Congratulations! You have made the exciting decision to step out as a real estate investor with your first Hill Country investment property in Boerne, TX! While you are still not sure whether you are planning to hire a local property management company in Boerne or a San Antonio rental property management company, or are attempting to manage everything on your own, it is time to get down to business.
The Make-Ready Process
After you have gone through the exercise of understanding your state and local laws with regard to renting your home, it is time to get it ready to rent to some other residents. This process is commonly called “make ready” and includes many things most “do it yourself” new landlords do not think of.
Surveying and Assessing the Interior
Do you have the proper number of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the proper place for your home to be up to Texas code? Has your air conditioner been serviced in the last 12 months? Have all filters been changed? What about batteries in those detectors, garage door openers, and any keyless locks? Do you have the correct number and type of locks and peepholes installed on exterior doors?
Once you have answered these questions, it is time to get to work on the rest of the “make ready” process. First, take a good look around. Do the walls need touch up or a full painting? Look at the caulking around tubs, sinks, toilets, and window seals, and don’t forget to check the weather stripping. If you have a fireplace, and the chimney has not been cleaned in the last year, now is a good time to do so. Also, if you notice or have had an issue with pests in the past, a pest control service may be in order.
Thorough Appliance Evaluation & Additional Walk Through
Now that this is complete, check every appliance for proper function. Turn on all burners to ensure they work, check the refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, and all faucets. Repair any leaks and malfunctions as these items will need to be operable and in good repair after you rent your home. Remember, all appliances and “personal property” such as washers and dryers, lawnmowers, etc., will have the same rule. Make an informed decision and make sure before leaving anything in the home, that you plan to keep it in good repair for the length of your new resident’s tenancy.
Next, replace any burnt out lightbulbs and have the home professionally cleaned. Once these items are complete, have a professional carpet cleaning service finish up the interior. This will go a long way in having your new renters treat the home with respect. They want to keep it clean as well, saving you time and money in the long run.
Exterior Evaluation & Landscaping
So, you may be thinking to yourself, “Whew… glad I am done!” right? Not quite. Do not neglect the exterior of the home in this process. Make sure the gutters are cleaned out, the lawn has been mowed and edged, and the weeds and any debris have been cleared out. If you have shrubbery or trees that need attention, a good landscape service can tidy up the exterior for you.
Completing this process yourself can take anywhere from 6-20 hours depending on the condition of your house. Using professional services will take less time but require a cost. Also, you need to be careful to check references and ensure the vendors can complete the job in your time frame. Whichever way you choose to go, making sure that your home is truly “rent ready” will save you time, money, and headaches in the future.
Not Sure You Want to Go at It Alone?
Trusting a valued and reliable property management company to manage all of these often-overlooked tasks can save you, the new investor, time and effort. Real Property Management Hill Country has a tried-and-true process for preparing investment properties during this make-ready stage so that these many steps are completed in an efficient and timely manner. This allows for a renter to be placed as soon as possible to minimize vacancy times which maximizes revenue for you. Maybe you have completed this whole make-ready process, but now wish you had a hired a San Antonio property management company. Or maybe after learning more about the process, you have decided that you need a Boerne property management company now. Either way, know that Real Property Management Hill Country is here for you.
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