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How to Protect Your Arlington Rental from Fraudulent Applications & Scams

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:00:14 GMT

Have you encountered a rental application that seems too good to be true, or worked with an applicant who was a little bit too eager to sign the lease agreement and move in right away?

Fraudulent applications and rental scams are on the rise.

Independent rental property owners are often more vulnerable to dishonest applicants, particularly when self-managing with limited access to advanced screening systems. Scammers have become more sophisticated, leveraging technology to falsify documents, steal identities, and manipulate leasing procedures.

Protecting your Arlington rental property requires a structured, disciplined approach to applicant screening, document verification, and leasing workflows. We’re providing a review of the most prevalent types of application fraud affecting Arlington landlords today, as well as actionable strategies to mitigate risk and safeguard your investment.

Why Is This a Thing?

Rental application fraud encompasses any deliberate misrepresentation intended to secure a lease under false pretenses. While some applicants simply gloss over negative details, others actively manipulate documentation or personal information. In Arlington’s competitive rental environment, owners must be able to identify the difference.

It’s becoming easier and more dangerous because of technology and because landlords are eager to get their homes rented. Some tenants are also concerned they won’t be approved for a rental home on their own merits, so they turn to desperate and dishonest solutions.

Common Types of Fraud and Scams

The most common categories of rental application fraud that we see include the following.

Income and Employment Fraud

Applicants may provide fabricated pay stubs, altered W-2s, falsified employment letters, or use “salary verification” services that generate convincing but illegitimate documents.

Identity Fraud

There’s also a growing risk of identity fraud, where people will use stolen or synthetic identities, where applicants may pass background checks under another person’s name. This type of fraud can lead to unpaid rent, property damage, and difficulty enforcing lease terms because the information on file is inaccurate.

Fraudulent References

Applicants sometimes supply the name of a friend or relative as a “prior landlord” or reference. In more elaborate scams, they may create fake email addresses and phone numbers to impersonate employers or property owners.

Occupancy Fraud

This occurs when applicants misrepresent their intended use of the property. Examples include individuals who plan to sublease without authorization, those attempting to run a business from the residence, or applicants misrepresenting the number of people who will occupy the unit.

Third-Party Leasing Scams

In some cases, scammers pose as legitimate renters seeking a property, lease it, and then list the unit fraudulently on social platforms or marketplace sites. They collect deposits from unwitting victims and disappear.

Understanding these patterns is the first step toward building a prevention strategy.

Implement Strong Identity Verification Procedures

Identity verification is foundational. Without certainty about who is applying, no subsequent screening step is reliable. We recommend using technology that validates government-issued IDs. This is an important first step. Several property management platforms and screening services now include ID authentication tools that check for inconsistencies in security features, formatting, and photo manipulation.

Require applicants to submit unaltered, high-quality images or scans. Low-resolution or cropped images are red flags. Many scammers intentionally blur sensitive areas to conceal edits.

You want to match identification details to other documents. The address on a driver’s license should reasonably correspond with the applicant’s stated rental history. Names, middle initials, and dates must be consistent across documents.

If something looks funny, be skeptical. Recently issued IDs, for example, when an applicant claims to have lived in the state for the last 10 years could be an issue. While there are legitimate reasons for recent issuance, this is a common indicator of synthetic identities.

Choose Screening Providers Wisely

Third-party screening services offer automated tools that analyze data, detect inconsistencies, and cross-reference information against national databases. They provide criminal background checks, eviction histories, and credit reports. They can be a great tool for self-managing landlords who do not have the support of a property management partner.

As property management experts , we use tools and technology that allows for:

Automated fraud detection algorithms
Cross-matching data from multiple sources
Identity verification features
Employment and income verification services
Secure applicant portals to prevent tampering

This helps us to keep screening processes safe, objective, and comprehensive. We avoid manual screening processes because they are not sufficient against modern digital fraud activity.

Scrutinize Income and Employment Documentation

Income verification is one of the most frequent targets of manipulation because it is a gatekeeper for tenancy approval. Arlington’s rental rates are higher than national averages, increasing the incentive for applicants to misrepresent earnings.

We recommend the following best practices:

1. Examine pay stub formatting and consistency.

Professional payroll systems follow standardized structures. Look for alignment, font mismatches, mathematical errors, or inconsistent employer details.

2. Validate employer information independently.

Use publicly available corporate websites or LinkedIn to confirm the company exists. Cross-check the applicant’s job title and manager information. Do not rely solely on the phone number the applicant provides.

3. Verify pay frequency and deposit records.

If bank statements are submitted, ensure deposits match the paystub amounts and dates. Inconsistencies are meaningful.

4. Be cautious with “verification services” listed by the applicant.

While some employers use legitimate payroll verification portals, many fraudulent document generators mimic these platforms. Confirm the domain, website history, and business legitimacy before accepting verification from an unfamiliar service.

5. Request multiple forms of income evidence.

For salaried roles, this may include recent pay stubs, W-2s, or an offer letter. For self-employed applicants, require tax returns, bank statements, and business documentation.

Check Rental History Diligently

Because rental history provides evidence of behavior patterns, fraudulent applicants frequently attempt to obscure past evictions or problematic tenancy.

Call prior landlords using verified contact information. Never rely exclusively on phone numbers provided in the application. Use county records, online property listings, or public tax databases to confirm ownership. Ask specific, behavior-based questions. General questions allow fake references to fabricate answers, while targeted questions make misinformation more difficult. Examples include:

Were there any late payments?
Did the applicant receive any lease violations?
Was the security deposit returned in full?

Verify move-in and move-out dates , which should align with employment dates, utility records, and the applicant’s stated timeline. Watch for inconsistencies in addresses, too. Applicants sometimes list properties they never lived in or modify the dates to hide gaps related to evictions or disputes.

Red Flags Arlington Landlords Should Watch For

While no single red flag automatically indicates fraud, combinations of warning signs warrant further scrutiny. Common indicators that always get our attention include:

Rush requests to move in immediately
Refusal to complete the online application
Hesitation to provide documentation or ID
Overly aggressive negotiation on rent or terms
Inconsistencies in the name spelling across documents
Documents missing key information (dates, employer addresses, pay periods)
Email addresses that appear templated or throwaway (like recent Gmail accounts with a long list of random numbers)
Phone numbers that cannot be traced to real businesses

Remain vigilant when several indicators appear at once.

Implement Secure, Controlled Leasing Workflows

Fraud is more likely when leasing processes are unstructured or conducted through informal channels. Secure your workflow with the following practices:

1. Use a dedicated online portal for applications.

Platforms with secure document submission reduce the likelihood of tampering.

2. Avoid email-based document collection.

Email attachments are easier to falsify, harder to track, and less secure.

3. Never accept cash for deposits or rent.

Cash transactions are a tactic in sublease scams and can create major legal complications.

4. Maintain strict controls over lease execution.

Use digital signature platforms that verify identity and prevent unauthorized edits.

Protect Against Third-Party Listing Scams

Arlington’s competitive housing environment has given rise to an increase in unauthorized re-listing scams, where fraudulent actors post real rental units on online marketplaces at discounted rates.

To reduce this risk, set up periodic search alerts for your property’s address on major listing sites. Watermark listing photos to limit misuse.

Use a professional property management website with authoritative SEO to establish your property as the legitimate source and clearly instruct prospects to apply only through your official portal, never through third-party links.

Promptly report fraudulent listings to the platform and local authorities.

Professional Property Management in Arlington

Managing fraud risk requires time, technology, and expertise. Professional property management teams like ours can leverage:

Advanced screening software
Trained leasing staff familiar with fraud indicators
Strict verification procedures
Secure applicant portals
Compliance oversight
Established workflows that reduce exposure

Partnering with a property management company often provides stronger risk mitigation and faster, more reliable leasing outcomes.

Slower Rental Market in Arlington: Why Vacancies Are Taking Longer, and How Owners Can Fill Them Faster

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Why does it feel like your Arlington rental is sitting on the market longer than it used to?

If you are an Arlington rental property owner, you may have noticed a clear shift in the pace of leasing over the past several months. Properties that once generated multiple inquiries within days are taking longer to rent. Showings feel slower. Applications are trickling in rather than arriving in clusters. Even well-maintained homes in desirable neighborhoods are not immune.

This is not unique to your property, and it is not a result of anything you are doing wrong. Arlington’s rental market is experiencing a period of cooling, which is driven by a combination of new construction increasing available housing supply and seasonal demand patterns that naturally soften interest. While the market remains healthy and competitive overall, the dynamics have changed enough that property owners must adjust strategies accordingly.

Quick Summary:

Contributors to the slowdown in the market include increasing inventory and seasonal pacing.
There’s also been a shift in tenant behavior, driven by higher prices and inflation.
Fill vacancies faster with accurate pricing.
Create curb appeal online with your listing as well as at your property to improve marketing.
Make smart upgrades and improvements that make your property more competitive.
Communication is always important, but especially when filling vacancies. Be responsive.

Understanding the Slowdown: Arlington’s Shifting Rental Market

Arlington’s rental market has long benefited from its proximity to Washington, D.C., its reputation as a hub for federal agencies and contractors, and its dense concentration of high-paying jobs. Historically, this meant extremely low vacancy rates and rapid leasing cycles. However, several conditions have converged to extend marketing times across nearly all property classes.

New Construction Is Increasing Available Rental Inventory

In recent years, Arlington has seen a considerable amount of new development, particularly in Rosslyn-Ballston, Crystal City, and National Landing. Luxury mid-rise and high-rise buildings continue to come online, adding hundreds of new units at a time. Even if absorption remains strong, the pace at which these units are delivered has increased the total rental stock available.

More Options for Renters Means Longer Decisions

A larger supply naturally slows the leasing cycle because prospective renters have more properties to compare. Newer buildings offer concessions such as one month free, waived application fees, or discounted parking. All of this means that renters who previously had limited choices can now take more time to evaluate locations, amenities, and floor plans.

This expansion of Class A inventory has a ripple effect on all other property types, including older apartments, townhomes, and single-family rentals. Renters who might have leased a more modest unit are now entertaining alternative options due to pricing incentives offered by new buildings.

Competition Is Pushing Owners to Reevaluate Pricing

New construction typically enters the market at higher price points; however, to lease quickly, developers often introduce aggressive promotional pricing. As a result, even if your Arlington rental is competitively priced relative to similar homes, you may be effectively competing against concessions that temporarily lower the net cost of new apartments.

Owners who do not track this shifting landscape often overestimate the market rate, resulting in longer vacancies.

Seasonal Factors Are Reducing Renter Demand

Seasonality plays an outsized role in rental activity across Northern Virginia. Demand tends to peak between late spring and early fall due to:

College graduations
Federal agency rotations
Military relocations
Family moves timed around the school year
Internship cycles in the D.C. metro area

As temperatures drop or the holiday season begins, renter activity declines. Most people avoid moving during winter for logistical and financial reasons.

If your property became vacant between October and March, you will inevitably face a slower leasing environment, even if the unit is well-priced and well-presented.

Seasonality only amplifies the impact of new inventory. With new construction already crowding the market, the seasonal slowdown intensifies and rental listings stay active longer. Showings take more time to schedule and applicants are likely to qualify but delay committing while exploring more options.

This is not a reflection of property quality. It is simply a result of reduced foot traffic combined with more available units.

Other Market Forces Influencing Leasing Velocity

While inventory and seasonality are the two primary drivers, other localized factors contribute to the longer leasing timelines Arlington owners are experiencing.

Higher Costs of Living Are Adjusting Renter Expectations

Renters today face elevated costs associated with transportation, groceries, and utilities. Even those who can comfortably afford Arlington rents are scrutinizing value more than ever. They are comparing commute options, neighborhood amenities, and the condition of properties more closely.

Remote and Hybrid Work Are Changing Location Priorities

Many D.C.-area professionals no longer need to be physically close to their offices five days a week. Some are choosing to live farther out where rents are lower, while others are prioritizing amenities such as in-unit workspaces or community co-working lounges.

Delayed Household Formations

Economic caution has led some renters to extend existing leases, move in with roommates, or stay with family longer. These behaviors reduce new leasing demand.

Combined, these trends shape a leasing environment in which property owners must work harder and smarter to attract qualified applicants.

How Arlington Owners Can Fill Vacancies Faster

The good news: even in a slower market, well-executed leasing strategies can significantly shorten vacancy periods. Below are targeted, actionable approaches that align with the current conditions in Arlington.

Ensure Pricing Is Precisely Aligned with Market Conditions

In an oversupplied market, correct pricing is your most important tool. Do not rely on outdated assumptions or last year’s rent. Evaluate active comparable listings, recently leased properties, concessions and incentives being offered by nearby buildings, amenities, and property condition.

Even a $50 to $100 monthly difference can be enough to attract prospects quickly. An overpriced property will sit, especially when new construction offers promotional pricing.

You might consider some short term incentives that can improve your competitive standing without undermining long-term rental income . Examples include a one-time move-in credit, flexible lease start dates, or perhaps a complimentary cleaning upon move-in

These can make your Arlington rental stand out without slashing the contract rent.

Optimize the Property’s Online Presentation

Renters start their search online, and first impressions are formed in seconds. This makes professional photography essential. Slower markets require elevated marketing quality. High-resolution, well-lit photography increases listing engagement dramatically. Consider virtual tours. Many renters now evaluate properties remotely. Your detailed video tour can expand your applicant pool and increase the number of showings. Descriptions should not only be clear and compelling, but keyword-optimized as well. Highlight the neighborhood and whether there’s metro access or parking. Mention upgrades you might have made and whether pets are permitted. Include details renters frequently ask about to increase transparency and reduce unnecessary inquiries.

Strategic Upgrades and Improvements

When supply increases, renters expect more. Cost-effective improvements that have a major impact include:

Fresh paint in neutral tones
Modern, consistent lighting
Updated cabinet hardware
Refreshed landscaping
Steam-cleaned carpets or refinished floors

These details help your unit compete against newer buildings.

Remember that pet-friendly homes often rent faster and at higher rates. If your property can accommodate pets safely, this policy adjustment may shorten vacancy time significantly.

The Importance of Communication in Avoiding Vacancy

Speed matters now more than ever. Respond to inquiries within hours, not days. Quick engagement:

Demonstrates professionalism,
Keeps prospects focused on your property, and
Reduces the chance they move on to competing listings.

Consider using automated inquiry responses, online scheduling tools for showings, and pre-screening questionnaires. A structured system helps maintain momentum.

Offer Flexible Lease Start Dates and Terms

Rigid lease requirements can prolong vacancies. This is the time to think outside of the box when you’re looking for tenants. Flexibility will attract more applicants, so consider allowing 12–24 month leases. You might want to allow mid-month move-ins. The more adaptable you are, the larger your potential applicant pool.

Work With a Professional Property Manager in a Slow Arlington Rental Market

It’s always beneficial to have a professional property manager on your side , but this can be especially helpful in slower markets, when you’re trying to find tenants and limit vacancy loss. Our technology, focus, and market-specific experience can dramatically reduce vacancy periods. Count on us to:

Conduct real-time pricing assessments
Track concessions offered by comparable buildings
Provide high-quality marketing materials
Coordinate and expedite showings
Maintain large databases of qualified prospective renters

For Arlington owners seeking predictable rental performance, professional leasing support is often a high-ROI investment.

The Arlington rental market is experiencing a period of slower demand due to two primary drivers: increased inventory from new construction and predictable seasonal patterns that reduce renter activity. Combined with broader economic factors, these shifts have lengthened vacancy times and increased competition.

2026 Key Regulatory Changes for Arlington Rental Owners (What You Must Know)

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:00:04 GMT

What do you need to know about the legal landscape for Arlington rental homes in 2026?

We have some laws from 2025 that are taking effect and we also have some new legislation that’s likely to be introduced that we need to talk about.

Remember that staying ahead of new laws and regulations is essential to avoid costly penalties, ensure compliance, and protect both yourself and your tenant relationships. Proactive research, regular training, and leveraging industry resources help adapt to legal changes efficiently.

If you don’t have time to keep up, make sure you’re partnering with an expert who can, like our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Quick Summary:

No rent control in Virginia, but Arlington continues to discuss limiting increases in the future.
Laws around rental fee disclosure, credit reporting, and notification of nonrenewal will be implemented in 2026.
Make sure your lease agreement and other processes are compliant with all updated laws.
Work with property managers to ensure compliance.

Arlington County Board’s 2026 Legislative Priorities Package

Arlington County has adopted its 2026 legislative package, and one of the noteworthy elements is new language supporting anti-rent-gouging protections, which could eventually lead to limits on how much rents can be increased annually. This is not yet law , but it reflects Arlington’s intent to pursue legislation at the state level that would give localities the authority to enact rent increase limitations or related protections.

This is currently a policy position and advocacy priority, not an enforceable regulation in Arlington. The state of Virginia does not allow for rent control or rent stabilization, not even at the local level. The County Board is signaling to the Virginia General Assembly its desire for anti-rent-gouging authority, which could result in future statutory changes beginning in 2026 or later.

State of Virginia Legislative Changes Affecting Landlords (Effective 2025–2026)

Much of rental regulation in Arlington flows from state law, specifically the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) and related statutes. Several state changes passed in recent legislative sessions will be implemented in 2026, and continue to affect Arlington rental owners.

Mandatory Disclosure of Rental Fees in Leases

Under new state law, landlords must disclose all rent and fee charges on the first page of the written lease agreement. This requirement helps ensure transparency about charges such as pet fees or amenity fees.

Mandatory Provision of Credit Report to Applicants

Landlords who obtain a credit report on an applicant must now provide the applicant with a copy of that report within seven days, even if the applicant does not request it.

Written Notice for Lease Nonrenewal

A significant new requirement applies to landlords who own more than four rental units in 2026. These landlords must provide written notice of nonrenewal of a lease to the tenant before the lease expires.

This change reflects updates to Virginia law that took effect in 2025 and will be part of the landlord-tenant regulatory landscape for 2026.

Expanded Tenant Protections and Court Programs

State law updates also include broader enrollment in eviction diversion programs, expanded lease termination rights for certain crime victims, and restrictions on processing fees unless landlords offer an alternative no-fee payment method. These changes help shape how landlords must handle lease terminations, evictions, and tenant interactions.

Local Zoning Ordinance and Housing Policy Updates (Indirect Impact)

While not direct rental regulations, zoning and housing policy changes in Arlington affect the housing supply and development environment, which in turn can influence rental markets and regulatory context:

Recent amendments expanded adaptive reuse of office buildings, facilitating conversion into residential units, effectively increasing housing supply.

Changes to zoning continue to support multifamily development and adjustments for neighborhood needs, though these are land-use governance changes rather than direct landlord-tenant regulations.

Understanding these ordinances is important because they shape long-term rental market conditions such as inventory growth and neighborhood composition, which can indirectly affect management and regulatory pressures.

Action Items for Arlington Rental Property Owners (2025–2026)

Here’s what you need to do and know to ensure you’re compliant heading into 2026.

1.Update Lease Documents for Mandatory Fee Disclosure

Virginia law now requires that all rent amounts and fees must be listed on the first page of the lease. This includes pet fees, amenity fees, parking fees, management fees, and non-optional service charges. Review your lease templates and move all fees, rent breakdowns, and recurring charges to page one. Ensure wording is clear and consistent.

2.Add a Process for Providing Applicants Copies of Their Credit Report

Landlords must provide every rental applicant with a copy of the credit report used in screening.

Deliver it within seven days of receiving the report, even if the applicant does not ask. This should be part of your standard tenant screening process . Save each credit report and email the applicant a copy with a time-stamped note saying it is provided under Virginia law. Document delivery for compliance.

3.Build a Notice Procedure for Nonrenewal (For Owners of More Than Four Units)

If you own more than four rental units, you now must provide written notice if you do not intend to renew a tenant’s lease. Deliver the notice before the lease ends, using the method specified in the lease (be that mail, email, posting). Establish a calendar process so that lease expirations trigger a reminder 60–90 days before renewal. Make sure your lease templates allow email delivery if you prefer that channel.

4.Review Your Application, Screening, and Fee Policies

Recent state laws expand tenant protections related to screening fees, application transparency, and alternative payment methods. Check that your application fee does not exceed Virginia’s legal limit, you offer a no-fee payment method for screening or application payments if required, and that all required disclosures appear in your application and lease packages.

5. Monitor Arlington’s Push for Anti-Rent-Gouging Authority

Arlington County is advocating for legislation in 2026 that would give local governments the authority to set limits on excessive rent increases. Track the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session (January–March) and be prepared for potential requirements in the future such as notice periods for larger rent increases, caps on annual rent increases tied to CPI or another formula, and mandatory rent increase disclosures.

For now, no rent control exists, but owners should stay informed because this topic is moving.

6. Monitor Zoning Updates That Affect the Rental Landscape

Arlington continues to adjust zoning rules affecting residential density, multifamily construction, and adaptive reuse projects (such as office-to-residential conversions). These changes can indirectly impact market rents and competition. Subscribe to:

Arlington County Board updates,
Zoning Ordinance amendment bulletins,
Housing policy newsletters.

This helps you anticipate new supply entering the market.

7.Audit Your Move-In/Move-Out Procedures for Compliance

Virginia’s landlord-tenant law has strengthened requirements related to security deposit itemization, tenant rights during inspection, delivery of termination notices, and eviction diversion program participation in certain cases. With this in mind, make sure your current procedures include documented move-in condition reports, a consistent deposit deduction format, and written notice templates for nonrenewal, termination, and violations.

8.Update Your Application Communication Templates

To comply with new transparency and notice requirements, update your standard applicant communications to include:

Application fee disclosures,
Fee schedules,
Statements on how credit reports will be shared,
Clear timelines for screening and decisions.

This reduces liability and enhances professionalism.

9. Review Marketing Materials for Accuracy and Fee Alignment

Since you must disclose all fees clearly, ensure your marketing aligns with your lease . Check that your online listings match your lease in terms of pet fees, parking charges, amenity fees, required deposits, and any utilities the tenant is responsible for.

Consistency reduces disputes and regulatory risk.

Professional Property Management in Arlington

Professional property management in Arlington plays a critical role in minimizing an owner’s risk and ensuring full compliance with Virginia’s evolving state and local regulations. With frequent legislative updates affecting leasing procedures, disclosures, notices, and tenant protections, self-managing landlords can unintentionally expose themselves to legal and financial liabilities.

A qualified property management team like ours monitors regulatory changes, implements compliant lease documents, and enforces consistent processes for screening, notices, and documentation. We also reduce risk through thorough tenant vetting, proactive maintenance, and timely response to issues. For Arlington owners, professional management provides a structured, compliant operating framework that protects both the property and long-term investment performance .

With more legislative movement, especially around rent-increase oversight, we have found that landlords and property owners increasingly need our professional management services to:

Ensure compliance with changing laws,
Maintain documentation and notices,
Handle screening workflow,
Monitor local legislative developments,
Adjust rent strategies quickly based on market and regulatory shifts.

Does Your Tenant Screening Report Seem Incomplete?

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:00:01 GMT

A lot of landlords think they do a great job of screening tenants. And then, they’re surprised when rent is late every month, lease violations are discovered, or the tenant leaves before the end of the tenancy without any notice.

If you keep running into problem tenants despite your commitment to a good screening process, it’s possible that your tenant screening report is incomplete.

You’ll need to do more than pull a credit report. Ensuring your rental property is occupied by reliable tenants is crucial to the long-term success of your investment property, so take the time and invest the resources to dig deep into tenant screening. A thorough screening process not only helps to mitigate risks but also ensures the stability of your rental income.

General screening reports can provide a snapshot of a prospective tenant’s financial and rental history, but they are not always comprehensive. A missing piece of the puzzle can lead to bad tenant selection, resulting in late payments, property damage, or even evictions.

Here’s a look at what you might be missing and why you want to bring more details into the tenant screening process.

Benefits of a Good Screening Report

Tenant screening is used by property managers and landlords to assess potential tenants’ backgrounds, financial stability, and rental history before approving an applicant for a property and signing a lease agreement. The screening process usually involves gathering information through a combination of tenant application forms, credit checks, background checks, and references.

Tenant screening reports typically cover:

Credit history. This shows how financially responsible the tenant has been, including their payment history for credit cards, loans, and other financial obligations.
Criminal background check. This helps identify if the tenant has a history of criminal activity that could pose a risk to you or other tenants.
Eviction history. You want to know whether the tenant has previously been evicted and why, helping to assess the potential risk of eviction in the future.
Rental history. This includes references from past landlords to evaluate how well the tenant maintained previous properties, paid rent on time, and followed lease terms.

While these factors are crucial, they don't always tell the whole story. Here’s our list of some of the most common missing elements in tenant screening reports that landlords should be aware of.

Inaccurate or Outdated Credit Reports

A tenant’s credit score is often one of the first things landlords look at when assessing their application. However, many screening services provide credit reports that may not be fully accurate or up to date. Here’s why:

You might be working with outdated information . Sometimes, credit reports may still show old debts or accounts that have already been paid off or settled. This can be especially problematic for tenants who have improved their financial situation but are still being judged by old data.
Lack of information on non-traditional credit. Some tenants, especially younger individuals or those with limited credit history, might not have a traditional credit score. In such cases, credit reports might not reflect the full financial picture, leaving landlords without important context.
Reporting delays . Credit bureaus might not immediately update a tenant’s credit status after they pay down significant debt or settle disputes, potentially providing an inaccurate view of their financial reliability.

You also might have tenants who dispute the results you gather from a credit report. It’s a good idea to use a service or to have your screening done through a team of property managers. We can access additional information, such as utility payment histories or rent payment histories, to help paint a more complete picture. Our resources are generally deeper than those of independent landlords who may struggle to get more than the basic credit report.

Lack of Tenant History Verification

While tenant screening reports often provide a rental history, this section is often limited to just a basic list of previous addresses and rent payments. It’s important to verify the rental history that’s being provided. Otherwise, your screening report could lack some pertinent information. Tenants may provide incomplete or incorrect details about their previous rental history. Additionally, landlords from previous properties may not be responsive to reference requests or provide incomplete feedback.

Some tenant screening reports provide only basic information such as past addresses and rental payments but lack verification of behavior issues or property care. This could mean you miss red flags, such as past complaints about noise, damage to the property, or disputes over lease violations.

If you’re not feeling like you have a full picture of an applicant’s previous rental experience, call your landlord references. Ask for specific details about the tenant’s behavior and whether they adhered to lease agreements. If the prospective tenant has rented from a property management company , they may be able to provide more detailed insights into their tenancy.

Limited Criminal Background Information

A criminal background check is one of the most common tools used by landlords to assess tenant risk, but criminal histories are becoming a bit of a fair housing issue in some cases. Make sure you’re being objective and fair and reach out to a property manager in Northern Virginia or an attorney to make sure you’re not misusing criminal background data.

Many landlords will also mistakenly assume that a clean criminal background check automatically means a safe tenant. Here’s why you need to be cautious:

State or County Limits . Some criminal background checks only cover specific counties or states, meaning they may not show criminal records in other jurisdictions. This can result in a false sense of security if the tenant has a criminal record in a different location.
Incomplete Records. Not all criminal offenses appear on background checks, especially if the offenses are older or have been expunged.
Sex Offender Registries. Criminal background checks might not include information on whether a tenant is listed in sex offender registries. This is particularly important if your rental property is near schools or playgrounds.

Ensure you use a comprehensive background check service that searches multiple databases to catch any relevant records, including local, state, and federal databases. We always include sex offender registries in our criminal background search.

Insufficient Income Verification

If you’re asking for income information but not verifying it, then your tenant screening report is definitely lacking.

A tenant’s ability to pay rent on time is one of the most important factors in the screening process, but income verification is often overlooked or inadequately conducted. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Overstated Income. Tenants may exaggerate their income or provide incomplete financial information to make themselves appear more reliable. A simple self-reported income on an application is not enough to ensure their ability to meet rent payments.
No Verification of Employment . Some screening reports include basic information about income but fail to verify the tenant's employment status or confirm the stability of their income.
Irregular Income . Freelancers, self-employed individuals, and gig workers may have irregular incomes that aren't well-reflected in traditional pay stubs, making it harder for landlords to assess their financial stability.

In any of these situations, ask for multiple forms of income verification, including pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns. For tenants who are self-employed or freelancers, request proof of consistent income, such as contracts, invoices, or business financial statements.

Missing or Incomplete References

Remember that not all references are equal. A tenant’s family member or close friend may be inclined to provide a biased reference, which might not be as useful as references from neutral third parties like former employers or professional acquaintances.

Tenant screening is an essential part of the leasing process, but it’s important to recognize that tenant screening reports are not always complete, especially if you’re trying to screen tenants on your own without the resources that a property manager can provide.

Inaccurate or missing information can result in you making decisions based on incomplete or flawed data. As a landlord, you want to conduct a thorough screening and fill in the gaps wherever possible. By being proactive in verifying credit reports, criminal history, references, and employment, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure you select tenants who are reliable, financially responsible, and a good fit for your rental property .

As your property management partner, we can provide a comprehensive and accurate tenant screening process, you protect your investment, minimize the risk of late payments, property damage, and legal issues , and foster a positive relationship with your tenants.

If you have any questions about tenant screening or you’d like some help making sure that only the most qualified residents are placed in your Northern Virginia rental property, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Top-Rated Schools, Restaurants, and Attractions in Arlington

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:00:03 GMT

When it comes to real estate investments, one factor stands above all others: location. Even if you’re new to real estate investing , you know that the location of a property is a big part of determining its value, potential for appreciation, and long-term rental demand.

A property situated in a highly desirable area will generally see greater demand, higher rental rates, and consistent price growth compared to those in less desirable locations.

Not sure how to define a “desirable” location? Generally, an investment property will do well as a rental when it’s close to excellent schools, good restaurants, and local attractions. What does that mean for your property in Arlington ?

We’re going to talk about it.

Location Will Always Matter to Real Estate Investment

When evaluating a potential investment property, understanding the significance of location is absolutely one of your first priorities. Here's why:

Property Appreciation and Value

Real estate is generally a long-term investment, and one of the primary goals is to achieve property appreciation. Locations with strong economic growth, access to top schools, vibrant local culture, and increasing demand tend to experience higher rates of appreciation over time. In these areas, properties are likely to gain value , providing a solid return on investment for investors.

Rental Demand and Yield

In areas with good schools, easy access to transportation, and proximity to business hubs, rental properties are in high demand. This ensures steady rental income for property owners . Good locations also tend to offer higher rent prices due to their desirability. Areas near schools and entertainment tend to attract families, professionals, retirees, and students—making these neighborhoods highly sought after for long-term rentals.

Quality of Life and Livability

A neighborhood's livability is a major factor that attracts qualified tenants. Proximity to parks, restaurants, schools, and shopping centers all contribute to a higher quality of life. The better the quality of life in a location, the higher the demand for properties in that area.

Access to Amenities

Properties located near key amenities such as transportation hubs, retail outlets, hospitals, and entertainment venues are often in high demand. They not only provide convenience but also enhance the area’s appeal. Proximity to major highways or public transportation options increases the accessibility of an area, making it more attractive for renters and buyers.

Arlington, VA: A Smart Location for Real Estate Investment

Arlington, Virginia, is one of the most desirable locations in the Washington, D.C. metro area for real estate investors. Just across the Potomac River from downtown D.C., Arlington offers a perfect balance of urban amenities, residential charm, and easy access to key government and business neighborhoods. Its strategic location, combined with a strong economy, excellent schools, diverse culture, and top-rated amenities, makes Arlington an appealing market for real estate investment.

Here’s a closer look at some of those top-rated schools, restaurants, and attractions in Arlington that make it such an attractive location for investors.

Top-Rated Schools in Arlington, VA

For families, the quality of local schools is often a deciding factor in choosing where to live. Properties in areas with access to top-rated schools tend to see greater demand, particularly among families with children. In Arlington, residents have access to some of the best public and private schools in the region.

Yorktown High School
Consistently ranked among the best high schools in Virginia, Yorktown High School is known for its rigorous academic programs and extensive extracurricular offerings. The school boasts a strong reputation for preparing students for college and future careers, and its performance in state testing and national rankings reflects its quality.
Washington-Liberty High School
Another highly ranked school in Arlington, Washington-Liberty High School offers an excellent academic curriculum, as well as a range of sports teams, clubs, and arts programs. It’s a top choice for families who prioritize education and want their children to be part of a school that emphasizes both academic excellence and community engagement.
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
For middle school students, Thomas Jefferson is an excellent option. The school is highly rated for its innovative curriculum, committed faculty, and a strong emphasis on preparing students for high school and beyond. Its programs include advanced math, science, and language arts courses, making it a popular choice among parents.
Arlington Traditional School
Known for its focus on a well-rounded education, Arlington Traditional School is a K-8 school that combines traditional teaching methods with modern educational techniques. The school offers a high standard of instruction in subjects like math, reading, and social studies.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Arlington, VA

Let’s talk about food, because good restaurants are important to good neighborhoods. The appeal of a location is not just defined by its educational offerings but also by its dining and entertainment scene. Arlington is home to an exceptional array of restaurants. These are the restaurants you want your rental property to be close to:

The Italian Store
A local favorite for more than 30 years, The Italian Store is known for its delicious Italian food, including freshly made pizzas, sandwiches, and specialty dishes. It’s a great spot for casual dining and is loved for its authentic flavors and charming atmosphere.
Café Colline
For those who appreciate French cuisine, Café Colline offers a refined dining experience with exquisite French-inspired dishes. The elegant décor and extensive wine list make this an ideal spot for a romantic evening or a business dinner.
Ray’s the Steaks
Known for serving some of the best steaks in the area, Ray’s the Steaks is a popular spot for meat lovers. The restaurant focuses on quality cuts of meat and offers an outstanding dining experience with a casual yet stylish ambiance.
Taco Bamba
Taco Bamba offers inventive and delicious tacos with a twist. The vibrant flavors and fun atmosphere make it a top choice for those who love Mexican food and are looking for something unique. It’s a great option for a quick and tasty meal.
Green Pig Bistro
A cozy neighborhood bistro, Green Pig specializes in comfort food with a modern twist. The focus here is on high-quality ingredients and creative menu offerings, from juicy burgers to mouthwatering pork dishes. It’s a great option for those looking to enjoy a relaxed, tasty meal.

Top-Rated Attractions in Arlington, VA

Arlington offers a blend of historical landmarks, natural beauty, and cultural attractions that make it a desirable location for both residents and tourists. These attractions contribute to the overall appeal of the area and make it a vibrant place to live. As you’re thinking about where to invest in Arlington, consider how easy it is to reach these attractions.

Arlington National Cemetery
One of the most iconic sites in the U.S., Arlington National Cemetery is a must-visit for anyone in the area. It’s a place of remembrance, honoring the lives of military personnel who have served the country. The cemetery features notable gravesites such as that of President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Pentagon
As the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon is not only a powerful symbol of the nation’s military strength but also a landmark in Arlington. While the building itself is not open to the public, visitors can enjoy the nearby Pentagon Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
A peaceful natural escape in the middle of the Potomac River, Theodore Roosevelt Island offers scenic walking trails and beautiful views of the river and surrounding area. It’s an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy some quiet time in nature.
Long Bridge Park
Long Bridge Park is an expansive green space offering sports fields, walking paths, and beautiful views of the Potomac River. It’s perfect for families and individuals who want to enjoy outdoor activities or simply relax in a scenic environment.
Clarendon
Clarendon is a vibrant neighborhood in Arlington that blends urban living with a sense of community. The area is filled with trendy shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular spot for young professionals and families alike. The local nightlife and entertainment options also add to its dynamic appeal.

Arlington, VA, is a good example of why location is such an important factor in real estate investing.

With top-rated schools, an abundance of dining options, and a host of cultural and historical attractions, the area offers everything that makes a location desirable for families, young professionals, and retirees. Additionally, its proximity to Washington, D.C. adds to its appeal, as the city offers easy access to job opportunities and government-related industries. You can see why Arlington presents an attractive market for real estate investors looking for properties with long-term value, strong rental demand, and a solid potential for appreciation.

Protecting Your Legacy: Estate Planning for Property Owners

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:00:05 GMT

Does it feel like it might be too soon to think about estate planning and the role your investment properties play in that plan?

Well, it’s not too soon at all.

As a property owner, you’ve likely spent years working hard to acquire and maintain your rental properties. Whether you own a single home or multiple units, these properties are more than just real estate; they represent your financial success, your future security, and your legacy. You have to think about what will happen to your properties after you’re gone.

While it’s not something anyone likes to dwell on, estate planning is crucial for ensuring that your assets, including your rental properties, are passed down according to your wishes. Failing to plan ahead could result in unnecessary taxes, unpleasant family disputes, or even the loss of your properties.

As your property manager partner , we can help you with preparing for the important process of estate planning. Here are some of the strategies you’ll want to use to protect your legacy.

Why Estate Planning Matters for Rental Property Owners

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are protected and passed on to the right people. As a rental property owner, you’re likely dealing with significant investments , whether they be residential or commercial. These assets can be difficult to manage without the proper planning. Here are a few reasons why estate planning is especially important for property owners:

Minimize Taxes and Maximize Wealth Transfer

Without proper estate planning, your heirs could face hefty estate and inheritance taxes that diminish the value of your properties. Estate planning allows you to structure your assets to minimize tax liabilities and ensure your heirs get the maximum benefit.

Prevent Family Disputes

Family drama isn’t good for anyone. When a property owner dies without a clear estate plan, it can lead to disputes among family members and beneficiaries. Some may want to sell the property , while others may want to keep it. A well-structured estate plan can avoid these conflicts by setting clear instructions about what should happen with the properties.

Streamline the Transfer Process

Without an estate plan, your heirs may need to go through a lengthy and costly probate process. This can delay the transfer of property and potentially impact the rental income that your beneficiaries would otherwise receive. Estate planning tools, like trusts, can help avoid probate and speed up the transfer process.

Protect Your Property Against Creditors and Lawsuits

If you have significant rental income, your properties could be at risk if you’re sued or face financial troubles. With the right estate planning strategies, you can protect your assets from creditors, ensuring your legacy remains intact for future generations.

For many property owners, the goal is to pass down their portfolio to children, grandchildren, or other family members. However, managing rental properties requires expertise. Estate planning allows you to create a roadmap for your heirs, including appointing property managers or other trusted individuals to oversee your assets after you’re gone.

Key Elements of an Estate Plan for Rental Property Owners

When it comes to estate planning, one size does not fit all. You’ll want to meet with a professional to focus on the specifics of your own portfolio. However, there are certain components that should be included in every estate plan, especially for property owners. Here are the most essential elements:

1.A Will
A will is the most basic and essential element of any estate plan. In a will, you’ll designate who will inherit your rental properties and how they will be divided among your heirs. The will should also include instructions on what should happen if one of your beneficiaries predeceases you or if any properties are to be sold or retained.

It’s important to note that a will only takes effect upon your death, and your estate will still need to go through probate. While a will is necessary, it’s often beneficial to complement it with other estate planning tools that can avoid probate.

2.A Trust
A trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can help you manage your rental properties both during your lifetime and after your death. Unlike a will, a trust does not go through probate, which can help ensure a smoother, quicker transfer of assets. With a trust, you can set up specific guidelines on how your properties should be managed, who will inherit them, and even how rental income should be distributed.

There are various types of trusts, but a revocable living trust is one of the most popular for property owners because it can be altered while you are alive. A special purpose trust, such as a real estate investment trust (REIT), may also be an option for managing rental properties in a way that benefits multiple generations.

3.Durable Power of Attorney (POA)
A durable power of attorney gives someone you trust the legal authority to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. For property owners, this means that if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself due to illness or injury, your agent can manage your rental properties on your behalf. Without a POA, a court may appoint someone to manage your assets, which could cause delays and lead to potential mismanagement.

4.Healthcare Directive and Living Will
While not directly related to your rental properties, healthcare directives and living wills are important parts of estate planning. These documents specify your wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that you become incapacitated. Having a healthcare directive in place can also prevent family disputes and ensure your medical preferences are respected.

5.Beneficiary Designations
Many property owners have life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or other assets that can be passed on via beneficiary designations. Ensure that your beneficiary designations are up to date, as these accounts typically pass outside of probate. Additionally, if you have any rental income generated from life insurance or annuities, naming a beneficiary on those accounts ensures the income continues for your heirs.

While not a legally binding document, think about composing a letter of instruction, which can provide your loved ones with guidance on the distribution of personal items, the management of your properties, and other matters that may not be covered in your will. This can be especially helpful for complex property portfolios, where instructions on property maintenance, tenant relationships, and specific rental strategies may need to be outlined.

Estate Planning Strategies for Rental Property Owners

Rental property owners have several strategies to protect their real estate investments and ensure a smooth transfer to future generations.

Forming an LLC for Your Properties

One way to protect your properties from creditors is by placing them in a limited liability company (LLC). An LLC is a separate legal entity that can protect your personal assets from lawsuits or debts associated with your rental properties. Additionally, LLCs offer flexibility in terms of transferring ownership interests, which can be beneficial when it comes time to pass on the properties.

Gifting Properties During Your Lifetime

If you’re looking to reduce the size of your estate for tax purposes or want to see your heirs enjoy the properties during your lifetime, consider gifting properties to your children or other family members. This can be done in stages, utilizing the annual gift exclusion limits to avoid estate taxes. Keep in mind that this strategy may have tax implications, so it’s important to consult with an estate planning attorney before gifting large assets.

Create a Family Limited Partnership (FLP)

A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) allows property owners to transfer ownership of rental properties to family members while maintaining control of the properties. This structure can help minimize estate taxes , protect assets from creditors, and provide a clear path for passing down ownership to future generations.

Consider Buy-Sell Agreements

If your rental properties are owned in partnership with others, it’s essential to have a buy-sell agreement in place. This agreement outlines what happens if a partner dies or becomes incapacitated. It can ensure that surviving partners are able to purchase the deceased partner’s share of the properties, preventing unwanted heirs from becoming involved in the business.

Timing Your Rental Investments: A Guide to Market Cycles

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 19:46:55 GMT

Oh, market cycles. They can cause a lot of anxiety for even the most experienced and level-headed investors.

In order to succeed with your real estate investments, you have to know when to invest. As the market fluctuates through cycles, understanding these cycles and how they affect rental property investments can significantly improve your chances of making profitable decisions .

Real estate investors who can time their investments well, regardless of whether the market is booming or down, will always find opportunities. The key is knowing how to spot those opportunities and leveraging the right timing to maximize returns.

We know that things may seem a little uncertain right now. Not only are we recovering from a period of high prices and inflation, we’re also dealing with some economic uncertainty, too. That can make things a bit chaotic.

Let’s talk about timing.

Why Timing Matters in Real Estate

Real estate is not like other investments, such as stocks or bonds. The stock market can experience daily or even minute-by-minute fluctuations, especially recently with get-wrenching drops and drama. The real estate market, however, moves more slowly.

That doesn’t mean the shifts aren’t impactful. They are. Understanding the cycles of the market, knowing when to buy and when to hold, and understanding how different conditions affect rental properties are all essential skills for any successful real estate investor.

