Month: September 2021

Collecting rent, renewing leases, communicating and negotiating with existing and prospective tenants – the list of property management tasks goes on. This is why many landlords in San Diego decide to hand over the responsibility to a trained professional. You want to make sure that this person has experience, expertise and personal traits that will keep your investment safe and tenants covered. Read on to learn how to identify the most reliable 

What makes a good property manager? 

If you’re a landlord in need of a reliable professional to administrate your rental property, you should make sure that the person checks all the boxes. Also, if you’re looking to tap into the industry yourself, you need the right skill set and personal traits to fulfill the role. To administer a property, you should focus on the following 5 qualities:

1. Organizational skills

You need a person who is a natural organizer, handling multiple tasks at the same time with ease. Your ideal candidate is someone who performs well under pressure, has experience with paperwork and can coordinate a number of different properties with confidence.

2. Forward thinking

A professional who’d handle your property should be a forward thinker with an investor mindset. Besides handling repairs and tenant issues, this person should  also be the one to help you with a range of real-estate technicalities. The person who will handle your property should remain vigilant and address risks even before issues emerge. This proactive stance is vital as it saves money and stress. 

3. Attention to detail

A person handling any number of apartments should be able to notice small changes. Also, they should be able to address the needs of the landlords and tenants on time. They should make a clear difference between true priorities and the background noise of mundane tasks. 

4. Assertiveness

Assertive communication is a one of the core competencies of professionals in any industry that involves working with people. This involves a respectful and direct manner of communication, self-confidence, good listening skills, and focus on problem solving and compromise. An assertive property manager will treat tenants politely, but be very direct when reminding them about overdue rent or regular monthly upkeep.

5. Can-do attitude

Whatever issue arises, a person in charge should approach it heads-on. An experienced administrator has the resources to tackle problems, regardless of the scope. He can do this by relying on time-tested procedures, various guidelines for tenants and landlords, as well as a list of reliable contractors for repairs and maintenance. 

What should I look for in a property management company?

When it comes to the company itself, you should look for a provider that fulfills all the requirements, including necessary licenses. You should always ask about their previous experience. Many companies rely on referrals from their clients. Nowadays it’s easy to find reviews and check ratings of your local providers online. 

Also, keep in mind that a top-performing company should have the following results: 

• Low eviction rates
• High long-term occupancy rates
• Low vacancy rates

You should inquire with your provider about their insurance policies, examples of previous contracts and agreements. Also, you want to make sure that they employ experienced and reliable people to whom you can delegate this responsibility. 

Where can I hire responsible property management in San Diego, CA and beyond?

If you’re a landlord seeking a professional that can help you fill in your vacancy quickly, look no further. Lofty Property Management is a go-to option for the landlords and tenants living around San Diego Bay and beyond. We can assist by offering a full range of comprehensive services: by collecting your rent on time, handling move-ins and move-outs, marketing your property, finding and screening potential tenants and more. We have extensive experience in the market and can provide you with quality results.  

Contact us today to get a free quote and check the services we offer.

Coordinating a number of real estate properties can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it remotely. If your property is vacant at the moment, looking for prospective and quality tenants poses another challenge. This is why so many landlords are looking for reliable property management companies. Whether you’re living in San Diego or anywhere else in California, keep on reading to learn how to fill out your vacancies quickly. 

How do you fill out a vacancy for an apartment?

While you’re waiting for qualified, well-paying tenants to fill out a vacancy, you’re losing money. To reduce this waiting time to the bare minimum, you should employ some of the following strategies:

Tip #1: Invest in marketing

If you’re a new landlord, you’ll probably find it a bit challenging to make your first official listing. Although it might seem outdated, newspaper listings are still a thing. You should start marketing your property early on, from putting the sign in front of the house or apartment, to making an official listing in the local newspaper. 

When it comes to online listings, it’s important to use appropriate photos of your apartment. Take photos during bright daylight and from most flattering angles. Another good idea is to make a short video-walkthrough around the premises.  

Tip #2: Ask for referrals

Even if you don’t have a marketing strategy in mind, you can try to rely on referrals from your previous renters. Using word of mouth is most likely going to lead to new paying applicants. If you feel uncertain, you can use instant screening tools, by asking applicants to provide their social security number. 

Tip #3: Set a reasonable price

Before you make your listing, you should do some research of other listings in the neighborhood. You don’t want to underestimate the value of your investment. Once you have set a realistic and competitive price, you can expect to hear from quality candidates. 

Tip #4: Improve your rental

A rental that is functional and comfortable is more likely to attract prospective tenants. Sometimes, you wouldn’t have time for a full makeover, but it’s best to consult with reliable professionals first. Find contractors that will help you do a small face-lift to your property and increase your chances of filling out your vacancy. For instance: 

• Repaint your walls
• Clean upholstered furniture
• Include more natural lighting
• Replace or repair old appliances
• Do a smart kitchen or bathroom renovation.
• Get rid of unnecessary barriers or excess cabinets
• Repair your doors, windows and window screens.

Tip #5: Reduce costs

You can implement clever strategies to reduce maintenance costs, electrical bill and overall upkeep expenses. For instance: 

• Replace old gas furnaces, 
• Improve insulation of the walls, if possible
• Install a smart thermostat to reduce power consumption.
• Switch completely to energy efficient light-bulbs and appliances. 
• Replace your lawn with a paver patio, to reduce the need for gardening services.
• Use lasting materials if you’re painting or decorating the exterior of your house.

Of course, some of these tasks require more time, so you should always consult with a professional first and make sure that you can complete the project before new tenants move in.  

Where can I find reliable property management companies in San Diego, California?

To be able to rent your property without worry feels like a privilege. A reliable provider can help you minimize the risks that come with renting your property by performing thorough background checks. Here at Lofty Property Management we can help you coordinate all other real-estate procedures, including collecting your rent, renewing leases, marketing your rental and running regular maintenance. Whether you’re located in Old Town, or anywhere else in San Diego and the vicinity, you can count on our support to find well-paying tenants and to keep your investment safe. 

To get a free rental quote and find out more about our services, get in touch with us today!