is no good news for them. Areas such as crowded cities have normally been known for high rentals but with no bites, they have to follow suit and try to entice renters with lower rates. Though some properties are still fetching high prices, more common apartments and middle class accommodations have been bearing the brunt of the recession, with no renters around they have to find better ways of dealing with the recession such as sub-leasing their properties to more than one tenant.
09May
That is according to US realty experts, of whom over 90% agree that the economic turmoils are going to tax hard on property values this year and beyond. The bailout has had limited success in bolstering the economy for the damage the recession is bringing about is simply too big for an overnight cure. A few years would be a conservative Read more »
09Apr
People have finally accepted their part in saving the earth and being a property owner, you can do your part in such a drive that would allow you to reap benefits well beyond tomorrow. You don;t have to tear down your rental property to go green for simple retro-fits can have the same impact in such a smaller time frame. Upgrading your plumbing, replacing toilets and wash basins with water saving ones that use less water or do away with it totally is a start. Read more »
09Mar
People have given their opinions on the re-greening of our urban spaces, many of which are slowly undergoing green retro-fitting to comply with city laws and current trends. From simple upgrades such as lighting and the addition of small solar panels on the roofs of rental properties to at least handle the lighting system in and out of the buildings/properties is a small step towards greening the many rental properties that abound within city limits. It is a very enticing deal for you get power and get some incentives from the government in terms of tax cuts having you pay less taxes for such green initiatives. Read more »
26Feb
Some people make the mistake of not looking into much of what their tenants are like. Looking into a tenant’s background is very important, because for example, he / she has a criminal record and has a bad reputation, these individuals could bring trouble for you. Sometimes they could have record saying that they are habitual late or non-payers of rent, so evicting is going to be another problem for you.
Especially if you have a good piece of property you are renting out, make sure to screen you tenants very well first. Careless tenants can cause untold damage to your property, and the mere motions of having it repaired is sure to be a hassle. So try to interview your tenants first, and try to see if they’re qualified to rent and if they are capable of paying rent – and paying it on time.
30Jan
The most common problem with tenants and landlords is maintenance, when the owner or charge takes too long to address a problem that has been reported according to the provisions of the contract that was signed by both parties. There are small issues that can be left to the tenant such as consumable items or cheap items that are prone to fail, light bulbs, faucets and other items that can or cannot be repaired by the tenant or may require the landlord/owner to fix it. The contract should have clear and distinct differentiation of which items are covered by the owner’s maintenance work and which can be delegated to the tenant themselves. They can even, landlord’s can even ask the tenant to get a repair done that would be deducted from the rent at the end of the month. Read more »
30Dec
For business travelers who stay months at a time while on assignments, the best option is to rent. Monthly stays in a hotel are not only very expensive, but can become boring even with the luxury and convenience that is offered to you. If you wish to maintain control of your life at your own pace and privacy, then renting a home is the best option for you. There are many rental properties that offer exquisite properties or homes within a compound. They are secure, clean and well kept (you get what you pay for) and the best thing is that you can haggle a bit with the price.
Cooking your own meal is a chore but some people love the experience of going to market, shopping around and cooking with the bounties of the native land. You can even find personal butlers (for a fee of course) that would be there to take care of your every whim at the time and pace of your choice. Be sure to ask for the best deals and do take security into account
08Oct
Image Source:paradisecostarica.com
Majority of us have already experienced poor customer service, but being on the other side and to give great customer service is something that many new owners of vacation rental properties are quite apprehensive about because in this business, how you relate to your customers has a head on impact on how many reservations you will get. Here are a few suggestions on how to deal with your clients. Understand that people’s holiday time is of utmost importance. Clients need to be sure that their golden time away will be both exciting and well worth the money spent. In delivering great customer service, it is a good idea to think about how customers feel and what they might need while vacationing. Satisfy all of your customers queries by listening to what is being asked of you. Not answering fully and appearing/sounding unsure is an absolute no no. If you are unsure about something being asked of you, tell the customer that you are not certain, and that you will find out by asking the proper people concerned and that you are going to get back to him/her on that within a specified time frame like after 10 minutes or half an hour. After the time lapse, do get back to her/him and give them an answer. This will send the message across that you care about your clients and are sensitive to their needs. Some owners are under the mistaken assumption that their clients are familiar with the are- they probably don’t, so it pays to offer helpful hints or information like directions to and from certain landmarks, the airport and local car rentals. If they have children, point out parks and zoos or water recreational centers to them If they are couples, you can recommend an intimate restaurant. This will send the message across that you care about your clients and are sensitive to their needs.
29Sep
For first-timers, renting their own place is a pretty big step toward independence, and the responsibilities of adulthood. You may be tempted to choose the classiest and nicest place you find, but before you sign that lease, pause and take stock of your finances.
First, you should consider all the other expenses that comes with having your own place. Utilities like water, gas and electricity usually end up in the same range monthly, so you can more or less predict how much you will need every month. You should also need to consider other “luxuries” you can’t do without, such as a phone, internet, cable or satellite TV, which will add to your expenses. If you’re planning to stay in a place that has monthly association dues, such as a condo or a serviced apartment, you will also have to pay additional for such services as security, administration fees & disposal fees.