Real estate investment, unlike some other forms of investment, is both illiquid and long-term. This means that, once you’ve made the investment, you’re generally committed for a longer period of time. If you buy a property in a market that’s in a downturn, you could be stuck with it until the market rebounds. But, buying at the right time, during an upswing, can ensure that your property appreciates quickly, and your rental income is maximized .

Timing equals success.

The Real Estate Market Cycle: What You Need to Know

The real estate market is cyclical, meaning it naturally goes through periods of expansion, contraction, and stabilization. The market doesn’t just go up and down randomly; it follows a predictable pattern based on various economic factors such as interest rates, job growth, consumer demand, and demographic trends. Understanding these cycles can help investors make informed decisions on when to buy, hold, or sell.

The four primary stages of the real estate market cycle are:

Recovery
Expansion
Peak
Recession

Each of these stages has a distinct impact on the rental property market and provides different opportunities for investors. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Recovery: The Early Signs of Growth

The recovery phase marks the end of a downturn or recession. During this time, the economy begins to stabilize, and real estate prices start to bottom out. While property prices may still be lower than during the previous boom, they are slowly beginning to rise. This is when savvy investors start to look for bargains.

For rental property investors, the recovery phase can be an excellent time to buy. The reason is that property values are still relatively low, but signs of a rebound are emerging. In addition, mortgage rates might be lower during recovery, making it an attractive time to lock in favorable financing terms.

What to look for in recovery market cycles:

Lower Purchase Prices . During recovery, real estate prices are still below their peak, offering the opportunity to buy properties at a discount before prices surge.
Improved Financing . As the economy stabilizes, lending standards may loosen, and mortgage rates may stay low, offering attractive financing options.
Rental Demand . As the market recovers, more people may be looking to rent due to job relocation, affordability issues, or a general preference for renting in a recovering market.

Expansion: Strong Growth and Increasing Prices

The expansion phase is characterized by rapid growth in the real estate market. During this period, the economy is performing well, and consumer confidence is high. Property prices are steadily increasing, and there is generally a surge in demand for both purchasing homes and renting properties. Investors in this phase can still benefit from rising property values and rental income, but prices are steadily increasing, which means that finding good deals may become more difficult.

Rental properties in areas experiencing expansion tend to perform well, with strong rental income growth. Demand for rentals increases , and tenants are willing to pay more for well-located or well-maintained properties. Investors who enter during this phase may be able to buy properties that will see quick appreciation.

Here’s why it’s a good time to invest during expansion cycles:

Appreciating Property Values . Investors can expect properties to increase in value, offering strong potential returns on investment.
Rising Rent Prices . With growing demand for rental properties, investors can increase rents and generate more income.
Long-Term Growth . In this phase, properties purchased can appreciate over time, providing investors with capital gains as well as stable rental income.

The Peak of the Market

Peak cycles occur when the market has been expanding for a while and property prices have risen to the point where supply outpaces demand. This often happens when developers have built too many properties in anticipation of continued high demand, and the market starts to become oversaturated.

For rental property investors, this can be a risky time. While property values are at their peak, rental income may not be as strong as it once was due to increased competition from newly built units. As a result, rents may stagnate or even decline in some markets, and vacancies could rise.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities. We recommend investors engage in selective buying. While the market may seem less attractive, investors who are careful and select properties in prime locations can still benefit. For example, areas with limited new construction may still see healthy rent growth.

This is also a great time to renovate and improve your existing assets as well as new acquisitions. Some investors may choose to purchase undervalued properties that are not performing well due to competition and renovate them to increase their rental value.

Recession Markets and Preparing for Downturn

Recession is the most challenging phase of the real estate cycle. During a recession, the economy contracts, unemployment rises, and consumer confidence wanes. Property values drop, and the market becomes more competitive for buyers. Rent prices may stagnate or fall, and vacancies may increase as fewer people are able to afford rent. This phase is a tough one for real estate investors, but it also offers opportunities for those who are prepared.

While property values may be lower, financing options may also be limited as banks tighten their lending standards. However, for investors with strong financial positions, this can be the time to pick up properties at a significant discount. Rental demand may also remain strong in certain segments, particularly for affordable housing, as people may be more reluctant to purchase homes during a recession and may opt for renting instead.

Here’s what to do during this cycle:

Discounted Properties . Recessions can present significant opportunities for investors to buy properties at a steep discount, especially distressed properties or foreclosures.
Strong Rental Demand . Some segments of the rental market, such as affordable housing, may continue to see strong demand during a recession as people prioritize cheaper rental options.
Long-Term Gains . While the market may be down, properties purchased during a recession can provide long-term appreciation when the market recovers.

Maximizing Opportunities in Any Market Cycle

While it’s important to understand the different stages of the market cycle, the key takeaway on this topic is that there are always opportunities in every phase. The trick is to know how to leverage those opportunities to your advantage.

Here are a few general strategies that we are always sharing with real estate investors that can help maximize returns in any market cycle:

Adapt Your Strategy

In a recovery or expansion phase, focus on buying and holding for long-term appreciation. In hyper-supply and recession phases, consider more strategic opportunities like renovation , buying distressed properties, or diversifying your portfolio with different types of rental properties.

Monitor Market Indicators

Stay informed about the broader economy, interest rates, and local market trends to anticipate where the market is headed. Real estate cycles don’t move in a vacuum, and understanding the larger economic picture will give you a clearer idea of when to act.

Diversify

Consider diversifying your investment portfolio by acquiring properties in different locations or focusing on different property types to protect against downturns in specific markets.

Knowing when to invest is as important as knowing where to invest.

Real estate market cycles present both challenges and opportunities, and as long as you have a solid set of investment goals in place, you’ll be able to make decisions that work best for you and your properties.

The Hidden Costs of DIY Property Management

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:00:01 GMT

We understand all the reasons that investment property owners have for trying to manage their own rental properties. You likely expect to save money, since you won’t have a leasing fee to pay or a monthly management fee to budget into your fixed expenses. Perhaps you like the sense of control you have over details such as tenant selection, maintenance vendors, and lease renewals.

What you need to know, however, is that there are a number of hidden costs to DIY property management. You may not save the money that you think you’re saving. In fact, you may find yourself spending more than you would if you were willing to invest in a professional property management partnership.

There’s also the opportunity cost.

Property managers in Northern Virginia have access to technology, tools, and resources that a lot of DIY owners simply cannot access on their own. We do more than collect rent and handle repairs; we also share our extensive knowledge of the rental market. We help you identify new opportunities to grow your investment portfolio. We protect you from risk and liability.

Let’s take a look at the hidden costs of managing your own property, and why it actually may be more cost-effective to hire an expert.

Tenant Quality: Screening and Retention

Tenant quality is something that every rental property owner needs to think about, especially when saving money and maximizing rental income is the goal. A profitable rental experience requires a good tenant, and DIY owners do not necessarily have the screening capability that professional property managers do. Here are the hidden costs of a bad tenant:

Potential for late rent payments or rent not coming in at all.
Eviction.
Lease violations.
Conflict and disputes during the tenancy and even after the tenancy.
Property damage exceeding the security deposit.

You don’t want to lose money by placing an unqualified renter. Property management partnerships save money by ensuring that only high-quality residents are approved to live in your property. We have extensive screening tools that look at everything from national eviction records to credit and criminal backgrounds. As professionals, we screen tenants on a daily basis; we know what the red flags look like and we know what a qualified application looks like. Don’t put your property or your profitability at risk by waving in a tenant who has not been thoroughly screened or who “seems” to be a good fit based on your gut or your instincts. You’ll lose money.

Screening tenants is only the first part of a positive tenancy. There’s also the retention of those tenants. Property managers work hard to prioritize tenant experiences, leading to higher tenant satisfaction and better earnings.

Self-management can lead to more tenant turnover. Unless you have the time, talents, and systems to focus on tenant retention, it’s possible you’ll lose your tenant at the end of every lease term. That means more money spent on the turnover process, more money lost on the vacancy, and extra time required to market your property to new residents. There will be maintenance costs and aesthetic updates. Cleaning. Listings.

Property managers keep vacancy and turnover to a minimum, saving you money in the short-term and the long-term.

Hidden Maintenance Costs with Self-Management

If you have a great team of preferred vendors and contractors in place who are ready to meet every maintenance need, whether it’s an emergency leak in the middle of the night or a new roof that needs to be planned before the winter, great. You are well ahead of where most self-managing landlords find themselves. A lot of DIY owners struggle to find the maintenance services that they need, especially when there are emergencies that require a sense of urgency.

Self-managing landlords are also more likely to overpay for maintenance services. As property managers, we have the benefit of getting the most attractive pricing from the vendors and service providers we work with. That’s because we’re able to provide them with a significant volume of consistent work. Individual property owners cannot keep up with that, and therefore their pricing is a bit higher.

Working with a professional property manager, you’ll leverage these maintenance relationships and save money. You’ll also have a solid maintenance plan in place that protects the value and condition of your property.

There’s less deferred maintenance to worry about.
There are fewer expensive emergencies.
Property managers partner with tenants to ensure that maintenance requests are made in a timely manner, so there’s no threat of unreported issues.

As property managers, we can provide an easy-to-use online portal where tenants can make maintenance requests electronically, at any time. They can provide detailed descriptions and even photos. This gives us an accurate record of work that was needed and an indication of how it was completed. It keeps the entire maintenance process efficient and cost-effective.

DIY managers spend more on maintenance than owners who partner with a professional management company. This is one of the best ways to leverage the relationship and to benefit from cost savings. You’ll also have a property that’s in better condition and more attractive to current and future residents.

Legal Mistakes and Liability

One of the hidden costs that a lot of DIY managers don’t think about until it’s too late is the expense of legal claims, lawsuits, and regulatory mistakes. Do you know how to lawfully evict a tenant? You cannot just show up and demand they leave. You cannot change the locks or turn off the water. There’s a process that includes a notice period, a court summons, and a valid judgment that ultimately delivers the property back into your possession. Trying to evict on your own can lead to a lot of legal trouble.

There are also strict rules and requirements around things like:

Fair housing . Do you know the protected classes? A lot of self-managing landlords will use language in their marketing materials that can be perceived as discriminatory. You might not have a consistent screening process in place with documented rental criteria, which can get you into trouble. There’s a difference between a service animal and a support animal, and neither of those animals can be treated as pets. Fair housing violations can cost an owner more than $10,000. This is not a mistake you want to make.

Security deposits . Virginia has some strict security deposit laws. You cannot charge more than the equivalent of two months’ rent, for example. When a tenant vacates your property, the security deposit must be returned within 45 days. If you’re withholding any money from the deposit, you will need to provide an itemized statement explaining what was kept and why.

Habitability . Virginia has habitability standards that every rental property must meet.

Rents . There’s no rent control in Virginia, but there are strict timeframes on how much notice you are required to provide your tenants before you raise the rent.

Virginia rental properties need a strong lease to protect you as the owner. A common mistake DIY landlords tend to make is that they’ll download any lease template that they find on the internet. This is not a great idea, because you have no idea who wrote that lease or where it came from. To effectively and lawfully rent out a property here, you will need a lease agreement that is both legally compliant with Virginia laws and legally enforceable in Virginia courts. A property manager can provide that, saving you from expensive mistakes and legal pitfalls.

Management Fees: Cost versus Value

You’ll have an expert collecting rent and placing tenants and marketing your property and tending to maintenance. You’ll also have a reliable point of information on everything from new laws to market trends to tenant demands. You’ll have someone leading you through upgrades and renovations that are likely to increase your rental value . You’ll have a plan in place for approaching lease renewals. You’ll know when the market is trending towards high demand or lower rental prices.

And don’t forget: those property management fees you pay are tax-deductible . When you sit down and do all the math, you’re not losing money when you work with a property manager. You’re actually saving money. You’re providing a better property in a competitive market. You’re setting yourself up for higher returns.

Let’s talk about professional property management and how it can help you not only save money, but earn more. Contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management. We’d love to tell you more about what we do.

House Flipping in Arlington: Is It Still Profitable?

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 20:00:02 GMT

Flipping homes used to be a surefire way to high profits and speedy success in real estate. There were entire television shows dedicated to making it look fun and easy. It became a trend, and a profitable one.

But in today’s market, with skyrocketing home prices and rising renovation costs, the landscape has changed. Investors are finding it harder to turn a profit, and the question remains—does the house flipping game in Arlington still make sense?

The answer is: that depends. It depends on your investment goals and on your knowledge. If you’re just thinking about flipping houses for the first time, you’ll want to surround yourself with experts and information. If you’ve done this before, you know there’s potential, but you should prepare yourself for a new market.

As local experts in Arlington real estate, we thought we’d break down why house flipping can still be a smart investment in this unique market while uncovering the challenges you need to prepare for. Our hope is that our information and insights will help you make more informed decisions.

The Current Market in Arlington

Before we dive into the specifics of house flipping, let’s take a look at the current real estate market in Arlington. According to data from multiple sources, the median home price in Arlington has risen by 6% over the past year and is expected to continue increasing. This means higher acquisition costs for investors looking to purchase properties for flipping.

Additionally, competition for homes is fierce, with multiple offers being the norm. This can make it challenging for investors to find good deals and secure them before another buyer swoops in.

On top of rising home prices, renovation costs have also been on the rise due to high demand and limited supply of building materials and labor.

But, there are some very good reasons that real estate investors continue to flip homes here.

Arlington presents a unique blend of stability and growth. Located strategically near key metropolitan areas like Washington D.C., this city has witnessed consistent growth in its housing market. Here’s what makes Arlington an attractive choice for property flipping:

Demand for Housing. Arlington remains a sought-after location for professionals, politicos, students, remote workers, and retirees. Its proximity to cultural hubs, excellent school systems, and job opportunities creates constant demand for well-maintained homes. This demand allows flippers to sell properties quickly and profitably.
Rising Property Values. Over the last decade, Arlington has seen a steady increase in property values. Flipping a home in this appreciating market enables investors to secure solid returns with the right improvements.
Revitalization Efforts. Many Arlington neighborhoods are undergoing revitalization, creating a ripe environment for value-add investments. Flipping a home in an up-and-coming area means that property values are likely to rise even further as the neighborhood develops.

We’ll start with the benefits of flipping homes in Arlington, sharing why it can still be profitable. And then, we’ll get into the challenges that every investor needs to know.

Unlocking the Benefits and Potential of Flipping Homes in Arlington

Flipping homes is still mighty popular among real estate investors looking for significant returns on their investments. Arlington, with its competitive housing market and desirable neighborhoods, offers a prime opportunity for property flippers to maximize their profits while contributing to the revitalization of local neighborhoods.

Successful property flipping requires a strategic approach, but with Arlington’s advantages, your efforts can reap significant rewards. Here are some of the top benefits:

High ROI Potential

With Arlington’s competitive real estate market, flippers often achieve remarkable returns on investment. By focusing on undervalued properties and making targeted improvements, it's possible to resell homes at a substantial profit.

Strong Buyer Demand

Arlington attracts a diverse range of buyers, from first-time homeowners to experienced investors looking for their next rental investment. Renovated properties that align with buyer preferences—like open-concept spaces, updated kitchens, and energy-efficient upgrades —sell quickly.

Impact on Communities

Flipping homes doesn’t just benefit investors—it revitalizes neighborhoods, improves property values for the entire community, and attracts better amenities and services to the area.

Tax Advantages

Flipping properties can come with certain tax write-offs , including deductions for renovation costs, loan interest, and certain business expenses. Consulting a tax professional will help you maximize these benefits.

Rehabilitating properties in a high-demand area like Arlington often connects you with a network of real estate professionals, contractors, and other investors, which can pave the way for future opportunities.

Challenges of Flipping Homes in Arlington Today

While the potential for profit still exists, navigating this market requires careful planning , a solid strategy, and an awareness of the risks involved. If you’re considering jumping into Arlington real estate to flip a home, here’s what you need to know about the challenges and dangers you may face—and how to overcome them.

Rising Home Prices

Arlington has consistently ranked as one of the most desirable places to live due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., excellent schools, and diverse community. Unsurprisingly, home prices remain high, presenting a major hurdle for flippers. For investors, the challenge lies in finding properties at a price low enough to allow for renovations and still turn a profit. Competitive bidding wars can quickly shoot up the purchase price of a fixer-upper, making the margin for error razor-thin.

Low Inventory

The Arlington market is currently experiencing tight inventory, making it increasingly difficult to find suitable homes to flip. Many of the properties that would traditionally be available for renovation and resale are either being held by long-time owners or are snapped up by homeowners looking to avoid bidding wars on turnkey properties. This lack of inventory creates fierce competition among investors, leading to inflated purchase prices and limited opportunities.

High Renovation Costs

The cost of materials and labor has surged in recent years. Supply chain issues and labor shortages mean higher costs and longer project timelines for home renovations . Additionally, unforeseen repairs—such as structural issues or outdated plumbing—can quickly balloon your budget, cutting into potential profits.

The Risks of Flipping Homes in Arlington

If a mistake is going to be made while flipping a home, it’s likely to be an expensive one. These are the common errors and pitfalls we see investors fall into:

Underestimating Costs

One of the biggest dangers in any real estate market is underestimating renovation costs. This is especially true in high-cost areas like Arlington. Without a thorough evaluation of the property and a detailed renovation plan, you could end up losing money rather than making a profit.

Overestimating Post-Renovation Value

It's easy to focus on the potential upside of a flip—the "after-repair value" (ARV). However, overestimating the value of your renovated property can lead to financial losses if the market doesn’t respond as expected. Keep in mind that buyers’ priorities may shift depending on broader economic trends.

Vacancy

Every month the property sits on the market after renovations are complete and adds to your carrying costs. Taxes, insurance, and monthly loan payments can quickly eat into your profit margins, especially in a competitive market like Arlington.

Poor Market Timing

Real estate markets can shift quickly, and Arlington is no exception. A sudden change in interest rates or a cooling in buyer demand can leave you unable to sell your flipped property quickly or at the price you anticipated.

How to Maximize Success when Flipping Homes in Arlington

Flipping homes isn’t just about buying, fixing, and selling. It involves careful planning, strategic decision-making, and understanding the local market. Follow these tips to elevate your projects:

1. Do Your Research

Understanding Arlington’s real estate trends is critical. Look into neighborhoods showing signs of growth and properties with resale potential. Tools like comparative market analysis (CMA) and expertise from a local real estate and property management expert will help you assess current values and predict trends.

2. Get the Right Financing

Whether through traditional loans, private lenders, or cash reserves, having dependable financing is crucial. Bridge loans can be a great option for short-term projects, especially in competitive markets.

3. Focus on Value-Add Upgrades

Not all renovations are created equal. Kitchens and bathrooms often bring the greatest ROI. Buyers in Arlington also value energy-efficient upgrades, modern tech features, and functional outdoor spaces.

4. Build a Reliable Team

From contractors to interior designers, having an experienced team is vital for timely and high-quality renovations. Seek recommendations and work with people who understand Arlington’s unique housing market.

5. Leverage Market Expertise

What to Expect at Closing: A Checklist for Occupied Properties

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:00:02 GMT

Even the most experienced real estate investors can get a little anxious at closing time.

The details. The end of all negotiating. The money.

Closings are a time of celebration, whether you’re selling an investment or buying a new one. They can also be a bit overwhelming, especially when there’s a specific nuance to the deal that leaves a bit of an edge.

Today, that nuance we’re discussing is occupied properties.

What happens when you close a deal on a property that’s occupied with a tenant?

We’re talking about that, and sharing some of our best advice as real estate and property management experts who have been through this many times before. We’ve put together a checklist that we know can be helpful, whether you’ve done this before or you’re encountering the situation for the first time.

It’s both not very different from any other closing and also completely unlike anything you’ve likely ever encountered before.

How’s that for nuance?

Let’s take a look at what to expect and how we can help.

Why Closing an Occupied Property is Different

As any investor or homebuyer knows, the closing process is one of the most pivotal steps in any real estate transaction. For investors dealing with occupied properties, the stakes are even higher. From ensuring tenant arrangements to verifying legal documentation, every aspect must align seamlessly to avoid complications that could sink the deal before it closes.

Whether you’re purchasing a multi-family rental or taking over a single-family property with tenants in place, understanding the distinctions of a closing with occupants is essential.

Here’s what we mean:

When closing on an occupied property, you inherit more than just the structure of the property or the building itself. As the new owner, you’re also stepping into existing agreements, tenant relationships, and potential liabilities.

This is why the process differs significantly from closing on a vacant property.

Occupied properties require additional due diligence, like reviewing lease agreements, ensuring compliance with landlord-tenant laws , and verifying the condition of the occupied units. Being proactive during the closing process can help you mitigate risks and set the stage for a smooth transition.

Another good idea? Make sure you’re working with a real estate expert who can also provide property management support. This will be critical to your success, and it will make your tenants feel a lot better about the changes that are occurring. Yes, you own the property now. But someone else considers it their home. If you can be sensitive to that, everyone will have a better experience.

Your Checklist for Closing on Occupied Properties

When we approach a closing that includes occupied units or a tenant in a home, we do as much work ahead of the closing date as possible. Being prepared is not only smart, it’s better service to both the buyer and the seller. Most importantly, it protects the tenant who is living in their home and does not want to be disrupted as the ownership of that home changes hands.

Let’s take a look at the checklist, and remember - this can be a flexible document, not one that’s set in stone. Every property is different, and all of your tenants will have their own unique needs. As property managers, we’re always willing to make changes in pursuit of a more personalized experience.

1. Review All Lease Agreements in Detail

Before you show up for the closing date, ensure you obtain and review all lease agreements for the occupied property. You need to know what’s already in place, and unless you have a very good reason for changing something, you’ll have to honor these lease details until the tenancy ends and you can re-negotiate on your own terms. As you’re checking through the lease agreements, pay close attention to:

Rent amounts and due dates
Lease terms (month-to-month or fixed-term)
Security deposit amounts
Special provisions and rules outlined in the agreements
Tenant obligations and landlord responsibilities

This information is crucial for maintaining compliance and understanding the property’s cash flow. Cross-check these documents with rent rolls to confirm accuracy. It’s also a good opportunity to get to know how long your tenants have been in place and what kind of rental experience they’ve been accustomed to.

2. Identify Any Outstanding Payments or Debts

Request a detailed ledger from the seller to determine if any tenants owe back rent or other payments. You don’t want to inherit unresolved disputes or unpaid amounts. Include these details in your negotiations or closing agreements. Taking possession of your new investment property should not require you to immediately begin chasing down late rents or overdue debts. You want to know where each tenant stands, and why any money that is owed has not yet been collected. Are there pending evictions? Notices that need to be served? Get a full financial sense of the property before you close.

3. Inspect the Property with Occupants in Mind

Coordinate a walkthrough with the seller and tenants, if possible. Most tenants are going to be understanding, especially when they are provided with plenty of notice. Make it clear that you’re not showing up in order to invade their privacy or look for reasons to be displeased. Instead, you want to see the property and how it’s functioning. When inspecting occupied units , consider:

The physical condition of each unit
Any unreported maintenance issues
Tenant modifications or possible unauthorized alterations

This process will help you assess immediate repair needs and plan for future maintenance. Talk to the tenants, if you can. Ask about improvements they’d most like to see and try and get a sense of their satisfaction with the property.

4. Transfer Utility Accounts

Determine which utilities are the landlord’s responsibility versus the tenants'. Coordinate with the seller and utility companies to ensure seamless service transfers for property-managed utilities. Even if tenants are responsible for their own electric and internet bills, the property owner may have to have water and trash services in their name. Provide tenants clear instructions if they need to initiate or transfer their utility accounts.

5. Confirm Tenant Communication Plans

Discuss how tenant handovers will be managed post-closing. This includes notifying tenants about the change of ownership, payment process updates, and your preferred communication methods. Clear communication helps create trust and reduce confusion for your tenants from day one. This is another area where your property manager can be especially valuable.

6. Address Security Deposits

Security deposits legally remain with the property, but they need to be transferred correctly. Ensure:

You receive a full accounting of each tenant’s security deposit
The deposits are held in accordance with local landlord-tenant laws
Documentation includes any prior claims or deductions on the deposits

7. Verify Insurance Coverage

Occupied properties come with additional risks, so verifying adequate insurance coverage before closing is essential. Ensure your policy includes liability protection, tenant-related claims, and property damage. Double check the coverage period to avoid any lapses during the transition.

8. Plan for Legal Compliance

It’s important to have at least an elementary understanding of the landlord-tenant laws governing Arlington and the state of Virginia. Federal laws such as those pertaining to fair housing are also important. Review laws specific to the ownership of this rental property , such as those regarding:

Tenant notification for owner changes
Eviction procedures, if needed in the future
Security deposit handling requirements

Being familiar with the legal framework can prevent costly disputes and ensure a smooth ownership transition.

9. Negotiate Agreements on Tenant Occupancy

What if you are buying this property not so much as an investor but an owner/occupant? That’s going to require an even different approach.

If you’re planning to occupy the property personally or need to make significant renovations , you may need to negotiate relocation agreements with tenants. Discuss “cash for keys” options with the seller, if applicable, or determine alternative solutions that protect both parties.

10. Close with a Legal Expert

Work with an experienced real estate attorney who specializes in occupied properties and landlord-tenant law. They can:

Review all documents for accuracy and compliance
Highlight potential red flags in tenant arrangements
Guide you through post-closing requirements

Including a legal expert on your team ensures you’re fully protected as you move forward.

Building Confidence in the Real Estate Closing Process

Don’t wait until the closing date to seek our help. If you’re ready to close on an occupied rental property in Northern Virginia, we can help you navigate this complicated process. Contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Is Now the Right Time to Sell Your Rental Property?

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Two important factors need to be considered when you’re deciding whether it’s the right time to sell your rental property:

Is the market working in your favor?
What are your investment goals?

If you’re trying to decide whether to sell or to hold, there’s some good news: you’re in a strong position either way. Selling will deliver a collection of profits as well as new opportunities. Holding onto your rental property will allow for continued rental income and longer appreciation over the long term as your investment builds equity and your tenants continue to pay down any mortgage you may still have.

We want to help you make the right decision. Let’s talk about how you know it’s the right time to sell, and which factors might show you that it’s better to wait.

How You Know that Yes, It’s the Right Time to Sell

Knowing when to sell your investment property isn’t always clear-cut—it requires analyzing market conditions, assessing your personal financial goals, and keeping a close eye on real estate market trends.

If you’ve been asking yourself whether now is the right time to sell, here are key signs and strategies to help you make the best decision.

1. The Market is in Your Favor

Keeping a close watch on real estate market trends is essential when evaluating the best time to sell. A seller’s market is often characterized by high demand and limited inventory, and this type of environment can certainly provide a tremendous opportunity to secure top dollar for your property. If you’re not sure whether this is the right market in which to list your rental home, look for these market indicators:

Strong buyer demand. Are properties in the local area selling quickly or with multiple offers? High demand drives property prices up.
Rising home prices. If comparable sales in your neighborhood are increasing, it may signal a strong market for sellers.
Low interest rates. Favorable borrowing rates encourage buyers to act quickly, increasing competition.

Keep an eye on local and national real estate market data or consult a local real estate and property management professional to help you interpret emerging trends. At Arlington Realty Property Management, we can show you how the market is performing and what that might mean for your plans to sell.

2. Your Property Has Appreciated Significantly

If your property value has risen significantly since you purchased it, selling could be the smart move.

Factors like neighborhood development, market demand, and economic conditions often contribute to property appreciation.

For example, if you purchased an investment property for $650,000 and similar homes in your area are now selling for $950,000, you stand to make a significant profit. Use comparative market analysis (CMA) tools or consult a team like ours to estimate your property’s current market value.

3. Your Goals Have Changed

Real estate investment is a long-term strategy, but personal and financial goals evolve over time. It’s important to assess whether holding onto a property still aligns with your objectives. Consider selling if:

You need to free up capital for new investment opportunities.
You're shifting your focus to a different strategy, like commercial real estate or stocks.
Life changes, like retirement or relocation, are making renting out your investment less practical.

Selling an investment property doesn’t have to be the end of your real estate investing career—it could be the stepping stone to your next financial milestone. Let’s talk about a 1031 exchange if you want to stay in the rental market but move an existing rental property out of your portfolio.

4. High Costs are Eating Into Your Profits

Profit margins are key to any successful real estate investment . If the costs of maintaining your rental property continue to rise, it may no longer make financial sense to hold onto it. Warning signs to watch out for include:

Increasing property taxes or insurance premiums .
Significant maintenance or repair costs.
High vacancy rates or difficulty finding and keeping reliable tenants.

When your operating costs are outpacing your rental income or potential appreciation, it’s time to evaluate whether selling might yield a better return.

5. Your Gut is Telling You It’s Time

Sometimes, experienced investors just know when it’s time to sell. If your instinct is pointing you in a certain direction, take the time to evaluate whether your gut feeling aligns with the data. Real estate investing often requires a mix of intuition and analysis. Trusting both can help you make informed decisions.

Make an Impact by Selling at the Right Time

Selling your investment property isn’t just about offloading an asset—it’s about maximizing your ROI and aligning with your financial goals. By staying informed on real estate market trends and understanding when conditions favor selling, you can make decisions that impact your long-term wealth.

Reasons This Might Not Be a Good Time to Sell

If you’ve taken a look at the market and at your own financial position and all signs point to selling, we’re here to support you.

But if there’s any hesitation or if you’re re-thinking the value of selling right now, we’re also ready to support your continued efforts in renting out your property. It’s possible that selling isn’t necessary if you’re suffering from a stall in earnings or a drop in profitability. Maybe simple changes need to be made instead.

Here are some compelling reasons to think twice before putting your rental property on the market.

1. Rising Rent Prices Make Northern Virginia Rental Properties Profitable

Despite fluctuations in real estate sales, rental demand continues to grow in many markets, including our marketing in Arlington and throughout Northern Virginia. Limited housing inventory and increasing interest rates have driven more people toward renting, causing rent prices to rise. Our market is also located right outside of Washington, D.C. There’s always high demand from renters who are moving in for school, government jobs, and work. With a rental property in such a high-demand area, you may find that holding onto it generates steady and potentially increasing cash flow.

Your rental income could outpace potential short-term gains from selling. Selling now may mean missing out on a reliable income stream in the near future.

2. Long-Term Appreciation Opportunities

Historically, real estate has been a solid long-term investment, and that is especially true in the mid-Atlantic region. Even during periods of market fluctuation, property values tend to rise over time. By selling now, you risk forfeiting future price appreciation and compounding equity gains. When you choose to hold onto a rental property, even during a period of dropping prices or demand, you’ll likely see an increase in value eventually. You’ll be glad you waited to sell, especially if you can keep your property occupied with reliable renters.

3. Unfavorable Market Conditions

Depending on the real estate market, the rental market, and the local economy, you may find yourself in a position where buyers are having a much better time of things than sellers. Factors like increased mortgage rates, inflation, and uncertain economic conditions can suppress property prices, limiting the profitability of a sale. According to industry reports, median sale prices in certain markets throughout Virginia have stalled or even declined. Listing your property in these conditions might mean settling for less than its true worth or waiting much longer for the right buyer.

4. Tax Implications

Selling a rental property often comes with hefty tax liabilities, including capital gains taxes, recapture of depreciation, and other potential costs. These financial burdens can significantly reduce your net profits from the sale. Meanwhile, when you rent out a property, you can continue enjoying tax benefits.

Instead of selling, you could explore strategies like a 1031 exchange, which allows you to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in another property. This strategy helps you keep growing your real estate portfolio without losing money to taxes.

5. Diversification and Inflation Hedge

Rental properties are considered an excellent hedge against inflation. Not only can rental income increase with inflation, but the value of real estate assets often rises as well. Selling your property may reduce the diversification of your investment portfolio, leaving you with fewer ways to protect yourself against economic uncertainties.

Consider this—a sale now might yield immediate cash, but what happens when you’re ready to reinvest in the market? Future trends could make it more challenging or expensive to reenter. Rising interest rates and increased property values often block investors from reclaiming a similar asset in the same market. Holding onto your rental property could save you from these reinvestment hurdles.

We’re keeping an eye on real estate market trends to identify the right timing for portfolio adjustments. When our investors come to us wondering whether to sell or to keep their rental, we can give them informed advice. Sometimes, it’s a great idea to sell right away. Other times, staying in the game is better than making a rushed exit.

Determining What a Rental Increase Should Be

Thu, 08 May 2025 20:00:00 GMT

As renewal time approaches for your rental property , it’s important to think about how much you’ll be raising the rent.

If this fills you with confusion and even frustration, you’re not alone.

A lot of the owners and landlords we talk to struggle with the idea of how much is too much. It’s important to raise the rent; most tenants expect it, and expenses such as insurance, maintenance, and pest control go up year to year. But how can you raise the rent in a way that doesn’t chase away your good tenants? Turnover and vacancy are expensive and best avoided.

At Arlington Realty Property, we have a history of striking the right balance between increased earnings and tenant retention. We use our knowledge of the northern Virginia rental market and our detailed data to settle on a rental increase that serves owners and keeps tenants.

Let’s determine how to increase your rent responsibly.

Why Adjusting Rent is Necessary

Thinking that you don’t want to rock the boat, and maybe it’s best to just leave your rent where it is so you don’t have to worry about your tenants leaving?

We understand that instinct. But we also encounter a lot of landlords whose rents are below market rate just because they’re too worried about raising the rent.

Don’t be worried.

Adjusting rent isn’t just about maximizing income ; it keeps your property in line with market values and ensures your expenses are covered. Here's why it’s essential to consider periodic rental increases:

Covering Rising Costs . Inflation has impacted every industry and every consumer over the last couple of years. That includes you, as a landlord and rental property owner. Operational expenses like maintenance, utilities, insurance, and taxes often increase over time. Residents know this. They aren’t going to like paying a higher rent, but they’re going to understand that this is happening everywhere.
Staying Competitive . Maintaining market-aligned rental rates ensures you attract reliable tenants and prevent your property from being undervalued. When you have a great property in a desirable location and you’re a responsive landlord, tenants will need to pay for that value.
Preserving Property Value . Regularly adjusting rent enables you to re-invest in repairs and renovations, helping sustain the property’s long-term value. You want to make sure you’re offering existing and future tenants a fantastic place to live. You cannot make improvements and upgrades if you don’t have the resources that are required.

The key to a smart rental increase lies in balance—to ensure fairness for tenants while safeguarding your profitability.

Consider the Local Rental Market and Remain Competitive

Before you listed your property on the rental market, you established a rental value based on the market conditions, the competing property, and the unique features that your own property has to offer.

Essentially, you’re doing the same thing when it’s time to increase the rent.

Take a look at where rents are right now. Have they risen since you first listed the home? If your existing tenant was to go out looking for a home to rent that was just like yours and in the same neighborhood, what would they be paying?

Reliable data is crucial.

Smart investors will have a property management partner in Arlington who can provide insights and analytics that help with establishing what the rental range is in a particular neighborhood and for a specific property. It’s possible to get some numbers from rental sites like Zillow and HotPads. But to really know what kind of properties and rental values you’re competing with, get good numbers that are accurate, reliable, and nuanced enough to give you a competitive edge when it comes to raising the rent.

Compare Your Rental Property to the Others on the Market

Outside of the market factors themselves, we can tell you that the following things impact where your rental increase will land:

Property condition
Property location
Tenant satisfaction

We’re going to talk about tenant satisfaction in a moment because that’s something that has a larger impact than many owners realize.

Let’s talk about property condition and location, first.

Have you done a good job of maintaining the property while your tenants have rented it? When everything is in generally good condition, routine repairs have been made swiftly, and preventative services have been consistent, there’s likely little for a tenant to complain about in terms of living conditions.

However, smart owners will remember that if a tenant was going to move into a new property, that home would be freshly painted, recently cleaned, and outfitted with some updates and improvements that were installed specifically to attract them to the property.

That’s your competition.

Before you approach existing tenants about a lease renewal, make sure your property is a home that tenants enjoy living in. If the landscaping has grown messy or those window screens are torn and have not been replaced, it might be difficult to sell a lease renewal that comes with a rental increase.

One way to get a sense of property condition is to conduct a walk-through before you offer a lease renewal to existing tenants. Not only does this help you get a sense of whether the tenants have been taking good care of the home (if they’re not, you hardly want to renew the lease agreement with them), but it also tells you if any attention is needed before you raise the rent.

There’s not much you can do about your property’s location.

However, it will impact your rental increase because residents are willing to pay more for a rental home that’s in a desirable location. If a new grocery store has opened up in the neighborhood or there’s more parking, there’s a good reason to raise the rent a bit more than you would if the neighborhood had fallen into disrepair.

Factor in Tenant Satisfaction and Customer Service

Tenant satisfaction is an important part of any strategy around rental increases. If they’re going to move out at the end of the lease term because they’re unhappy, you likely do not have to spend a lot of time wondering how much to raise the rent. You’ll be able to establish a new market rent for the next tenants you attract.

If tenants are happy, it’s easier to increase the rent. They’re going to be willing to pay more not only for the home they love living in, but also for the service they’re receiving from you as a landlord or your expert property manager.

When a tenant feels valued, their home is well-maintained, and their concerns are addressed promptly, they're less likely to object to reasonable rental adjustments. They view the increase as an investment in the comfort and consistency you've provided.

On the flip side, dissatisfied tenants are a retention challenge. Frequent complaints about maintenance, lack of communication, or unresolved issues can make tenants leave—even if the rental amount stays the same. High turnover means more time spent searching for new tenants and potential vacancies, which can hurt your bottom line.

Virginia Laws Around Rental Increases

Any rental increase has to comply with state and local laws .

Virginia does not currently have statewide rent control guidelines, and locally in Arlington, there’s no rent control in the city or the county. Landlords can increase rent by any amount.

There are some timing restrictions that need to be respected, however. For example, you cannot raise the rental amount arbitrarily throughout the year, unless your lease agreement allows it (and it’s unlikely that your lease agreement does allow it). And, rental property owners are required to provide written notice 30 days in advance. Tenants can vacate the unit within the 30-day notice period if they object to the new rent.

Implementing Rental Increase During Lease Renewals

Even with a happy tenant and a good tenant relationship, communicating a rental increase requires tact and strategy. Here's how we recommend you handle it professionally and without conflict.

Do Your Research. It’s unwise to approach this as something you simply decided to do. Show your tenants that you understand the local rental market and that you’re not overpricing. Use pricing tools provided by industry experts (that’s us!) to determine a fair increase, and share your resources and research with your tenants.
Give Ample Notice. The state requirement is 30 days, but there’s no reason to wait that long. You’d likely be in a stronger position by approaching tenants 60 days ahead of the lease’s end date. That way, you can talk about the increase and leave enough time to make plans if your tenants decide to give notice. Sending a proposed amount earlier can give tenants time to prepare and agree.
Highlight Benefits . This is a good time to focus on all the great reasons to continue renting from you. Pair your rental increase notice with reasons why the increase is fair—improved property conditions, local market trends, or upgraded amenities.
Offer Incentives . Some landlords find success when they sweeten the deal. Offer perks like discounted parking, free pet rent for a month, or a new appliance.

Financial Planning for Property Owners: Budgeting for Repairs and Maintenance

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:00:00 GMT

Every rental home in Arlington will eventually require maintenance, even if it’s brand new construction and even if it’s in excellent condition. Things get unpredictable, especially when tenants are moving in and out of your home.

There will be general wear and tear. There will be appliances that get old and systems that break down.

You might find yourself needing to invest in a lot of maintenance even before you put the property up for rent.

This requires sound financial planning.

You need to budget. Maintenance is often the largest expense that real estate investors face when they’re buying and renting out residential homes. As your Arlington property managers , we’re always going to suggest that you put together a reserve fund and budget carefully for the routine and emergency maintenance that will be required.

It’s hard to know how much is enough, and that’s where financial planning comes in.

What you spend on maintenance will depend on the type of property you’re renting out. There are differences to how you maintain a single-family home and a multi-family property. You’ll budget differently and schedule work depending on the unique needs of your investment.

Create a maintenance budget that accommodates the emergency repairs you don’t see coming, the routine repairs that are generally easy to take care of, especially when you have good vendors , and the preventative maintenance that will ultimately keep your maintenance costs down.

Here are some of the best ways to structure your financial planning around a maintenance budget.

Getting Comfortable with Projected Maintenance Costs

Before putting together a budget, it’s important to understand the typical costs involved in property repairs and maintenance. These can fluctuate widely based on the age of the home, its condition, and even the climate. Arlington can have some cold winters and hot summers, and that’s going to take a toll on your property. Common expenditures include:

Routine maintenance, such as plumbing and electrical issues as well as broken appliances, windows, and doors.
Emergency repairs like unexpected floods, toilets not flushing, and heat not working
Major improvements or replacements, such as roofing or HVAC systems.

Preventative maintenance will also be ongoing, and with a good preventative plan, you can count on fewer emergency repairs.

Regular inspections can help foresee potential issues, turning unexpected capital expenditures into planned maintenance.

Tracking Expenses with Maintenance Data

When it comes to deciding how much to budget for maintenance, different owners use different formulas.

There’s the 1 percent rule, for example, which is a popular way of budgeting for some owners. This suggests setting aside at least 1 percent of the property’s value annually for maintenance and repairs. For instance, if your property is valued at $800,000, plan to reserve $8,000 per year. However, depending on your property's condition, exact location, and other factors, you might need to adjust this percentage.

Other investors prefer to use a 10 percent method, where they’ll save 10 percent of their monthly rental income for potential maintenance issues. If your property rents for $3,000 a month, you’ll save $300 every month for possible repairs.

Use the data you already have to help yourself budget. What data is this? Historical expenditures are a good starting point. Take a look at what you spent last year on maintenance. That might help you anticipate this year’s repair needs.

There’s a lot to learn from your past budgets. If you check those financial statements from last year, you’ll get an idea of whether you spent more or less than you thought you would. You’ll be able to analyze whether there was a particular expense that disrupted your budget or if everything went according to plan.

This is a smart starting point when it comes to financial planning and your next maintenance budget.

Setting Aside a Maintenance Reserve

Establishing a reserve fund is critical for managing the financial impact of property maintenance. This reserve acts like an emergency fund specifically dedicated to your rental property's upkeep. On top of the 1 percent rule or the 10 percent savings rule or any other strategy that you’re using, consider adding extra cushioning for unexpected repairs. Anticipate what might be necessary. If you keep good maintenance records, you might know that you’re reaching the end of the expected lifespan for certain functions. Have the reserves ready in case you need to fund a major repair or replacement.

For larger, predictable expenses, a sinking fund is a proactive strategy. It involves setting aside money gradually over time instead of dealing with one large expense suddenly. If you know a roof replacement is on the horizon and it's estimated to cost $15,000, start saving a manageable amount monthly several years in advance.

Vendor Relationships Help with Budgeting and Planning

Build strong relationships with trustworthy vendors and service providers. Negotiating rates with contractors for ongoing service agreements can lead to reduced costs for regular maintenance and preferential treatment during high-demand periods.

