Savvy investors in residential real estate are always looking for ways to improve their investment property ROI. One approach is to try and increase rents, assuming this option is available to you. If your tenants are paying well below the market, even with COVID-19 concerns, we recommend you continue to raise rents. If you're near the market, then be patient until we better understand the impact the coronavirus will have. Cheaper Isn’t Always Better Sometimes increasing your return on investment isn't just about controlling costs or raising rents; it's about investing in your property wisely. Take the long view: you may need to spend some money to protect your investment for the long term. Periodically review mortgage interest, insurance, and property tax payments with a professional. A good advisor can help you keep these costs down. Don’t settle when it comes to tenant searches. Finding the right tenant can save many thousands of dollars in the long run. There will likely be less property damage. And a happy tenant will stay longer, reducing turnover costs. Determine an acceptable turnover rate and vacancy allowance for your situation based on your goals and pricing strategy. This will help you stay ahead of trends and be prepared should the rental market head downward. When it comes to maintenance, don’t simply choose the lowest bidder. While you should look for competitive pricing, hire a maintenance vendor that is insured and will stand behind their work. What to Look for In a Property Management Firm In addition to the expertise a reputable property management firm can bring, not everyone is cut out to be a landlord. Look for a property management firm that: Communicates with you and with tenants openly and often Stays on top of details and keeps excellent records Identifies and retains good renters Acts promptly and legally when there’s a problem, and can support actions with accurate notes in case a tenant threatens a lawsuit or other legal challenge Has many vendors to choose from and understands when maintenance is priced correctly Borba Offers More to Our Customers Customer service is our top priority. Our team of employees and contractors are knowledgeable and skilled; they work with their heads and hearts. We value relationships and treat everyone with respect because we believe great people make a great company. We believe in doing the right thing, taking ownership, and being accountable even when no one else is looking. In addition to our decades of experience in property management, Borba Property Group offers many conveniences, including: Owner portal where you can view financial statements, access documents, and set up online payment options Resident portal where tenants can submit maintenance requests and pay rent Online rental applications that streamline the application process The ability to pay rent at convenient locations like CVS and 7-Eleven Contact us to learn more about how we can help you improve your investment property ROI.
One of the biggest headaches a property owner or investor faces is tenant turnover. The root cause is often unhappy residents. They are more likely to abuse or neglect your property and may not report a maintenance issue until it becomes an expensive repair. They can give your building a bad reputation and make it difficult to find new residents. Furthermore, too many empty units make it difficult to raise rents for the units that are occupied. The good news: the best weapon you have is a customer-focused property manager who: Communicates with you, vendors, and tenants frequently Is transparent and does not withhold information Treats everyone with respect and honesty Does the right thing and looks for ways to solve problems, not escalate them Attends to maintenance issues promptly Keeps you informed, so there are no surprises Find a Hidden Gem: Build Your Property Manager's Skills and Confidence What happens if your property manager is not up to the job? Sometimes all it takes are simple changes on your part to discover your property manager has potential after all. Adjust your expectations. Have you been clear and consistent from the start? Are you expecting your property manager to work the way you do? If either of these is true, reassess your behaviors first. Learn more about your property manager, especially now with the challenges presented by the coronavirus. Even if you already have a good relationship, reach out and find out how they are doing. Discover what has changed for them. They may be facing eldercare issue, homeschooling for young ones, and their own fears, stresses, and uncertainties. Understand their underlying concerns and, if necessary, adjust your approach and expectations accordingly. Level with them. It is not fair if you are not honest and open with your property manager. Give feedback as promptly as possible. Use specific examples whenever you can. Ask for their thoughts, explain what you observed without blaming your manager, then give guidance for improvement. For example, "Ms. Jones seemed pretty upset. What do you think was going on?" After hearing your property manager out, provide feedback, and suggest a better way to handle the issue. Do not lecture. Make this a two-way conversation and an opportunity for learning. Help them learn to self-correct. Ask questions like, "How do you think you could do better in the future?" or "What else could you do to avoid this the next time it happens?" Build self-awareness and confidence by showing you trust they can improve. Stay in touch. It is your job to communicate with your property manager and keep them in the loop. This is not one of those times where "no news is good news." Schedule regular contact and stick to the schedule. This critical touchpoint communicates respect and encourages openness. Our Secret for Success At Borba Property Group, we work with our heads and our hearts to help owners and investors overcome challenges like tenant turnover. We believe in keeping our team of top-notch property managers happy, starting with hiring the right person for the job. Then we ask them to embrace our family spirit, have fun, play as a team, and acknowledge a higher power that moves our company. If these sound like the type of managers you would want for your property, contact us to see how we can help you.
