What needs to be done to prepare a property for rent?

The property should be in the best possible condition to attract a quality resident. Paint should be in good shape with marred or dirty areas touched up. Neutral colors for walls and floors are best. Blinds or shades are ideal window coverings. The home should be clean and the yard in excellent shape.  Whenever possible reduce the amount of time and water necessary to maintain the yard.  For most rental homes xeroscaping is a good investment.  Backyards should not be dirt.  Rocks or other landscaping is preferable and will pay off in increased rents and reduced ware and tare on the interior of the home.

How do I determine the rental amount?

The competition determines the rental amount. As experts in the field, AMMRE knows the market and the competitive rental ranges for your home. If the home is marketed too high the home will be vacant much longer. If it is marketed too low many potential renters may not select to view the home , reducing the pool of qualified applicants.  Further, the landlord may have to wait one or two years before the lease expires and the price becomes competitive again.  Normally the landlord can except to increase rent when the lease renews or if the resident is remaining in the property month-to-month after fulfilling a lease obligation.  The amount of a mortgage is not an indicator of rent value. A home highly leveraged will rent for the same amount as a home that is owned free and clear.

How do you market the property?

The property is immediately added to our rental availability list, web sites, kiosk in the Cottonwood Mall, rental hot line and other resources. Our on-line marketing program reaches over 200 rental websites.  We have long standing relationships with local and national relocation networks and major employers. Large ads are run in the Sunday Journal. Attractive yard signs are palaced and marketing flyers distributed.. Each property is assigned to a property management team to track the marketing effectiveness for the individual property. Inquire about our current marketing policies for cost and a more detailed discussion of all the advertising venues and marketing options available for your property.

How long will it take to rent?

Vacancy periods are market driven. There is also some luck involved in the right person looking at the right time. Potential residents are rigorerously screened for income, credit, background, references, etc.  On average in the metro area it takes approximately four to six weeks to rent a home. Homes rent more slowly between Thanksgiving and New Years. Location, condition and the correct rent amount effect vacancy  time. AMMRE can help you position and price your property properly so that you optomise rental income and reduce vacany expense.