You can also count on their expertise. If your HVAC service technician comes to make a minor repair and lets you know that your furnace is looking like it might be in trouble, you’ll know that the expense is coming up soon. Your plumber might be doing a courtesy inspection and notice that there is some rust around the water heater. When you have professional vendors, contractors, and service providers helping you take care of your property, you want to listen to their advice and recommendations. Use this in your financial planning.

When to Repair and When to Replace

It’s often a classic conundrum for rental property owners: is this something that should be repaired, or is it something that’s worth replacing? You need to give it some thought, because the decision you reach will have an impact on your budget.

This obviously depends on the specific problem that you’re dealing with. If it’s a washing machine or a refrigerator, for example, you’ll want to make repairs if the appliance is still under warranty. But, if the appliance is looking dated and you’d be better off with an energy efficient model, go ahead and replace it. Think about your tenants, too. How will they feel if you continually repair a 20-year-old dishwasher? It’s likely better for your tenant retention plan if you replace that.

Accounting for Vacancies

Property maintenance doesn’t stop when your rental is unoccupied. The property still needs to be kept in good condition, potentially adding to your expenses. Plan for these times by adjusting your budget accordingly. You may find that the maintenance costs during turnover periods are higher than they are when your lease renews. That’s because you’ll need to make some investments in improvements and upgrades. You’ll also be repairing and replacing normal wear and tear that occurred during your tenancy. As you prepare the rental home for your next tenant, you’ll want to invest in good maintenance.

Budgeting for Preventative Maintenance

When an expert is inspecting and servicing these things on an annual basis, you can be sure that small problems are caught while they’re still manageable and inexpensive. Have your gutters cleaned routinely and your roof checked seasonally. Make sure your tenants are changing air filters regularly. While you may have to spend a little bit on these inspections now, it will save you a lot of maintenance money in the long term.

We strongly advise owners to spend what is needed on preventative maintenance. Nothing left to fester ever became cheaper or easier to deal with.

Financial planning for property maintenance and repairs is essential for the longevity and profitability of your Arlington rental property investment. Through detailed budgeting and by establishing reserve funds, you’ll find that planning can be pretty proactive. This will protect your asset and ensure it continues to generate income for many more years. Don’t give up your property’s profitability by ignoring the necessary maintenance.

Remember the importance of preventative maintenance. Investing in upkeep now can prevent more extensive and costly repairs later. It also contributes to tenant satisfaction and retention.

At Arlington Realty Property Management, we take maintenance very seriously. We work with our owners and investors to ensure there’s enough of a reserve fund in place and some smart budgeting as part of our property management process.

Let’s create a customized maintenance budget and plan for your rental properties. If you’d like to talk about how strategic maintenance plans can contribute to a better - and more profitable - investment experience for you, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management. We’d love to serve as your local property management resource.

Tax Deductions for Arlington Property Owners: What You Need to Know

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:00:02 GMT

We’re not sure how much time you spend thinking about taxes, but if you’re like most Arlington real estate investors, you likely spend most of that time bemoaning what is owed. No one loves to pay their taxes, even if they can intellectually understand the necessary services that taxes provide.

It’s not all bad news, though, is it? Investors who are renting out properties have a number of tax benefits to enjoy, which can reduce what is owed to the various governments looking to collect a share of profits.

At Arlington Realty Property Management, we are not tax attorneys. We are not certified accountants. Our understanding of taxes is linked inherently to our ability to help property owners understand where their best tax benefits may be found. We’re talking about what you need to know about your tax deductions and the advantages they can provide. Every situation is unique, of course, so contact us for a more customized discussion, and always talk to your accounting professional before filing any tax forms.

Depreciation and Your Arlington Rental Properties

One of the most generous IRS tax benefits for real estate investors and rental property owners is depreciation. This allows you to write off part of the loss of value that any property experiences as it ages.

It doesn’t make sense, does it, considering how hard we work to ensure your property appreciates in value.

But, the IRS recognizes that properties undergo wear and tear and general deterioration, no matter how great its condition. The IRS has established 27.5 years as the amount of time that residential property depreciations under its General Depreciation System.

You can accelerate the depreciation loss with your rental property, which will help you lower your taxable income for the year at tax time.

Here’s how it works for rental property owners:

First, depreciation of rental property is generally reported on Schedule E of a standard 1040, although there are situations in which you would use other forms. For example, Form 4562 may be used if you claim depreciation on a property in the year that you put it into service as a rental property.

To claim depreciation as a deduction on your taxes, these conditions are required:

- You must own the property for which you are claiming depreciation. There are limited exceptions to this.

- The property must produce income for you, meaning you must collect rent on that property.

- You must be able to determine the useful life of your property. It’s going to be different based on the type of property being depreciated. Everything has a different life cycle, or rate at which it wears down. For real estate, this is somewhat standardized and the 27.5 years applies, unless your property is subject to the Alternative Depreciation System, in which case it’s 30 or 40 years (this is rare).

-The useful life of the property must be greater than 1 year. Nothing that wears out in less than a year can be depreciated on your taxes.

You cannot depreciate the land that your property is on. This applies only to the property itself.

Depreciation is often misunderstood, and it’s easy to miscalculate what you can claim. Make sure you are entitled to this tax break, and talk to a professional to determine what your benefit is.

Mortgage Interest and Property Tax Deductions

For most rental property owners, mortgage interest is one of the largest deductions that they’ll enjoy at tax time. If you have a loan on your Arlington rental property, the interest paid on that loan is deductible. It’s important to keep proper records of your payments to calculate exactly what you owe and ensure compliance with tax laws.

Local property taxes in Arlington or wherever your investment happens to be can also be deducted from your rental income . This can be a substantial annual saving for property owners. Make sure to retain all records of your tax payments to claim this deduction properly.

Deducting Expenses Associated with Rental Property

A lot of the general expenses you encounter as a rental property owner can be deducted at tax time. That’s because the IRS sees your rental property as a business. There are a few things you should always take advantage of when you’re claiming tax benefits.

Insurance costs for your investment properties. The cost of insurance policies for your Arlington rental property , such as landlord insurance and liability insurance, is deductible. Additionally, if you employ any workers—like cleaning crews or maintenance staff —be sure to deduct worker compensation coverage, if applicable.

Professional property management fees and other professional fees. If you hire professional services to help manage your Arlington rental property , these are deductible. This includes property managers, attorneys, accountants, and consultants who assist with the property's operation or legal compliance .

Maintenance and accelerated depreciation on household items. Expenses made to maintain or repair your Arlington rental property are fully deductible in the year the cost is incurred. Examples include fixing a leaky roof, replacing faulty appliances , or repainting the property. However, be aware that improvements (as opposed to repairs) may need to be depreciated over several years.

Travel costs involved in visiting your rental properties. If you travel locally to check on your properties, show the home to tenants, meet with property managers, or oversee repairs, you can deduct mileage, parking costs, and toll fees. If your Arlington rental property is out-of-state, costs for airfare, lodging, or on-location transportation may also count as a legitimate expense.

Advertising and marketing . The expenses related to advertising your rental property—such as online listings, photography, signage, or social media marketing—are fully deductible. These costs are crucial for keeping units occupied and generating steady cash flow.

Home office deductions. If you operate your rental property business from home, you may qualify for a home office deduction. This allows you to deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and internet costs relative to the size of your home office space.

The IRS allows you to deduct only the ordinary and necessary expenses for managing and maintaining your rental property , and preserving its value and condition.

Tax Deductions When You Sell an Investment Property

When you sell a property, you’ll be expected to pay capital gains taxes. Your investment doesn’t qualify for the gain on sale exclusion in the tax code, which is why this is one tax area where most owners lose money.

The market over the last few years has been pricey, and we imagine that if you did sell, you made some money. That’s good news on the surface, but it’s also likely to indicate you have a big tax bill to pay. If you’re interested in selling a property but you’d like to defer taxes, you’ll want to put the proceeds of that sale into another investment.

It’s called a 1031 exchange, and it’s a great tax tool that we believe not enough property investors leverage.

In a 1031 exchange, you’ll sell one rental property and then use the proceeds to invest in a similar property or a series of properties. This will not wipe away your tax liability entirely, but it will give you the opportunity to strengthen your investment portfolio and delay paying those taxes.

There’s a strict timeline involved; you have to identify new replacement properties within 45 days of selling your original property, and you need to close on the deal within 180 days of the original sale. And, you have to make sure the money from the sale is held in escrow, which is managed by an intermediary.

Stay Organized and Maximize Deductions

To make the most of available deductions, here are some best practices that we always recommend rental property owners in Arlington follow not only at tax time, but all year long:

Maintain Detailed Records. Keep track of all receipts, invoices, and statements related to your rental property expenses. If you’re partnered with a property management company (like us), all of that will be taken care of for you, and your records will be shared directly with your tax professional, along with a 1099.

Use Accounting Software. Our property management technology accounts for every owner’s needs when it comes to taxes, income, and expenses. As an independent landlord, you may be able to leverage tools like QuickBooks or other accounting software to streamline your expense tracking and reporting.

Consult a Tax Professional. We mentioned the importance of consulting with a tax professional who can give you the guidance you need. Tax laws can be complex and often change. Working with a tax advisor familiar with Arlington rental property rules can ensure you don’t miss out on potential savings.

2025 Arlington Rental Law Changes

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 21:00:02 GMT

How well do you stay up to date on rental laws in Arlington, in Virginia, and even at the federal level?

It’s a lot to keep up with, and we don’t blame you if you’re feeling like you’re not always sure about what’s allowed, what’s prohibited, and what’s required.

As Arlington property management experts , it’s our job to know what the laws are and when they change. This is how we protect you from liability and potential legal problems. We’re serious about compliance.

Here’s what you need to know about Arlington rental law changes in 2025, if you’re just catching up.

Screening Fees When Collecting Applications

In Virginia, the maximum amount landlords and rental property owners can collect in screening fees is $50. This is not necessarily a new law, but it’s good to remember you cannot charge any more than that. Disclose to your applicants up front that this screening fee is non-refundable, meaning they won’t get the money back if they’re denied from renting your property.

New laws require rental property owners to provide applicants with a copy of their credit report within seven days of receiving it. You’re required to do this even if your applicant does not request it.

Disclosing Fees in Lease Agreements

Under HB 967, residential landlords in Arlington and throughout Virginia are now required to provide descriptions of any rent and fees to be charged on the first page of the written lease. This has to be clearly stated early in the lease document, and it has to be a comprehensive list of the money you’ll be collecting from tenants. This will be anything that you’re collecting in addition to the monthly rent. Maybe it’s a pet fee or a fee for utilities or trash. If you’re collecting an amenity fee in a multifamily building, make sure it’s stated early in the lease agreement.

In addition to disclosing this fee, you need to add specific language to the lease agreement. Above the list of fees, the lease must state that no fee can be collected unless it is listed on the lease or incorporated later by a separate addendum after the execution of the rental agreement.

It’s time to change your lease. If you need help incorporating this new language into your lease document, we can provide the necessary support.

Laws Around Eviction and Lease Terminations

Virginia passed a handful of housing laws that impact eviction and lease terminations in 2024. They’re already in effect, so make sure you’re compliant. Here’s what you need to know:

Eviction Records

HB 73 is a law that requires Virginia courts to automatically expunge eviction records for cases that have been dismissed after 30 days. This may impact your tenant screening as it relates to searching for eviction histories. If you file for an eviction and the case is dismissed, that filing will not show up on the tenant’s record.

Money Due During Evictions

HB 86 requires landlords to notify tenants when there’s an increase in money that’s requested or due during an eviction case. If the eviction continues on and another month of rent isn’t paid, for example, you’ll have to let your tenants know that the amount owed in the eviction case has gone up.

Termination of Leases for Victims

Thanks to HB 764, victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse have the right to terminate a lease agreement early if they’re in danger from their abuser. They’ll need a permanent protective order and evidence that moving residences is necessary for their safety.

Eviction Diversion

There were two bills: HB 477 and SB 50 passed in 2024 that extend Virginia’s eviction diversion pilot program for another year.

Eviction is always a tricky thing to navigate, and so are lease terminations, whether you as the owner are terminating the lease agreement or your tenant has expressed a desire to do so. Don’t head to eviction court without first understanding the full extent of the law. Specific timelines are in place, and you’ll have to serve notices and provide evidence. We always recommend that you talk to a property manager (like us) or an experienced eviction attorney before filing for an eviction in court.

Lease terminations, whether agreed upon or disputed, are also likely to get complicated. Make sure that you follow the lease agreement when you or your tenant intend to terminate that lease.

Habitability Standards and Building Codes

Virginia has an implied warranty of habitability when it comes to rental properties, and that puts the landlords in our state on notice that they’re required to maintain their properties in a way that is safe and habitable . A lot of this is common sense. You have to provide access to hot water, for example, and heat in the winter.

Recent laws have increased fines that owners can be subjected to if they violate habitability standards or building codes. Specifically, HB 368 and SB 538 are on the books, and in 2025 maximum fines are increased, particularly for repeat offenders. These laws increase the maximum fine that localities can impose on repeated violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Owners will also want to be aware of HB 368 and SB 195, which establish an advisory group to explore changes to Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code. The specific concerns of this advisory group will be around exits and stairways. The team will look at permitting the use of single-exit stairways in multi-family residential buildings that are under six stories tall.

Housing Vouchers and Government Programs

New laws are now in effect around housing vouchers and community funding.

Let’s start with HB 1203. It will increase the tax credits that are available to Arlington landlords who rent to Housing Choice Voucher holders. There is also an earmark for use in rural regions of Virginia, but that’s unlikely to affect most of the owners we work with. When you rent to people who receive housing vouchers (such as Section 8), you’ll be able to access higher tax credits, which can have a positive impact on your ROI .

Two bills will direct more attention and potentially more funding to revitalizing and renewing neighborhoods in need. HB 478 and SB 49 will allow localities to set up Community Revitalization Funds in order to serve high-need neighborhoods. Funds can be used to prevent neighborhood deterioration. They can be spent on revamping ruined buildings and structures for continued use.

Finally, SB 489 was passed to establish a workgroup that can analyze the possibility and options for creating a Virginia Residential Development Infrastructure fund.

Rent Stabilization: No New Laws, but Some Discussion

Rent control does not exist in Virginia. However, a bill to allow local cities and counties to limit rent increases was passed by the Virginia House of Delegates in February of 2024. That bill was eventually pushed to the 2025 legislative session. We will be watching to see what, if anything, is done with that potential legislation. The bill would have:

Allowed localities to limit rent increases by a calculated allowance
Required landlords to give at least two months' written notice before a rent increase
Allowed localities to form anti-rent gouging boards

Stay tuned as the legislative session gets underway and we’ll let you know if there’s any movement on this issue.

Foundational Rental Laws in Arlington

These new laws are pretty nuanced, and you’ll find that they either have a big impact on how you rent out homes or a minimal impact at all.

Let’s not forget the laws that always matter, and in big ways. You cannot effectively rent out a property in Arlington without being fully aware of fair housing laws, security deposit laws, and lease disclosures.

Virginia state law prohibits you from collecting more than the equivalent of two months’ rent as a security deposit. Landlords must return the security deposit within 45 days of the tenant moving out. Deductions can be made for tenant damage that exceeds wear and tear, unpaid rent or utility bills, vacancy caused by a lease break, and trash removal and cleaning. If the tenant isn’t receiving a full deposit refund, send back the amount that they are entitled to, and then also include an itemized list of what you’ve deducted and why.

The federal Fair Housing Act prevents you from discriminating against tenants or applicants based on:

Color
Race
Disability
Familial status
National origin
Religion
Sex

These are considered “protected classes,” and you need to be aware of the potentially discriminatory language that’s often used as well as practices that are inconsistent or unfair. The state fair housing laws go a bit further when it comes to who is protected. In addition to all of the federal protected classes, Virginia also makes it illegal to discriminate against tenants or applicants based on elderliness, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status.

Is Investing in Arlington Real Estate Right for You? A 2025 Guide

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:00:00 GMT

As everyone dives head-first into their New Year’s resolutions, smart investors everywhere are wondering where they should focus their attention and their resources in 2025.

Perhaps you’re one of those real estate investors, and perhaps you’re considering Arlington.

If so, you’re exactly the person we want to talk to.

Choosing Arlington as your next real estate investment destination offers a lot of potential. Whether you’re investing here already and you’re thinking about growing your portfolio or you’re looking at this market for the first time, there’s a lot to love about owning real estate here.

All you have to do is look at its location on the east coast, just outside of Washington, D.C. and within striking distance of major cities like Richmond, Baltimore, and New York. With its thriving economy, growing population, and robust housing market, Arlington real estate continues to capture the attention of experienced investors and those aspiring to buy rental properties.

Just because it looks like a great market doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.

A smart investor will do a little legwork and determine whether a market like this is right for them.

It depends on your investment goals. It depends on where you stand right now and where you want to go.

We’ve been managing rental properties in Arlington for quite some time, and this allows us to work closely with investors, landlords, and rental property owners who are trying to decide which way to go with a specific property, portfolio, or idea.

This 2025 guide will help you explore whether investing in Arlington real estate aligns with your goals.

Why Does Anyone Invest in Arlington Real Estate?

Arlington is situated just minutes from Washington, D.C., and this desirable location is an important part of the success that investors find here. This is a real estate market that easily combines the conveniences of urban living with the charm of a community-driven neighborhood. It’s what tenants are looking for , and whether they’re commuting into Washington or living and working in the same neighborhood, Arlington offers a high quality of life.

There will always be a strong pool of qualified tenants for rental property owners in Arlington.

This strategic location has made Arlington one of the most desirable real estate markets in recent years. But that’s not the only reason that investors do well here. Here’s what else you can expect when you own real estate assets in this city.

Economic Growth. Arlington has the benefit of a strong and diverse economy, thanks to its proximity to the federal government as well as local employment centers like Amazon’s HQ2. Recently, there’s also been a growth in new and innovative startups across sectors like tech and education.
Consistent Population Growth . There’s also the fact that people continue moving into Arlington. Some of them come for work or for school, and some of them simply move here because it’s where they want to be. Arlington is attracting a diverse demographic of tenants, and that’s creating sustained demand for housing in a lot of different neighborhoods.
High-Quality Amenities. The quality of life in this market attracts tenants , investors, and visitors. Known for its excellent schools, parks, and walkable communities, Arlington offers a high standard of living that renters and homeowners value.
Ease of Access. With efficient public transit options like the metro, residents enjoy seamless connections to D.C. and other surrounding regions. The infrastructure in and around the city is pretty strong, and that means it’s a livable area for tenants, and highly desirable.

The Arlington Real Estate Market in 2025: What We Expect

Real estate markets have been difficult to predict lately, but we have a pretty good idea of where things are headed, based on how strong this market has managed to remain, even during periods of high inflation and rising mortgage rates.

The Arlington real estate market is experiencing a slight shift, driven largely by changing interest rates, tighter inventory, and a continued rebound from post-pandemic trends. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that there was a watershed election in 2024, and that’s bringing a lot of new people to town.

Here are the key factors shaping the market today, which we believe will have a continued impact into 2025:

Rising Home Prices. Home values in Arlington have been increasing consistently, making it attractive for long-term investors aiming for appreciation. Arlington real estate is always going to be a valuable asset to hold.
Rental Opportunities. High rental demand continues due to the influx of working professionals, many drawn to Arlington's proximity to D.C. and major employers. There will always be tenants in Arlington looking for homes to rent.
Condo Revival. Single-family homes are always popular, and multifamily properties are always a good option for their own reasons. Lately, we’re all about the condos in Arlington. We’re finding that 2025 is marking renewed interest in condominiums, a relatively affordable entry point compared to single-family homes.
Sustainability Trends. A lot of owners and tenants have been pushing for energy-efficient building codes, boosting the appeal of eco-friendly properties for conscious renters and buyers. Efficiency is important, and so is the smart home technology that supports it.

With a strong and stable real estate market and a rental market that is in high demand, it makes sense to invest here, as long as you have a plan for the short-term and the long-term.

Benefits of Investing in Arlington Real Estate

Wondering what makes Arlington real estate so compelling as an investment?

Here are the key benefits we are always telling investors to consider:

Strong ROI Potential . A mix of rising home values and healthy rental income gives investors robust opportunities for returns. Do the math and you’ll soon see that there’s money to be made through consistent and recurring rental income as well as asset appreciation.
Low Vacancy Rates. Properties in Arlington move quickly. With consistent renter demand, you’re less likely to experience prolonged vacancies.
Appreciation Over Time. Arlington real estate is known for its steady appreciation, making it ideal for long-term investors. If you’re looking at a buy-and-hold strategy, this is the place for you.
Thriving Rental Market . As we have stated, renters can always be found here. With Arlington’s job market growing, rentals remain in high demand among professionals and families relocating to the area.

Local development initiatives focused on walkability, public projects, and green spaces are also in play. These enhance the appeal and value of properties over time.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

While Arlington offers plenty of opportunities, there are challenges to be aware of, and we don’t want to mislead you into thinking that the market is perfect. Nothing is perfect.

Be aware of high upfront costs, for example. This is an expensive market. The initial investment in Arlington real estate can be steep, given its high property values and competitive market. You’ll want to watch the local and statewide rental laws, too. Stay informed about zoning laws and rental restrictions in Arlington, which could affect your ability to manage or develop properties. This is mostly true of investors who are interested in short-term rentals.

With demand high, competition among investors can make finding the perfect property challenging. Fighting for space in the market can feel grueling if you’re not prepared. Finally, don’t forget the economic variables that are hard to predict. Interest rates, federal policies, or employment market fluctuations in nearby D.C. could indirectly impact Arlington real estate investments .

Is Arlington Real Estate Right for You?

We are good at providing the data. Now, let’s talk about whether this is the right market for you.

Determining whether Arlington aligns with your investment goals boils down to your priorities. If you’re seeking sustainable, long-term growth and a market with strong rental demand, Arlington could be an excellent choice. However, it’s essential to weigh the high initial costs and stay informed about market shifts.

When your answer is yes, this is the market for you, we can help you get started. Here’s how we’ll set you on a path for success:

1.Understand Your Investment Goals

First, we’ll focus on whether you’re looking for rental income, long-term appreciation, or a mix of both. Knowing your goals will help narrow your property search.

2.Evaluate Local Market Trends

Next, we’ll take a look at opportunities. This requires a deep dive into specific neighborhoods to understand housing price movements and demand.

3.Explore Financing Options

If high property costs feel like a challenge, we can help you research financing options. Some lenders may have programs catering specifically to Arlington investors.

Before making any purchase, ensure the property aligns with your strategy. Review costs, potential returns, and neighborhood growth outlooks carefully. Leverage our expertise and our resources.

Smart Home Tech for Arlington Landlords: A Beginner's Guide

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:00:00 GMT

Smart home technology has reshaped the Arlington rental market, both in what it can provide to tenants and how it can improve your property values . How can you leverage this trend to attract more tenants and streamline property management ?

We have some ideas.

Here’s the thing: Arlington tenants are smarter and more sophisticated than ever before. They know what’s being offered in competing homes across the rental market, and they know what they want in the next property they lease. While smart home technology was once something special, it’s now something that’s expected.

Lately, tenants have been looking for strong, fast Wi-Fi as well as the ease and convenience that comes with the functionality of smart homes. They want better security. They want modernization.

Rental property owners and real estate investors are continually looking for ways to improve their tenants' experiences to retain them for the long-term. One of the ways to achieve this is through implementing innovative technologies such as smart home tech.

Today, we’re sharing the guide we’ve put together around smart home technology and how to be smart about providing it. Take a look at what our Arlington property management experience has taught us about this amenity that’s becoming more important to residents.

What is Smart Home Technology

What are we talking about when we talk about smart home technology?

Smart is actually an acronym. It means “Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.”

This is technology that’s actually been around for years. You’ve used smart technology ever since you followed GPS or invested in a “smart” phone. As we explore smart home devices and technology, we’re talking about building maintenance systems that are automated. We mean adjustable thermostats, security cameras, door locks, digitally capable appliances, lighting and music systems that sync to phones.

When internet-enabled appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely using a networked device, you have smart home technology. More and more homeowners are using it to make their lives easier, more convenient, and even more comfortable.

Tenants want the same access, and that’s why we’re sharing some of the benefits and some of the recommended starting points when it comes to introducing this technology to your rental properties in Arlington.

The Benefits of Smart Home Tech for Landlords

Before we get into the types of smart home tech you should be offering, let’s review why it matters.

Smart home technology offers a myriad of advantages that can make your property stand out in the competitive Arlington rental market. But, it does even more than that. Here are a few benefits to consider:

Increased Property Value and Appeal

Modern tenants love convenience, and they don’t want to feel like renting from you is a burden. By upgrading to smart home tech, you could increase your property's attraction and possibly justify a higher rent. Tenants will be willing to pay more for a home that has desirable features and fixtures.

Energy Efficiency

Smart home technology includes advancements in making your rental property a little bit greener. Smart thermostats and lighting, for example, can reduce utility bills, which is an excellent selling point for cost-conscious and eco-friendly renters .

Enhanced Security

Smart locks and digital keypads and security systems not only make tenants feel safer but can also reduce the risk of break-ins. These smart home upgrades also help you out during vacancy periods and turnovers . You can keep better control over access to your property.

The Best Smart Home Technology to Download

You could spend thousands of dollars bringing your rental home up to speed with all the latest smart home tech. But, that probably isn’t necessary. There are different levels of involvement, and plenty of options when it comes to how much smart home technology you want to invest in.

How can you prioritize? We can help by looking at some of the most common smart home devices found in rental properties:

Rental Property Smart Locks

Smart locks are easily found on rental properties and even owner-occupied properties all over Arlington. These are a benefit to you as an owner as well as your tenants. They allow you to grant access to tenants remotely or with a code. You can change the code between tenants or when you have a vendor showing up to complete work. There’s no need to worry about lost keys or rekeying the property between tenants. We also like smart locks for self-showings. They’re secure, inexpensive, and efficient. Some of the best types of smart locks are those with a programmable keypad or a lockbox. You can also download an app to unlock doors or allow tenants to do it with their cell phones.

Tenants won’t miss the keys that they need to carry around. It’s a modern, convenient way to get in and out of one’s own house, and when guests and family members have the same access code or PIN, fewer keys to your property are out there in the world, potentially falling into the wrong hands.

Video Doorbells for Security and Ease

Tenants love to feel safer and more secure in their homes, and video doorbells can accomplish that. They’re hugely popular. Just drive through any residential neighborhood in and around Arlington, and you’ll see video doorbells on a large number of front doors. They’re showing up on condos, townhomes, and even in apartment buildings, too. Tenants appreciate these video doorbells for safety, security, package-tracking, and ease.

With a video doorbell installed on the front door, tenants will be able to see who is outside of their house and who might be approaching the property. They can make decisions about whether they want to answer the door, ignore it, or call the policy.

Greener Tech Enabled Homes: Smart Lighting and Smart Thermostats

With smart lighting systems, your tenants can set the lights in the home to timers or control them on their smartphones. Exterior lights can also be motion activated. This is good for the security of your property and your tenants, and the interior lights will help tenants keep electricity costs down. It’s more intuitive and a greener way to keep the lights on in your rental home. Tenants can turn the lights on as they’re arriving at home, saving money and feeling safer.

Like lighting, the smart thermostats you install can help tenants conserve energy, reduce their electric bills, and live greener. Smart thermostats can intuitively decide when to cool or heat a room, depending on its temperature and whether anyone is home. These can be programmed for time of day as well. Settings might change depending on the time of day, and whether it’s a Saturday or a Tuesday.

Security Systems Enabled by Technology

Security is high on the list of what matters to tenants. It should be a priority for you, too. When you invest in smart home technology that keeps your property safe , you’re protecting your investment . Install security systems for vacancies, and offer activation to tenants if they want this type of technology while they’re living in your property.

Integrating Smart Home Tech and Personal Devices

Voice-activated assistants have become completely normalized, and talking to that cube on your counter that happens to be listening to everything you say is no longer a big deal. You might find yourself barking instructions to Siri or Alexa or Google.

Tenants are doing this too, and allowing your residents to integrate their smart devices to your smart home tech is a great way to attract tenants and raise rents. This will streamline and centralize all the other technology that may be available.

Installing Smart Home Devices

Smart home technology is not just a passing trend; it’s a worthwhile investment that can add significant value to your rental properties. It’s also going to continue growing smarter. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the move and becoming more adaptable, we’ll probably be learning how to use systems and tech that’s even smarter in the future.

But, by starting with these essential devices, you can create a more appealing, efficient, and secure environment that will not only draw in perspective Arlington tenants but also provide you with peace of mind and convenience. If you're curious about how smart home tech can revamp your rental property, consider reaching out to an Arlington property manager. We’ve shared some of our best tips, but these tips are general and intended for anyone renting out a home. Let’s take a look at your location, your property, and your target tenant pool to create a customized list of recommendations and suggestions.

Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Landlord Legalities: Understanding Arlington's Tenant Laws

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:00:01 GMT

When you’re renting out property in Arlington, there are two laws that you need to become familiar with. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) applies to all rental properties in the state, and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) establishes habitability standards for all buildings and homes in Virginia, whether they’re occupied by a tenant or the property’s owner .

In addition to the statewide laws, rental property owners in Arlington need to know federal laws that focus on fair housing, discrimination, and important disclosures around things like lead based paint. We’re focusing on the most important tenant laws you need to know in Arlington, and how you can be sure you’re staying in compliance.

Virginia State Laws and Arlington Tenant Laws

Arlington does not have its own Landlord and Tenant Act. The state laws are applied to rental homes within the city and the county. There is, however, a Tenant Landlord Handbook that’s provided by The Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. It covers the basics of the two laws we mentioned above, and offers resources to both owners and tenants.

Virginia Habitability Laws

There’s a Landlord Warranty of Habitability that is implied when you rent out your property in Arlington. As a rental property owner, it’s your responsibility to provide a home for tenants that is safe and habitable. The property must meet all Virginia building and housing codes. As a landlord who is complying with this habitability law, you are required to:

Provide your Arlington tenant with a property that has working electrical and plumbing systems.

Respond to any maintenance requests from your tenant right away, especially those emergency repairs that are needed to maintain habitability standards .

Ensure the property is sanitary so it doesn’t constitute a health hazard.

If your property does not meet these requirements, tenants have the right to “repair and deduct,” which means they can fix the problem themselves and then deduct the cost of that repair from their next rental payment. Obviously, this is not a situation you want to invite. Make your repairs right away and keep your rental property in good condition.

Security Deposits in Arlington

S ecurity deposits are an easy place for Arlington rental property owners to make mistakes. In fact, in our experience, if there’s going to be a dispute between you and your tenant, it might be over the security deposit. You cannot be too eager to keep the deposit. Damage can be paid for out of that money, but regular wear and tear cannot.

There are also specific timetables that apply to the return of the security deposit. There are limits to how much you can collect in a security deposit.

Here’s what you need to know:

Virginia state law prohibits you from collecting more than the equivalent of two months’ rent as a security deposit when a tenant is moving in. Most landlords will collect the equivalent of one month’s rent.

You need to return the deposit to the tenants who have moved out within 45 days of them vacating the property.

You do not have to provide any advance notice of the deductions you might be making, but you’ll want to include an itemized statement of any money that was withheld from the deposit, and what it was used for.

It’s permissible to use the security deposit funds for tenant damage that exceeds wear and tear standards, unpaid rent or utility bills, the vacancy period that was caused by the tenants breaking their lease, and any cleaning or hauling of personal possessions you needed to do after move=out. .

If your tenant disputes what you’ve withheld and you’re taken to court, you could find yourself ordered to refund the entire security deposit. Or, if you don’t return the deposit in time, you could face expensive penalties. This is why we always encourage owners to be detailed in their move-in and move-out inspections. Document everything carefully, and if a tenant pushes back against a deduction you’re making, decide how well you think your case will stand up in court.

Arlington Rentals and Notice of Rental Increases

Good news for Arlington rental property owners: there’s no rent control in Virginia. This means that you’re legally permitted to raise the rent as much as you think you should. However, there are state laws that impact how much notice is required before the rental amount changes.

Here’s what it boils down to: you must give your tenants a 30-day written notice of the amount that the rent will increase. An increase will typically happen at lease renewal time, so make sure you’re timing your offer of a lease renewal with the rental increase you plan to implement.

If, after you have provided the notice of a rental increase to your tenant and that tenant objects to the new rent amount, they have the right to vacate the unit within that 30-day period.

Following Virginia Eviction Laws

Eviction should always be a last resort, and if you’re screening tenants well and keeping up your tenant relationship, evictions should be rare. But, things happen - even to excellent, well-screened tenants. Virginia law requires you to terminate your tenancy before you remove a tenant from the property. You can evict for common reasons such as nonpayment of rent and other lease violations. Every eviction must start with a written notice, and the amount of notice you give depends on the reason for eviction . Here are the notice timelines you need to know and follow.

Nonpayment of Rent. You will want to serve a Five-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit if your tenants are late paying rent. This notice gives tenants five days to pay the rent or move out of the home. If the five days come and go and your tenants still have not paid the rent, you can go to court to file the eviction lawsuit.
Lease Violations . When a tenant violates the lease agreement and the violation can be remedied to bring the tenant into compliance, you can serve a Thirty-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Maybe you’ve discovered an unauthorized pet. Your tenant will have 30 days to find a new home for that pet or move out of the property. If the tenant does not remedy the violation or move, then you can file an eviction lawsuit against the tenant at the end of the 30 days.
Lease Violations that cannot be Remedied . When there’s a major violation in which the tenant cannot come into compliance, you’ll serve a Thirty-Day Unconditional Quit Notice. Perhaps the tenant caused major damage to the rental home. You’ll need to serve the notice that specifies this act and identify it as a breach of the lease. The notice gives the tenant 30 days to move.
Criminal Acts . You’re not required to provide any notice when you evict because of a criminal act. This includes violence and drug activity.

Evictions can be extremely complicated, even when you know the law. Once the notice period passes, if you have not managed to resolve the situation with your tenant, it’s time to file in court, and you’ll want an Arlington property manager to advise you, or an experienced eviction attorney. It’s very easy to make a mistake that could cost you the entire eviction. Get the help you need and protect yourself.

Federal and State Fair Housing Laws

It’s difficult to imagine a law that’s had a larger impact on the way properties are leased and managed than the federal Fair Housing Act. This is an important law that’s decades old and always evolving. You need to understand everything you can about fair housing and how it applies to your rental home .

Fair housing violations are expensive, and they’ll also seriously damage your reputation as a landlord. Make sure you understand fair housing requirements so you can avoid potential risk, liability, and lawsuits.

The federal Fair Housing Act prevents you from discriminating against tenants or applicants based on:

Color
Race
Disability
Familial status
National origin
Religion
Sex

These are considered “protected classes,” and you cannot discriminate against any applicant or tenant based on these criteria. This may seem easy enough, but you need to be aware of the potentially discriminatory language that’s sometimes used in listings and marketing materials. You can also demonstrate perceived discrimination when you hold one applicant to different standards than another. Mistakes are easy to make. Be cautious, and always work with an Arlington property manage r if you’re in doubt about how you should proceed.

Property Renovation Tips: Increasing Value Without Overcapitalizing

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 20:00:07 GMT

Renovating a rental property is good for your rental value, your property value, and your ability to attract and retain high quality tenants.

It doesn’t have to be expensive.

While the cost of labor, supplies, and materials has definitely gone up, you can still be selective about the improvements and upgrades you make, ensuring that you’re not overcapitalizing but still adding value to your investment.

It all starts with a clear plan. Are you making structural improvements or simply adding to your cosmetic appeal? Assess your property's current condition and decide on the renovations that will yield the highest return on investment (ROI). Focus on upgrades that are known to appeal to tenants, such as a modern kitchen, updated bathrooms, or enhanced curb appeal.

Here are our best property renovation tips for your Arlington rental property .

Always Choose Kitchen and Bathroom Updates

Money spent on your kitchen and your bathrooms is money well-spent. These are the areas of every rental home that get the most traffic, usage, and attention. When tenants decide to rent your property, it’s often because of the kitchen space. They’ll need to feel good about the bathroom, too.

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes – and they also attract renters. You don't need to gut the entire room to make an impact. There are some simple and easy upgrades that can be made without giving up too much capital and cash.

Consider making selective upgrades that bring the most visual and functional impact. Here are our suggestions:

Replace old appliances

Tenants are more interested in energy-efficiency than ever before. This is due not only to a wider concern around environmental sustainability and green living, but also the need to save money . Keeping utility bills low is a huge priority for your renters. They’ll appreciate those appliances with the ENERGY STAR rating. You don’t have to invest in stainless steel. That’s potentially overcapitalizing. However, if all of the competing properties in your area are offering stainless appliances, you might want to meet that demand. Otherwise, just make sure the appliances match, look clean and new, and offer an energy efficiency bonus.

Focus on details

Tile backsplashes behind stoves or sinks is a great way to brighten up your kitchen without spending a lot of money. Tenants will appreciate the detail and the ease with which they’re able to keep that backsplash clean. It’s much easier to wipe away sauce stains from the backsplash than a painted wall. Choose a neutral but interesting tile that compliments the kitchen and captures the attention of your prospective residents. Other details include cabinet hardware and drawer pulls. Instead of replacing old and worn cabinets, save money by painting those cabinets. Fresh paint with new, shiny hardware will be attention-grabbing and affordable.

In the bathroom, take a look at the condition of your lighting, your vanity, and your mirrors. Make sure the grout in your shower and tub is fresh. Since we were talking about eco-friendly upgrades with the appliances, this is another good way to be efficient with energy and water. Low-flow showerheads and sinks can be a great way to showcase your sustainable sensibilities. Tenants will appreciate that as well as lower water bills. Modern toilets use about 1.5 gallons per flush, whereas older and outdated toilets use up to seven gallons per flush.

Hard Surface Flooring is an Investment Worth Making

Carpet has lost a lot of favor with many tenants, especially those with children and pets. It carries allergens and odors. It gets dirty easily. The fibers trap dust and pet dander and who knows what else.

This is why it’s important to think about hard surface flooring instead, especially in common areas like hallways, living rooms, and dining rooms.

Hardwood floors would be great, but they’re also pricey. Take a look at laminates and faux woods. Even some types of vinyl look great and don’t cost a lot. These floors will increase your earnings because they’re cleaner and easier for tenants to maintain. You’ll also have a longer lifespan, which means you won’t be cleaning and replacing carpet every year.

Upgrade the Curb Appeal of Arlington Rental Homes

First impressions count – as you surely already know. Those first impressions are especially important when you’re marketing your rental property in Arlington . Prospective tenants will make decisions about whether or not to see your home based on how it looks on the outside. So, when you’re thinking about the upgrades that will bring in more money than they’ll cost, consider the importance of your curb appeal. You can make some improvements such as:

Fresh exterior paint, especially if the existing paint is chipped or faded from the sun. Take a look at your trim, as well, or your front door. Perhaps painting the front door and simply power washing the rest of the property will be enough to brighten up the outside of the place.
New landscaping that’s attractive but also simple and easy to maintain. Tenants won’t want to worry about keeping up with extensive gardens or delicate rose bushes. You want the grass to be cut and the weeds to be pulled, but save the complicated topiary garden for your own home .
Attractive lighting.

All of these things are simple, affordable, and can help to boost curb appeal and attract potential renters. Remember that your property's exterior is a reflection of what's inside, so make sure it looks the part.

If you’re not already contracting with a landscaping service, you might want to consider it. By having someone mow the lawn, clear away any lawn debris and leaves, and keep your weeds pulled, you can present an attractive and welcoming home at all times. This will help you attract good tenants, raise your rents, and retain the residents you have, who appreciate living in a home that looks great from the street. You can roll the cost of your landscaping service into the monthly rent, ensuring you and your tenants are contributing to this upkeep.

Tenants are Looking for Smart Home Tech Upgrades

We’ve promised cost-effective upgrades that don’t over-improve your property, and while smart home tech might have been a bit too much several years ago, it’s absolutely essential now. Tenants are looking for better technology in their rental homes. In fact, they’re expecting it.

When you pick and choose the right smart home tech to invest in, you’ll find that you’re able to raise your rents, attract and retain tenants, and provide a property that’s more competitive on the Arlington rental market. Some of the most popular smart home tech updates will include security features such as alarm systems and video doorbells. When tenants have a video doorbell installed, they can see who is at the door before they open it. They can also see when packages are delivered.

Smart thermostats are also popular and also meet your goal of providing a greener and more energy efficient rental. Tenants can leverage the intuitive and predictive nature of a smart thermostat to keep their home comfortable without wasting money on high electric bills.

Lights that can turn on or off via an app or a pre-set control panel are also a wise investment . When tenants can simply tap their phones to turn on their interior lights as they approach their home, they’ll feel safer and they won’t have to leave those lights on all day.

Vendor Relationships and Renovations

Vendors are actually busier than ever. We have a lot of new construction in our market, and home improvement projects continue to be popular with homeowners. That means that all of the service providers you might have taken for granted would be available are now in high demand. Put together the relationships you’ll need to make cost effective improvements. If you don’t have these relationships yourself, an Arlington property manager can be a fantastic resource.

With a good team of vendors in place, you can easily call for help when you have a repair or a renovation. Look for licensed and insured professionals who are willing to stand by their work.

These are just some of the most common renovation tips that we always provide to the investors who are looking for ways to increase their rental and property values. The right upgrades and updates for you will always depend on your unique property, as well as its location and its existing condition. We’d be happy to make some customized suggestions for you. Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Creative Marketing Techniques to Attract Quality Tenants in Arlington

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 20:00:01 GMT

Finding the right tenant for your Arlington rental property is not a matter of luck. When you’re strategic with the way you market your property and screen your applications, it won’t be too difficult to find a resident who can be trusted to pay rent on time, take good care of your property, and follow the terms of the lease agreement . You need a good renter in order to enjoy a stable and hassle-free tenancy.

To showcase your property and market your rental home in a way that attracts the best potential tenants, you need to think beyond the listing that you’ll throw up on Zillow or Zumper or HotPads or any of the others. Those rental sites are important; lots of tenants can be found there. However, you need to be more creative in your marketing if you want to move through the process quickly, finding a great tenant and minimizing your vacancy period.

Here are some of the strategies we employ as professional Arlington property managers in order to attract high quality tenants to the homes we’re leasing.

Become a Storyteller

If you want your listing to stand out, you need to do more than post the standard living room pictures and general information about your rental home. It’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo? Great. Go a little deeper and mention something unique about the space like the built-in bookcase or the covered patio. These are the details that will help your potential tenants connect with the space and want to learn more.

Rental listings with high-quality, professional-looking photos and videos often receive more attention. Use your listing to share your property's best features through vivid storytelling that allows prospective tenants to visualize living in your space. You want them to imagine being in the neighborhood, coming home from work, or enjoying the outdoor space.

Your photos can do this. Capture the afternoon sun on the green grass outdoors. Show a street view if your property is in an area that’s walkable to restaurants and coffee shops. Your description can do this, too. Talk about the new appliances that were just installed, making your kitchen a treat for at-home chefs. Uploading a lot of fantastic photos is a must, and if you can, include a video tour to provide a real feel of the property.

Leverage the Power of Social Media in Rental Property Marketing

Your next tenant is likely scrolling through their social feeds throughout the day. If you want to get your property in front of that tenant, you need to show up on the social media platforms with your property.

Social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok are not just for cat videos, political rants, and lifestyle influencers. They can serve as powerful tools for rental property owners who are trying to reach a vast audience.

Establish an online presence if you don’t have one already. Make sure you’re connected with the right people; you want to make your posts viewable to potential tenants, and you want to network with relevant experts in the local community. Share posts that will help tenants as they look for a new home . This will help you gather an audience to your profile. Then, create engaging posts and targeted ads showcasing the lifestyle your property enables.

When you share and advertise on social media, you can offer engagement to prospective tenants. Answer questions. Respond to comments. Invite shares. This will help you reach a larger audience faster.

Be Flexible with Showings

Virtual tours are hugely popular, especially for prospective tenants who may be moving into Arlington from out of town. If they cannot be there to schedule an in-person showing , the next best thing is often being able to walk through the property virtually. If you have the technology to enable this, you’re providing a great service that potential renters will appreciate. It will also give you the opportunity to meet with those out-of-state tenants and do a bit of pre screening before they actually complete an application.

Self-showings have also become extremely popular. While there is a lot to be said for an in-person tour of the property, modern tenants today are looking for ease, convenience, and privacy more than in-person conversations.

Self-Showing Benefits

From an industry standpoint, Arlington property managers can tell you that self-showing technology has increased the amount of interest that’s generated in vacant rental homes. It often contributes to lower vacancy rates, and tenants will be more likely to schedule a showing when they know it can be done quickly and electronically, without talking to anyone or meeting a leasing agent in person.

In a fast-moving and competitive rental market like Arlington, you need to provide what tenants are demanding, or they’ll be quick to move on.

This technology is good for owners and property managers, too, because it eliminates the time and resources required to schedule these walk-throughs. There’s no going back and forth to find a time that works for everyone. There’s no danger that you’ll rearrange your entire day to meet a prospective tenant at a certain time, and then that tenant doesn’t show.

Almost everything is on-demand these days, and this technology helps you meet that need .

How Self-Showings Work

You’ve got your choice; there are several types of self-showing technology available, and every system has a few of the same features. You can have an electronic lock installed on the door, or a digital keypad that can open digitally through an online app or a code.

When a prospective tenant sees your listing and reaches out to see your property, you can ask for some preliminary information to protect yourself and your property . You’ll collect identification such as a driver’s license image. You can ask when they plan to move in or how much they earn or if they’ve ever been evicted before.

Once the system has validated their information, they’ll have access to the property for a limited amount of time, in which they can complete their walk-through. You will have an opportunity to follow up after they have seen the home, and answer any questions they may have. It’s a good time to offer an application and share your rental criteria.

Open Houses are Back

For a while, it seemed like open houses were over. They’re back, though, and it’s time to schedule one for your property. This is a great way to initiate a sense of urgency into anyone who is interested in your property. They’ll see that other people are interested in renting it too, and they’ll likely feel motivated to apply.

Schedule an open house, and make it meaningful. It can be more than a bunch of people walking through empty rooms. Give away a door prize. Offer snacks. This will not only showcase your property but also demonstrate that you’re a personable and friendly property owner.

Capitalize on Local Partnerships

Form partnerships with local businesses to offer exclusive deals to your tenants. Whether it's a discount at the nearby coffee shop or a free trial at the fitness center down the street, small perks can make your property more attractive and demonstrate value beyond the basic rental features. This is good marketing.

You also want to introduce yourself to relocation companies and businesses who might be moving people into Arlington from time to time. With its proximity to Washington, D.C. and all of the schools, hospitals, think tanks, and government operations, there are always tenants coming and going. When you’re on the list for relocation companies helping to place people, you’ll rent your home a lot faster.

Be Responsive and Engaging

Your ideal tenant is a well-qualified renter who will contribute to a pleasant - and profitable rental experience. That tenant is out there, online. With a bit of creativity and some sound marketing strategies, you’ll find each other through engaging listings, social media posts, and easy showings.

Working with a property manager in Arlington is almost essential, especially during the leasing process. You want to be able to access all of the tools and resources that we have available to us, including our marketing strength.

If you’d like some help with your marketing plans and you want to find a well-qualified tenant for your Arlington rental property quickly, we’re the partner you need. Contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Insurance Essentials: Protecting Your Arlington Investment Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:00:01 GMT

Renting out homes in Arlington is risky. Not only do you have to protect yourself against market shifts, potentially bad tenants , and economic unpredictability, there’s also the everyday, ordinary problem that can occur - like a plumbing disaster or a kitchen fire or a tenant falling down your front steps on an icy morning.

Your job is to provide a safe and habitable home for your tenants. You also want to protect the condition and the value of your investment.

Both of those things start with a strong insurance policy.

The coverage you have as a rental property owner will have a serious impact on the safety and profitability of your property.

Work with a good insurance agent. You can count on their expertise when it comes to choosing plans, coverage, and deductible amounts. We can make a referral if you’re not currently working with a fantastic agent to manage your insurance.

As your Arlington property management partner , we also recommend that you review your coverage annually to ensure you’re as protected as you need to be. Always revisit what coverage you have and keep the discussion moving forward with your insurance agent. Your property value changes from year to year, and that’s going to affect what you would need to rebuild if you did suffer a catastrophic loss. Your rental home is also getting older. You may need more or less coverage depending on these shifts.

Here’s our advice when it comes to protecting your investment property: always opt for as much insurance as you can. This is not an area in which to cut corners. Instead, make sure you’re covered for every potential loss.

Let’s take a look at the insurance essentials that are necessary for your investment property .

Landlord Insurance Essentials: What Every Policy Should Cover

The insurance that you’ll buy to protect a home that you’re renting out is often referred to as landlord insurance. When we talk about landlord insurance, we’re referring to the policy that covers both your dwelling, which is the actual physical property, and the liability that you take on as a landlord . Those things are included in a comprehensive landlord policy, and we’ll share more details on that in a moment.

As you review your policy as a landlord, it may seem to you that this type of insurance is almost identical to the homeowner’s policy that you have on the home you occupy. It’s the same, but different. There’s actually one huge difference that applies to the personal property of your tenants. Your homeowner policy will cover the dwelling, your liability, and also the personal possessions that belong to you and are kept inside the house. If a fire burns up your furniture, your homeowner insurance will cover that loss. If a fire burns up your tenant’s furniture, replacing or repairing those items will not be covered under your landlord policy.

Tenants need their own insurance.

We’ll talk about renters insurance a little later. Right now, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect your landlord insurance to cover:

Dwelling Coverage

Your Arlington investment property is protected against any perils such as fire, wind, hail, or structural collapse with the dwelling portion of your insurance policy. Your personal property that’s inside the rental home will also be covered. For landlords, that typically means appliances. If there’s a fire or an incident that damages your stove or your dishwasher, the insurance you have will replace those things.

Liability

Liability is a big part of your insurance policy, and you need as much coverage as you can find. If you are liable for property damage or bodily injury to your tenants, your insurance policy will cover those costs. Medical bills will be covered as well as any lost wages in some circumstances, depending on the policy you buy. If you get sued by a tenant who is injured at your property, this insurance policy will help defend you.

Loss of Rent

Most landlord policies include coverage for loss of rent. If there’s a covered loss that your insurance will pay for, the loss of rental income will also be reimbursed. This is protection in case your property becomes temporarily inhabitable. You may need to move your tenants out in order to have repairs completed, and that means you won’t have rental income. You’ll need the insurance money.

The amount of coverage you set for each of these things will depend on a number of details. The age and size of your property, its value, and the amount you’d need to rebuild the home all factor into how much insurance you actually need.

What Does Your Insurance NOT Cover?

Now that you know the essentials of your insurance policy, you also have to understand its exclusions.

General maintenance and repairs

When something malfunctions in your rental property, it’s not going to be a claim you can file with your insurance company. The cost of replacing water heaters, repairing kitchen appliances, and fixing an HVAC system will not generally be covered. You can get a home warranty, which comes with its own set of challenges, or you can make sure that you buy extended warranties on things like appliances if you’re worried about covering those costs.

Sewage

A sewage backup is not your insurance company’s problem. They won’t cover any damage that’s done to your property due to a wastewater obstruction that involves the local sewer system in your city or county.

Tenant damage and possessions

As we mentioned, your tenant’s television will not be replaced if it’s damaged during a covered loss. Your insurance company will also likely deny any claim for damages that’s a result of your tenant’s negligence.

It’s a good idea to talk with your insurance agent about flooding, especially if you live close to a river or you’re in a flood zone. Most insurance policies won’t provide coverage for floods that are a result of rain or tropical storms. If you feel you need this coverage, you’ll have to buy a separate policy.

Think about buying an umbrella policy if you own many properties. You’ll get some extra coverage, and if the cost of repairing a property exceeds your coverage limits on your general policy, the umbrella coverage will fill in the gaps.

Renters Insurance Lease Requirements

This type of coverage applies to all renters, whether they’re leasing a single-family home or a unit in an apartment building. As the landlord, you can request that you’re named as an additional insured or an additional interest in order to ensure that the policy stays in force and it gets renewed with the lease agreement every year. That’s a good way to enforce your renters insurance requirement.

The most important thing for most tenants is the coverage provided for their personal property. If there’s a sudden plumbing disaster that leaves a foot of water in the home or a tree falls through the roof and takes out some valuable artwork or electronics, the renters insurance policy will cover the cost to replace or repair those things.

A landlord’s insurance policy will not cover those items. As we have carefully discussed, under a landlord policy, liability and the structure of the home is covered; a tenant’s personal property is not. So, your tenants need a renter’s policy to make sure they don’t suffer a major loss if something happens at the home.

The renter’s policy will also cover their own liability. Tenants don’t usually think about their own liability when they’re renting a property, but anything can happen. If a tenant accidentally leaves a burner on and something falls onto it, you can quickly have your kitchen burnt down. The renters insurance will cover the repairs that are necessary.

This coverage will save the tenant from a lot of out-of-pocket expenses, protect his or her security deposit , and provide some relief to you. It also provides help with expenses if that fire requires a tenant to move into a hotel for a few days while the damage is repaired.

Everyone is afforded some extra peace of mind when a renters insurance policy is in place.

Even better - the cost of renters insurance isn’t high. Tenants shouldn’t have to pay more than $15 or $20 per month for full coverage. Typically, they can add it to their existing automobile policy and enjoy additional savings .

These are the insurance essentials that every rental property owner in Arlington must consider when protecting their property. We’d be happy to tell you more about how to keep your investment safe . Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

The Pros and Cons of Furnishing Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:00:00 GMT

One of the crucial decisions that Arlington rental property owners have to make is whether to provide furnished or unfurnished properties to their tenants. While most of the people looking for rental homes will expect to move with their own furniture and personal belongings, Arlington is a unique market, and people move here for different reasons. You’ll find that there’s also a pool of tenants who prefer a furnished property, especially if they’re only planning to be here for a few months or a year.

As a landlord , you want to ensure that your rental property is a desirable and comfortable place for tenants to live. The choice to furnish your property or to leave it unfurnished can significantly impact your bottom line.

The first consideration as you tackle this decision is: what type of property are you renting out? If you’re renting out a short-term property or a vacation home, furnishing is mandatory. If, on the other hand, you’re renting out a long-term property and you expect to sign a lease agreement for a year or longer, you may have different considerations as you think about furniture.

Let’s go over the pros and cons of furnishing your Arlington rental property , whether you’re renting it out in the long-term or in the short-term. These considerations can help you make an informed decision about what’s best for you and your tenants.

A Quick Look at the Pros and Cons of Furnishing Your Arlington Rental Property

Before we dive deep into the nuances of a short-term rental versus a long-term rental, let’s just take a quick, easy look at the benefits and the challenges of furnishing your rental.

Pros

Higher Rent Prices . Furnished apartments generally can command higher rent prices than unfurnished rentals. Tenants often find it more convenient to rent a furnished unit than to buy several pieces of furniture or even transport their already-owned furniture. If you have tenants moving into the area from out of state or even out of the country, they might be willing to pay a lot more for the convenience of not having to move furniture.
More Appeal to Tenants . Potential tenants are more likely to be attracted to a furnished unit since they don’t have to worry about buying and/or transporting pieces of furniture. Additionally, they could potentially be able to rent a furnished rental on a short term basis; leading to more options and flexibility. The appeal will depend on the tenant, but you will find there are people who are specifically looking for rental homes that have beds, sofas, kitchen tables, etc.
Convenience . As a landlord, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of tenants moving in and out with large pieces of furniture. You’d be surprised at how easily the drywall gets a big hole in it or the floors get scratched up just during the move-in process. By having furniture already in place, you’re protecting the condition of your investment property .

Cons

Wear and Tear . Furnished apartments and rental homes can experience more wear and tear, with tenants not caring for the furniture as they would their own. Broken furniture may become an issue if tenants claim they weren't responsible for the damage. Not only do you have to worry about the general deterioration to your property that comes with having a tenant live there, you also have to think about the wear and tear on your individual pieces of furniture.
High Initial Investment . Furnishing a rental property requires a significant upfront investment, and you risk not earning back enough in rent to offset the expense. You’ll actually have to buy the furniture that you’re providing, and in order to increase your rents and attract good tenants , you may need to invest in furniture that’s relatively high quality.
Maintenance . In the event, items become worn and damaged, your responsibilities as a landlord increase. Furnished rentals are expected to be well-kept and damage-free, so extra money and time may be required to keep the furniture in good condition. Just as you’re responsible for maintaining the property that you provide, you’ll also be responsible for maintaining the furniture.

These are the immediate things you’ll have to think about when you’re deciding whether you want to furnish or not furnish. Now, let’s take a look at why the type of rental property you’re listing makes such a difference in whether you furnish or you don’t.

Long-Term Arlington Rentals: Don’t Furnish

We recommend that you do not furnish your long-term Arlington rental property. When you’re looking for a tenant who wants to live in your home for a year or longer, you want to provide them with a completely open and empty space so that they can make it their own.

Even as you’re showing your property, you want to minimize the distractions that furniture can cause. You are hoping that prospective tenants can walk into your property and imagine themselves living there. To do that, they’ll have to imagine themselves living there with their own personal belongings - whether it’s furniture that they bring with them or new pieces that they buy specifically for their new home.

Short-Term Arlington Rentals: Do Furnish

You will have to furnish your short-term rentals. It’s unimaginable that someone would be looking for a home to rent for a few weeks or a few months and not have the furniture provided.

Here are some tips to making your furnishing efforts yield the most ROI:

Lean into a specific aesthetic or design focus

Before you buy furniture, invest in cookware and dinner plates, and decorate the walls, you want to know what kind of design elements will fit your property best.

Think about your likely short-term guests. Will they be families with children, who are eager to see all the sites in Washington, D.C.? Maybe in that case, you’ll think about bunk beds. If your short-term rental is likely to attract remote workers and people who are in town on business, perhaps you’ll focus instead on making your property a work-friendly spot with upgraded Wi-Fi and a dedicated work desk.

You can get inspiration from interior designers and their websites, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, and even other rental properties that you admire.

Resist the urge to focus too much on your personal tastes. You’re trying to appeal to as many guests as possible.

Select durable furniture that can stand a lot of traffic

Your furniture will be used by a lot of different people, and it’s going to have to stand up to the wear and tear that comes with that usage. With constant tenant turnover , you want to make sure that you’re choosing furniture that’s dependable and built well.

Again - your own style doesn’t really have to be reflected. Remember, you’re not furniture shopping for your own home . You’re investing in high quality, reliable pieces that will impress your guests. The bed has to be more than adequate; it has to be comfortable and supportive. No one wants to deal with damaged furniture between guests or worse - while a guest is staying in your home. Limit the risk of damaged furniture by investing in high quality, durable furniture.

Make a list of the furniture you’ll need and begin acquiring it

Make sure you remove any personal belongings from your Arlington rental property. The entire space should be for the use of your guests.

Take an inventory of what you have and what you need. Every room in your rental home must be fully furnished. This doesn’t mean that every bed needs two nightstands and four different coffee makers must be available in the kitchen.

But, the home has to be completely functional and ready for guests . Make sure you have:

Beds in every bedroom, with sheets and blankets and pillows.
A nightstand.
A dresser and/or an empty closet.
Sofas and chairs in the common areas.
Dining table and chairs.
Television and television stand.

Outside, you’ll want to have patio furniture if there’s space. Make sure the kitchen is completely functional with pots, pans, plates, glasses, coffee mugs, and silverware.

When you’re furnishing your short term rental property, you’ll have to provide the basics (beds) and a few extras don’t hurt, either. Providing bikes, for example, will give your guests an easy way to get around the city.

As with all business choices, you need to consider the pros and cons of a furnished rental property before making any decisions. As you contemplate whether or not to furnish your Arlington rental property, understand that the ultimate decision relies heavily on the circumstances surrounding the property, location, and intended tenant leasing space.

Arlington's Zoning Laws: What Property Owners Need to Know

aaronseekford@gmail.com (Aaron Seekford) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 20:00:00 GMT

Zoning probably does not strike you as the most interesting part of real estate investing . However, if you’re buying or renting out property in Arlington, you need to know what some of the current and most recent laws are requiring of property owners, neighborhoods, tenants, and guests.

This is a unique housing market . When we talk about zoning laws and requirements in Arlington, we’re talking about Arlington County, which includes the city of Arlington. The desirable location of this city just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. means there’s a constant influx of people moving in and out. Whether you’re buying a property here for the first time or you’re slowly building a real estate portfolio of diverse rental homes, you need to know where you stand in terms of the city’s zoning laws. This will be especially important if you’re a short-term rental investor.

Understanding the zoning laws in Arlington is a crucial aspect of managing your real estate business . Knowing whether your property is zoned as commercial or residential can impact how you operate and maintain your rental property .

So let’s take a look at the details of Arlington's zoning laws and how to be sure you’re compliant.

Zoning Overview for Arlington Real Estate

Arlington County has various zoning districts for properties, which are classified according to the kind and intensity of land use. The districts generally fall into three categories:

Residential
Non-residential
Mixed-use

Residential districts are mainly for single-family homes and apartments. These areas are often zoned to limit the number of tenants, the level of noise, and the quantity of traffic in a given area. Non-residential districts include properties that are intended for commercial purposes like retail shops or offices. Mixed-use districts generally allow for a variety of uses in a single area, such as commercial and residential.

If you own a rental property in Arlington , it is essential to know whether it is located in a residential or commercial area. This knowledge will help you to stay within the zoning laws and avoid any potential legal conflicts.

Owning a rental property in a residential neighborhood means that you may need to apply for a special use permit to operate as a home-based business. This permit will require that you meet certain requirements, such as obtaining a business license and having a designated parking space.

You can learn more about the regulations that apply to your specific location by contacting the Arlington County zoning office. You can also reach out to our team, as we stay pretty well-connected to the local zoning offices in Arlington.

Elimination of Single-Family-Only Zoning

Early in 2023, Arlington’s County Board voted unanimously to change the existing zoning laws that protected some areas as appropriate only for single-family homes. There are no such restrictions now. Lots throughout Arlington County that were once limited to one home per lot are now permitted to have buildings that include two to six residential units. The precise number of units on each lot will depend on the size of the lot. A plot of land, for example, with more than 6,000 square feet will be able to accommodate five or six units.

Arlington is the first city on the east coast to adopt such a zoning law, but several states across the Midwest and on the west coast have similar permissions in place.

In Arlington, multifamily buildings on what were formerly single-family lots still must conform to the zoning requirements when it comes to height, lot coverage, floor plans, and setbacks. All the rules that single-family homes must follow apply to multifamily buildings as well, whether it’s a duplex or a small apartment complex.

These zoning rules are in the process of being phased in, and it’s a slow process. This went into effect on July 1, 2023, and it will take five years for the zoning requirements to completely come into compliance. Arlington has announced that the county will allow 58 permits per year for multi-unit conversion on what were single-family lots until 2028, when the cap will be lifted.

Single-Family Home Occupancy Limits

Another zoning regulation that rental property owners in Arlington should be aware of is the limits on the number of people who can live in a single-family home.

In general, the maximum number of unrelated people allowed to occupy a single-family home in most Arlington neighborhoods is four. This is done to limit the density of the population and maintain the quality of neighborhoods. If your rental property is being used as a group home or a halfway house, different regulations may apply.

Families are also not bound by this maximum number. If you’re renting out a home and a family of six apply for that property, you can allow them all to move in. The limit of four is for unrelated individuals. A roommate situation would mean that no more than four unrelated roommates could occupy your single-family home.

Parking and Zoning for Arlington Rental Homes

Rental property owners should also be aware of the parking requirements in Arlington's zoning laws.

If your property is located in a residential area, you must provide a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for your tenants. The number of parking spaces is based on the number of units and bedrooms in your rental property. Parking requirements are also based on transit proximity. Present zoning laws say that at least 0.5 parking spaces per unit must be available on sites located entirely within a 3/4-mile radius of a Metrorail station entrance or within 1/2-mile radius of a transit stop along the Premium Transit Network.

At least 1 space per dwelling unit is required for all other locations—including those residential lots fronting on a cul-de-sac in transit-proximate areas.

If your property is located in a commercial area, you must provide parking spaces for your business and customers, depending on the size and type of your business.

Zoning Laws and Trees

Arlington has a very serious plan to preserve its trees. This has to be considered whether you’re building or buying. The Tree Preservation Ordinance says that no designated trees can be removed from your property or damaged in any way unless the County Board determines that there is an overriding need for public improvements that would require the removal of a tree or there’s a severe hardship that exists for the way a property is used that the trees may impact.

More importantly, you need trees at your multifamily property. When the zoning laws changed in 2023, it was stipulated that for a multifamily property with two to four units, four shade trees must be in place on the lot. For properties with five or six units, there must be six shade trees on that lot.

Short Term Arlington Rental Properties and Zoning

Short-term rental properties and vacation rentals are more popular than ever. Arlington is exactly the sort of market that attracts visitors, tourists, and short-term renters. If you’re planning to rent out a short-term property, you’ll need to understand the zoning requirements and additional regulations that are in place.

Zoning regulations will require you to:

Obtain an accessory homestay permit from the County Zoning Department.
Obtain an Arlington County business license under Section Code 72.A – Lodging.
Once your business license application is received, you’ll be contacted by the Commissioner of Revenue's office to determine if you are also subject to business tangible property tax.

You’ll need to pay the Arlington County Transient Occupancy Tax, which includes state, regional, and local tourism taxes. An update to the zoning laws in 2022 says that when any accommodation is facilitated by a third-party intermediary, such as Airbnb or VRBO or Expedia, the intermediary shall collect the tax and remit it to Arlington.

The purpose of these regulations is to protect the character of Arlington’s neighborhoods, reduce barriers for those who are, or intend to, use their homes through online services for short-term rental (e.g. Airbnb, Craigslist, etc.) in a legal and responsible manner, and implement safety requirements to ensure that a short-term residential rental property complies with zoning, building, fire, and other safety codes that are designed to protect public health and safety.

Arlington is also sensitive to the need for protecting property values . If you’re renting out a short-term property in an HOA, there may be additional requirements outside of the county’s zoning laws and tax requirements.

Building a Reliable Vendor Network for Property Maintenance in Arlington

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 09 May 2024 20:00:00 GMT

Part of renting out a home in Arlington is surrounding yourself with professional partners you can trust. Some of the most important relationships you create will be with vendors, contractors, and the service providers who keep your property well-maintained. Even if you’re a new rental property owner , you know that tenant maintenance requests can come up unexpectedly. There may be emergencies that require an immediate response. You’ll have routine repair requests where you have to strategically decide which vendor is the best to send. And, you’ll want to invest in preventative maintenance, for which you’ll need a reliable partner you can trust to tell you what your property really needs.

Let’s not forget that each maintenance need will also come with a cost. For that reason alone, finding reliable vendors to help you fix problems cost-effectively is a major help in protecting your investment earnings. You cannot increase your profitability if you’re not able to minimize your expenses.

Building a reliable vendor network for property maintenance is crucial to keeping your rental property running efficiently while keeping tenants happy.

Working with an Arlington property management company is a great way to solve this problem proactively. We have excellent relationships in place with all sorts of vendors, and we negotiate the best rates and deepest discounts. If you’re managing your rental properties on your own, we’re providing some effective tips today for building a successful vendor network for all of your property maintenance needs.

How to Select Your Arlington Rental Property Vendors

What makes a great vendor?

What should you be looking for when you hire a plumber, a landscaper, a cleaner, a roofer, or someone else to provide these services at your property?

These are important questions to ask, and there’s a lot to consider when you’re measuring one company against the other. Some things are non-negotiable. Such as:

Licensure . Any major maintenance work that requires an area of specialization and expertise will require a licensed professional. No, your handyman fixing the garbage disposal does not need a license. But, when it comes to plumbing or electric issues, you want to make sure that there’s proof of licensure. That reflects adequate training and education. Licensed vendors are safer for your property and your tenants . It’s easier to hold them accountable when they’ve qualified for a license that they presumably want to renew in the future.

Insurance . Just as important as licensing - maybe even more important - is insurance. You need to know that the vendors you’re using are insured. Accidents happen, and they are never expected. If one of your vendors is injured while completing work or a tenant is injured, you’ll want to make sure there’s liability and worker’s compensation insurance in place so that you’re not liable for any injury.

Communication . Build a reliable vendor network of professionals who are available, accessible, and responsive to your needs. You want vendors who can do the work you need when you need it. This is where signing up for regular services can help you establish a good relationship with a vendor network. You’ll need landscapers to visit the property every week or every two weeks in the summer, for example. Snow removal contracts will depend on your vendor being willing to plow, shovel, and treat surfaces every time there’s snow. Plumbers and HVAC techs may be needed on an emergency basis, and you need to know they’ll be willing to respond when there’s a leak or a furnace breaks down on one of the coldest nights of the winter. Work with professionals who are open and transparent about their capacity and their ability to work with you.

Get to know a vendor’s reputation before you add them to your network. It’s easier than ever to go online and research a company’s reputation. Read reviews and look for testimonials on their website. Are people happy with their work or are there a long list of complaints and one-star reviews?

Check out their social media profiles before you add a vendor to your list of preferred professionals.

Reputation matters. It tells you what you can expect from the contractor or vendor you’re hiring.

Ask for Recommendations

Leverage your existing relationships when you’re trying to establish vendor relationships.

One of the best ways to find reliable vendors is to ask for recommendations from other rental property owners, property management companies, and neighbors. This will give you an introduction to some of the most highly recommended vendors in Arlington.

Whether you’re hiring a plumber or a landscaper, ask around. Talk to just about anyone in your network that you trust; fellow investors, colleagues, your neighbors, and the people you hang out with socially. Listen to their stories about the fantastic work that was done or the miserable experience they had with particular vendors.

A lot of vendors invest in good advertising and smart marketing. That’s easy. What’s not easy, however, is to create a good word of mouth marketing campaign. A vendor has to provide excellent work in order to gather enough praise from their customers. You can trust what you hear from people who have already worked with vendors and contractors.

Trust but verify is a slogan you probably hear often. This applies to the vendor network you’re putting together. While you can almost certainly trust the referrals you get from friends and family, verify the credentials and the work product of a vendor before you hire them, even when they come highly recommended. You still want to check their website, verify their license, and ensure that they have insurance coverage. You can also inquire about their experience level in handling the type of property you own.

Make Sure Timing and Pricing Aligns With Your Needs

Response time is one of the critical factors to consider when choosing a vendor for property maintenance at your Arlington investment property . You want vendors who can act quickly to address any emergency issues within your rental property. A vendor who can provide immediate response time will minimize tenant complaints and prevent issues from becoming more expensive. If there’s a long term project that you need help with, such as a renovation or an addition, make sure your timeline syncs with theirs.

Pricing is important, too. When choosing a vendor to work on your property, keep in mind that cheaper does not always mean better. A vendor with lower prices may have lower-quality work, which can end up costing you more in the long run. In addition, be aware of any hidden fees that may become a part of the final bill. Therefore, always ask for a detailed pricing estimate upfront to avoid surprises.

Maintenance and repair costs have always been part of your budget as a real estate investor. You know you have to prepare for preventative, routine, and emergency maintenance issues. Lately, however, those prices have climbed to levels that you may not have anticipated. You have to make sure you’ve budgeted accordingly and that you’re working with professionals who are affordable without sacrificing work quality.

Invest in Long-Term Vendor Relationships

It is best to build long-term relationships with vendors to make sure your property receives the best service. A vendor who has worked with you for years understands your expectations, the unique needs of your property, and can expedite services. Once you find a vendor who meets your standards, aim to maintain a good relationship with them. This will lead you to other vendor referrals, and help you create a more stable maintenance plan for your property. You’ll do a better job of protecting the condition and value of your asset when you have people who know that property working to maintain it.

Arlington Property Management and Vendor Resources

We work with more vendors and contractors than anyone else. They’re part of the work we do every day. We dispatch vendors to single-family homes and multi-family buildings. We ask them questions and we listen to their advice. We review their invoices and we pay their fees.

Property managers are well-connected when it comes to vendors and contractors. Why not leverage this resource when you need your own vendors?

As a rental property owner, it's essential to have a reliable vendor network for the emergency, routine, and preventative property maintenance needs that will undoubtedly pop up. To find reputable vendors, research, ask for recommendations, verify their experience and credentials, consider response time, and build long-term relationships with vendors. By doing so, you can ensure that your property is well taken care of while keeping tenants happy.

Let’s talk more about how you can work with better people to maintain your investment property . Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Navigating Arlington's Real Estate Market: A Property Owner’s Guide

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:39:34 GMT

Arlington, Virginia is attracting more and more residents. While the city’s population dipped a bit during the height of the pandemic, its upwards climb continues, and it’s easy to understand why. Arlington is one of the most exciting and dynamic places to live in the United States. This is a city that’s just outside of the nation’s capital and everything Washington, D.C. has to offer. It’s easy to reach via public transportation.

But it’s not just Arlington’s proximity to DC that makes it so desirable. With a vibrant economy, rich cultural scene, and diverse demographics, tenants and home buyers are flocking here from all over the world. It has become a booming real estate market.

If you're a property owner in Arlington, or if you’re hoping to become a property owner, then you need to be aware of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with owning real estate in this area. We are local Arlington property managers , and we spend a lot of time working with people from outside of Arlington who want to buy, rent, or invest here. Let’s take a deep dive into the intricacies of Arlington's real estate market and provide you with some valuable tips and insights that will help you navigate it like a pro.

Location Matters - Know Your Neighborhoods

Arlington is divided into several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Each of these neighborhoods attracts its own residents as well. Choosing a place to live or buy will depend on your goals, your budget, and your lifestyle. Do you need a good school district? Is it important to be close to parks and green spaces? Do you want to be near a metro station? All of these are important factors before you buy, rent, or invest.

So start by researching Arlington’s neighborhoods a bit. Get to know the communities here. Before you invest in any property, it's essential to know the neighborhood well. The closer you are to the commercial center or metro stations, the higher the property value will be. A neighborhood's amenities, such as schools, shopping centers, parks, and restaurants, can greatly influence the desirability and value of the properties there. By understanding the nuances of each neighborhood, you can make informed decisions about which properties to invest in and when to make your move.

Pricing in the Arlington Real Estate Market

Home prices are pretty high in Arlington. If you want to enter this real estate market, be prepared to pay those high prices. According to Zillow, the median Arlington home value is $752,238, and this is more than three percent higher than the median value a year ago.

We don’t recommend you count on Zillow for all of your real estate data if you’re planning to buy here. Instead, work with an Arlington property manager who can give you real time data and analytics about where the market is, what the prices are doing, and how long it’s taking for a home to sell in the current market. You’ll also want to know what the competing properties look like and what the trends currently are when it comes to buying and renting properties. We can tell you, for example, that eco-friendly updates are going a long way and a lot of buyers and renters are looking for smart home technology features.

Inflation, Interest Rates, and the Arlington Real Estate Market

The real estate market has been a wild place for the last few years. For a while, as you likely remember, as the economy recovered from the pandemic, everyone in Arlington seemed eager to sell their homes. There were plenty of buyers happy to snap them up, even over asking price.

The good news is, there’s still a huge demand in the sales market. Investors or homeowners who want to sell their homes can do so successfully, even still. There are plenty of buyers and as we have already discussed, prices are still high.

Interest rates have risen quite a bit over the last year, however. And that has made mortgages more expensive. A lot of home buyers in Arlington are willing to absorb that cost. Some, however, are now forced to delay their plans to buy a home. There is some hesitation among certain demographics of buyers. So, they continue to rent. Or, if they’re new to Arlington, it makes sense for them to rent before they buy.

This has an impact on the rental market, and it’s a positive impact. Investors and landlords who have property to rent out are in a very strong position. It means vacancy rates are low, and rental values are high. We will continue to have a strong pool of renters in Arlington, especially as a number of existing and future tenants decide against buying until it becomes more affordable and accessible.

It may seem like rental values cannot possibly get any higher, but those rents are higher, and we know that there is a large pool of well-qualified tenants who are willing to pay them. Whether you’re renting out a home for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal with a rental increase, you’ll earn more than you’ve earned in the last few years.

Consider the Arlington Rental Market

Everything we’ve just shared about the interest rates and inflation and their impact on the real estate market and the rental market in Arlington should point you in the direction of investing in rental properties if you’re not already doing so.

The rental market in Arlington is robust, with high levels of demand from both permanent residents and transient workers who stay for a few months or even a few years. As a property owner, you may find yourself deciding what to do with an asset that you’re not living in yourself; do you want to rent it out or sell it?

When you rent a property, you have a steady stream of rental income in the short term, and an asset that’s increasing in value while your tenants pay down any mortgage you may have on that home. This can be a huge benefit, and far more lucrative than the one-time earnings you’ll enjoy if you sell your home. Keep track of the rental market trends to make the right decision, and you’ll quickly see the benefits that exist, especially now, for rental property owners.

Surround Yourself with Professionals

Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or not sure what you want to do when you own property in Arlington, make sure you’re not trying to navigate this complicated and ever-changing real estate market yourself. Instead, you want to work with local and experienced Realtors and property managers.

Finding the best properties in Arlington is not easy.

To learn about the properties and the neighborhoods, you need a local Realtor who knows the market inside out. A local Realtor understands the different nuances that can greatly affect the price and neighborhood desirability. They can help you understand your investment goals and devise a strategy that works best for you. They will negotiate the best price for you and ensure that all the paperwork and documentation are completed at the right time.

Even more important is your property management partner, especially if you decide to rent out a property that you already own or if you’re looking to invest in a property with a plan to rent it out to tenants. Property managers can advise you on:

How much a particular property would be worth on the rental market.
Any upgrades or improvements that may be necessary before you list the home.
What kind of maintenance budget you’d need going forward.
What types of tenants you’d be most likely to attract based on your property’s size, location, layout, and amenities.

Property owners also need a good network of vendors, contractors, and service providers who can help them have a good experience if they decide to rent out their home. Again - your property manager can help with these relationships.

Focus on Property Maintenance in Arlington Homes

Arlington's real estate market can be a lucrative and rewarding arena for property owners to thrive in if they understand the nuances of the market and can navigate it effectively. By focusing on the right strategies such as knowing your neighborhoods, considering the rental market, taking advantage of grant and incentive programs, working with a local realtor, and focusing on property maintenance, you can achieve your real estate goals and build a profitable and successful real estate portfolio in Arlington.

If you’d like some help, we’re here to provide it. Whether you own one property or an entire portfolio, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

The Sustainable Property: Eco-Friendly Upgrades for Arlington Rentals

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:00:00 GMT

As the world moves towards prioritizing a more sustainable future, the real estate industry is picking up the trend. This is partially in service to creating a better and more environmentally healthy planet, but it’s also turning out to be good business.

Real estate investors in Arlington have a great opportunity to not only contribute to a clean environment but also improve their rental properties and attract tenants who are concerned with the carbon footprint they’re leaving behind.

Upgrading your property to an eco-friendly standard can result in lower operating costs, higher rents, and provide a competitive advantage. The extent to which you make renovations will be up to you. We know some property owners who are installing solar panels and others who feel good just by switching to LED light bulbs.

As you position your rental property for a new and more sustainable world, we have some recommendations for eco-friendly upgrades that you can implement in your Arlington rental properties .

Here are some excellent starting points.

Installing Energy-Efficient Windows

Replacing windows is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your rental property’s energy efficiency. In Arlington, we get some pretty cold winters and some very humid summers. Keeping the air in your rental property insulated depending on the season will not only save money on energy bills, but also contribute to a more comfortable living environment for your residents.

Energy-efficient windows will reduce heating and cooling costs, improve the home’s durability, and contribute to tenant satisfaction. Consider investing in double pane or triple pane windows that contain low-e glass. These types of windows will keep the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter while minimizing UV rays that can damage furniture and carpets.

There’s more good news about these upgraded windows: your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard. Since your heating and cooling set-up is probably one of your most expensive home functions, keeping that in good shape will benefit you financially in the long term.

Convert to LED Lighting Inside and Outside

Let there be light, and by light we mean bulbs that require less energy to emit light.

Enter the LED solution. Switching all the lights in your rental property to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs is an eco-friendly and cost-effective upgrade. LED lights use at least 75% less energy and up to 90 percent less energy than other types of lights. They also last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Upgrading to LED lights will reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bill. You can also install smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely, which can reduce energy waste.

Consider switching out incandescent and other types of lights for LED bulbs. This may work in the kitchen, bathrooms, and on any exterior lighting.

Low-Flow Toilets and Fixtures

Installing low-flow toilets in your rental property can save up to 16,000 gallons of water per year. Low-flow toilets use two-thirds less water per flush than traditional toilets. They are also designed to reduce clogs and backups, which can minimize maintenance costs. Additionally, government rebates may be available to offset the cost of purchasing new low-flow toilets.

Tenants will appreciate that you’re being mindful of water usage, not only because they won’t have utility bills that are sky-high, but also because the performance of low-flow toilets is actually pretty impressive. Gravity-assisted toilets (the older and more traditional model you might have installed right now) use the weight of a full tank of water to shove waste down the pipes and through the plumbing. Low-flow toilets create the same force using pressurized air in the tank instead of a full water supply. The pressurized air propels the smaller amount of water and the waste through your plumbing. Toilets are still flushing the way they always have, but with the help of air instead of all that water.

There’s no need to stop at your toilets.

Low-flow showerheads, for example, can be a great way to conserve water and create a greener rental home.
There are also different types of hot water tanks that can be more efficient than what you might currently own. Water heaters can be huge energy vampires, contributing to up to 20 percent of a home’s energy bills.

Tankless water heaters can be an environmentally friendly option if you’re looking for ways to save money and energy. This will help you attract tenants and charge more rent, too. It doesn’t have to be tankless, however (they can be expensive). You can also look for a high-efficiency water storage tank that is ENERGY STAR certified, and you will still save quite a bit of money on energy bills (or your tenants will), and you’ll also be doing a good deed for the environment.

ENERGY STAR-certified tank water heaters use about 10% less energy than traditional water heaters, and when you think about how people are home more, with remote jobs, you can see how quickly those savings will add up. This is a good investment for rental property investors in Arlington to make.

Landscaping and Irrigation that Makes Sense

Invest in landscaping systems and irrigation technology that won’t waste water.

Arlington rental property owners can work with eco-friendly landscaping to improve the curb appeal of a rental property without waste. This can include:

Planting native plants
Installing rain gardens
Using permeable paving

These upgrades not only provide a beautiful outdoor space but can also help reduce water consumption and runoff.

SMART Thermostats

Smart home technology is gaining in popularity, and accessing intuitive, integrated tech into rental homes is a huge priority for residents looking for a new home in Arlington. One good way to offer technology and environmental sustainability is with a programmable thermostat. These can help you manage your tenant's energy usage and costs.

Smart thermostats are designed to automatically adjust the temperature of the home when tenants are not at home or asleep, reducing energy waste. They can also be controlled remotely via a smartphone or tablet, giving tenants control over their energy usage and costs. In the long term, programmable thermostats can save hundreds of dollars a year on heating and cooling costs. This is good news for your tenants, when they’re responsible for the energy bills, but it also works for you, too. You’ll be responsible for heating and cooling your property during turnover periods, and this will save you money during those instances.

Arlington Rental Home Appliances

Replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models can also add value to a property and make your rental home far more attractive to prospective and current tenants. Reliable, attractive appliances are essential when you’re marketing your home and trying to keep your vacancy and turnover rates low. Tenants want appliances that look good and work well. When they’re likely to use less energy, you’re in an even stronger position.

Kitchen appliances are especially important; if it’s close to time to replace those aging refrigerators and stoves, you’re well-positioned to look for efficient, modern models. In-unit laundry is also essential to modern tenants, so don’t forget your efficient washers and dryers. Stackable models are small and can save space as well as energy.

We know that ENERGY STAR-rated appliances use less energy than older models, so you’ll want to look for those brands that can help you and your tenants save money on energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, replacing a refrigerator that is over 10 years old with a new ENERGY STAR-rated one can save you an average of $270 over 5 years on electric bills alone. This type of upgrade can also appeal to environmentally conscious renters who care about the amount of energy they’re using.

Thinking about Solar Panels

Sustainable upgrades are not only better for the environment but they can also benefit your rental property in the long run. Investing in energy-efficient upgrades will result in lower operating costs, higher rents, and increased tenant satisfaction. You’ll find that the tenants looking for homes right now, especially in younger generations, are thinking about environmental responsibility, sustainability, and how to live a life that’s a little bit greener.

We recommend that you start with small upgrades like installing LED lights or programmable thermostats, and work towards larger upgrades like solar panels. As an Arlington rental property investor, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while also improving your property.

We’re here to help. While these are some general recommendations for any local rental property, we can take a look at your unique investment property and make some suggestions based on your current energy consumption and your investment goals. Contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Maximizing Rental Income: Advanced Pricing Strategies for Arlington Landlords

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:00:00 GMT

As a landlord in Arlington, it’s crucial to make sure that the rental values you set when your property is vacant are competitive with the market rate. But, you should also be thinking about your rental income and what you expect to earn on the property you’re renting out. Setting the right rental price can help you attract tenants quickly, retain them, and keep your cash flow strong. However, it's not always easy to get this right, and many landlords end up losing revenue as a result. This is where advanced pricing strategies come in.

We’re talking about some strategies that you can use to maximize your rental income in Arlington, whether it’s at the point of setting a rental value or looking for ways to ensure you’ll have an easy time finding good tenants who are willing to pay more for your property.

Here’s what we recommend when it comes to maximizing your rental income through advanced pricing strategies.

Conduct Market Research

First, you have to know your market. Before you can price your own property or even estimate what you’re likely to earn in the short term or the long term, you need to know what you can expect from the rental market.

One of the best ways to optimize your rental income is to stay updated on Arlington’s rental market trends. Things can change quickly and unexpectedly, whether we’re talking about the supply and demand or the types of homes that tenants seem to be looking for when they’re renting a property.

To stay informed, you have to keep a close eye on the rent prices of similar or comparable properties in the vicinity. Start by looking at properties in your area and take note of prices and how long they stay on the market. You could also reach out to property management companies in Arlington to get a detailed report on prevailing housing market trends. This research will give you an idea of what tenants are willing to pay for a rental and how you can set your prices accordingly.

The market is the most influential factor when you’re pricing your property. It comes down to market demand and supply. Rental rates are not arbitrary; they are always market-driven. Rents have been on the rise in Arlington for years. It’s a competitive market with a high demand for well-maintained rental housing. This is good news for landlords like you - there are plenty of well-qualified tenants looking for homes . Leverage this demand to ensure you’re earning everything you should be.

Setting the Initial Rental Price for Your Arlington Rental Home

Setting the right rental price when your home is vacant requires a delicate balance of not overcharging or undercharging to attract the right tenants. To maximize what you’re earning, you have to set the right rental price so that you’re not suffering through an extended and expensive vacancy.

While setting rent prices, keep in mind your property and its amenities. For example, if your property has additional features like access to a gym, entertainment area, or pool, then your rent prices could be higher than the competitive rate. Furthermore, be ready to adjust the rent as market trends shift. A genuine primary concern for landlords is that if you undercharge tenants, you might lose out on a lot of revenue over time. This is a good reason not to underprice your home. However, overpricing that property carries a risk of longer vacant days, and that’s going to be a debilitating loss in the long term.

We’ve talked about how the market drives what you’re going to earn in rent. There are other factors that influence your pricing strategy at the outset, including:

Location

You don’t have to be selling or renting out a property to understand the importance of location in real estate. This is a well-known factor when it comes to establishing a price or even determining what you’re willing to pay when you’re buying or renting a place. Location drives value. If your rental property in Arlington is close to public transportation, near to good schools, and within easy striking distance of grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment, you’ll be able to maximize what you earn by setting a higher rent price. If you’re more remote or in an area where it’s impossible to park, you might find you have to lower your price a bit based on that location.

Size and layout

Different tenants look for different things when it comes to property size and floor plans. But, if you have something that’s generally popular with a large part of the tenant pool, you’re more likely to raise your rents. A three bedroom/two bathroom house will always do well, for example. One-bedroom apartments can also do well, especially downtown. Open floor plans are always a huge selling point, and if you have outdoor space or extra storage, you’ll likely be able to charge more in rent.

Amenities

Parking, in-unit washers and dryers, and other amenities will provide more value to your rental property.

Property condition

Another crucial aspect to consider is the condition of your property . A well-maintained property not only commands higher rent but also attracts more reliable tenants. Routine improvements and regular inspections can play a significant role in upholding its value.

Consider Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing is common in the hotel and airline industry and can also be an effective tool for landlords. We have noticed that more and more apartment buildings are using this pricing model. It may work for you if you have the time to follow it and you’re focused on earning more with your property.

In dynamic pricing, the rent prices change based on numerous factors, including demand, season, and availability. Seasonal variations can encompass a lot of things, including football seasons, school semesters, holiday periods, and tourist seasons. If you use dynamic pricing, this will allow you to protect your base rent while introducing additional opportunities to capture higher rent from tenants.

This works especially well for short term rentals.

Increasing Rental Values Now and in the Future

There are a couple of excellent pricing strategies that can maximize what you earn by making your property more valuable. We’re talking specifically about two things: pets and improvements.

Home Improvements: Invest to Accumulate

Upgrading your property can raise your rental value significantly. Make sure there’s fresh paint on the wall. Think about hard surface floors, which bring in more rent than carpet. Consider investing in energy-efficient appliances, smart home devices, or other amenities that modern tenants prioritize.

Pet-Friendly Properties: A Lucrative Investment

Did you know that by allowing pets , you could potentially earn more money? According to the data we’ve collected from multiple property management platforms, pet-friendly properties bring in an average of 20-30% more rent than those homes that don’t allow pets. You have the benefit of a pet fee and potential pet rent. Vacancy rates drop and retention rates soar because tenants are so happy to be able to live with their furry family members.

Tenant Retention Always Increases Earnings

Most tenants expect a rental increase when they renew their lease. Just make sure it’s not outside of the general market rates and that you’re still incentivizing your tenants to stay in place for at least another year.

Increasing rent in the right manner will ensure that you’re retaining your tenants while still bringing in additional income for you. Incremental rent increases work well for long-term tenants and are a great way to get the most out of your rental property.

Maximizing rental income is a vital goal for every Arlington landlord. There are several strategies you can utilize, from market research, dynamic pricing, incremental rent increases, and focusing on tenant retention. With strategic attention to these factors, optimizing rental income is possible and sustainable. With these strategies, we expect that you will be able to maximize your rental income, improve tenant satisfaction, and enhance the long-term value of your Arlington rental property.

There's much more to being a successful landlord than collecting rent each month. Implementing a carefully planned pricing strategy, proactively managing your rental property , and understanding your tenant's needs are integral to maximizing your rental income. Let’s talk about what might work best for your unique rental property. Contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Why You Should Perform Regular Property Inspections on Your Rental

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Inspections can feel tedious. They’re time consuming. They require documentation and paperwork. What if you find something you don’t like happening at your rental property?

We understand. However, it’s important to perform regular property inspections to protect the condition of your Arlington investment property . You want to check for deferred or unreported maintenance issues. Inspections are also a good way to hold your tenants accountable to their lease agreements.

Regular inspections can provide peace of mind; you’ll know everything is going the way it should. They also save you money on deferred maintenance and emergency repairs.

Inspections during a vacancy are easy enough to manage . But, when you want to walk through an occupied property, you need to be respectful of your residents. Privacy is important. You want to balance your need to inspect with your tenant’s right to the quiet enjoyment of their property.

Make routine inspections part of your lease agreement so residents know to expect them. And, pay close attention to the way you inspect during move-in and move-out periods.

Inspections Establish Property Condition

Start with a thorough move-in inspection.

A well-documented record of your property’s condition is required before a tenant takes possession, and we recommend that you take a lot of pictures and detailed notes. Take photos and videos of every detail, including paint condition, floors, doors, walls, ceilings, and closets. All of this documentation will serve you well at the end of the lease.

Look for leaks, appliances that aren’t working, and lights that won’t turn on.

Inspections Document Damage

After the tenant has moved out, you need to conduct another inspection of your rental property using your initial move-in report. This gives you the opportunity to see if anything has been damaged.

Normal wear and tear is expected, and you’ll have to pay for it yourself. However, any obvious damage due to the tenant’s behavior or neglect can be deducted from the security deposit. This inspection will be especially important if there are any disputes over the security deposit. Make sure everything is documented.

Inspections Protect Against Deferred Maintenance

When you’re at the property, take some pictures and look around for any unreported or deferred maintenance issues. You’ll also want to look for lease violations. If you have a strict no-pet policy and you see cat beds all over the house, you’ll have to discuss this with your tenant.

Inspections are necessary, and we strongly encourage you to perform them. However, if you don’t have the time or resources, partner with a professional Arlington property manager . We know what to look for and how to hold your tenants accountable.

If you’d like some help inspecting please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How to Determine if a Rental Property Is a Good Investment

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:00:01 GMT

Investing in real estate is a good idea. You know this. But, to be profitable, you have to invest in the right property.

How can you determine if a rental property is a good investment?

With so much experience in Arlington property management , we know what to look for, and here are some of our best tips.

Arlington Rental Property Location

You don’t have to be an experienced real estate investor to know that location matters. It matters to buyers and it matters to tenants. It matters to you, when you’re choosing an investment property that you expect to make money from.

Most of the renters in Arlington want to be close to work, schools, and shopping. Many millennial tenants want a walkable neighborhood. Tenants with families will be looking at the school district and retirees will want a low-maintenance home close to recreation, entertainment, and dining.

Look for a property that’s accessible and easy for commuters, students, and families. Buying something too remote will only result in a long vacancy or a lower rental value.

Neighborhood selection is also important. If you’re buying in an HOA, make sure there aren’t any rules that may restrict your ability to rent out the home. Sometimes, there’s a waiting period or a limit to the number of homes that can be used as rentals.

Modern, Well-Maintained Properties Always Make Good Investments

It’s often tempting to buy a “fixer upper” or a “handyman special.” After all, the price is usually lower than the other homes you’ll find on the market, and you can get excited about putting your own touches on the property. This isn’t always a great idea, unless flipping or renovating properties is part of your investment goals.

Instead, look for a property that’s in great condition. You’ll want to collect rent as soon as possible. Buying a home that isn’t in great condition means that you’ll have to sink a lot of resources into it and spend a lot of time fixing it up. Not a lot of investors can afford that. Look for a well-maintained property that tenants will find attractive and appealing. Talk to a property manager so you’ll know if any repairs or updates will be needed before you list it on the Arlington rental market.

It’s about more than just maintenance. Make any cosmetic updates and improvements that the home may need in order to be attractive to tenants and to bring in the highest rental values.

Run Your Numbers to Know if the Investment is Right

Take a look at what you’ll spend on it and what you can expect for rental income. Your property manager should be able to conduct a comparable market analysis that tells you what kind of rents you can expect . Compare this to the expenses you’ll face, including vacancy time, repairs, insurance, taxes, and management fees. Make sure you’re comfortable with the cash flow that you’ll earn. No one invests in property to lose money, and in Arlington, you shouldn’t have to.

We enjoy working with investors at every level. If you’d like some help identifying good investment opportunities or choosing the right property to rent out, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Top 3 Things Tenants Look for in an Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Most of the decisions you make as an Arlington rental property owner are likely focused on what you need and what your property needs in order to have a successful and profitable investment experience. How much rent will you collect? Who will perform the necessary maintenance? When should you make updates and improvements?

Don’t forget your residents.

Tenants have specific needs and requirements when they’re looking for their next rental property. If you want to attract the best tenants for the most amount of money, you’ll need to get inside their heads.

Here are the top 3 things we know tenants are looking for when they’re shopping for a new home.

1. Lots of Value and Competitive Pricing

Rental prices have gone up dramatically in Arlington over the last couple of years, just as they’ve gone up everywhere in Virginia and across the country. Pricing will always be a factor for good tenants. They have access to much of the same data that you’re looking at, and they know what the market is doing. Rental values are high, but they’re not going to overpay for a home when they have choices.

Tenants are willing to pay a high rental price, but they’re going to want to get a lot of value for their money. They’ll look for homes that have all the appliances included. They’ll be more likely to rent homes where water and trash services are included or professional landscaping costs are rolled into the rent. They want modern fixtures, fresh paint, and clean floors. Make sure your potential tenants are getting what they pay for, and attract a large pool of applicants with a rental price that’s competitive and market-driven.

2. Location Matters to Arlington Tenants

Location is always a factor, whether you’re buying or selling a home, and even if you’re renting one out.

Everyone is looking for something a little different. However, a few common location benefits will be important to just about every prospective resident. Tenants are looking for a rental property that’s close to work, school, grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment, parks, and commuter routes.

Quality of life is important to tenants, especially today, and good residents are often willing to pay more or overlook less desirable aspects of the rental unit if the property is in a great neighborhood. School districts are also important to residents with children.

3. Property Condition Counts

Properties need to be move-in ready. Tenants won’t rent a home that still requires painting, carpeting, or cleaning. Your tenants are looking for homes that are clean, functional, and ready to inhabit. Before showing the property , make sure that all the necessary repairs have been made. The first impression that a tenant gets from the property will be what drives their decision to fill out an application or not.

Additionally, if the property condition is poor when tenants move in, they will believe you don’t care about the property yourself. This sets the expectation that they can treat the property without care. You don’t want to give the wrong impression. A rental home that’s in move-in ready condition sets the expectation that the tenant will maintain high standards of cleanliness and maintenance.

Self-Managing vs. Hiring a Professional Property Management Company

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Not sure whether you want to self-manage your investment property or hire a professional property management company? A lot of rental property owners face this decision.

The best option will depend on the amount of time you have and your own knowledge about what’s required in the leasing and management of a rental property. Smart investors know that professional Arlington property management can protect you and your asset and increase what you earn.

State, Local, and Federal Landlord and Tenant Laws

Virginia has strict requirements when it comes to rental housing, and you’ll need to be familiar with security deposit laws, eviction requirements, and how to go about raising the rent on your tenant. There are also habitability laws you’ll need to understand and follow. Lease agreements require a set of disclosures.

Federal laws require attention and compliance as well. The Fair Housing Act dictates how you market your property, screen your tenants, and lease your home. You’ll need to know the difference between a pet and a support animal.

Keeping up with the constantly changing legal landscape is important. Self-managing landlords make a lot of costly errors without intending to violate the laws they aren’t aware of or don’t understand. Your property management company can protect you from these mistakes and ensure you and your property are in full compliance.

Leasing Arlington Rental Properties

Self-managing landlords sometimes struggle with the marketing of their homes and the showing process. It can feel impossible to even set the right rental price.

To effectively market your home, you’ll need:

High quality photos
Well written descriptions
An understanding of online rental sites
A way to protect yourself against scams and scammers

You’ll need to manage the application process, screen your tenants thoroughly, and execute a lease agreement. You’ll need to collect a security deposit and move-in funds, and you’ll need to do all of this in compliance with federal and state fair housing and landlord/tenant laws.

Professional property managers have systems in place that allow for quick tenant placement, fast and reliable screening, and a compliant lease agreement that’s designed to protect you and your property. With the well-screened tenant your management company places, there’s less of a chance you will have to chase down late rent, address lease violations, and worry about eviction.

Maintaining Your Arlington Rental Home

Maintenance is expensive, and it can be difficult for self-managing landlords to find vendors.

A property manager will have a maintenance plan in place and can respond swiftly to both routine and emergency issues at the property. If you self-manage, you’ll need to be on-call 24 hours a day and seven days a week in case there’s a leak in the middle of the night or a tree that comes through the roof over the weekend.

You’ll also need a reliable list of vendors. Property managers either have in-house vendors who can respond to maintenance or they contract with a preferred list of vendors who offer discount volume pricing and a high standard of workmanship.

Arlington Rental Property Accounting

Tips for Saving Money During Tenant Turnover

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Most Arlington real estate investors know that vacancy is expensive. You’re not earning any rent on an unoccupied home, and you’re also paying out of pocket for things like utilities, lawn care, marketing, and cleaning.

Turnover is even more expensive. You have to fix up any wear and tear items that occurred during the previous tenancy, and there may be improvements and upgrades needed to keep your property competitive in the market. How can you save money during tenant turnover periods?

It isn’t always easy. The cost of tenant turnover can be a shock.

We have some tips on saving money that you might find helpful.

Require Ample Notice in Your Lease Agreement

The more time you have to prepare for a turnover and a new tenant, the less costly the process will likely be.

Most lease agreements require 30 days of notice before your tenant moves out. You should require at least that much notice; 60 days is even better. With this much notice in writing, you can begin to strategize how you’ll efficiently prepare the property for the next tenant.

As soon as you receive your tenant’s notice to vacate, send a list of things that tenant will need to do before move-out. This will prevent any disputes or confusion about what kind of cleaning needs to be done and how the security deposit will be returned.

Schedule Vendors Ahead of Move-Out

Schedule the vendors you know you’ll need.

The sooner you have appointments on the books, the faster you’ll be able to manage your turnover process. You don’t necessarily know what kind of damage or wear and tear will need to be handled, but you do know you’ll need cleaners. There’s a good chance you’ll need to have the property painted. Landscapers may also be always necessary, no matter how the property is left.

When you have good tenants in place who are communicative and responsive, it’s likely they have taken good care of the home. This will reduce your turnover time and expense.

Market the Property Aggressively and Strategically

Get to work on your marketing plan as soon as you know you’ll have a vacancy.

Whether or not you show the home while it’s still occupied by the current tenant is up to you. This is possible when you have a cooperative tenant who keeps the home clean and well-maintained. If not, you should wait until the tenant has moved out and the property is vacant. While you’re waiting for that, however, you can begin to craft your listing and decide where you will share it. Decide how you’ll handle showings ; is this the turnover period when you’ll invest in an automatic keypad or other self-showing technology?

Always Make Lawful Security Deposit Deductions

One of the best ways to reduce your vacancy costs and your turnover time is by working with a professional Arlington property management company . We can help you save money on tenant turnovers with our exceptional maintenance vendors and our strategic marketing plans. Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How to Handle Security Deposit Returns

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Virginia has some specific laws when it comes to security deposits. For example, you cannot collect more than the equivalent of two months’ rent when a tenant is moving in. That’s the limit to what you can collect.

It’s usually more than enough, and the standard is a security deposit that’s equal to one month of rent.

The collection of a security deposit is rarely as challenging as its return. You need to understand the timeline for security deposit returns and, even more importantly, you need to understand what you can and cannot deduct for.

Conduct an Inspection After Tenants Move Out

After your tenants have turned in the keys and left a forwarding address, you’ll need to go through your vacant Arlington rental property and document its condition. The tenant has the right to be present at the final inspection, and you must give the tenant written notice of this right.

This is where you’ll decide whether you’ll be making any deductions to the tenant’s security deposit. So, bring your move-in inspection report with you so you can compare the condition of the home at this point to the condition it was in when the tenants took possession.

Here’s what you need to know as you’re inspecting: you cannot deduct anything from the security deposit for regular wear and tear . Those small nail holes in the walls and scuff marks from where the sofa rested cannot be charged to the tenant.

Take pictures to document the property’s condition. If you notice damages that are beyond normal wear and tear, you can charge for that. Make sure you can demonstrate that those things were not broken or damaged at the beginning of the lease.

Security Deposit Timelines: 45 Days

Tenant damage that exceeds wear and tear standards.
Unpaid rent or utility bills.
Vacancy caused by a lease break.
Trash removal and cleaning.

If the tenant isn’t receiving a full deposit refund, you should send the amount that they are getting back with an itemized list of what you’ve deducted and why. Be specific and include receipts, invoices, and other documentation to support what you’ve charged.

If your tenant disputes what you’ve withheld or you don’t return the deposit in time, you could face expensive penalties. This is why we always encourage owners to be detailed in their move-in and move-out inspections. Document everything carefully, and if a tenant pushes back against a deduction you’re making, decide how well you think your case will stand up in court.

If you’d like some help avoiding security deposit troubles with your Arlington rental property , please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management. We deal with tenant move-outs all the time, and we have systems in place to ensure the security deposit is lawfully returned.

So You Bought an Investment Property, What’s Next?

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Buying an investment property is a great first step in earning money on real estate.

What comes next?

We can help you navigate the process, which isn’t always easy for a first-time investor. The exact steps you take will depend on your goals as an investor and the property (or properties) you have purchased. However, this can be used as a general outline of where you need to focus your attention once the deal is closed.

Choose an Arlington Property Manager

Surrounding yourself with experts helps you have a successful investment experience. If you’re working with your first rental property, you’ll need some expert advice when it comes to leasing, managing, and maintaining that property. A property manager can provide support, resources, and expertise.

If you don’t already have a management partner , finding one is what you want to do next.

Choose an experienced management company with a great local reputation.

This is why a property manager is so important right after you’ve invested (or even before you invest):

You’ll know how much rent you can expect to earn on your property.
You’ll know what’s needed to make the property ready for the rental market .
You can leverage a great network of vendors and contractors without screening and hiring them yourself.
You’ll have the expertise and knowledge you need when it comes to marketing, tenant screening, and preventative repairs.
You’re protected from the risk and liability that comes with renting out property.
You’ll have less work to manage yourself and more time to do what you love.
You’re likely to earn more and spend less on your investment.

Good property management is essential once you have an Arlington investment property. Everything else will move along with far more efficiency when you’re working with a great property manager.

Create a Risk Management Plan and Protect Yourself From Liability

You’ve just invested in an asset that’s worth a lot of money. You’ll have to protect it.

Look for a landlord’s policy that will protect you and your rental property . You’ll need coverage for the repair and replacement costs of the physical structure. You’ll also need adequate liability coverage and loss of rent insurance.

Once you’ve protected your property with insurance, you need to think about how to protect yourself from common legal mistakes. Educate yourself on the state, local, and federal rental laws that apply to your property. You’ll need to know:

State and federal fair housing laws
Security deposit laws
Requirements around rental increases
Eviction laws
Habitability standards

There’s a lot to know, and mistakes get pretty expensive. This is another great reason to work with a property manager; we stay up to date on all the laws and we keep our properties and owners in compliance.

Rental Property Pricing

Accurate and competitive rental property pricing is important, and here’s what you need to consider.

Know the market. Get to know what similar homes are renting for. Price according to current market conditions.
Consider the competition. Will your property stand out in the market or are there dozens just like it?
Location and property condition are important. Tenants will pay more for the right neighborhood. They’ll also pay more when you offer renovations and upgrades that make the home modern and inviting.

How to Keep Your Rental Property Safe for You and Your Tenants

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:00:01 GMT

Safety is always a priority, whether you’re walking down a dark street or settling new tenants into your rental home. One of your most basic responsibilities as a landlord or a rental property investor is to provide a home that’s safe, habitable, and well-maintained. You want your tenants to be safe inside of your property and you also want them to understand how to protect themselves and their home when they’re not there.

Let’s talk about what you can do to make your rental home safe for you (it’s your investment) and for your tenants (it’s their home).

Safe Systems and Appliances

Tenants need to be safe inside your home, and that means all of your systems have to function correctly. You’ll want to do a complete inspection before your new tenants move in, so you know it’s ready for occupancy . Check the plumbing, the electrical system, the HVAC, and the roof. Everything needs to be intact, in good condition, and easily maintained throughout the tenancy. Test all of your appliances as well, and replace anything that’s old and deteriorating.

Security and Safety for Tenants and Your Investment

Once you know the property itself is safe, think about how you can keep tenants safe inside of that rental home. You might want to invest in an alarm system. Or, you could install a video doorbell. These are becoming increasingly popular, especially among people living in single-family homes. It gives your tenants an opportunity to see who is at the door before they open it. Residents can also track packages that are left there. They can download an app to follow the activity on their doorstep.

Some of these technologies are expensive, and you don’t necessarily have to pay for them yourself. If you install the equipment and then give your tenants the option to activate them, you’ve done your part and offered a plan that has shared responsibilities.

There are simpler measures you can take to keep your property and your tenants safe, too. Make sure there aren’t any overgrown shrubs or trees blocking windows and doors. You want tenants to clearly see who is outside. Good lighting is also important; make sure there’s a bright light in front of the front door. Keep all walkways and parking areas well-lit. Consider motion lights on garages, sheds, and driveways.

Vacant Arlington Rental Properties

Conducting regular inspections. You need to get inside the home every now and then to make sure no one is squatting there and to ensure there isn’t any deferred maintenance needing your attention.
Installing an alarm or a security system. This will often deter a burglar or a criminal from breaking and entering.
Ensuring you have adequate insurance. Make sure your policy is up to date and if your investment will be vacant for 30 days or more, you may need a specific insurance policy that covers unoccupied homes.
Quick leasing. Don’t leave your property vacant for too long. Get a qualified tenant in there as quickly as you can.

There’s a lot more you can do to keep your property and your Arlington tenants safe. If you’d like some additional advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management. We’d love to be your property management resource .

Unexpected Costs of Owning a Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Whether you’ve invested in a rental property or you’re renting out a home that you once lived in yourself, there are certain costs that come with that home, and you’ve probably budgeted for them. You’ll have to keep up with the mortgage and the insurance. You’ll have to pay the property taxes. Routine maintenance issues are going to arise, and you’ll need to be prepared to pay for minor repairs and replacements. There’s the landscaping and the pest control. Marketing costs can be planned and services such as property management and professional accounting or bookkeeping.

The unexpected costs are often more expensive than any landlord anticipates. It’s hard to budget for what you don’t see coming. This can sometimes be disruptive to your earnings.

Here are some of the unexpected costs to owning a rental property that often catch owners by surprise.

Vacancy and Turnover Costs

The current rental market in Northern Virginia is hot, and vacancy is less of a concern than it is in slower markets. However, there will be periods where your property is not occupied. Rent won’t be coming in, and you’ll be paying out of pocket for utilities, maintenance, landscaping, and cleaning . You’ll be spending money and time trying to find a new tenant.

Turnovers are even more expensive, and while owners often understand that there will be some cosmetic issues that need to be addressed between tenants, you’ll often pay more than you realize. This is the most ideal time to make updates and improvements that will increase your rental value and attract high quality tenants . Plan to spend some money during turnover periods; it’s worth it to upgrade your rental property before you look for a new tenant.

Unpaid Rent is an Unexpected Cost

Your entire rental operation is based on the assumption that rent will be paid when it’s due.

What if it’s not?

When you have tenants who don’t pay rent, you are left with housing-related bills that you’ll have to pay on your own, including your mortgage payment, if you have one. This is disruptive and it’s frustrating, and you’ll spend a lot of time and money trying to collect the rent that has not been paid.

You can attach late fees. You can use the courts to bring your tenants into compliance. But, if the rent isn’t paid, you’re out thousands of dollars each month it does not come in. Eviction is your ultimate tool when it comes to removing a non paying tenant, but it will take time, and you will lose money.

Try to have a reserve in place to cover expenses for a couple of months in case the rent stops coming in and you have to move through the eviction process or convince your tenants to move out.

Emergency Maintenance at Arlington Rental Homes

Have you accounted for the rising prices? Inflation has had a huge impact on the rental market – in ways that benefit and detract from owners. Your rent is likely higher, which means you’re collecting more income every month. But, your expenses are higher, too. So even if you’ve planned for the potential emergency maintenance costs, you need to make sure you’ve planned enough . Everything is more expensive; supplies, materials, and labor. This can be a huge shock when you receive invoices and quotes. Prepare to pay more.

These are just a few of the immediate expenses we think of when we’re talking about the hidden or surprise costs associated with renting out property . If you’re looking for ways to keep these costs down, consider working with a property management partner. We’d be happy to help. Contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Landlord's Guide to Handling Difficult Tenants with Ease

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Difficult tenants are best avoided, but even with the strictest screening process and the best intentions, you never really know who is moving into your Arlington rental property . When you have a resident who is intent on complaining, causing problems, or mistreating your rental property , what is the best course of action?

You need to remain professional, of course, and you need to have a strong lease agreement in place that addresses any issues that come up with a tenant.

We work hard at creating and maintaining positive and professional relationships with our tenants. Here is our best guide to handling difficult tenants with ease.

Always Refer to Your Lease Agreement

Tenants can be difficult in a number of ways. Maybe you have a resident who pays rent late every single month. Maybe there’s a tenant who is disrespectful to neighbors, and always causing disturbances with noise and nonsense. We have dealt with pets that cause damage and tenants who don’t seem to care. There are the complainers and the residents who cannot seem to follow the rules that have been explained to them.

Always refer back to your lease agreement before you address difficult tenants. There, you will find specific expectations, responsibilities, and requirements . The lease will also include consequences for missing payments, bad behavior, or violations. These consequences may be late fees and even eviction.

Communicate With Tenants

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries with tenants who are difficult to work with. If you have a resident who calls you every day with a new complaint that you have no control over, explain the constraints of what you can do. Sometimes, tenants just want to be heard when they have an issue, but if there’s a tenant who is difficult and demanding, you are not required to listen to them every time they have something to say. You want to establish good relationships with your renters, but you are not called to be taken advantage of.

Communication, even with difficult tenants, needs to be responsive, professional, and transparent. Always document the conversations you have, especially if they are fraught with conflict and displeasure. Be direct, even when you have to deliver bad news or push back against something your difficult tenant seems to be demanding without reason.

Make a Plan for Difficult Tenants

Dealing with difficult tenants can start with a conversation. If that’s not enough, put something in writing. Then, follow the remedies that are provided by your lease agreement, the local landlord and tenant laws, and the warnings that might have been shared during previous conversations and correspondence. If there’s a legal reason to evict your tenant and you have exhausted every other potential path to a solution, you should be empowered to do what you need to do.

One great way to avoid dealing with difficult tenants is to work with a professional property management company . We can help with tenant relationships and we can provide a buffer between you and your residents, ensuring you never have to get into disputes or difficult discussions.

Landscaping Tips to Make Maintaining Your Rental Property Easier

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Maintaining the landscaping of your Arlington rental property is important. Not only does it make your property look better, it can also increase its value. You’ll earn more rent on a well-landscaped home, and you’ll also attract better tenants .

It’s not always easy, even if you have a small lawn. Maintaining the landscaping on a rental property can take a lot of your time if you’re doing it yourself. If you hire a service, it can become expensive.

We recommend keeping your landscaping simple and easy to maintain. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish that.

Low-Maintenance Plants

The climate in and around Arlington is not extreme. We have humid, hot summers and cold winters, but seasonally, we all know what to expect. Manage your landscaping according to the season and choose plants that will do well with differing temperatures. You also want plants that will thrive with minimal care and maintenance. Try evergreen shrubs, succulents, and native perennials.

Plant enough to inspire interest, but don’t overwhelm your tenants. If they arrive to see a property with complicated landscaping, they may worry about what will be required of them in terms of keeping everything alive and healthy.

Think About Water Preservation and Irrigation

Invest in mulch. A layer of mulch around plants helps retain moisture after watering so they don’t need to be watered as often; plus it helps prevent weeds from growing between their roots which makes weeding much simpler down the line.

Installing a drip system or an automatic sprinkler system can also help reduce water usage while still giving your plants enough water to survive and thrive throughout the year.

Partner With a Landscaping Service

It’s a good idea to hire a landscaping service. You can roll the cost of that service into the monthly rent. This ensures that your property is landscaped to a standard that’s acceptable to you, and it relieves your tenants of any responsibility for taking care of the lawn.

Always address landscaping responsibilities in your lease agreement, whether you’ll take care of it, your tenants will take care of it, or you’ll have a service taking care of the lawn.

Keeping things simple will ensure an easy, enjoyable rental experience for you and your residents. The landscaping is a big part of your property’s curb appeal and your ability to attract and retain good tenants . If you are renting out a home in an HOA community, there may be additional landscaping standards that need to be met. Be aware of those.

If you need help with landscaping or anything pertaining to your rental property, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How to Get Your Property Rent Ready

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 20:00:05 GMT

Renting out a property can be an exciting and financially rewarding venture, but it’s not as simple as putting a “For Rent” sign in the yard and waiting for eager tenants to show up.

Before you start saturating the internet with your listing and accepting applications from prospective tenant s, you need to make sure that your rental property is move-in ready. It has to be rent ready, otherwise tenants will pay no attention.

Making a property rent ready means ensuring it’s ready for occupancy. The home must be safe, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. It has to have a little something extra, too, so that it stands out among all the other properties on the Arlington rental market.

Here’s what you can do to make sure your rental property is ready for the market.

Start with Safety and Habitability

Your property is not rent ready if it isn’t safe and habitable. Inspect the electrical system, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, windows and doors (including locks), fire safety devices (like smoke alarms), outdoor lighting, and any additional features like stairs and balconies.

If anything needs to be fixed or replaced—no matter how minor—you should take care of it before listing your home. Tenants won’t want to rent a home that’s missing a major appliance or still having the drywall repaired. It has to be move-in ready in order to be rent ready.

Clean Until Your Arlington Rental Home Sparkles

When looking at potential rentals, the best tenants will naturally gravitate towards those homes that are clean and inviting. No one wants to move into someone else’s dirt and dust. Present a home that’s clean and inviting. Give your rental a thorough cleaning both inside and outside before listing it for rent.

Start with the outside and work your way in. Remove any debris or trash from around the exterior of the property. Power wash the outside if necessary. Inside the rental home, make sure you have a great cleaning crew that can take care of dusting, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing counters and appliances and tubs and toilets. You want surfaces scrubbed and polished, fixtures dusted, and light bulbs replaced.

An extra-attentive clean will give potential renters a great first impression when they come to view the property. It will feel rent ready to them, and they’ll be able to imagine living there.

Invest in Cost-Effective Improvements

Paint the walls if necessary. Install new hardware in the kitchen, on sinks and drawers and cupboards. These small renovations will not only get the attention of good tenants, they may even raise your rental value.

Get your property rent ready and move onto the marketing. You’ll have a pool of interested tenants calling and messaging for more information in no time.

We can help. If you’d like some assistance making your property ready for the rental market, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Are You Ready to Become An Arlington Landlord?

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Are you thinking about renting out property in Arlington? This is a big decision, whether you’re renting out a home you once lived in yourself or investing in a property to use as a rental. Renting out property in Arlington brings both financial rewards and a few risks, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for.

Here are some of the things to consider before you go full landlord.

Educate Yourself on the Arlington Rental Market

Landlords need to understand the rental values in Arlington, the competing properties, and the needs and wants of their prospective residents. Get to know the landlord and tenant laws in Virginia as well. You’ll need to understand tenant rights, fair housing, and all of the requirements that come with providing a rental property.

You might have an idea of what you’ll rent out your property for, but the market drives rent prices. You’ll need to access good data so you can accurately price your property. You’ll need to understand how to market the home, attract potential residents, and show your home .

If you’ve never rented out a home before, learning the mechanics of the rental market can feel a bit overwhelming. Start early, and make sure you’re surrounding yourself with experts who can help you make good decisions.

Get to Know Your Landlord Responsibilities

As a landlord in Arlington, you have a list of habitability standards and legal requirements that must be met. You need to keep up with housing and building codes, and you have to maintain the home so tenants can live there comfortably and safely. You’ll also have to disclose any defects or potential hazards before your tenants move in.

Decide how you will handle:

Leasing your rental property. This includes pricing the home, preparing it for the market, marketing the property, talking to prospective tenants, showing the place, and running through the screening process. Once you approve a tenant, you’ll need a lease agreement .
Managing the rental. Your responsibilities here include collecting rent on time, enforcing your lease agreement, conducting inspections, communicating with residents, and tracking all of the income and expenses associated with the investment.
Maintaining the investment. You want to preserve the condition of your property, and you also want to ensure your tenants are having a positive rental experience. You’ll need a plan for emergency, routine, and preventative maintenance.

Your landlord responsibilities are ongoing. You’ll need to remain available to your tenants at all times in case there’s an emergency.

Budget for Unexpected Costs

This is just a basic overview of how to prepare yourself to take on the role of landlord. Remember that working with an Arlington property management company is a great way to learn how the rental market works. You’ll leverage expertise and resources, and find that you make more money on your investment.

If you have any questions about how to be a great landlord, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Contractor

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 20:00:01 GMT

Arlington rental property owners must constantly look for ways to improve their investment properties . You need a great team of contractors and vendors to work with you on repairs, improvements, and even preventative maintenance issues. If you don’t already have a strong network of reliable and cost-effective professionals in place, you’ll need to do some relationship building so you have access to a good team.

Before you hire a contractor, there are some important questions to ask. Let’s take a look at some of the best starting points.

Ask About Experience

It’s important to know how much experience the contractor has with the specific job you need done. Are they familiar with the work that’s required? Have they done similar jobs before? Do they understand the unique nature of rental properties , and the habitability standards that must be met?

Ask for references from past clients and read referrals and reviews. When you understand their level of experience, you know what you can expect in terms of what they’re able to accomplish. You’ll need to know how they handle parts of the project that they aren’t necessarily qualified to complete. Do they have a team of experts in different areas or do they hire subcontractors?

Work With Licensed and Insured Contractors Only

To protect your property and yourself, insist on working with only licensed and insured contractors. Wanting to save money on cheaper labor is understandable, but there’s a lot of liability on your plate when you work with unlicensed people. Check for insurance and licensure.

If something goes wrong during the project, your contractor’s insurance will save you from claims and lawsuits. Verify that the license you’re provided is valid and up to date.

Ask About Timelines for Work on Arlington Rental Homes

You’ll need to know how quickly your contractor can work. Will your project be their only job, or do they travel between multiple worksites during the course of a day and/or week? Ask the contractor how long they think it will take them and then add an extra week or two in case anything unexpected pops up while the work is being completed. We always recommend over-budgeting when it comes to time and money.

How Do They Guarantee Their Work?

Find a trustworthy partner when hiring a contractor. Knowing what kind of experience they have with your specific job, whether they're insured & licensed, how long it'll take them to complete their task, and if there are any warranties offered should all factor into your decision-making process when you’re deciding who to work with.

If you need contractor referrals or any help with this process, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Home Showing Tips to Attract Quality Tenants

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 19 May 2023 20:00:01 GMT

You don’t have to be a real estate expert to understand that the key to successfully renting out an Arlington property is attracting and retaining high-quality tenants . The goal of placing these residents is why it’s so important to market your property strategically and show it in its best light.

When prospective tenants come for showings, you want them to immediately imagine themselves moving into the home.

As expert Arlington property managers , we have a lot of experience showing homes to tenants. These are some of the best tips we can share that will help you appeal to your ideal tenants.

Pay Attention to Curb Appeal

When tenants arrive at the property you’re showing, they need to be impressed. The first impression is how your rental home looks from the outside. You want a clean, litter-free yard that’s green and mowed. Bushes and trees should be trimmed and any flower beds should be free of weeds.

Whether you have a large yard, a simple courtyard, or not much outdoor space at all, the approach to your property will be important to the tenants who are seeing it. Make sure the front door is clear of any cobwebs or dust. The window blinds or curtains should be open, allowing light into the home. Exterior paint needs to be in good shape, and the entire aesthetic should be welcoming and inviting.

This will get you the right kind of attention.

Present a Clean and Functional Home

Potential residents are scheduling showings because they liked what they saw on your listing. You’ll want the property to reflect the pictures you took and the description you wrote. It’s important that everything is working. If a prospective tenant turns on a sink and there isn’t any water coming out, you won’t make a great impression. Take care of all maintenance issues and repair needs - no matter how minor - before you begin showing the home.

You also want the property to be obsessively clean. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook smaller cleaning tasks like dusting or vacuuming. Hire professionals who will be extremely detail-oriented, and make sure that the home looks as good as possible.

Let the Tenants Lead During Arlington Rental Property Showings

Taking these steps will help ensure that prospective tenants have a positive experience when viewing your Arlington rental property, which increases your chances of attracting quality tenants who will stay longer and take better care of the place than those who had more negative experiences with showings. If you’d like some help putting together a marketing plan to kick off your leasing process, please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How to Verify Tenant Rental History

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 05 May 2023 20:00:03 GMT

While screening tenants for your Arlington rental property, you’ll conduct a full background check that includes evaluating credit, verifying income, and looking at criminal histories. This due diligence is critical to ensure you are placing a tenant who is qualified to rent your home , financially and from the desire to keep your property and your community safe.

One thing that a number of landlords don’t often pay enough attention to is rental history.

It can be time consuming to validate a tenant’s rental history, and it can be uncomfortable calling or emailing former landlords to ask for information about people who once rented from them.

However, this is a critical part of the screening process, and we recommend that you always verify the rental history your tenant has provided and talk to current and former landlords or property managers . It’s the best way to get a clear picture of what it will be like to rent to those particular tenants you’re considering.

Here’s how to do it.

Collect Information on Your Arlington Rental Application

Properly verifying rental history begins with the application. You want to ask where your applicants have lived over the last few years, and the information you collect should include addresses and the names and contact information of any landlords or property managers. If they owned a home previously, ask for an address and information on the mortgage company.

Always get a signature on the application that provides consent for a background check.

Verify Addresses on Credit Reports and Background Checks

When credit reports and background checks come back, you’ll want to check the addresses provided by the tenant against the addresses you find on the reports. Any gaps or inconsistent information might raise a red flag. If a tenant didn’t disclose a prior address on the application but it shows up on the credit report, you might wonder why they aren’t sharing that prior residence.

Talk to Current and Former Landlords

How long did the tenant live in your property, and what did they pay? This will help you verify the information you have on the application.
Was rent paid on time every month? If it was late, how long did it take before they caught up? Did you ever have to serve a notice or move towards eviction?
Was there any property damage left behind after the tenant moved out?
Did the tenant provide the required amount of notice before leaving?

No one will be able to give you more information about a rental experience with a particular tenant than a former landlord. Make sure this is part of your process. And, always ask the landlord if they would be willing to rent to that tenant again .

We have a consistent and legally compliant tenant screening process in place, which includes conducting a full background check and verifying rental history. If you’d like to hear more about how we do this, please contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Landlord's Guide to Lease Renewals

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 20:00:01 GMT

For Arlington landlords, lease renewals are success stories. When your tenant decides to renew their lease agreement and stay for another year (or however long the term of your lease happens to be), it usually means they’re happy with where they live and they enjoy the rental experience you’re providing.

Lease renewals are also good news for you because it means you have fewer vacancy and turnover costs. Reducing tenant turnover and increasing tenant retention earns you more money.

You need to know how to handle lease renewals efficiently and effectively. Here’s what we recommend, as experienced Arlington property managers .

Timing Your Lease Renewal Offer

As your lease comes to an end, you want to make sure you’re approaching your tenant in plenty of time for them to decide whether to move on or renew the lease agreement. Check the agreement that you signed; it will likely include a notice period. Typically, tenants must provide 30 or 60 days of written notice before they move out.

We suggest you follow the same period of time. If your lease agreement ends on May 31, for example, you’ll want to approach the renewal process by the end of March. This will give you time to put together a renewal offer and it will give your tenants enough time to decide what to do.

Offer Your Arlington Tenants a Lease Renewal Offer

Decide if you want to renew your lease with the tenants you currently have in place.

Unless your tenants are bad about paying rent on time, they are problematic in terms of following the lease requirements, or they fail to report maintenance in a timely manner , we recommend that you do renew the lease agreement. When you keep your tenants, you earn more money. You provide stability for your investment property.

Send a letter to your tenants offering them a new lease for another one-year period (or longer). You can also offer a shorter term if you would rather, or they request it. Usually, a lease for less than a year will have a higher monthly rental rate, but they might be planning to leave the area in a few months or buy a property over the course of the next year.

Offer the renewal and ask them to make a decision and sign the lease by a specific date.

Rent Increases and Lease Renewals

There are many details to manage during the renewal process, and we’d be happy to help you take care of them. Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How Technology Can Benefit Rental Property Landlords

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 20:00:00 GMT

Technology is a big part of the way we work when we’re leasing, managing, and maintaining properties in Arlington and the surrounding areas. If you’re working with a property management team , you’re likely already leveraging the best management software that’s available. If you’re managing your rental property on your own, you might find yourself at a slight disadvantage without the technology that we have available as property managers . It’s easy for us to use tenant and owner portals to collect and distribute rent electronically, follow up on maintenance requests and invoices, and generate accounting statements and financial reports.

There’s a lot you can use, however, to automate your systems and make your management process more efficient.

Here’s how technology can benefit rental property landlords like you.

Self-Showing Technology and Leasing Your Arlington Home

There’s a big place for technology when it comes to leasing. Your marketing process, showing process, and even the negotiation and execution of the lease agreement can all benefit from good technology.

Let’s talk about showings.

Showing a rental property is time consuming and often frustrating. You might find yourself juggling your own schedule in order to meet the scheduling needs of your prospective tenants. You might also find yourself showing up at your property for a scheduled appointment and then being blown off by your potential tenant. It’s a waste of time.

Instead of making yourself available at all possible hours, consider using some showing technology that allows tenants to see the property on their own. You don’t have to be there, and so your time is protected. Your potential tenants will also appreciate the ability to wander through the home on their own time and at their own pace.

There are different technologies for this, including digital keypads and lockboxes that can be opened via app. This is secure technology that protects your property and limits who can come and go and when they can come and go. It leads to a shorter marketing period and faster leasing.

Online Rental Payments are Important to Tenants

We have portals that tenants can use to pay rent with a bank account, debit card, or credit card. It’s easy for them to schedule payments in advance or set up recurring payments. Without a portal of your own, you can still set up electronic transfers of funds from your tenants to you. Engaging the available technology to collect rent electronically will make your rent collection process much easier.

With the right technology, you can more accurately price your property, market your home, show the property to tenants, communicate with residents and vendors, and manage maintenance. You can more easily track your accounting and finances. The right technology makes all of your processes more transparent and accountable.

We’d be happy to tell you more about how we utilize the latest property management technology without sacrificing the personal service that’s so important to our Arlington rental property owners. Please contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Investing in a Property Sight Unseen: What You Need to Know

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 20:00:01 GMT

If you’re an out-of-state investor interested in buying Arlington real estate investments, it would be great for you to come to the area and check out the opportunities in person.

But, it’s not necessary.

Thanks to technology and the strength of the existing real estate market, investing in real estate from afar is easier than ever. You can buy a rental property here without ever coming to town.

As long as you have some great local resources.

Here’s why investing in a property sight unseen is possible, and what you need to know before you close the deal.

Arlington Property Managers Help You Invest Sight Unseen

Don’t even get started on this process without partnering with a local expert.

You’ll need a real estate agent, who can help you find properties and negotiate a deal.

What you really need, however, is a local property management company that can help you buy the property and then take care of managing it and leasing it and maintaining.

Arlington property managers can take you through the entire investment cycle, from identifying an opportunity to finding and placing a tenant and signing a lease agreement .

Look for local experts who have invested heavily in technology. This will allow you to stay connected to your management company and your investment property.

Local real estate agents and property management companies with good technology will help you to see the home electronically from wherever you are. There can be video tours. Hundreds of photos. Inspection reports. You’ll quickly review and sign any legal and financial documents electronically.

We use our own data and technology to closely monitor the rental market in Arlington and the surrounding communities. When we know what you’re looking for, where you want to invest, and what you want to spend, we’ll keep our eyes open for the right opportunities.

Understanding What You’ll Earn and What You’ll Spend

Your local property manager can work with your real estate agent to advise you on the right offer. Before you can decide what you’re willing to spend, you’ll need to know what you can expect to earn from that property when you’re renting it out.

A property management company can help with rental values . We can tell you what you’ll spend on maintenance. When you partner with a property manager , you can invest sight unseen because we’re here to assist with:

A quick leasing period. We rent out properties that are occupied quickly, avoiding long vacancies and financial loss.
An immediate response to emergency maintenance issues and routine repairs.
On-time rent collection.
Lease enforcement and tenant accountability.
Lower turnovers and higher tenant retention.

A local property management partner will understand the requirements of your portfolio and develop a good relationship with your tenants.

You won’t have to worry about investing sight unseen - we’ll see it for you.

Understanding the Local Rental Market

Your best property management partner will share all of that knowledge with you before you buy.

Don’t be afraid to invest sight unseen. Your only fear should be investing without all the necessary knowledge and data. We can help with that. Contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Common Eviction Mistakes Rental Landlords Must Avoid

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:00:02 GMT

When you need to evict a tenant in Arlington , you have hopefully exhausted every other possible option for either bringing them up to date in rent or removing them from your property so you can turn the property over to a new, well-qualified tenant who is willing and able to pay rent.

Sometimes, eviction is the only way to move forward.

When you do need to evict your tenant, make sure you’re following all the eviction laws that are in place for Virginia. Trying to take shortcuts or avoid the legal process will only get you in trouble, and you’ll end up spending more time and money trying to remove your tenant from your property.

We are often called to help owners who have made some serious missteps in the eviction process. These are the most common eviction mistakes we see rental landlords make. You want to avoid these errors.

Avoid Risky “Self-Help” Evictions

One of the most important mistakes you must avoid is evicting your tenant outside of the legally required process.

We know it’s frustrating when a tenant doesn’t pay rent. However, you cannot change the locks suddenly. You cannot turn off the utilities or confront the tenant angrily at the property. You must follow the timeline and the step-by-step process, otherwise you’re risking your own rights to evict that tenant.

Don’t let your passions overtake the process. Remain professional and respectful, and follow the requirements of the law.

Not Serving Proper Notices

Most evictions are due to nonpayment of rent. When a tenant doesn’t pay rent and the grace period has passed and they haven’t been responsive to any calls you’ve made or messages you’ve sent, it’s time to make a formal demand for payment. Before you can evict your tenant, you must send a notice to pay or quit.

The notice period you’re required to provide is five days. You must serve a 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. That means the tenant has five days from the time you serve the notice to come up with the rent before you can move forward with an eviction. Don’t try to evict a tenant without serving this notice first, and always allow them the five days to come up with rent.

In 2021, the notice period was briefly extended to 14 days. The General Assembly did not vote to keep this time period in place, so we’re back to five days of notice before you move forward with eviction.

Not Being Prepared for Court

Always bring a copy of your lease agreement and copies of notices that you serviced. Prepare to answer questions, and if necessary, come to some sort of mediated agreement with your residents.

There is a lot of room for error when it comes to evicting a tenant. Don’t put yourself at risk. Instead of going it alone, talk to an experienced attorney who understands eviction law. You can also talk to an experienced Arlington property manager . We’d be happy to help you. Contact our team at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How Proper Paperwork and Rental Agreements Protect You and Your Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 21:00:00 GMT

As a rental property owner and investor in Arlington , Virginia, you should keep records of every detail relating to your rental property for your protection. By keeping your records current, you can protect the value of your investment and reference the documents in case of an emergency.

It’s important to keep records of your rental agreement, rental applications, maintenance invoices, leases, inspection checklists, and accounting records. This article will show you the importance of proper paperwork and rental agreements in protecting you and your property in Arlington, VA.

Improves Maintenance and Inspections Management

Inspections and maintenance are some of the most crucial aspects of managing rental properties. They have a huge role in keeping excellent renters and attracting new ones — more significantly, they protect and grow the value of the property . Making a paper trail that documents any maintenance issues and their solutions is a good idea to improve property management.

Having the proper paperwork about maintenance and inspections allows you to have a trustworthy record of the problems at your rental property, along with the repairs and maintenance that have been made. Having a clear understanding of the property’s condition and what needs more attention will help you improve the management of your rental property’s maintenance and inspection.

Streamlines Auditing

It will be easier to simplify audits if you keep financial documents updated. Bank statements are a good way to prove your income, and you should also keep separate records for each property you own. Keep records that show your costs and provide evidence for each deduction you make for repairs, upkeep, and property taxes in addition to any permitted deductions. This will eliminate stress and worry during tax season. Plus, it will protect you and your property from legal mistakes that might harm your business during audits.

Makes It Easier To Take Legal Action

If legal action is necessary, having all the appropriate paperwork and rental agreements will speed up the process. For instance, if you need to take legal action because your renters aren’t paying their rent, having a rental agreement and the necessary papers will be your proof — you will be able to win the lawsuit with the help of the paperwork and contract.

Additionally, having the right documents and rental agreements can protect you from any legal action that the renters could take, such as claims of breaching the contract or retaliation.

Work With a Trusted Arlington Property Management Company

How Can a Property Manager Save You Money

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Investing in a rental property is a good way to make cash on the side. However, if you do not manage the property well, you potentially lose more than you earn.

Many new landlords often try to maximize their profits and minimize expenses by managing the property themselves. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it’s not the most efficient use of your time and money.

Instead, seeking an Arlington property management company and using their services is more practical. Below are five ways experienced Arlington property managers can save you money and help your rental property flourish.

1. Better Marketing and Timely Upgrades

Property managers know how to market effectively — and to the right audience. They use traditional and digital marketing strategies for maximum effect. Moreover, they have the marketing budget, staff, and connections to ensure that your property gets found by the most qualified people.

Aside from better marketing, property managers know what upgrades would best suit your property based on the tenants you want to attract. These upgrades and renovations also play a role in their marketing efforts.

2. Fewer Vacancies

In the rental property business, time is money. The time your property sits vacant, the better your profit margin is.

As a result of property managers’ effective marketing tactics and streamlined onboarding processes, it becomes easier and quicker to find tenants. Additionally, trusted property management groups typically already have qualified tenants looking to rent that they can recommend.

3. Higher Quality Tenants

Bad tenants, such as those who do not pay rent, cause extensive property damage , or have a history of eviction cases, can hurt your property’s reputation, upkeep, and overall management expenses.

Property managers not only find tenants faster; they also find higher-quality tenants thanks to their thorough screening processes. The thorough tenant background checks also help protect you against “professional tenants” looking to scam landlords.

4. Regulatory and Legal Compliance

Professional Arlington property management firms are well-versed with local, state, and federal laws. They know the ins and outs of any regulations you may need to comply with. This helps you avoid heavy penalties that can end up costing you thousands of dollars.

Moreover, they can more efficiently and effectively take care of rent collection. They enforce the lease and decrease instances of skipped rent payments, as well as ensure timely lease renewals.

5. Lower Maintenance Costs

Long-standing and reputable Arlington property management companies have connections in the business. They work with equally trustworthy teams of contractors to help keep property maintenance costs down.

This helps you save money on repairs and ensure that your property is well-maintained to keep your tenants happy .

Maximize Your Rental Property Investment

The time and money you save, plus the premium services and convenience we offer, more than makes up for the cost of signing up for property management in Arlington.

For more information on how we can help you save money for your Arlington rental, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Renovations That Add Value to Your Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 21:00:04 GMT

The new year is an ideal time for sprucing up a rental property . Upgrading the look and overall functionality of your rental goes a long way towards avoiding long-term vacancies. Moreover, depending on the type of upgrades you choose, you can raise the overall value of your property.

Even if you don’t have the time nor budget for a large-scale remodel, more affordable and simpler renovations can already add a lot of value. An Arlington property management company can help steer you towards which renovations offer maximum value for money.

Below are a few of the best renovation ideas to consider for your rental property.

Upgrade Your Kitchen Countertops

Upgrading your kitchen countertops are an affordable project that can significantly change the look and feel of the room. Quartz and sealed, polished concrete are affordable yet beautiful countertop material options.

The kitchen is one of the most used areas in most homes, so elements in the kitchen are also among the first to show signs of wear and tear . For long-term results, invest in countertops that are extra durable, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant.

Improve the Bathroom

Bathroom renovations offer great value for money, generally allowing you to recoup more than half of your expenses. One recommended and high-value upgrade for bathrooms is to convert a walk-in shower into a bathtub and shower combo. This is especially important for master suite bathrooms, as some people only consider a “full bathroom” as one with a tub.

If the rental property already has a bathtub and shower stall, improve the counter space and storage area instead. Simple plumbing fixes and upgrades are much appreciated by potential renters , as well.

Fix Up the Property Facade

Curb appeal is one of the most important factors when renting out a house . After all, the outside of the building is the first thing interested parties see when they visit the property.

If your property has a front garden, invest in high-quality landscaping services to fix up the yard. We recommend hardy yet beautiful plants that future tenants can care for and keep alive without much stress.

Another good idea to upgrade your curb appeal is to replace the doors and windows of the property. For this year, double doors, geometric doors, and bold colors like yellows, teals, and blues are in style.

Upgrading the front doors and windows not only gives your facade a new look but can also help improve your house’s energy efficiency. This makes your property even more marketable.

Improve Your Rental Property Today

Our expert team at Arlington Realty Property Management can evaluate your house, suggest specific areas for renovations, and help you find the most qualified tenants to ensure your property doesn’t stay vacant for long — or at all!

Tips for First-Time Real Estate Investors

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Are you new to real estate investing? If so, we’ve got good and bad news for you.

The good news is that you stand to rake in profits from the properties you’ll acquire later on. Real estate investing in Arlington, VA, is an excellent source of passive income that gets even more lucrative with time.

Here’s the bad news:

Nobody just hops onto the real estate bandwagon and makes it big right away. Real estate investing is filled with obstacles, logistic challenges, and legalese that will discourage any new investor.

However, don’t worry. We’re here to share our top three tips for first-time real estate investors like yourself. Read on to learn our best practices for new investors. Also, stick around to the end to see what you can do to fast-track your success in Arlington, VA’s real estate market.

Be Clear About Why You’re Investing

Many first-time investors jump into the property market with hopes of making big money fast. Much to their dismay, these investors fall short in their profits. Much of this has to do with vaguely set goals.

When you’re starting out as an investor, you must be clear about why you’re in it. Knowing your goals will dictate your property selection, pricing, and initial investment.

For example, if you’re just starting out and you’d like to see profits within the next 12 months, you may have to invest in rental properties instead of homes. For this reason, you can expect your upfront investment to be less compared to when you buy luxury properties in the heart of Arlington.

Start Small

Everyone starts somewhere. If you’re new to real estate investing, it’s best to start small. Starting small will look different from one investor to the next. As a rule of thumb, start with one rental property . Also, start with a property that’s affordable enough for you to build full equity within one year.

By starting small, you’ll mitigate risks, learn on the job, and profit, albeit modestly — at least, at first.

Invest in Property in High-Demand Locations

High-demand locations in Arlington, VA, experience the most homebuyer or renter traffic. With this in mind, you must direct your property searches in these areas.

To learn where you should be investing, you’ll need the right tools and people. Besides Arlington property managers , you’ll need access to multiple listing services (MLS). The most essential tool in the investor toolkit is the service of an Arlington property management company that treats you like its only customer.

That’s where we come in.

Call Now for Arlington Property Management

How to Keep Great Tenants in Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 21:00:00 GMT

Every landlord wants good tenants for their Arlington investment property, who pay the rent on time, report issues, and look after the property really well, making it easier for landlords to retain the value of their rental and earn a consistent cash flow.

If you are lucky enough to have found such great tenants, it is essential to retain them for the long run. Here is how you can do so for your Arlington rental property .

Address Maintenance and Repair Requests on Priority

Many tenants leave their former rentals due to the landlord’s inability to handle maintenance requests efficiently. Therefore, it is important to take heed of any maintenance or repair requests by the tenant and ensure timely resolution. Inspect the property regularly and carry out routine maintenance. Doing so will make the tenants feel valued and ensure a good rental experience for them, motivating them to opt for a lease renewal.

Maintain a Cordial Professional Relationship with Your Arlington Tenants

The landlord-tenant relationship should primarily be professional. However, you can add a personal touch if you are friendly with your tenants. Create an honest bond of mutual respect and friendship so that your renters trust you and rely on you. Many tenants prefer a friendly landlord with whom they can openly resolve issues and talk about issues with transparency. Steady and two-way communication is the foundation of any good landlord-tenant relationship. To retain your good tenants, you should maintain consistent and open communication with them.

Prioritize Lease Renewals

To keep a great tenant in your Arlington rental property, be proactive around the time when the current lease will get over. Let your tenants know ahead of the time about lease renewal and then make further decisions accordingly, if they want to extend the lease. If the tenant has been renewing a 12-month lease continually over the last few years, propose a longer lease term that works for both of you and your tenant. If they know that you value them, the tenants are more likely to agree to an extended lease term.

Provide Additional Amenities in Your Arlington Rental

Maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship is essential to ensure that your great tenants stay at your Arlington rental for a long time. However, managing all of this on your own can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple properties. In such a scenario, you can enlist the help of a professional property management company that can help you in systematically making the right decisions to retain your good tenants.

Arlington Realty Property Management is a full-service property management company in Virginia, with extensive experience in the rental real estate market since 1984.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

5 Ways to Increase The Curb Appeal For Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 20:00:02 GMT

Prospective tenants choose to visit a rental based on its first impression, which is largely determined by the curb appeal. Curb appeal is not only limited to the external appearance of the house. It also refers to utilities, upgrades, and positive lifestyle changes that the new home may offer.

As an Arlington landlord, here’s how you can increase the curb appeal of your rental unit to attract good tenants –

1. Improve The Exterior

The exterior of the house is the first thing potential tenants will notice. Here's what you can do to improve it for increasing curb appeal. You can replace the sun-damaged and dulled paint on the exterior of your house with a fresher color to make it look new and more appealing. If your property is a part of the HOA community, ensure that you adhere to the color scheme recommended by the association.

In addition, a well-maintained yard can instantly captivate the attention of potential tenants. Make sure the bushes are neatly trimmed, and the lawn is mowed. You can also hire a professional landscaper for more effective results.

2. Fix The Roof of Your Arlington Home

The roof also forms an integral part of the curb appeal. You must, therefore, ensure that it is in top condition. If the roof is in a run-down condition, replace it with more durable and sustainable material. It can add to the overall aesthetics of the house.

Pay attention to your gutters. Unclean and clogged gutters not only look shabby but can also cause a risk for water seepage during rains and storms. Make sure you clean or replace the roof-gutters to maintain the well-being of your property .

3. Clean The Walkway and Driveway

The interiors are usually kept very clean by landlords. However, the exterior should also be kept equally clean and attractive. Use a pressure washer to clean the driveway and edge it with bricks or stones to make it look attractive. Also, fix the cracks in the concrete and pluck out the weeds that grow therein to add to its appeal.

A dirty pavement covered in dust, stones, and cracked concrete will make your rental look shabby. Instead, use bricks of different shapes or cobblestones to liven up the exterior of your Arlington house.

4. Illuminate Your Arlington Rental

A well-illuminated house looks more beautiful than one that is dark or dimmed. An illuminated exterior also helps in ensuring the safety and security of the property and those living inside. You can install lights near doors, windows, the backyard, and the main entrance gate. It can keep intruders at bay and make prospective tenants feel safe.

Installing lights of different warm colors can help you transform the ambiance of the house. Most landlords prefer lights in yellow and orange tones as opposed to bright white light.

5. Keep A Welcoming Front

The mailbox is still an important aspect of the property even though people rarely receive conventional mail nowadays. Fix the existing mailbox or replace it with a sturdy one.

There are many other subtle changes that can add to the aesthetic of your property. An experienced Arlington property manager can help you make your unit look desirable to prospective tenants. We at Arlington Realty Property Management can help you attract renters by increasing the curb appeal of your rental in the best possible way.

For more details, connect with us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Arlington Rental Property Damages Beyond the Security Deposit

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Arlington landlords take a security deposit from their tenants in order to protect their investment property. It is meant to cover unforeseen costs such as late rent payments and property damages caused by the tenants. However, there are instances when the damage caused by the tenant exceeds the security deposit amount.

Let's take a look at how to deal with such situations and prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Inspect Your Arlington Rental Frequently

You can monitor the state of your property and ensure that it stays safe from tenant damage by carrying out regular inspections. Look for pet stains, unusual changes, unpleasant odor, wall damage, and broken or missing items. When the tenant knows that you are attentive regarding the condition of the property, they tend to use the house more responsibly.

Conduct a Move-out Inspection

When the tenant decides to move out, it is your responsibility as a landlord to conduct a move-out inspection before you return the security deposit. Examine the property in detail and compare notes to the move-in inspection. During the walk-through, you should be looking for signs of tenant damage over and above the normal wear and tear of the property . This will help you detect any major issues and make it simpler for you to decide if you want to withhold the security deposit.

Maintain Transparent Communication Regarding Security Deposits with Your Arlington Tenants

If you have decided to withhold the security deposit from your tenant as compensation for damage to the property, you need to inform them about your decision and the state of the property. The best way to do so is by sending them a report containing a detailed list of all security deposit deductions for each damage, cleaning fee, and an explanation of the reasons and the amount of the security deposit you are withholding. However, if the deduction is greater than the security deposit amount, then the tenant owes you more money. In this case, you need to send them a demand letter.

Send A Demand Letter

This demand letter should include the details of the excess damage and the remaining amount that the tenant owes you. You also need to include an itemized list of damages and the deadline by which the tenant should pay the expenses. Mention your contact details as well as those of your attorney.

Consider Taking Them to Small Claims Court

In our experience, it is better to avoid the problem of bad tenants altogether by conducting a rigorous screening process before selecting your renters. It minimizes the likelihood of such stressful situations.

A qualified Arlington property management company can help you efficiently deal with such problems. At Arlington Realty Property Management, we provide our clients with a wide range of services that make the renting process easier.

If you need assistance in dealing with tenant property damage issues, reach out to us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Landlord vs Tenant Responsibilities | Arlington Property Management Advice

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Landlords and tenants play an equally important role in creating a positive rental experience for the other. A bad landlord can be annoying for the renter and a bad tenant can result in financial losses for the owner. According to a 2019 census, nearly 60% of households in Arlington were renters. Furthermore, there has been a steady upward trend in the number of renter households in Virginia.

While this provides a lot of opportunities for homeowners and investors to own a profitable property in Arlington , it is necessary to remember that both landlords and tenants are required to fulfill their individual responsibilities and co-operate with each other to ensure a smooth rental journey.

Based on our experience of 10+ years in the Arlington real estate market, here are a few crucial responsibilities of Arlington landlords and tenants.

Landlord Responsibilities for Their Arlington Rental

As property owners, landlords are required to carry out several duties in the best interest of their tenants. This includes ensuring their renters’ safety, regular maintenance, responding quickly to their concerns, and providing a habitable place for living.

Ensuring tenants' safety

Every renter deserves a home where they can feel safe and comfortable. The most basic duty of a landlord is to ensure that their property is secure. This includes installing locks on doors and windows, changing them when new tenants move in, and ensuring that the rental premises are well-lit.

Conducting regular inspections

A landlord needs to regularly inspect their rental property for signs of damages or any potential issues. Any concerns found during inspections, such as structural damages, mold, leakage issues, pest infestation, or asbestos, must be addressed promptly. This protects you from liability and prevents any potential inconvenience to renters.

Carrying out timely repairs

If ignored, minor problems can escalate and cause drastic damage to your Arlington unit. To avoid this, landlords should address all repair-related issues at the earliest, with the help of qualified contractors.

Knowing the federal and state laws for tenancies

It is important for landlords to know at least the most important federal and state housing laws, preferably taking help from professional property managers or legal counsel to understand them and their implications.

For instance, the Landlord-Tenant Law in Virginia requires landlords to follow the building and housing codes, keep the unit habitable, clean, and pest-free, provide basic utilities, and adopt safety measures like the installation of security alarms. In addition, there are several laws related to tenant screening, rent collection, property inspections, and eviction.

Lack of knowledge about critical laws can result in breaking them unknowingly, which can turn into a legal nightmare if your tenant decides to sue.

That covers landlord responsibilities to an extent. Now, let us take a look at tenant responsibilities.

Tenant Responsibilities in an Arlington Rental

A renter is equally responsible for ensuring habitability in the rental unit, if not more so. This includes taking care of the property, avoiding any willful damage to the rental premises, paying rent on time while occupying the unit, and more.

Maintaining the Arlington property

Although the landlord is responsible for the overall upkeep of the rental, it is the tenant’s responsibility to keep the unit squeaky clean and hygienic while they're staying. The renter must use the utilities and appliances inside the unit responsibly and refrain from causing any damage to the property.

Reporting maintenance issues

If tenants notice any issue in the rental house that requires immediate attention, they should send a request to the landlord. The owner can then take suitable steps to save the renters from the inconvenience and prevent the problem from worsening.

Adhering to the lease

The lease agreement outlines the various responsibilities of the renters in detail, from rent payments to lease termination and payment of utility bills to regular maintenance. Once the lease is signed, it is essential that tenants dutifully adhere to the clauses of the lease. They may communicate with the landlord if they need help understanding any clause in the agreement.

This is only a small sample of the many landlord and tenant responsibilities for Arlington properties. Consequently, it can be overwhelming for homeowners to ensure that all of them are fulfilled properly and their renters are complying with the lease.

Why You Should Rent Out Your Arlington Home Instead of Selling It

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Owning a property is a huge financial asset. However, sometimes, there comes a situation where you need to leave for personal or professional reasons, and you have to choose between selling and renting it out. There are advantages and disadvantages of both these routes, but, based on our experience, we recommend renting your Arlington property, instead of selling it away.

The reason is simple. Selling your current home can give you a one-time lump sum amount. However, this means you have to give up on potential profits in the future, as the property value increases in the competitive Arlington real estate market. Renting, on the other hand, is a promising option, given the current market scenario. Arlington is a rapidly growing city and owning an investment rental here can help you achieve a high ROI.

Here are some more reasons why you should rent out your Arlington home instead of selling it.

Renting Earns You Long-Term Profit

The real estate market in Arlington has seen significant growth in rental prices over the last year. The current median rental price for an apartment is $2,500, which has increased by 4% since 2019 and is likely to grow in the future. Plus, around 53% of households in Arlington are renter-occupied. The data proves that renting your home can assure growth and long-term profit in the future. In addition, if your property is in a popular neighborhood, you can charge a higher rent and attract a larger pool of potential tenants , thus making long-term profits.

No Out-of-the-Pocket Expenses Required

As an Arlington homeowner, you need to manage additional expenses such as a mortgage, insurance, taxes, maintenance costs, management fees, vacancies, and advertising costs, along with your personal expenses. Renting allows you to manage these costs with the rental income without spending money from your own pocket.

Note that you may need to study your monthly rental income and expenses to plan your budget, or better, hire a property manager who can help you plan it.

Leasing Maintains and Increases the Value of Your Arlington Investment

A well-maintained property with modern amenities never fails to attract quality tenants. When you rent the place, tenants take care of it and retain its value. You also ensure that it is well-kept at all times and add necessary upgrades to the unit from time to time, to keep it desirable.

Leasing allows you to maintain and improve the property value , giving you an opportunity to earn high returns as today, renters are willing to pay more for good homes in a fast-growing market like Arlington.

Rental Tax Benefits

While selling your Arlington home, you need to pay tax on capital gains. If you rent out the property , you save this capital gains tax and commission costs. Furthermore, your rental expenses can be included under tax write-offs as these are incurred for maintenance and management. Rental expenses include your cost of insurance, property management fees, accounting, home depreciation costs, maintenance, and utilities, in addition to your mortgage.

You Get A Passive Income Source

The most significant benefit of renting out your Arlington home is that it offers you a constant stream of passive income with minimum effort. Building a real estate portfolio can be a promising option for those who want to earn extra money and make multiple investments.

We assess your individual situation and provide you with practical advice that is in the best interests of your investment. We also take care of all your rental needs and help you manage your properties effectively.

Reach out to us at Arlington Realty Property Management for a detailed consultation and we will help you make an informed decision, based on the location, rentability, and projected value of your property.

Best Practices for Completing Tenant Maintenance Requests | Arlington Property Management Advice

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 20:00:01 GMT

Tenants expect the property they have rented to be well-maintained and habitable in exchange for the rent that they pay. They look to landlords for promptly resolving their maintenance needs and repairs. Landlords need to consistently stay ahead of tenant maintenance issues by adopting proactive maintenance strategies and completing their requests in time.

Here are a few ways to keep track of your tenants’ requests and resolve them at the earliest.

Receive Repair Requests Via the Tenant Portal

The online tenants’ portal is a platform where tenants can log in and communicate with landlords regarding rent, the property, and also file maintenance requests. It is one of the most professional ways to be in touch with your renters. They can contact you through the portal and simply post the maintenance issue there rather than having to personally call you up or send emails or messages that can go unread.

It also cuts down the paper use for you as a landlord, helps maintain a record of maintenance requests, and lets you track the conversation to avoid miscommunication. You can also provide guidelines, manage inspections , and share details about local vendors to get the repairs done.

Be Responsive to Your Arlington Tenants

Once you provide your renters with a standard tracking system, be responsive to their queries. Share your address, email id, contact number, and business card with your tenants and respond whenever they reach out to you. Reply promptly to urgent repair requests and take immediate steps to resolve them. In case of less urgent or trivial issues, you can schedule a repair in a few days. Nevertheless, you should still communicate the same with them within 24 hours after they contact you.

Hire Licensed Vendors

Licensed vendors are experienced professionals and can resolve your repair issues efficiently. Some landlords consider hiring a DIY vendor for a lesser cost rather than a professional repairs specialist. However, more often than not, this leads to more expenses as the issue may not be properly resolved and might keep cropping up again.

On the other hand, licensed vendors are professional and ensure that the problem is resolved in the first go. If something goes wrong, they are ready to revisit your property and fix the repairs without charging additional costs. You can rely on licensed vendors as they protect you from liability and claims, respect your relationship with tenants , and provide high-quality work with complete maintenance solutions.

Resolve Maintenance Issues in Order of Decreasing Severity

Critical maintenance issues may need immediate attention as they might affect the value of your property. Non-critical issues have some breathing room for resolution.

It is crucial to understand the severity of the problems before treating them. Maintenance issues such as leaking pipes, clogged drainage, missing door handle, and bare electrical wirings need to be fixed immediately.

However, you can take some time to repair problems like faded paint, scratched walls, or torn carpets. In either scenario, ensure that you communicate the severity of the issue and the time required to resolve it with your tenants.

Ask Your Arlington Tenants for Feedback

While completing renters' maintenance requests can be daunting, it is part of the landlords’ rental business. However, you can simplify the process by hiring a property management company.

Arlington Realty Property Management is a leading property management company in Arlington that takes care of all your rental property maintenance requests. Our team is accessible 24 x 7 to resolve tenants’ maintenance issues and ensure that the place is habitable and safe at all times.

To know more about our maintenance and inspection processes, connect with us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

3 Best Ways to Advertise Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:00:00 GMT

Long-term vacancies are a nightmare for landlords. Your cash flow comes to a standstill, the property starts to develop a neglected air because no one is living in it, and you have to pay extra attention to maintenance to ensure that it stays rent-ready.

Fortunately, there are ways with which you can advertise your unit and attract high-quality tenants. Here, simply putting up a 'For Rent' sign in your yard is not enough. You need to implement better marketing strategies, be more social, use your local contacts, and create a presence within the community.

Having worked for over a decade in Arlington, we have identified which advertising techniques work here and shortlisted for you the best ways to advertise your Arlington rental property .

1. Create Free Listings to Advertise Your Arlington Rental

According to Zillow Housing Trend Reports, 83% of tenants use online platforms to find their dream home. Therefore, advertising your Arlington rental online can connect you to a great pool of tenants and increase its visibility worldwide.

Free listing websites are a promising way to advertise your Arlington property. It helps you promote the rental vacancies online and gain maximum exposure to the key renters' demographic. Some websites are free and work with smartphone apps to connect a larger pool of youngsters.

Here, you can post your rental properties with high-definition images and additional features and amenities of the place, to find prospective tenants faster. Some of the popular free rental listing websites are:

Zillow
Realtor.com
Rent.com
Apartment.com
Avail. co
Trulia
Craigslist

Some rental listing websites also offer additional services for landlords, such as tenant screening , lease preparation, online maintenance request features, and automated rent collection.

2. Use Social Media To Advertise Your Arlington Rental Property

Social media is a dominant tool for marketing rental properties as they have the widest reach across a variety of target audiences. You can build a strong advertising campaign on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube, to advertise your property to your desired audience and connect with potential tenants across different locations.

Over time, you can increase awareness, followers, engagement on your posts, and ultimately, conversions, i.e., long-term tenants. Make sure you add primary details, such as an email id or contact number to your posts, so that interested tenants can contact you.

3. Word Of Mouth Publicity

Word of mouth publicity is still an effective medium to market your Arlington rental. A lot of neighborhoods in Arlington have a strong local community, which can help you promote your rental vacancy among your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.

Share your tenant expectations with your neighbors and ask them to spread the word among their friends. Word-of-mouth referrals have the potential to give you good tenants as the renter is being referred by someone you trust. You can also create brochures or pamphlets and distribute them amongst your colleagues at the workplace or put them up on public notice boards with due permission. Your current renters in the neighborhood also can help you in getting leads, as they know and trust you as a landlord.

Bonus Tip - Hire An Arlington Property Manager

Most property management companies, including our very own Arlington Realty Property Management, have a dedicated marketing team to create appealing listings for your home, advertise them on verified sites, implement marketing strategies, and screen your potential tenants.

Finding good tenants to eliminate rental vacancies by yourself can be tedious and time-consuming. A trusted property management company, like Arlington Realty Property Management, can save your time and help you search easily for prospective renters. We proactively advertise your rental property and to ensure it remains occupied at all times.

To know more about our work, connect with us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Best Practices for Maintaining Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 20:00:04 GMT

Maintenance plays a vital role in boosting the value of your Arlington rental property. It lowers the risks of potential damages, increases the rentability of your asset, and helps retain your tenants for a long time. However, landlords can find it challenging to streamline the maintenance process for their rental units due to perceived lack of time.

Based on our experience of managing rental properties in Arlington , here are some of the best practices that you can adopt for maintaining your property to ensure that it stays healthy and rent-ready for a long time. These include,

Inspect Your Arlington Home Regularly

Conducting regular inspections is one of the best practices for maintaining your rental. You can perform move-in, routine, and move-out inspections that help you identify repair issues, normal wear and tear , and tenant-caused damages so you can fix the problems before they worsen.

Inspect all the units, bathroom, utility cabinet, appliances, HVAC systems, and exterior of the property. Documenting the damage with photos, video recordings, or notes can help you compare the condition of the place at different points and can also act as evidence in case of damage claims. You can hire a professional inspector who can provide detailed inspection reports with all the records in them.

Create Maintenance Checklist

Rental maintenance issues are unpredictable and cause a chaotic environment if not handled immediately. Creating a comprehensive maintenance checklist can help you handle them effectively. Make sure you add all the following tasks to your checklist.

Roof and plumbing inspections
Examining the leakage issues
Servicing HVAC system and appliances
Checking utility cabinets
Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Cleaning gutters, clogged drainage, toilets, and sinks
Checking fixtures such as door handles, knobs, laches, nozzles, faucets, etc.
Identifying pest and mold infestation

Address Maintenance Issues Immediately

Landlords often neglect the maintenance issues raised by the tenants and end up inviting costly repairs and replacements. You must, therefore, immediately respond to your tenants’ complaints.

Some emergency maintenance issues can be leaks in the property, clogged toilets, non-functioning heating systems in winter, gas pipe leaks, structural damage, and missing locks of the main door. These issues can cause potential safety hazards if not addressed quickly and affect the valuation of your property as well.

Repair and Replace Non-Functioning Appliances

Home appliances are a costly investment for your rental property. It is necessary to maintain them regularly to increase their life. You should also mention the appliance maintenance responsibilities for renters in your lease agreement. In case of any issue, call a qualified contractor to get it resolved, and don't hesitate to replace any semi-functional internal parts. It will save you from the major expense of buying a new appliance altogether. You may also choose to replace non-functional appliances with new energy-saving ones.

Invest In Right Materials and Equipment To Minimize Constant Repairs

Buying or constructing a rental unit is a one-time investment. Using materials with less quality will save you money but might require constant maintenance, resulting in long-term expenses.

Make sure you have used quality material and equipment in building construction. It is essential for the quality control and durability of the property. Using high-quality material can create an ideal environment for ensuring that all the components of your unit, including the paint, walls, windows, plumbing, and electrical components, stay efficient for a longer time.

You should also provide quality equipment to tenants such as cooking essentials, kitchen utensils and appliances, decor items, bedroom essentials, and tools for household maintenance.

Perform Proactive Rental Maintenance

Arlington Realty Property Management is a trusted property management company in Arlington . We have been in the rental management business since 1984 and can assist you with your rental property maintenance and guide you through your journey as a landlord.

For more information, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How to Build Better Relationships With Your Arlington Tenants

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:00:08 GMT

When you rent out your Arlington home , you trust the tenants with one of your most valuable assets. Therefore, it is important to develop a good landlord-tenant relationship as it can directly impact the profitability of your rental property. Additionally, having a friendly relationship with your tenant can also help you minimize vacancies and achieve stable cash flow in the long run.

Here are a few tips that can help you develop a strong professional equation with your tenants.

Be Responsive to Tenant Requests

Tenants are dependent on their landlords to resolve their concerns relating to the rental house. They might require help not only with settling in the new house but also in navigating the new neighborhood. At times, tenants may require help with understanding aspects of the lease agreement. Respond to their queries and maintenance requests as soon as possible. Be proactive in helping them settle in the new home by making them familiar with the locality, providing important contact details for an emergency, and daily essentials. This shows that you care about their problems.

Communicate Regularly

It is necessary to express your expectations related to property cleanliness to your tenants, ask them if they require any help in moving into the rental or if they face any issues in the neighborhood. Open communication ensures that your tenants also convey maintenance issues immediately, thereby protecting your property from long-term damage. Maintain a semi-formal tone in the messages or emails to sound more approachable.

Reward Good Tenants With Offers and Incentives

If your tenants follow the lease religiously, pay rent on time, keep the house squeaky clean, request maintenance, or even take responsibility for small repairs like fixing the cabinet knobs, you should appreciate their efforts either verbally, through emails, or text messages.

You can go the extra mile to show your appreciation through offers and incentives. For example, you can give them local store vouchers, a box of chocolates, coupons for movies or dinner, free Wi-Fi, or a free subscription for a couple of months. This motivates them to use your Arlington property even more responsibly and can improve your professional relationship.

Respect The Privacy of Your Arlington Tenants

Although it is your property, do not drop by the place whenever you feel like it in an attempt to get pally with your tenants. As a landlord, you are legally obligated to send them a 24 hours’ notice before visiting. It is good to be friends with your tenants, but you need to maintain professionalism as well.

Employ Professional Arlington Property Management Services

Admittedly, this can be a lot to manage on your own, especially if you have multiple properties in Arlington. In such a scenario, hiring an experienced property management company like Arlington Realty Property Management can reduce your hassles. We have been in the real estate business since 1984. Associating with us can be your stepping stone towards building better relationships with your tenants.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Fair Housing Advice for Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 20:00:01 GMT

It goes without saying that if you own a rental property in Arlington, you should be familiar with Fair Housing Laws. The basic principle of the law is to avoid discrimination against any potential tenant based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, or disability.

Here is some fair housing advice that can help you avoid practicing any kind of discrimination throughout your rental business.

Avoid Discriminatory Advertising

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from printing, publishing, or posting anything discriminatory in any manner through your Arlington property advertisements. Here are some examples of discriminatory property advertisements taglines that you need to avoid:

'a perfect home for couples'
'a house that any American would love to live in.'
'a perfect residence for athletes'
mentioning discriminatory words like "limited to" or "exclusive for," 'only for," "not for families," or "not for disabled" in the ads
posting the flyers only in a specific area in Arlington where the ads can be seen by only by tenants preferred by landlords
using photographs that show only the people of one race or color for the ads

Follow the HUD Advertising Guidelines and the HUD Memorandum on Internet Advertising to ensure that all your rental advertisements abide by the Fair Housing Laws.

Make Your Property Accessible For The Disabled

If your house is not accessible to disabled tenants, it may be considered as an act of discrimination under Fair Housing Laws. The laws require landlords to have homes that can cater to individuals with disabilities such as blindness, HIV, chronic fatigue, or mental illnesses that may affect their day-to-day activities like walking, breathing, or working. According to the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines and the HUD Memo on Fair Housing Accessibility Requirements, your Arlington rental house should:

have an accessible building entrance and route
have accessible public areas
light switches, thermostats, etc. in accessible places
a wheelchair-friendly kitchen and bathroom

Disabled tenants might also require the assistance of service animals in turning the lights on/off or bringing medicines. Since these animals are not considered pets, you are required to allow them on your rental without charging any pet fees.

Do Not Discriminate Against Families with Children

Landlords should avoid discriminating against families having children or expecting children. You should not set different rules for them, like a higher rent price, a fixed one-person-per-bedroom policy, allowing families with three children or less, or with children below ten years. Also, you cannot penalize or evict tenants for having a baby or adopting kids.

Practice Fair Tenant Screening Rules

Most of the Fair Housing Laws may be violated at the time of tenant screening . Hence, Arlington landlords need to understand what is a reasonable reason to deny a tenant application and what isn’t.

Credit Score

You are allowed to check the applicants' credit score when they give you written permission for the same. There is no fixed minimum requirement of credit score, it varies as per the landlord’s discretion. However, the criteria should be the same for every applicant.

Source Of Income

The HUD considers the individuals who spend more than 30% of their salaries on housing as "cost-burdened". To ensure that your applicants are capable of making monthly rental payments, you can check their pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, employer references, social security benefit statements, or court-ordered agreements. You can decline an application if their records show that they may be unable to pay the rent.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

What is Considered Normal Wear and Tear for Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:01:42 GMT

Normal wear and tear is an unavoidable aspect of owning a home in Arlington . It is the expected deterioration of a building that happens due to regular use. It is different from tenant-caused damage and it is the landlord's responsibility to resolve these wear-and-tear issues and improve the property's condition to make it habitable. Let us understand normal wear and tear in further detail with the help of a few examples.

Normal Wear and Tear of Walls

Walls are usually seen to undergo wear and tear more frequently than other parts of the home. They are continuously exposed to different weather conditions, holes for hanging pictures, drawings or scribbles in case of tenants with kids, and more. Some of the most common signs of deterioration of walls are fading of color due to sunlight, chipped paint, stains due to water leakage, cracks, scuff marks, and even mold growth.

All these are part of natural wear and tear and landlords should make it a point to paint the walls once in 3-5 years. It can help maintain the aesthetic appeal of the house and retain the health of the walls, adding to the life and value of the property.

Deterioration of Floors

No matter how durable the floors are, they are equally susceptible to degradation. Moving heavy items like furniture or appliances from one place to another can result in scratches on the floors, especially if they are hardwood floors. Some other examples are grout, peeled sides of less durable tiles, light stains of beverages or food, and dullness due to aging.

In the case of carpet flooring, light stains, foot dents, small rips, or fading of carpet are potential signs of normal wear and tear. Similarly, if your Arlington rental unit has hardwood floors, you can expect normal deterioration such as fading due to sunlight and small scratches.

Normal Wear and Tear of Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are some other durable items in a home, as they are meant to protect the house from extreme climatic conditions. However, it can experience wear and tear too, in the form of stains, cracks, chipped coating, broken glasses, and loose knobs.

If you find the door hard to open or shut, it could be due to rusting of fixtures, which is also a process of wearing out. At times, extreme conditions like storms could severely damage the exteriors of the doors and windows of your Arlington home.

Degradation of Furniture

If used well, furniture can last for over 10-20 years. However, there will be certain wear and tear issues like fading of the polish, cracks in the lamination, stains due to moisture retention, loosening of the screws and the knobs, peeling of leather couches, and potential swelling of wooden doors or sliders due to heavy rains.

Wear and Tear of Appliances In Your Arlington Rental

These are some of the prominent ways in which natural deterioration occurs in your rental property. It is important for landlords to keep an eye out for these signs during regular inspections . Admittedly, this might be somewhat difficult if you handle your Arlington rental on your own, as it takes an experienced eye to quickly and accurately note the differences between natural wear and tear and tenant-caused damage.

This is where a property manager can help. A professional property management company can identify these damages and also get them repaired quickly to protect you from any liabilities. Consult a trusted property management company in Virginia, like Arlington Realty Property Management. Our team can guide you towards minimizing the wear and tear, keeping your rental in the best possible condition.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Top 4 Reasons Why Homeowners Switch From One Property Management Company to Another | Arlington Property Management Advice

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:00:01 GMT

Property managers can be instrumental in providing professional help to landlords concerning their responsibilities and making informed decisions regarding real estate investment. However, this comes with experience in local real estate and a passion for finding the best management solutions for landlords .

Ideally, property managers should be communicative, good at market research and feel highly responsible towards the asset and the tenants. Unfortunately, despite entrusting a company with these responsibilities and paying the requisite costs, homeowners often end up being disappointed in their services and switching to a different company.

While this isn't an easy decision for landlords, let us try to understand the reasons why they feel compelled to switch, so you can spot the red flags well in advance.

1. Lack Of Communication

Property managers are required to communicate effectively with both landlords and tenants. They should regularly convey important aspects of the rental to the owners. However, some managers fail to share crucial information like the additional maintenance costs, tax-related expenses, management policies of the company, and marketing costs, which ends up coming as a surprise for the owner.

Worst case scenario, they may even be negligent in informing owners about the ongoing maintenance issues, tenants requests, rental damages, rent collection, missed rent payments, lease renewals, or the need for evicting tenants. This lack of effective communication leads to the loss of the owner's confidence in the company's service, so they choose to hire another company that prioritizes and practices open and transparent communication.

2. Incorrect Accounting Practices

Accounting is another important aspect that Virginia homeowners entrust to their property management companies. Managers are expected to be very particular about rental accounting and bookkeeping as it affects the taxes owed by the landlords while filing with the IRS. When a firm fails to live by this expectation, landlords might feel the need to hire different professionals to look after their property.

Inefficient accounting by the rental management company gives an unclear picture of the ROI which may lead to bad financial decisions on part of the landlord. The managers' inability to create detailed profit and loss reports is another reason why homeowners switch from one property management company to another.

3. Placing Bad Tenants In The Arlington Property

Landlords rely on the rental managers to find quality tenants for their rental properties . They expect the manager to screen the potential renters in great detail , checking their rental, financial, and criminal background.

However, if the rental manager ends up placing tenants who turn out to be irresponsible with rent payments and the use of the unit causing severe distress to the owners and their revenue, there is a high possibility of them being fired. It is less of a headache for owners to terminate their contract with the company when they have to go through legal disputes, loss of rental income, and frequent maintenance costs rather than giving up their peace of mind.

4. Poor Maintenance Practices

These are the top four reasons why homeowners switch from one rental management company to another. You can avoid the distress of undergoing poor management services by consulting a reputed and experienced company like Arlington Realty Property Management. We have been functioning in the real estate sector since 1984 and can offer you a positive property management experience.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Arlington Property Inspections: 6 Places to Always Review

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 20 May 2022 20:00:03 GMT

Property owners should make it a point to track the condition of their rental property with regular property inspections. Conduct move-in and move-out inspections, as well as periodic inspections to find maintenance issues, if any, and resolve them at the earliest for better habitability.

Based on our experience, there are a lot of things to consider while inspecting your Arlington property, such as structural issues, fixtures, functioning of appliances, electricity, plumbing, and many more.

So, here is a list of 6 places to always review in your Arlington property inspections.

Living Room: Check Walls, Carpet, Ceiling, Fixtures

The living room will be the first place your tenants are going to step in while visiting the property. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect carefully and look for potential damage.

It is normal to see signs of regular wear and tear, such as scuffed hardwood floors or faded paint. However, if there is significant damage, like broken windows, a leaking roof, carpets stained with pet urine, or doors missing doorknobs, then you need to make a note of it during the inspection.

Look for cracks on the walls, evidence of water leaks around windows and vents. Do the same with the ceiling. Closely examine the drips all along the walls and in the corners. Document all the potential damages you find in the living room. It will help you identify the damage caused by tenants.

Kitchen: Check Appliances, Sinks, Faucets, Garbage Disposals

The kitchen includes moving parts that need to be kept functional for your tenants’ convenience. Make sure you inspect the kitchen thoroughly to ensure the longevity of your appliances and other tools.

Begin with the appliances such as refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, oven, and stove to ensure that they are functioning properly. Look for electrical wiring of the appliances, to check if it is exposed. Check for the leakage in kitchen sinks and if they drain properly.

Use a sprayer and faucets to control water flow and the leakage around it. Examine other essentials, including cabinets, counters, and drawers.

Bathroom: Check Sinks, Cabinet, Shower

The bathroom is another place in any property that your tenants use daily. Mold infestation, peeling off of paint, and cracks in walls are some common problems in the bathroom due to wetness and humidity. Make sure you examine all the damages that may occur due to wetness. Check the faucets, sinks, sprays, flush, water heater, and toilet seats.

Check the health of the plumbing system and drainage, if it is clogged. There may be nothing wrong with the bathrooms at first glance, but concealed systems such as plumbing, drainage, sinks, and cabinets need to be inspected to know if they are functioning properly.

Bedroom: Check Bedding, Cupboards, Flooring

Make sure you check every part of the bed for loose bolts, evidence of bed bugs, and cracks. Run your hand along the edge of the window for poor insulation or space. Also, check the handles and locks of the windows to see if any air is getting in.

Check the flooring and carpet in the bedroom. Look for damage from the previous bed or dents on the carpet. Pets often sleep in the bedroom hence it is good to check if the carpet smells bad.

Turn on the ceiling fan to try all speeds, check if it holds tight and is not wobbling. Dark spaces like closets need to be regularly checked for pests, insect droppings, and loose doors.

Utility Closet: Check the HVAC system, Fuse Box

Utility closets are often closed or locked. If anything goes wrong here, it may cause major issues in your home. To avoid this, check the air pressure and temperature in the HVAC system and water heater of your property. Inspect the washer and dryer in your laundry unit. Check all the hoses and exhausts attached to it. Watch for odors, mold, or water stains.

Also, check the fuse box, air conditioning, water supply, gas line, electrical wirings, and other important things to protect yourself from potential hazards. Make sure the utility closet is cleaned and safe.

Some Unlikely Places: Check the Garage, Attic, Basement

Documenting the condition of your property helps you keep the record and compare it with previous inspections of the property. It can also lead to better lease enforcement. However, inspecting your Arlington property and documenting the condition by yourself can be challenging. Hiring a property management company can ease the inspection process.

Arlington Realty Property Management is a renowned property management company in Arlington that can provide you with a comprehensive and detailed review of your property condition.

For more information, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How Much Rent Should You Charge for Your Arlington Rental Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 06 May 2022 20:00:03 GMT

One of the biggest challenges for landlords is to decide on appropriate rent for their property. Overcharging can lead to long-term rental vacancies while undercharging leads to less rental income. Therefore, it is important to find that sweet spot where the deal is profitable for you and affordable for your tenants as well.

In our experience, conducting local market research and studying the current market trends is the best way to determine how to charge appropriate rent. Here are the key factors you should consider while charging the rent for your Arlington rental property.

Study The Arlington Rental Market and How It Affects Rental Price

Among Niche 2020’s best places to live, Arlington is ranked no. 1, based on crime, public schools, job opportunities and local amenities. The current median rental price for apartments has increased by 4% over the last year, reaching $2500. Also, the rent varies according to location, size, and condition of the property.

For example, the average rent for an apartment is between $1493 to $1663 in Dominion Hills, Highland Park, Madison Manor, and $2578 in Arlington - East Falls Church, Williamsburg, and North Rosslyn.

The frequent changes in the rental market due to inflation, demand & supply dynamics, and economic slowdown may influence the rent value of your property as investors tend to be more conservative when it comes to indivisible or illiquid investments in real estate. In such a scenario, knowing current trends in the housing market will help you charge appropriately for your rental property.

Know Your Competition

Knowing your competition can help you get a better idea of what you should charge. There are several things you can do to understand your local competition, such as visiting the properties that are similar to yours and gathering information about the rent and amenities they provide. Consider the size, location, and the number of bedrooms, storage space, and square footage of those properties.

Ask other landlords about the rent they are charging and the amenities they provide to their tenants. If you want to charge more than the norm, make sure you provide enough facilities to justify your higher rent.

Use the 1% Rule To Decide Monthly Rent

The 1% rule in real estate is used to ensure that rent charged for property is greater or equal to mortgage payment. According to the 1% rule, landlords can charge 1% of their property’s total market value. For example, if the total market value of your property is $700,000, you can charge 1% of $700,000, i.e., $7000 as your annual rent. Make sure you calculate properly before deciding the rent. Overpricing might lead your tenants to lose interest in your rental unit.

Include Your Additional Expenses

As a landlord, you have to consider additional expenses while charging the rent for your Arlington rental property. Your rent should cover monthly payments such as taxes, mortgage, maintenance, property management expenses, and HOA fees (if any). You should earn profit from your monthly rent after spending money on all these expenses.

Factor in the Impact of the Current Economy

Landlords should consider all these factors while charging rent for their properties. Here, a trusted property management company can help a great deal in determining the appropriate rent based on local market trends.

If you are still unsure about how much rent you should charge for your rental, Arlington Realty Property Management can provide an estimate of the rental amount for your property with an in-depth rental market analysis to generate maximum rental income.

For more information, connect with us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

How Long Will It Take to Rent Out Your Arlington Home

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 20:00:03 GMT

Finding a tenant who is likely to stay longer is not easy, as it depends upon the condition of your property, your current rent expectations, other rental options, and more. Based on our experience, it takes about 30 to 60 days to complete the renting process, depending on the specifics of your property. This may take even twice as long if you are renting out your home by yourself, as it takes time to screen tenants, conduct background checks, and manage showings.

This is just a rough estimate though. Here is a tentative breakdown of the factors that affect the rental timeline so you can calculate how long it will take to rent out your Arlington home.

Location Of the Property

The location of the house plays a crucial role in the time it takes to rent your property. Desirable locations attract prospective tenants and help you rent the house quickly. On the other hand, if your property is located where there is no access to transportation, schools, or workplaces, it will affect the time taken to rent out your property.

Condition Of Your Home

Tenants prefer properties that are in a pristine condition, fitted with modern upgrades. To rent your Arlington home quickly, you need to consider tenants expectations and improve the quality of your property accordingly. Also, improve the curb appeal of your property to attract prospective tenants quicker.

The Rent You Charge

The amount of rent you charge is one of the primary factors that impact how fast your property gets rented. It is essential to think from your tenants’ perspective while pricing the property, to get it rented faster. Overcharging, as compared to your neighbors, will increase the vacancy duration, but undercharging is likely to get you unsatisfactory tenants.

Potential renters are always going to have a budget to start with; so, that can be your starting point as well. Landlords should first conduct research about the average rent in your local area, square footage of your rental unit, amenities you provide, current market trends, and property location and then decide the rent they want to charge, for minimizing rental vacancy.

This differs from neighborhood to neighborhood, so understand the local rental market and find the sweet spot that is profitable for you, yet affordable for your tenants. At the time of writing this blog, the average rent in Arlington is in the range of $2,200 to $2,500.

How You Market the Property

Whether or not you market your property and how you market it makes a significant difference in the speed at which you find tenants. If done right, marketing is a proven strategy to find prospective tenants and get your property rented quickly and successfully, as it increases the visibility of your property and helps you reach a larger pool of applicants.

Posting vacancies with clear images and features on online listing websites and promoting the property on social media platforms are some of the ways of connecting with the maximum number of potential tenants.

How Long Is Your Screening Process

These were some of the factors that might affect the renting process of your Arlington property. One way to reduce your rental vacancies is to hire a trusted property management company . With their efficient renting processes and regular maintenance services, they can help you minimize the time taken to rent out your Arlington home.

Arlington Realty Property Management is a full-service property management company that provides rental services ranging from property listings, tenant screening process, rental inspections, rent collection to tenants' moving in.

For more details about how we can help you rent your home, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renting Out Your Arlington Property

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:14:34 GMT

As an Arlington property owner, you have to take care of several aspects of rental management, right from tenant screening, lease creation, and inspection, to maintenance, insurance, taxes, and accounting, among others. It is natural to feel overwhelmed while managing all these responsibilities, which can lead to you making small but critical mistakes.

In our experience, here are some of the common mistakes that first-time investors often make while renting out their Arlington property.

1. Not Screening Tenants Properly

Tenant screening is the most essential step while renting out your property. Many landlords are satisfied with a basic background check, trusting that the applicant has answered truthfully. However, while we admire this confidence, we recommend that you thoroughly screen your applicants before finalizing one. Check their credit history, verify their current place of employment, as for original identity proofs and crime history, and get references from previous landlords.

Make an unbiased assessment of whether the applicant fits all your criteria and then proceed to shortlist potential tenants. If you do not have the time to screen your tenants, get a property management company to do it, but do not skip the process or rush through it hurriedly. It is not worth skipping background checks while hiring your potential tenants.

2. Not Drafting a Comprehensive Lease Agreement

A detailed lease agreement is your foundation for building a good landlord-tenant relationship and it is necessary that it be strong one. In the rental business, you cannot rely on handshakes or oral agreements. It is crucial to frame a standard lease agreement and get it signed from your tenants to ensure that they understand all the terms therein. Not only does it set expectations from the tenant, but it also protects your property in case of future conflict.

Include all the details, such as the name of all occupants, primary and secondary contact numbers, the detailed property address, start and end/renewal date of the tenancy, and other policies regarding, pets, smoking, noise, guests, and more. Mention clear and straightforward rules regarding inspections, tenant responsibilities, and security deposits. Consult a property management company like Arlington Realty, for advice on how to create a comprehensive lease agreement.

3. Not Getting Property Insurance

Landlords often skip getting property insurance to save a few bucks; however, this can ultimately result in significant financial losses. In Arlington, you are required to have the right type of insurance which will protect your rental property from natural hazards, significant damage, injuries, and other situations.

It is necessary to consider different types of insurance to find the one that meets your property requirements. Landlord’s Liability insurance is one of the best options to protect yourself from lawsuits filed by tenants.

4. Not Conducting Regular Inspections

Move-in and move-out inspections are necessary to track the changes that occur during the tenancy. Similarly, regular inspections help you to identify and prevent significant damage and maintain the value of your property. Not conducting timely inspections can result in undetected damages that may later cost you a heavy penny.

Make sure you inspect the property regularly. Observe the condition thoroughly and document the changes after the tenants move out. You can click photos, record videos, and take notes to identify the difference between normal wear and intentional damage. Also, check the appliances, utilities, and plumbing to make sure that they are functioning smoothly.

5. Avoiding Addressing Tenant Complaints

We understand that it can be challenging for landlords to take care of aspects related to Arlington property management and hence make these mistakes while leasing rental units. So, we recommend that you work with a trusted property management company in Arlington, like Arlington Realty. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our property managers know the local market inside-out and can help you avoid all these and other accidental mistakes ensuring that your investment journey is a successful one.

For more details, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Best Practices for Tenant Screening - Arlington Realty Property Management Advice

arlingtonrealty.social@gmail.com (Arlington Realty) — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 05:00:15 GMT

Finding a high-quality tenant assures that your rented property will be taken good care of and you will enjoy a stable cash flow. A rigorous tenant screening process can help you achieve these goals. Alternatively, if you are lax while selecting renters, it can lead to several problems later, which may sometimes require legal intervention.

Given the importance of this step, here are a few best tenant screening practices for landlords.

Establish Criteria for Qualifying Potential Arlington Tenants

Setting the criteria for qualifying potential tenants can help you in selecting the candidates as per your requirements. You can decide whether you want to place a tenant with a certain credit score and little or no eviction history. You can also require fulfillment of criteria such as pets or no pets, income sources, criminal background information, landlord references, and smoking habits, among others.

Verify Their Credentials Before Placing Them In Your Arlington Home

Their identity proof can assure you of the legitimacy of your prospective tenant. Ask them for their government-issued IDs, like a driver's license, social security number, or a state identification card, even if the tenant is someone you know. This proof can help you in verifying their background information.

Check Proof of Employment and Income

Validating the employment and income of the renter is another best practice for effective tenant screening. It will determine their financial capability of paying rent. You can also call their employer or the company to verify their credibility. Also, inform the prospective tenant about the consequences of late rent payments and late fees.

Check Their Criminal Records and Credit Score

A criminal history is a deal-breaker for several landlords. If the tenant has a criminal record, you can reconsider renting your property to them. Additionally, ask the prospective tenant to produce a credit report, as it can give you an overview of their current credit card debt, pending payments, mortgages, or medical bills. Based on our experience, it is better to hire applicants with a high credit score as they are usually more financially stable.

Contact Previous Landlords

At Arlington Realty Property Management, we help you find reliable tenants by implementing these and several other best practices for tenant screening.

For more information, contact us at Arlington Realty Property Management.

Dangers of Long Vacancies and How to Avoid Them for Your Arlington Rental Property

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 05:00:05 GMT

Landlords have to face several risks related to their rental properties, a prominent one being prolonged rental vacancies. At times, you may not be able to find tenants owing to a low demand in the market. Or, you may be unable to retain them due to reasons such as their inability to pay rent due to job loss or an unexpected job relocation. This can lead your Arlington rental to be vacant for an extended period posing several threats to your property and income.

Dangers of Long Vacancies In an Arlington Home

Financial Distress

An occupied rental is a great way to generate passive income. However, when vacant for multiple months, it can cause severe financial distress. The loss of rental income will be more challenging to bear if you are dependent on it for paying off the mortgage. Plus, you will need to handle its operational costs, even if it is vacant.

Property Damage

A vacant rental property is more susceptible to damages. Disused HVAC systems stand at a risk of catching fire due to malfunction in systems. Similarly, leakage issues can lead to mold growth and pest infestation. The metal fixtures might rust and excessive dust may build on different surfaces, resulting in the overall degradation of the unit.

Theft And Vandalism

Vacant rental units are at a greater risk of being vandalized. An unoccupied home might not sound like the perfect place for theft, but it contains several valuable things, like appliances, HVAC units, fixtures, pipes, and pieces of furniture. Additionally, intruders may also deface your rental with random spray paint and graffiti, which can reduce the market value of your property.

Squatters

A vacant property can also attract squatters. Since they have not signed a lease with you, the landlord, they are under no obligation to provide you with rent. Evicting them can also be a hassle since it requires an eviction notice and sometimes a legal fight.

High Insurance Costs

If you have property insurance but your rental unit is unoccupied for a period that exceeds the one mentioned in the policy, your coverage can lapse. You might then have to purchase another expensive insurance that covers vacant rentals.

How to Avoid The Damages In A Vacant Arlington Property

If you find that your vacant rental is vulnerable to these dangers, you should take immediate steps to avoid them. Here’s how you can avoid long vacancies in your Arlington rental.

Increase The Security of Your Arlington Rental

To discourage thieves, vandals, squatters, or other intruders, secure your rental unit with locks, preferably electronic locks that can alert you in case of a break-in. You can also keep in touch with neighbors if you are going to be away from the property. They can then contact you or the authorities in case of any breach of security. You can also hire a security guard or install security cameras and alarms at all main points of entry to deter criminals.

Maintain The Arlington Property

Regardless of whether it is occupied or vacant, you should inspect the unit and maintain it regularly, keep a check on normal wear and tear issues and resolve them immediately to prevent them from worsening.

Market Your Rental

If you are not able to attract tenants even though your rental is secure and clean, you need to focus on marketing and advertising the house . Come up with a strategic marketing plan to ensure that people know your home is available for rent. Set competitive prices, and post your rental on popular listing websites and social media platforms with alluring photographs and descriptions.

Emphasize Tenant Retention

Another great way of avoiding long vacancies is by focusing on retaining tenants for a long time. Once you find a tenant, do everything you can to provide a good rental experience. Be responsive to their concerns and build a positive landlord-tenant relationship.

Hire A Property Manager

When to Hire an Arlington Property Manager

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:00:15 GMT

Having an investment property in Arlington, VA, can be financially rewarding, but managing the same can stress you out, especially if you are doing it by yourself. However, despite facing several issues while handling the property by themselves, landlords feel unsure about hiring a property manager . If you're wondering about when or at what point in your business you should hire a property manager, we can help.

Here are some situations where you should hire a property manager to reduce your stress of handling your Arlington unit.

You Have Multiple Arlington Properties

If you own a portfolio of properties, it can be tricky to manage them all single-handedly. Keeping a thorough record of everything and taking care of every unit's maintenance can be a complex and exhausting task. In such cases, hiring a property manager can be the right choice.

You Are Overseas or Out of State

If you are someone who is frequently away from your property , either for personal or professional reasons, it may not be possible for you to handle everything in person, especially inspections and emergency maintenance issues. In such a situation, hiring a professional to represent you and take over your duties of managing the rental unit(s) can be immensely beneficial.

You Are Uninterested In Management

Several landlords are excited to manage their properties by themselves during the initial stages of their rental business. However, as the maintenance issues, repair requests, and rent payment concerns start piling up, they realize that they might not be cut out for this work and have their interest in handling the property starts reducing. If that sounds familiar, you should consider hiring a professional property manager.

You Do Not Have Enough Time For Tasks

Managing properties is as good as having a full-time job. It requires you to dedicate enough time to take care of maintenance issues, maintain financial records, and ensure that your rental is complying with all the rental laws. It will be further challenging to meet these needs if you're already engaged in full-time employment. If that is the case, you can hire an Arlington property manager to manage your rental.

You Want To Reduce The Vacancy Rates Of Your Arlington Unit

If your rental is experiencing frequent and prolonged vacancies, you should hire a property manager. They can find high-quality and long-term tenants for you and help you in reducing the tenant turnover. It will save you from losing precious revenue-generating days to uninvited vacancies.

You Do Not Want To Become A Landlord

Make Tenant Move-Ins a Breeze with These 7 Tips | Arlington Property Management Advice

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 21:00:03 GMT

Moving into a new home can be a stressful change for tenants. As a landlord, you can help them by making this transition smoother and helping them settle into their new home. Providing your tenants with a pleasant and welcoming experience can also help you lay the foundation for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship.

Here are a few tips that can help make tenant move-ins a breeze.

1. Conduct a Move-In Inspection and Finish All Essential Repairs in Your Arlington Home

Move-in inspections help in ensuring that the property is habitable and conforms with the Implied Warranty of Habitability standards. Check for structural flaws, leakage issues, inefficient appliances, and safety concerns such as frayed wiring or broken door locks, among others, and fix them with the help of qualified contractors. You should also document the property condition once it is rent-ready.

2. Clean Your Arlington Rental in Advance.

A clean property appears inviting and can enhance the move-in experience for the tenants. If your rental has remained vacant for several weeks, you should thoroughly clean it, preferably with the help of professional cleaners, before the renters move in.

3. Review The Lease With The Tenant

Reviewing the lease one-on-one with tenants before it is signed minimizes the chances of misinterpretations. Once you and the renter are on the same page about all expectations and responsibilities, you can have the renter move in without any issues.

4. Give Them A Tenant Move-In Checklist

The process of shifting into a new rental home is always hectic for tenants. You can ease their burden by providing a move-in checklist. It will assist renters in ensuring that everything in the new home is in good working order, and they can contact the landlord if there are any issues. The checklist can include items such as setting up utilities, checking inventory, testing locks, smoke alarms, and submitting all necessary documents to the landlord.

5. Collect Move-In Funds

As your tenant moves into the rental property, make sure to collect the security deposit in compliance with the local laws. In Arlington, VA, the security deposit amount cannot exceed two months' rent. You should also collect the first month's rent in advance so the tenant can move into their new home without worrying about the rent.

6. Provide All Necessary Information

Providing the following information to the tenants will make the tenant move-in a breeze:

Utilities

List out all the essential utilities you have provided in the rental like water, electricity, and gas. If you are providing additional utilities like cable, internet/Wi-Fi, and telephone services, mention them along with their charges, if any.

Important contacts

Apart from your contact details, provide your tenants with the contact information of the utility service provider or an Arlington property manager to be contacted in case of emergencies.

Property Access

Since the rental is now the tenant's home, it is essential to provide them with the access tools like keys, security codes, or garage openers, in addition to proper instructions on how to use them.

7. Gift A Welcome Package

Put together a welcome package to build a nice impression among renters to their new neighborhood. It can include a welcome note with flowers and daily essentials like toiletries, water bottles, and cleaning supplies.

Why Choose a Local Property Management to Manage Your Arlington Rental Property

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 21:00:03 GMT

When it comes to managing your Arlington rental home, working with a local property management company can be highly beneficial. They have in-depth knowledge about the local housing market, and are capable of readying your rental home according to the local trends and the common preferences of renters.

Here are the top reasons to choose a local property management company to handle your Arlington rental.

A Local Property Management Company Knows the Local Market Very Well

A local property management company in Arlington , like Arlington Realty Property Management, knows the local real estate market inside out. They are experienced in making local property deals and can estimate the market value accurately, helping you plan your investments. These firms also market your rental with effective strategies, and ensure that your unit stays ahead of the local competitors. They also possess practical knowledge about the typical screening process followed in Arlington, the fraudulent angles that the applicants may play, the rental home upgrades in high demand , and the average rent in the area.

It Can Closely Monitor Your Arlington Rental Property

When you choose to hire local property managers, they can visit the property often and assess its condition. They can also handle urgent repairs and reach the property on short notice, whenever needed. This allows them to quickly resolve the tenants’ concerns creating a positive rental experience for them. A good property management company will keep you updated about the tiniest details as well, such as overgrowth bushes, chipped paint, or a damaged mailbox.

Local Property Management Companies Have A Good Network Of Local Contractors

The biggest advantage that a local property management company will provide is its network. With their vast local network of contractors, vendors, painting agencies, restorers, and shifting service providers, they can help you find the right, qualified contractor to get the work done for your property.

It Can Bring You Local Prospects for Your Arlington Rental Home

Renters looking for a home in town are likely to check the local property management company websites or talk to property managers about the availability of good rental units in the vicinity. Being associated with a property management company can let active home-hunters know about your house.

A local property investment company can further help you advertise your rental through local offline marketing tactics, word-of-mouth publicity, referrals, and community engagements. This can draw the right kind of audience to view your home and eventually choose to stay there. They usually have leads and will help you in keeping the home occupied.

It Can Understand Tenant Issues and Work Towards Resolving Them

When the property managers live in the same town as the tenants, it proves to be advantageous for you and the tenants as well. The local rental managers are aware of the kinds of issues that tenants usually go through in Arlington including extreme weather conditions and their impact on property, such as freezing and bursting of pipes. They can also understand the tenants’ problems like the need for extra thick curtains, mattresses, a heater with a higher power, security cameras, or smart devices.

Working with an Arlington-based company can be the best decision you make to manage your property. Consult a reputed company like Arlington Realty Property Management to know how we can help you at every step of the rental business. We have been in the real estate business since 1984, and our team can guide you throughout your journey as a landlord.

How an Arlington Property Management Company Can Manage Your Home When You’re Overseas

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 21:00:03 GMT

Looking after your Arlington home can be a hassle if you are working or living overseas. While property-related activities such as rent collection and accounting can be managed from a distance, other tasks like conducting inspections and overseeing maintenance require one to be physically present at the location.

At such a time, engaging a local company from Arlington, Virginia, can help you effectively strategize and manage your home. Here is how an Arlington property management company can manage your home when you are living overseas.

Finding The Right Tenants

Looking for tenants to occupy your home while you are overseas can be tough. Even though you can screen the tenants from afar, it may not turn out to be as effective as screening them in person. An Arlington property management company can set up an in-person and comprehensive tenant screening process to help you find the right tenant, in keeping with fair housing laws.

Conducting Inspections for Your Arlington Home

Alongside routine property assessments, move-in and move-out inspections form an essential part of rental management. Conducting such inspections is not possible when you are overseas, nor can you keep travelling to Arlington every time there’s an inspection due. A property management company can inspect your rental between showings, before the tenant moves in, during the entire duration of their occupancy, and after they leave. It will also provide you with detailed inspection reports and the documentation of the changes that occur in the house from time to time.

Overseeing The Maintenance of The Arlington Property

Another crucial aspect that Arlington property management can handle when you're overseas is rental maintenance. Once the tenant moves in, repairs and maintenance issues are a regular requirement. A property manager can effectively handle maintenance requests, hire qualified contractors for repairs, and ensure prompt resolution of tenant concerns. This keeps your tenants happy and extends the life of your property as well.

Timely Rent Collection

Although you can collect rent online when you are overseas, it can get difficult to deal with missed rent payments. Entrusting the responsibility of rent collection to a qualified property management company can ensure that you receive rent from your tenants on time, with follow-ups if required. They also charge late fees for delayed rent payments and issue late rent notices whenever necessary.

Managing Accounts for Your Arlington Property

Repairs, maintenance, and other management-related issues demand expenses and an Arlington property management company can help you track those. Additionally, it can also help you pay bills for utilities, internet services, filing for taxes, manage security deposits, report operating expenses, and provide detailed weekly and monthly financial reports and statements.

In addition, a transparent and open property management company is regularly in touch with you to give updates about the property condition, the tenants, and every detail related to your Arlington rental.

Managing a rental from afar can be quite a difficult task, but with the help of the right tools and the right manager, it can be a hassle-free experience. Arlington Realty Property Management has helped countless overseas investors and effectively managed Arlington properties on their behalf.

7 Common Questions to Ask When Hiring an Arlington Property Management Company

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 20:00:23 GMT

As a property owner in Arlington, Virginia, it is crucial to find the right management company that caters to your needs. To pick one, you need to ask the right questions to the property management company, and identify if they meet your expectations.

Here is a list of a few questions that you can ask the potential property management companies to verify their credibility.

1. How long have you been in the Arlington Property Management business?

An experienced company can always understand your investment requirements and help you achieve your financial goals for the rental. Asking this question will help you ensure that your potential Arlington property management company has extensive experience with managing rentals. Their expertise and insights about the local housing market, types of units, and potential renter and buyer pool of the area can be helpful in making crucial decisions regarding your investment.

2. Are all the professionals at your company licensed?

Leasing the property is considered as a real estate activity under the Virginia real estate license law. Therefore, all management professionals working with the company must possess a valid Virginia real estate license. Asking about the license and other certifications can prove that the professionals in the company are qualified to manage your rental.

You should also ask if they are a member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), which requires them to adhere to a code of ethics that dictates how to interact with homeowners and tenants.

3. Which services do you provide?

Management companies usually provide a wide range of services to homeowners. However, you need to be sure of the exact services they provide and whether they align with your requirements. Here are some of the top services that rental owners typically require in Arlington -

Management of maintenance and repair issues
Rent collection
Rental inspections
Monthly and annual financial reports
Property listing and advertising
Buying and selling of properties

Verify whether these services are included in the net property management fees or will cost extra.

4. What are the types and the number of Arlington properties you manage?

The area of expertise of every company vastly differs when it comes to managing different types of properties. Some property management companies might be skilled at managing condos and single-family homes, while others might be experienced with managing commercial or vacation rental properties. It is essential to hire a company that is an expert at dealing with your type of rental investment.

The number of properties they currently manage can be an indicator of their experience over the years and give you an idea of their popularity in the local Arlington real estate market.

5. What is your fee structure for managing Arlington properties?

Before you finalize a company, ask them about their charges while considering the price structure for monthly, quarterly and yearly services. While some companies charge a flat monthly fee, others charge a percentage of gross receipts or follow a hybrid fee structure. Examine the fee structure to get an idea of your property management costs.

6. What is your tenant screening process?

Having a good tenant is crucial for maintaining the habitability of your Arlington property and hence, your property management company should have a stringent tenant screening process in place. Ask the company you are planning to hire about the background checks they conduct for tenant applications, the procedure to shortlist and finalize tenants, and how long the process takes.

7. Do you have a cancellation policy?

Entering a contract with a company that does not have a cancellation policy in place can be risky. Make sure that your property management company has an exit clause in case of disagreements, or dissatisfaction. There can be a fee for terminating the contract prematurely, but it is safer to have an option to terminate if you dislike the service that is being provided.

Communication You Can Expect from an Arlington Property Manager

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:00:04 GMT

Rental investment owners hire a property manager to relieve the stress of managing a rental all by themselves. In return, they expect the property managers to fulfill their responsibilities.

One of the many responsibilities of a property manager is to carry out effective business communication with the owner. While it helps the managers understand the needs of homeowners, it also allows the owners to stay up-to-date with their Arlington home and enjoy a hassle-free rental management experience.

Here are a few things you can expect your Arlington property manager to communicate.

Maintenance Issues and Repair Requests

Your property manager should inform you about any maintenance issues that arise in your rental. Minor problems like broken windows, minor leaks, or repair of cracks in the roof can be taken care of by the management. However, they must promptly inform you of major issues like damaged foundation, asbestos, or mold in the ceiling. In addition, records of all tenant’s repair requests must also be maintained and submitted to you every month.

Damage Caused by The Tenant to The Arlington Rental

Every rental home undergoes normal wear and tear over time. However, if the manager comes across any other damage that warrants extensive repairs during routine inspections, they must inform you immediately. You should also expect to be informed about the cause of such damage and the estimated cost of repairing the same.

Updates On Lease Renewal

According to the Virginia residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the yearly lease you have signed with your tenant gets converted into a month-to-month lease if you fail to terminate it with due notice when it ends. If you hire an Arlington property manager, you can expect him to remind you to renew the lease and keep track of all lease renewal fees as well.

Vacancies In the Arlington Rental

As a landlord, lowering the vacancy rate is one of the primary reasons for hiring a property manager. Therefore, when your tenant vacates your Arlington rental, your manager must immediately inform you and start the search for new potential tenants. They should also assist you with finding the right tenants with the help of their marketing and listing services .

Status Of Rent Payments

The Virginia landlord and tenant act outlines the details of a rental agreement, including the date of rent payments and the particulars for late payment. As a landlord, you can have a clause for late fees and mention it in the rental agreement. You can expect the assistance of your manager to guide you through this process. Additionally, they should also keep you in the loop while collecting rent from your tenants and inform you about missed rent payments.

Income And Expense Statements

Income and expense statement reports include the details of the monthly income generated from your rental and the expenses towards the maintenance and repair. Your property manager is required to provide a comprehensive statement outlining the specifics of your income and expenditure. This can help you plan your rental budget and understand whether your investment is making the profits you expect.

Latest Developments in Real Estate Laws

Every state has additional rental laws and housing acts in addition to the federal laws. As a homeowner, you must always be up-to-date with the recent developments and changes in the housing laws. When you hire an Arlington property manager, they should update you with the current guidelines that are relevant to your investment.

3 Time-Tested Plusses of Owning Rental Property in Arlington County, VA

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:58:30 GMT

We have a LOT going for us here, folks.

In the heart of a season of gratitude and as we enter the homestretch of 2021, this much is crystal clear: We have quite a bit to be grateful for here in Arlington County.

Specifically, as it pertains to real estate, we continue to live in one of the most stable housing markets in the United States.

As many other housing markets continue their comebacks – some still recovering from the Great Recession – our market remains steady, strong and trending in a positive direction.

Here are three time-tested factors we have going for us that make Arlington County a wonderful place to own and manage property:

1) Low area unemployment rates. As of September 2021, Virginia’s unemployment rates stood at 3.8 percent. In Arlington County, the figure was only 2.2 percent. As a steady and reliable income can be a vital qualifier for renting property, low unemployment rates equate to that much more peace of mind for landlords and property managers.

2) High salaries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest 2021 report, the average weekly wage of Arlingtonians is $2,077. This is the second highest wage of any county in Virginia, solely behind Goochland. In addition to low unemployment rates, comparatively high salaries are one more plus for landlords and tenants alike.

3) Proximity to DC. Our nation’s capital is not going anywhere. Loaded with museums, and cultural attractions, DC is just a stone’s throw away in addition to all that you’ll find within our county. The abundance of government-related jobs is a plus for any landlord, with a constant stream of folks moving to our area and needing housing for work.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Spooky Warning Signs That It’s Time For A New Property Manager

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:23:34 GMT

Halloween costumes should be scaring you. Not your property manager.

It’s Halloween week and there will surely be some spooky characters floating around the streets of Arlington. Ghouls. Witches. Scarecrows. And, everything in between. It’s always such a vibrant week here in town.

In seeing all of these spooky folks, we can’t help but ask: Is your property manager spooking you out, too?

And, for the record, these property manager warning signs have nothing to do with their attire. We’re talking about how they may be managing your property on a daily basis. If you are experiencing any of the following spooky habits from your PM, then perhaps it’s time for a change?

1. Lack of response. If you’re enduring an ongoing issue and it’s been days upon days -or even weeks upon weeks – and you haven’t received a simple acknowledgement, that is no good. Even worse is if you find yourself in an emergency or crisis. Will your property manager be dependable and responsive? If the answer is no then that is a problem.

2. Zero advocacy. Your manager should be among the biggest fans of your property. From strongly marketing your residence up front through standing up for your home in times of need, there needs to be a sense of initiative. If that’s not there... red flag!

3. Not up with the times. We’re in 2021 here, folks. Not 1921. We have online payment systems, seamless portals for handling emergencies, digital contract-signing platforms and so much more. Sure, some folks still like to handle things in an older-school manner. But, if you’re wanting a more modern experience and your current property manager is not delivering, then it’s time for a change.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

Property Ownership (and Management!) and Becoming Your Own Boss

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 14:18:03 GMT

On this Bosses' Day, perhaps it's time to become your own boss?

F riday, October 15 is Bosses Day here in 2021. Wherever you may work, it’s always a nice time to acknowledge the higher-ups that help fuel your financial livelihood.

On this Bosses Day and, particularly after the last nearly two years of pandemic life we’ve all lived, maybe some of you are looking at this Bosses Day a little bit differently.

In a world where remote work and flexibility have become that much more common and accepted, maybe it’s time to consider becoming your own boss? If that’s the case, property ownership and management is a wonderful realm to explore.

Owning property in Arlington County continues to be a solid investment – our unemployment rates are comparatively low; our average salaries are high; and the community and all it offers is stronger than ever.

Now may be the perfect time for you to explore an investment property and – in one beautiful swoop – have that property seamless managed for you.

You certainly don’t have to do it all alone. Throughout the decades, the team at Arlington Realty has embarked on countless property management journeys that often start with a simple inquiry and result in a substantial monthly income for our clients.

With a trusted property management partner, some of the more difficult aspects of being a landlord are in their hands – emergency repair coordination, tenant disputes, financial reporting and more.

So, if you’re ready to become your own boss – whether it’s on Bosses Day or beyond – let’s chat and make it happen.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

Navigating the complex landlord-tenant landscape in 2021 (and beyond)

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:59:42 GMT

Communication and professionalism have never been more important.

P erhaps needless to say: What a wild and wacky couple of years it has been!

The property management landscape has certainly not been immune to changing regulations, guidance and seemingly everything in between. In many ways, landlords and tenants have been strapped by evolving legislation, some of which has been incredibly difficult to keep up with.

There have been tense moments. There has been confusion. And, unfortunately, there have been legal headaches for some.

Some folks – on the landlord side – have been doing it all solo, doing their absolute best to make sense of it all. Let this note be your reminder: You don’t have to do it alone!

According to recent analysis by Surgo Ventures and a super-insightful piece by our local Patch.com site, nearly 6,000 Arlington County rental households were behind on paying rent as of early August. This equates to approximately 10 percent of o ur local renters.

Unfortunately, COVID-related economic scenarios continue to persist for so many. And, the problem doesn’t appear to be going away. In fact, the number of households in arrears went up by more than 10 percent just from July to August.

The bottom line for landlords: It has never been more important to have someone advocating on your behalf. The pandemic has been a roller coaster and you need to be prepared, let alone whatever other property management-related legislation may come down the line. Equally as important, tenants need to have an advocate, too, and should be equally as informed of their rights.

Communication, professionalism and connectedness are the through lines here in 2021, folks. They have always been vital in our business and certainly are here today.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

A Property Manager’s Fall Checklist: 4 Things to Check Off

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:47:58 GMT

Tackle these items now and thank us later.

Believe it or not, the fall season is just about here, friends!

Before we know it, those consistent 80- and 90-degree days will be a thing of the past, the temps will pleasantly cool down and the leaves will be changing colors before our eyes.

The fall season is simply spectacular in Northern Virginia. But, for property managers, there are a few things you’ll want to address so you and your tenants can make the most of it.

As you work through your fall checklist, here are four big things to check off:

1) Clean those gutters. You may be surprised by what has gotten caught in your gutters during the spring and summer seasons. Or, perhaps, it’s been several seasons (or years!), since you’ve given your gutters some love? Regardless, now is the time to clean ‘em out ahead of the leaves falling in the coming months.

2) Check your HVAC unit. Sure, that A/C has been cranking all summer. But, in the matter of a day and given Virginia’s often fluctuating climate, your tenant may very well need that heat system. Get it checked out now to prevent a headache down the line.

3) Boost the curb appeal. Perhaps some weeds, bushes or gardens have grown wild during the summertime? Now is the time to spruce things up and cut the clutter in yard. When it comes time to rake in the future, it will make things that much easier.

4) Check in with your tenant(s). Maybe it’s been a minute since you’ve gauged how things are going with them. Communication is key in the world of property management to keep things running as smoothly as possible. In addition to some more obvious fall checklist items, you may discover another item or two that could be addressed immediately.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Simple Ways to Increase the Value of Your Rental Property

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 12:59:12 GMT

A little time and energy can equate to more dough in your pocket.

W ho doesn’t like a few extra bucks in their pocket each month?

In the worlds of real estate and property management, a little bit of love and effort can make a big difference.

In helping countless landlords throughout the years, we’ve seen it time and time again at Arlington Realty Property Management - that little bit of time and energy up front can equate to a property edging out the competition, keeping tenants happy and, ultimately, more dough.

Here are three simple ways anyone can increase the value of their rental property:

1) Hit the curb! You don’t have to be a total green thumb to master the art of curb appeal. Touches to the exterior of your home – that almost anyone may do – include decluttering gardens, patching up browned grass, repairing walkways and conducted paint touch-ups where needed.

2) Get painting. We touched on painting in the last bullet and now let’s head inside! Neutral can be the key word when it comes to attracting renters. As much as you may love that magenta kitchen or neon dining room, it may be time for a safer color?

3) Boost your amenities. If you’ve been renting for a while, what have you heard directly from past tenants about what they’d like to see? On the flip-side, what would you want? That added patio furniture, storage space or in-unit laundry could go a long way in attracting tenants and putting dough in your pocket.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Tips for Picking the Right Property Manager

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:57:54 GMT

Cut through the clutter and find your dream match.

With a quick Google, you’ll see that there are plenty of property managers out there.

So, who is the right one for you?

Here are three criteria to look for in your property manager search to cut through the clutter and find your right match:

1) Specialties. In Northern Virginia, we have it all. Vast commercial properties, historic townhomes, modern apartments and condominiums, farmland and seemingly everything in between. More often than not, you can find a property manager (and/or a Realtor) that either specializes or prioritizes your type of property.

2) Credentials and experience. A lot of folks out there may claim to be a property and/or have the appropriate credentials. Well, ask them to put their money where their mouth is. Ask for references and ask to see their credentials – for residential managers, an affiliation with NARPM (the National Association of Residential Property Managers) should be an absolute minimum in addition to a number of references.

3) Communication clues. Your first interactions with a prospective property manager should give you a few clues as to what it may be like to work with them. A property manager should be responsive and professional. If you’re not getting that vibe from the get-go, it could equate to rough times ahead.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

The Power of the Portal

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:48:04 GMT

For seamless communication and efficiency, a top-notch online portal is vital.

T echnology doesn’t necessarily solve everything. We get it – there is certainly value in a handshake, facetime (not to be confused with FaceTime over an iPhone) and good ole-fashioned human interaction.

But, here in 2021, technology can make things a whole lot easier, particularly in the property management realm. An example is a well-executed online portal for owners and tenants. Time and time again we hear from our clients about how much they love our portal set-up for its intuitiveness and how much easier it can make the most stressful of tasks.

For owners, our portal allows simplified and secure payments, spanning receiving deposits from tenants to being able to pay for maintenance and/or repairs in a matter of seconds. The Arlington Realty Property Management portal also provides powerful data including on-demand financial statements and critical tax documents as well as a built-in messaging / email tool to keep communication streamlined.

For tenants, the portal keeps things stress-free, too. Rather than having to mail out a check or use an untrusted platform for transferring rent, the portal provides a secure way of doing so... and you can even set up automatic payments. From the portal, renters can also submit maintenance requests and vital documents (e.g., proof of insurance).

For all sides of property management, these tools equate to less stress and less time wasted. Plus, these features are only the tip of the iceberg in all the platforms offer.

We’ve heard the mantra over and over again during the last year: “We’re all in this together.” Well, to bring harmony to any landlord-tenant relationship, efficiency and communication are key in ultimately working together. And, wit h a well-executed portal, you’re well on your way.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Vital Items to Check Off Your Property Management Checklist During the Second Half of the Year

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:17:18 GMT

The year is halfway over. Let's get moving!

Bam!

Just like that, we’re halfway through 2021.

While rental agreements may seemingly start and end at any point during the year, the midway point is always a great time to assess how things are going... and, look ahead, too.

On that note, here are three things that you can be thinking about during the second half of the year amid your other property management duties.

1) Get your property valuated (particularly if it’s been a while). Perhaps it’s been a minute since you’ve had your home professionally valuated? Amid our sizzling real estate market – and perhaps following some major enhancements/upgrades to your property – you need to be equipped with the latest value of your home. Doing so as a landlord ensures you’re priced competitively and maximizing the dough in your pocket.

2) Check in with your tenants. Perhaps at the midpoint of the year, you are at the midpoint of your rental agreement? Or perhaps you are even closer to the end date of an existing agreement and haven’t heard if a tenant wants to stay? Now is the time to get clarity and prepare for the times ahead.

3) Get your records in order for tax time. We’ve all just survived tax season. Well, the next one will be here before we know it and it’s best to get organized as soon as possible. There is no need to scramble come tax day, so ensure you have your leases, legal documents, permits, list of property improvements, insurance policies, loan documentation, title/deed and other vital documents in one handy spot.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

Keeping your property cool (and tenants happy) this summer

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 15:51:15 GMT

Ensuring your HVAC unit is tuned up and primed is just step one!

No one wants a home to feel like a sauna this summer.

In the world of property management, your tenants don’t want to live through it. Landlords don’t want to deal with the crises stemming from HVAC and heat-related scenarios. And, at the end of the day, we all want a nice, cool retreat at the end of a hot and swampy day.

Optimizing your property for the summer has many benefits. On one end, your tenants will appreciate it. And on a property manager’s end – if everything is optimized for the heat – it can equate to less nightmares down the line and increased efficiency / life for cooling components.

In addition to ensuring your HVAC system is tuned up and ready for the season (a given!), here are a few things to consider as things heat up:

1) Check your blinds. If the sun is beaming on a particular part of the property, what is the blind situation? Installing heavier duty blinds will save a tenant some angst and perhaps an HVAC unit some energy down the line.

2) Install a programable thermostat. Nest thermostats get a lot of love and their efficiency and programable options are awesome. However, there are some cheaper options out there with similar functions that allow tenants to cool down their spaces remotely (and save some dough down the line).

3) Film it! Heat-reducing film is a thing. You can put this on windows to not only keep a home cool in the summer, but warm in the winter, too. Virginia does have all the seasons, after all!

4) Check loose sealings. That giant gap under your front door? The cracks in your window sealings? It’s time to fix ‘em... or else the cool air (and your tenant’s money!) is floating out the home.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

What Should Be at the Top of Your 2021 Property Management Summer Checklist?

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:33:59 GMT

Hint: Let's explore the great outdoors!

D o you feel it in the air? Yep, after a year-plus of people being cooped up inside (for the most-part and certainly compared to years prior) and perhaps not wanting to be too adventurous, well, all of that feels like it is quickly changing.

In addition to folks booking trips, starting to visit their favorite shops / restaurants / you name it once again, they will certainly want to venture outside that much more.

For property managers, this means two things:

1) Odds are that your tenant(s) have majorly taken advantage of a property’s outdoor space during the pandemic. Where they couldn’t venture out to their favorite spot for a year-plus, they perhaps created their own experience at-home and, likely, in whatever outdoor space was available.

This equates to a possibly higher usage of the lawn, outdoor lighting, deck, outdoor furniture – you name it! So, now is the time to check up on these items and whatever may color your outdoor landscape before they are used that much more this summer.

2) On the flip side, say your tenant hasn’t used an outdoor space all that much in the last year. Well, with the pandemic easing, temps primed for outdoor activities and people wanting to see their family / friends / neighbors and everyone in a mutually safe space, you can count on outdoor spaces being the place to be this summer.

So, yet again, you’ll want to ensure your property’s outdoor components – the pool, the grill and everything in between – are in working order for your tenant(s) to enjoy.

You’ve picked up on the vibe by now: Outdoor spaces should be on the top of your 2021 property management summer checklist. Of course, there is plenty to keep an eye on and maintain indoors, too.

But for the time being, enjoy soaking up the sun and creating a pleasant environment for your tenant(s) to do so, too.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Landlord Pro-Tips for Boosting the Tenant-Landlord Relationship

Mon, 24 May 2021 17:51:06 GMT

You don't have to have a tenant-landlord horror story. Here's how to mitigate the chances.

S urely you’ve heard the horror stories. “My tenant did X, Y and Z!” “Well, my landlord is the biggest loony and made me do X, Y and Z!” And it can go on and on.

The tenant-landlord relationship doesn’t have to be a painful one. But, like any other relationship, it can take some work to maintain and/or strengthen. In the long run, that little extra effort and energy toward the relationship can make all the difference.

If you’re a landlord out there, here are three ways to keep your tenants (and yourself!) that much happier:

1) Screen appropriately. A lot of screening tactics out there zoom in on money and tenants’ ability to pay rent on time. In addition to the monetary aspects, check tenants’ references on how often they typically stay in a unit and what type of tenant they really are. Knowing what you are getting into will only help everyone and manage expectations from the get-go.

2) Line up dependable vendors. A plumber, electrician, handyman (and so many other folks out there) will be critical come an emergency. And these folks may very well interact with your tenants in a pinch. Ensure your vendors are at least in your same realm of professionality and dependability and everyone will be content.

3) Communicate in a clear and timely fashion. The last thing any tenant wants is to not be informed of scheduled maintenance, a repair or anything in between. The same may be said about any financial or paperwork aspect of the relationship. Establishing a dependable channel of communicating with your tenant (whether it’s an automated system, text, email or call) helps keep things running smoothly.

And, if it becomes to o much (or you just need or want a breather), then it’s time to give a trusted property manager a buzz for help.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

5 Tips for Landing the Perfect Tenant

Mon, 10 May 2021 21:03:25 GMT

The things you definitely should and should not do to achieve the optimal renter.

You’ve decided to put your landlord hat on and want to rent your place. Congrats – an exciting and hopefully fruitful journey awaits!

So, how do you find the “perfect tenant” from here? First of all, “perfect” means different things to different people. And there are things that you definitely can do... and definitely cannot do to ultimately secure your ideal renter.

As you kick the search into high gear, keep these five tips in mind:

1) Abide by the laws. No, you cannot demand that your renter be 6’3”, have curly hair and make $10,000,000 per year. There are very specific guidelines in terms of what you can and can’t ask for and the Virginia Fair Housing Office should be your source for the latest guidelines.

2) Market and market some more. Niche sites (e.g., MilitaryByOwner), big-time real estate sites (e.g., Zillow), grassroots efforts (e.g., bulletin boards) and everything in between can be effective depending on who you want to land in your home.

3) Get the 411 on your prospective tenant(s). This should include checking their references, a credit check and a background check at an absolute minimum.

4) Require renters insurance. This is a surefire way to protect your home from renters’ damage... while also protecting their belongings, too.

5) Hire a property manager. A top-notch property manager does all of the above and so much more. There can certainly be a lot of legal lingo to navigate as well as serious questions that may arise throughout the rental journey. You don’t have to do it alone and the stress may be squashed by simply reaching out for professional assistance.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

Marketing Benefits of Having a Property Manager

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:33:38 GMT

Your property should get some love (and eyeballs on it). Marketing is vital in doing so.

W e’ve certainly dug into the day-to-day benefits of having a property manager here.

As a refresher, these benefits can span handling tenant-landlord disputes to handling a leaky toilet... and so, so much more in between.

But one of the benefits that may get lost in the day-to-day is how a property manager goes to bat for you on the marketing front. Whether you are listing your property for the very first time or seeking an all-new tenant in your 10 ^th year of renting, marketing is absolutely vital. And, in case you haven’t noticed, the marketing realm has changed drastically in the last 10, 20 and 30 years!

When selecting a property manager, one of the biggest questions on your checklist should be, “well, how are you going to find me a tenant?”

Any modern property manager should be able to touch on the following which will ultimately be a benefit during your journey:

- The core sites. The overwhelming majority of folks here in 2021 conduct their searches and find their homes online. Your listing should be cast far and wide on the principal real estate websites to get in front of as many eyeballs as possible.

- Niche sites. The Washington, D.C. area has some principal industries (e.g., the military) and there are tailored ways to reach these audiences. For example, if your property is next to a military base, what can be done to reach what may very well be a military tenant?

- Personal contacts. If a property manager has been in this business for some time, they should have a database of some sorts to notify of new listings. That database should know about your home!

And these are just some of our marketing thought starters without giving away our secret sauce. The bottom line is: You home needs to be out there and the right property manager should do the trick.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

The Importance of Not Procrastinating in Property Management

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:35:29 GMT

Time can be money in property management... and so much more.

Procrastination. It’s a word you’ve likely heard thrown around throughout your life.

“Stop procrastinating on that school project or you’ll miss your deadline.” “Keep procrastinating on your chores or our guests will see how messy we really are.” “If you procrastinate on your taxes or you’ll have to pay a penalty.”

And the list goes on and on.

In the property management realm, timeliness – and not procrastinating! – is vital to so many aspects. Let’s run through a few thoughts pertaining to timeliness in our business – you’ll certainly want to avoid procrastinating when it comes to:

- Tenant communication . Giving a tenant as much of a head’s up as possible for needs / tasks / etc., will only ensure they themselves get things done quicker.

- Property emergencies . That leaky pipe will only get worse by the second. Do not sit on an emergency and call a trusted vendor ASAP for repairs.

- Financials . Whether its tenant statements or annual taxes, get these done as soon as possible. Doing so will equate to more dough in your pocket and in a timelier fashion!

- Tenant renewals . As nice as it is to land a solid tenant, you won’t want to procrastinate when it comes to renewing... or finding a new tenant altogether. It’s better to get rolling on that process sooner rather than later.

Of course, timeliness and “not procrastinating” can be easier said than done in so many cases. We get it, life happens, and a solid plan or timeline can be altered beyond your control in a heartbeat. To mitigate the stress or anxiety that can come with managing a property – or multiple properties! – calling a property management company for support may be the perfect solution.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

4 Reasons to Hire a Property Manager Right Now

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:47:30 GMT

Stop wavering and consider these time, energy and money savers!

You hold your property near and dear. We get it, making a decision – particularly a financial and management-related one – relating to one of your biggest investments can be a big one.

Throughout the decades of managing properties in and around Arlington County, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management has heard an array of concerns from prospective clients.

We understand and hear you on the pain points you may have built up in your mind. But, at the end of the day, a property management relationship can equate to a big-time win-win, if you have the right team on your side.

As you waver, here are four critical reasons to hire a property manager right now:

1) Save time and energy. All of the time and stress you put into calling / finding a plumber at 2 a.m., navigating tenant issues and managing financials can be handled by a property manager. Take those hours (or, ahem, days or weeks) and energy and use them elsewhere!

2) Make more money. Wait, say what? Yes, one of the many goals of a property manager is to help you find a sustainable tenant and have you make strategic investments in your property to maximize profit over time. We are here to advocate for you and your dough.

3) Get legal clarity. It all seems easy-peasy: Find a tenant, rent your property and, bam, it’s all done. But boy-oh-boy, there can be so much legal mumbo-jumbo in-between. When the complex legal scenarios arrive, rest assured that your property manager can help make sense of it all.

4) Have a buffer. While a direct line of communication absolutely benefits many scenarios, sometimes you’ll want a little bit of space with your tenant. And your tenant will want the same. For items related to home repairs, finances and more, it can benefit both parties to have a dedicated property manager working to address nearly any scenario.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

The Big Reasons Why Property Managers Need to Prioritize Regular Inspections

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:17:52 GMT

What may seem like a 'nuisance' for all involved is actually a major benefit. Here's why.

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3 Spring Cleaning Musts for Arlington Property Managers

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 22:56:26 GMT

We've survived the winter. A little hard work now will equate to sunny days ahead.

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3 Reasons Why You’ll Love Working with a Property Manager

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 14:34:35 GMT

Things you'll swoon over: More time, energy and more!

Hello, lovebirds.

If you’ve been a landlord for years – or perhaps just for days or weeks! – you’ve likely fallen into some habits when it comes to your property.

Perhaps you’re the one fixing that leaky toilet. When rent time comes, maybe you’re the one tracking down your tenants’ check? And, if something goes wrong, you’re left navigating what may be a very complex and painful scenario.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and beyond, let’s dive into three of the big reasons why you’ll love working with a property manager:

1) Take back your time! My goodness, the little things that can go wrong with a property sure can add up in time. We mentioned the leaky toilet, but what about appliance fixes, HVAC issues, a problematic roof... and the list goes on and on. A trusted property manager will know just the right folks to take care of your home’s most pesky issues, leaving you with more time to redirect elsewhere.

2) Take back your energy! We’ve talked about the time and, right there with it, is your energy. Being a landlord can be incredibly stressful and a lot of folks just aren’t equipped to handle it. In addition to the physical aspects of your property you need to think about, things can arise with your tenants. And these things are not always fun. With a property management company, they’ve got your back through thick and thin.

3) Maximize your investment! In contemplating a property management company, a common piece of feedback is “oh man, that sounds expensive.” In reality – and based on how much time and energy you may be pouring into your property otherwise – it may actually save you big-time down the line. In that case, enjoy redirecting that saved dough to another investment or wherever your heart may please.

To kick your property management efforts into high gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

The Power of a Listing’s Photos

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 16:19:19 GMT

Let's make your home dazzle from first sight, shall we?

Your home may have all the bells and whistles. It could truly be perfect for a tenant out there. You could end their search in a millisecond. And, on the flip side, you could conserve days – perhaps months – of your precious time and energy waiting for your property to rent.

But, if a listing’s photos are not up to par, it ain’t happening. Period.

We’ve seen it time and time again. Folks will come to us feeling pretty darn defeated. They have a beautiful property and just don’t understand what went wrong or why no one will sign on the dotted line to be a tenant.

In many of these cases, it truly does boil down to photos. In some instances, they simply aren’t professional – they are wildly blurry, taken with minimal care or even taken with a flip-phone (remember those?).

In an Instagram-loving, pristine photo-adoring world, it is so, so important to be on your photo a-game. And sometimes even a nice smartphone photo won’t do to push your property over the edge.

You need professional photos. There are plenty of surveys and stats you can Google out there to back this up. Among them, homes with professional real estate photography sell 32% faster than those without ‘em.

We get it – taking professional photos can be expensive and/or quite time-consuming, particularly when you are flying solo.

Just like so many other aspects of property management, an easy solution is turning to a property management company for help. At Arlington Realty Property Management, professional photography is included in every single listing package.

So, if you’re stressed and your gem of a property isn’t moving, let’s get moving together. We can start with making it look its prettiest.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

5 Big Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Rental Property

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 22:53:09 GMT

Be proactive and have a plan ready for these ones.

Yes, folks, the headline is alarming! It’s meant to be.

It’s a part of life: Things go wrong and will go wrong in a property you manage.

So, the questions become: How are you going to proactively address issues before they arise and what will you do when a crisis kicks in?

Among the most common issues we see with rental properties in and well beyond Arlington County are:

1) Plumbing malfunctions . We live in a diverse area with diverse properties, some of which haven’t had their plumbing systems checked in several years. In addition to having a trusted plumber on your speed dial for a pending disaster, you’ll want to get them in periodically to gauge how things stand.

2) Appliance failures . Sometimes older appliances just aren’t worth it anymore – they break down all the time and are energy hogs compared to newer models. With so many appliances, seemingly minor issues (but major to tenants!) can easily populate.

3) Roofing leaks . Oh, the pesky roof or ceiling leak. We’ve all been there, but sometimes we don’t have to be. In many cases, the growth of moisture – which ultimately equates to destroying roofing and the surfaces below – can be nipped in the bud with a regular inspection.

4) Bugs ! It is so important to nip pest issues in the bud before things spiral out of control. The more proactive you can be with a pest specialist, the better.

5) Toilet repairs . Whether it’s a clog, non-stop running toilet or leak, toilet problems are no fun. As with so many home repairs, sometimes it can be a matter of jiggling a part the right way or an expensive fix.

These issues only touch on the things any property manager needs to be thinking about. Any property manager should have a regular checklist of items to inspect before a new tenant moves in and a trusted list of vendors for emergency repairs.

And, of course, if and when the time and energy to address existing/possible issues becomes too much, it’s time to turn to a property management company for help.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

The Property Management Trends We’re Watching In 2021

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 17:38:06 GMT

The data doesn't lie. Here's what's on our radar for the New Year.

We’ve made it, folks.

A happy and healthy 2021 to you and yours. With a new year, comes new opportunities. For folks in, adjacent to or just starting to explore the property management space, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune your approach or, perhaps, completely shift the way you are handling things.

For decades, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management has had its finger on the pulse of the local market. We know the local regulations, what works and we have the staff to stay on top of things in what is shaping up to be another wild year.

In addition to the local expertise, we’re always looking to sharpen our skills. And part of that is keeping our eyes and ears open to the trends that are affecting the broader property management industry.

As we kick off a New Year, below are a few of the data points we’ve taken note of:

1) Residents are important! According to a recent Buildium study , where residents were a top-three priority for only 16.1% of property managers in 2019 (compared to profitability, owners, communication and other facets of the biz), that figure shot up to 45.1% in 2020. And, naturally so, as the health and safety of residents should be... particularly in a pandemic. Whereas resident safety and wellbeing should always be a priority, it’s taken on a different and evolving meaning amid COVID.

2) The value of property managers. According to the same Buildium study, 44% of property managers felt their clients viewed their services as more valuable during COVID-19. And, with so many changing mandates, eviction regulations, safety measures and everything in between to navigate, it sure is nicer having a PM handle those items versus direct clashes with tenants.

3) Technology and automation. The days of solely snail mail are long over. Within the past decade, the broader PM realm has pushed more toward digital options, spanning payment options, statements, service requests and more. Amid the pandemic, as more and more folks became comfortable with remote set-ups, contactless options and more, it will be interesting to see what sticks in property management. And, of course, if it’s convenient and beneficial to our clients, we’ll be on it.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Kicking Off 2021 on A Property Management High Note

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 01:26:43 GMT

2020 was, er, stressful? Let's de-stress a bit here in the new year.

This wild rollercoaster known as 2020 is almost over.

We’d list all the things we’ve collectively endured, but you’ve lived through it all, so we’ll spare you that. An underlying theme that we’ve heard from so many – in and well beyond the property management realm – is... STRESS!

Yes, this has been quite a stressful year across so many societal spectrums. There have been new social norms to navigate, changing guidelines and so much more. For property managers, there have been evolving mandates and laws guiding what used to be so seamless.

So, as you enter 2021, what can you do as a property manager? We have two key thoughts.

The first is... PREPARE! The pandemic isn’t over, and it will take some time until we officially return to normal. With state, regional and hyperlocal regulations changing somewhat frequently, you need to be ready to be nimble. But, aside from what may be fully out of your control, what can you control? Or, what can you prepare for?

If there have been lingering items on your to-do list, now is the time to tackle them and be proactive.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. As a property manager, you may be inclined to do every little thing. We’ve seen it time and time again - the property manager who likes to fix the toilet, clean the gutters, rewire electricity and manage a complex, tenant legal issue... all in one day.

It’s okay to ask for help, whether it’s turning to a trusted local vendor or a property management company to keep things super-seamless. You’ll be surprised at the time and energy (and money!) you may save in the long haul.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2021!

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Property Management Musts in the Holiday Season

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:14:16 GMT

It's an action-packed time of year. Here are some pro-tips to navigating it.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Whether you just sung the classic holiday song in your head while reading the previous sentence or haven’t quite eased into the seasonal spirit just yet, there is no denying: This is an action-packed stretch of the year.

We’ve officially gotten through Thanksgiving. Hanukkah is just around the corner. Christmas will be here before we know it. And then, bam, it’ll be a new year. With so many fun happenings, folks are naturally excited and having their attention spans pulled in every possible direction.

So, as a property manager, how can you make things easier for your tenants and, ultimately, yourselves? Here are three property management musts here in the holiday season to ensure smooth sailing through it:

1) Communicate your schedule (and ideally garner your tenants’ too). Odds are that your office hours will be a little different on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and perhaps others. So, if you’re not going to be quite as easily accessible on these days (or others... any time of the year!), let your tenants know. Likewise, if there will be anything to hold up your typical PM/tenant relationship on the tenant’s end, ideally they will disclose those happenings ahead of time, too.

2) Be proactive. For as nutty as things may be leading up to the holidays, how nutty do you want them to be after the holidays? Think about the things you can do now as opposed to having them pile up post-holidays. Undoubtedly, there may be an influx of requests, needs and more after the holidays, so do what you can now to better ensure a peaceful return.

3) Show your gratitude. Think of all the folks you work with on a daily basis – spanning your vendors, tenants and everyone in between. Taking a moment to show your gratitude or simply saying “thanks” or “happy holidays” can go a long way in maintaining or enhancing a relationship. And, on that note, we are wishing our wonderful readers happy holidays and here is to an amazing 2021!

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Reasons Why We’re Thankful to Be Managing Properties in Arlington County

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 15:08:15 GMT

Ahead of Turkey Day 2020, here are some reasons (among many!) to be grateful to be managing properties in Arlington County.

A happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers, friends and neighbors throughout Arlington County and beyond. It’s certainly been a bit of a tricky year. But, amid it all, we are grateful for your engagement and continued business.

For property managers, there have been a number of regulations, mandates and scenarios to navigate. It certainly hasn’t been easy but, amid the challenges, investing and managing real estate continues to be one of the best investments possible.

In the vein of gratitude and this great week, we’d like to take a moment to highlight three of the reasons why we’re thankful to be managing properties in Arlington County.

Through our years in the biz, we’ve certainly picked up on and appreciated the things that distinguish our market from those across the state, U.S. and world. We realize that these benefits ultimately equate to more stability (and dough!) for our clients.

1) A strong school system. When families are selecting a place to rent or buy, one of the top questions is, “how is the school system?” A quick Google can tell you that Arlington County Public Schools is among the top in the state and nation, ranking in the top 5% of schools in the nation and top 3 in Virginia by Niche.com, among other sites.

2) Comparatively high salaries and low unemployment. Pre-pandemic and even amid the pandemic, the broader Washington, D.C. area has an incredibly strong job market, anchored by governmental positions, industry heavyweights and more. This can help ensure smoother processes for landlords and tenants way down the line, too.

3) Cultural offerings galore. In selling a place to prospective tenants, they want things to do. And, as we all know, “things to do” can vary depending on who you’re talking to. From the youthful vibrancy of Clarendon to the high-rise clad Rosslyn, there is truly something for everyone here. And for that, and so much more, we are thankful.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

From Listing Through Tenant Relations, 4 Ways to Make Your Property Management Journey Easier

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 22:37:05 GMT

Let's save some time and money, folks.

Time and money: Two things everyone wishes they had more of.

Here at Arlington Realty Property Management, we are always looking for (and sharing!) insight to make property managers’ lives that much easier.

So, for this week, we’re digging into a few of the things that are core to our platinum level of service. If you are an owner and sign on with Arlington Realty Property Management, these services (and many more!) come at no additional fee.

Throughout our decades in the biz, we’ve learned that these four touch points (among others) have been integral in saving our owners time and money:

1) A pristine listing. We want to snag your prospective tenant from first sight. And, to draw them in, our listings include professional photography, a video tour and a detailed description. If you slack on any of the aforementioned, it can equate to lost opportunities and your listing sitting out there that much longer. We don’t want that and neither do you!

2) Annual and semi-annual 100-point inspections. Everything may be perfectly rosy at a property for months or years at a time. But, you must stay proactive. Inspections mitigate the chance of smaller problems becoming major headaches down the line.

3) Licensed and insured providers. Ooooof, we’ve seen it time and time again. A property manager will trust a “friend” to get something done, they end up not being licensed and/or insured, something wrong happens and then, bam, it’s a legal nightmare. You won’t ever have to worry about that with us as we solely work with licensed and insured professionals for anything dealing with your property.

4) Intuitive statements and seamless payments. We keep our statements simple – yet detailed where needed – and have a secure online payment system that deposits directly into owners’ accounts each month. Easy peasy.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Ways Arlington Realty Property Management Keeps Tenants Happy

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 14:24:43 GMT

Keeping things seamless... for everyone.

Here on our blog – and certainly everyday within our business – we help property managers navigate their unique scenarios.

Additionally, we assist quite a few tenants along the way, too.

When a property owner signs on with Arlington Realty Property Management, we get to know them – and their tenants! – quite well. And, on both fronts, we like to keep everything as simple and seamless as possible.

After all, an integral part of what we do is keeping tenants content. It’s why property owners sign on with us and stay with us.

Throughout the years, we’ve certainly refined and enhanced our practices. Here are three of the ways we help keep tenants (and prospective tenants) happy along the way:

1) An easy application process. Our applications are submitted online-only via an intuitive portal, requiring an application fee, pay stubs for the last two pay periods (or an offer letter) and a PDF of a photo ID. From there, the process takes up to 72 hours before a verdict.

2) Mitigating maintenance headaches. A malfunctioning toilet or wonky washing machine is already enough to deal with. No one wants 50 steps to submit a maintenance request or extra hassle on top of an emerging crisis. Arlington Realty Property Management tenants submit maintenance requests through a tenant portal – each tenant is given a unique username and password. Once a request is received – depending on its urgency – a contractor contacts the tenant within 24-48 hours and, in many cases, sooner.

3) Online rent payments. Here we are in 2020 and there are still property management companies that have no online infrastructure. It can be a bit mind-boggling. Rather than depending on snail mail, all rent payments are required to be paid online. This keeps everything simple for all parties involved.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Pro-Tips to Up Your Property Management Skills

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 22:45:16 GMT

Just starting in property management or a seasoned pro? These 3 tips get to the core of the biz.

Nobody is perfect.

Like most folks, you’ve probably heard this adage a bazillion times one way or another throughout your lifetime.

In the property management realm, the adage couldn’t be more pertinent. As a property manager, things are bound to happen. After all, how many wild and wacky things could possibly go wrong with a home, let alone the people and mechanisms surrounding it?

When it comes to the curveballs that a property (or tenants) will inevitably throw your way, you have to be prepared and you must have systems in place to mitigate a prospective issue from spiraling into a major headache.

Whether you’re just starting to dabble in property management or you’re a seasoned pro, here are three pro-tips (or reminders) for maximizing your skills:

1) Communicate and communicate some more. Nothing shows your tenant – or anyone involved with managing a property – that you’re tuned in than communicating what may be happening. Don’t sit on valuable or insightful information for weeks or months – communicate it in real time, where appropriate and vital. On the flip side, be accessible and respond in a timely manner as well. No one wants a property manager who is aloof or inaccessible, particularly in a time of crisis.

2) Prepare like your tomorrow depends on it. Your property may have experienced many weeks, months or even years without an issue. That’s awesome. But, what could you be addressing proactively? Who will you be reaching out to if and when something goes wrong? You need a plan that not only addresses important, scheduled upkeep of a property but an emergency action plan (comprised of your go-to service folks) when things may head south.

3) Turn to the professionals. This can be so hard to master, particularly for the folks that like to do everything themselves. It’s okay to turn to an electrician so you don’t end up getting zapped. It’s okay to turn to a trusted plumber for a highly complicated piping job. And, guess what? It’s okay to turn to a local and trusted property manager to hand over your property-related stresses. If and when you need that guidance, the time-tested and professional team at Arlington Realty Property Management is ready to help.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

5 Property Management Musts to Kick Off Fall 2020

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:36:26 GMT

The clock may be "falling back" soon... but no falling back on your PM duties allowed.

If you blinked, you may have missed it.

The fall season officially started on Tuesday, September 22. That’s right, before we all know it, our lush Arlington County confines will be experiencing foliage in full swing, cooler temps and pumpkin patches popping up left and right.

And just as it’s important to find that perfect pumpkin to adorn your front doorstep, it’s a stellar time to check in on a few aspects of the property you manage. Here are five things to tick off your fall checklist at the top of the season:

1) De-clutter your gutter. Ah, the changing leaves are so beautiful. That is until they fall, you have to rake them all up... or they end up in your gutters. Before the onslaught of falling leaves, you’ll want to make sure that your gutters are clear and ready for what’s ahead.

2) Seal the deal. The transition from Virginia summers to winters can be dramatic. Some years, the crisp fall season can seemingly last months and, other times, it feels like it goes from 80-degree days to pure frigidness in a heartbeat. Regardless, double-check your window and door sealings to ensure that the A/C to heat transition goes smoothly and you (and your tenants!) aren’t letting money literally seep out.

3) Check in with your tenants. This may seem like a no-brainer, but perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve checked in on your property and who’s residing there. These simple conversations can go a long way in your landlord-tenant relationship and also in unearthing potentially large problems.

4) Raise the roof! We’ve mentioned gutters, but please don’t forget to check the roof for debris, too. You’re going to be up there, so it should be a relatively easy journey to scope things out. And, if it ends up being not easy / scary / not cool, there are plenty of local professionals to help.

5) Start preparing for 2021. “Whaaaaaaat?” you say. Yep, it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s ahead and what you want to accomplish next year. Just as important as addressing immediate needs, it’s time to start thinking about you can maximize your investment in the coming months and years. If and when you need a trusted team to advise you on that front, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management is here for you.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

How Are Property Managers Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:22:33 GMT

Let's gauge what Virginia landlords are experiencing on the frontlines.

To say the least, these are certainly interesting times.

Pre-pandemic, the Arlington County real estate landscape was an undisputed hotspot for investments and property management, anchored by strong salaries, low unemployment rates and the pending arrival of major projects like Amazon’s HQ2.

Now months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape has seemingly changed a bit, with dashes of uncertainty fueled by the ongoing health crisis. But, in reality, many of the region’s core components remain.

On the frontlines, landlords and property managers are powering through and, like so many, know that brighter days are ahead.

But what are their current attitudes and how are they pushing through? A recent survey by Virginia Realtors sheds some light on what folks are experiencing.

Here are four ways they are navigating the pandemic:

- 90% of landlords and property managers are offering some type of payment plans, which tend to be highly individualized in nature.

- Only 10% of respondents said they are thinking about getting out of the rental business due to COVID-19.

- 42% said they’ve had no rent issues related to coronavirus, meaning that rents are being paid at the same rate as in a typical summer.

- Most landlords or property managers (88%) are not using the Rent and Mortgage Relief program or are unaware of the program.

Amid an unprecedented landscape, it has never been more important for a landlord or property manager to be on their A-game. As regulations change and individual scenarios emerge, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up.

Whether you are seeking property management representation or you’re a property manager yourself, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management is here to help you weather the COVID storm.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

5 Steps for Picking the Best Property Manager for You

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:31:04 GMT

Take your property manager interview and vetting to the next level.

Picking the right property manager to mesh with your style and your needs can be no easy task.

At the end of the day, everyone has different properties, features to work with, schedules, financial system preferences... and the list can go on and on.

But, at the end of the day, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you end up with the best possible property manager in Arlington, Virginia for you.

Here are the top five. And, if you cover this ground, somewhere within your research, there will be a clear and optimal property manager for you:

1) Check their references. Thoughts from current and past clients can go a long way. Take the time to connect with those who have been there and done that!

2) Get the stats and facts. How many properties does your manager currently manage? What’s their history in the biz look like? And, perhaps most importantly, do they have experience running a property similar to yours? These questions are only the beginning but ensure your property manager has the data to back up their promises.s

3) Examine the word of mouth factor. Just because cousin Johnny knows a dude who knows a dude that works in real estate doesn’t mean you should automatically go with him. Word of mouth can go a long way and, in many ways, can be quite powerful. But, please, ensure whoever comes “highly recommended” lives up to the hype.

4) Ensure systems align. Communication is key in the property management realm, spanning how funds are deposited to how crises are handled. Learn all about a property manager’s communication infrastructure before you sign on the dotted line.

5) Get their thoughts on your property. You’ll want someone who knows your type of property, the area it’s in, the surrounding community... and has the experience to back it up. Gauge their passion for what they do and if they want to work with you - that alone can speak volumes.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Reasons Owning (and Managing!) Arlington County Property is a Solid 2020 Investment

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 18:31:32 GMT

Step aside, sexy stock pick... real estate (and managing it!) remains a top 2020 investment.

Do you have any older copies of Money magazine, Kiplinger’s or anything like it laying around? If not, take a second to Google the 2020 investment ideas and strategies that were prominent at the beginning of the year.

In a nutshell, the investment world has certainly been rocked by widespread uncertainty and general anxiety at the hands of COVID-19.

So, where do we go from here?

Sure, throwing some dough in Tesla or other high-performing stocks is appealing. But, in many ways, the stock market can be like picking a color or number on a roulette wheel – there can be incredible volatility, much of which is completely out of your control.

That brings us to real estate. Like so many other industries out there, of course our real estate market has been affected by the pandemic.

But the Arlington County real estate market and everything that complements it – spanning high-paying jobs, comparatively low unemployment rates, a top-notch school system and so much more – make it a stable place to invest and manage property.

In addition to our local factors, here are three reasons why owning and managing property continues to be a stellar investment here in 2020:

1) Diversity. Among savings accounts, stock ownership and so much more, investing and managing real estate equates to a more diversified portfolio. As the old adage goes, you don’t want to throw all your eggs in one basket. By having a real estate component to your portfolio – among other investments – it makes riding the broader highs and lows a bit more stable.

2) You can physically see your property. Whereas stocks, bonds and all that uber-financial stuff is managed my machines and/or people behind machines, you can visibly see the state of your real estate investment. With that, you can improve and manage your investment with a bit more peace of mind.

3) Sit back and earn. Real estate can certainly qualify as a form of passive income... so long as it is managed properly. And if/when managing a property becomes too much of a time and energy suck, it’s time to get a trusted property manager on board.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

The 3 Most Wanted Traits in a Property Manager

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 19:17:03 GMT

If you can check these qualities off in your property manager search, you're off to a solid start.

There are certainly a number of property managers out there and, if you’re not careful, it can be easy to get lost in the clutter.

Throughout the decades, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management has seen and heard it all in terms of property management success and horror stories from locals.

In addition to our own experience and expertise, it is these accounts and pain points that we keep top-of-mind in an effort to deliver the best property management experience around.

So, what are the traits and things that locals seek in a property manager?

If you can work on these three, you’re off to a solid start:

1) Specialization . There can be a world of difference between commercial and residential property management. And, that’s just one example. Folks want someone who truly “gets” their property and everything – laws, taxes, etc. – that touches it. They’ll want references to back up specialized experience, too.

2) A straight-forward agreement and relationship . Real estate can be complex. There is certainly a bunch of lingo and seemingly complex jargon that folks will need to have broken down, spanning services, fees and much more. Beginning with a property management agreement through everyday happenings/updates down the line, things should be conveyed in an easy-to-grasp manner.

3) Responsiveness . Property managers are paid, in part, to be there for you in difficult times. The last thing anyone wants is an unresponsive, uncaring and unprofessional property manager. Folks want to hire a property manager that is well-equipped and well-connected in their times of need versus someone who scrambles last minute. From a financial mix-up to a major emergency home repair, there are many snags that can arise in owning real estate. You’ll want someone that can act immediately and get the job done.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Vital Time Management Tips for Property Managers

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:24:57 GMT

Let's save some time and dough, folks.

Time is money.

You’ve heard the adage over and over again. In the property management realm, it couldn’t be truer or more important.

Wasted time in managing a property – or properties – can come in many forms. And, if you’re not careful, the simplest of tasks can turn into days-long or months-long debacles.

No one wants that.

Throughout the decades of managing properties, Arlington Realty Inc. has helped a number of folks through their fiascos, in addition to seamlessly managing properties in-house.

Here are three big-time tips for saving some time (and dough!) along the way:

1) Make your rental criteria crystal clear. Allowing pets? Are you paying for cable? Is smoking prohibited? Sure, it’s easy for any potential tenant to zoom in on price, the number of bedrooms and square footage. But what are the other details you can put front and center – whether in the body of a listing or photo – to mitigate answering questions down the line? Load your listing with information, folks.

2) Build a list of trusted vendors ASAP. When your property’s toilet is spraying everywhere at 3 a.m., well, that is not the time you want to embark on a detailed search for a plumber. A trusted plumber, handyman, HVAC repair person and more are folks you should have queued up now for when something goes wrong. The time you save preparing your contact list may save you an even more major disaster (and a lot dough) later.

3) Stay organized. As a property manager, tenants’ information, invoices and documents simply cannot be scattered throughout your living room, car and kitchen. Organization is key to this business and you need to have any and all information pertaining to a tenant in one convenient and accessible space. Equally as important as keeping physical items organized, you’ll want to keep your schedule organized as well, ensuring you’re giving your tenant(s) and your personal life the love it deserves.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

4 Pro-Tips for Marketing Your Arlington Rental

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 15:00:23 GMT

Let's think beyond the cookie-cutter approach.

A successful formula for renting out properties in Los Angeles may not apply to Denver. The same can be said about D.C. and Miami, New York and Chicago... and we can go on and on.

The real estate market in Arlington County is unique. And, to attract a tenant, you can’t apply a cookie-cutter approach to each scenario.

Sure, there are some tactics that may apply here as elsewhere, but there are some local-specific strategies that must be applied, too.

Here are four pro-tips for marketing your rental in Arlington County that should be on every checklist:

1) Explore local media . Of course, Zillow, Redfin, Trulia and all of the big-name sites should be a given. But, in Arlington County, don’t forget the sites that appeal to hyper-local readers. Among your must-hits (contingent on the scope of your marketing budget) are local news sites like ARLnow as well as military-centric sites like MilitaryByOwner.

2) Publicize beyond websites . More than 95 percent of folks use the internet in their home search. But there is more to the internet than MLS-driven sites and search engines. Don’t forget hyper-local Facebook or community groups as well as targeted newsletters for showcasing your offering(s).

3) Photos (and video!) are key. Here in the COVID-19 era, folks aren’t necessarily wanting to galivant around town all day. Now, more than ever, photos and video that capture your listing and its adjacent/nearby amenities are important. Hire a photographer that truly gets the property and its significance here in the community.

4) Turn to a trusted property manager. It can be incredibly time-consuming and challenging to build a marketing strategy from scratch. To maximize your time (and your money!), trust an experienced team that has a proven track-record for getting the job done.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

The Start of Your Property Management Summer Checklist

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 13:13:52 GMT

In between the pool days and road trips, here are your summer to-dos.

Bam. Just like that and summer is officially here.

Saturday, June 20 marked the first day of summer. Here in Northern Virginia, our summers are typically comprised of outdoor activities aplenty, sweaty and humid days (okay, really, really humid days) and, for families, having the kiddos at home a bit more.

In addition to all that the summertime brings, the new season provides a wonderful opportunity for landlords and property managers to check in on their tenants and some of their properties’ most vital components.

Amid your days in the sun and summer road trips, here are five items to check off your summer property management checklist:

1) Have your HVAC system serviced . Absolutely no one wants to deal with air conditioning issues, particularly in the middle of a Northern Virginia summer. To mitigate issues that may pop up later in the season, have your unit checked and serviced at the start of the season. So, now, if you haven’t already.

2) Check window and door sealings . Just as you don’t want precious heat seeping out of your home in the winter, you won’t want A/C seeping out of your property in the summer. Ensure your doors and windows fully close to maximize your A/C system’s efficiency. And, your tenants will thank you, too.

3) Don’t kick your curb appeal to the curb. Amid summer showers and hot temps, landscaping can go wild in the summer. In addition to a beginning-of-the season trim/cut/landscape, ensure you have your summer landscaping services scheduled in advance.

4) Replace the little things . If it’s been a minute since you’ve changed your A/C filter or smoke alarm batteries, now is the time.

5) Optimize summer amenities . Homes or condo buildings may have any of the following: Patios, pools, outdoor jacuzzis, sport courts and common areas. Whether it’s a pleasant day or lovely night, your tenants will want to take advantage of them. Get them ready for the summer ahead!

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

The Importance of ‘Keeping Good Company’ in Property Management

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:05:06 GMT

Relationships totally matter... now more than ever.

Just like so many wonderful cities and counties across the U.S., Arlington County is truly unique.

The county is on the doorstep of our nation’s capital, is home to the Pentagon, loaded with history, enriched by cultural attractions and is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

On the real estate front, the county’s offerings are as diverse as its population – clad with modern high-rise apartment buildings, beautifully-preserved estates, rows of townhouses and much more.

If you own in and around Arlington County – especially if you own more than one spot – a one-size fits all approach doesn’t always work in terms of handywork, emergency repairs, marketing and anything/everything that may touch residence(s).

You need allies who gets your property.

Arlington Realty Property Management has been family owned and operated since 1984. And with these years in the business, comes a time-tested level of customer service and trusted relationships throughout the community and beyond.

From rent collection to property maintenance – spanning plumbing, electrical, painting and more – we’ve built the networks and relationships that matter most.

These relationships, and the high-level of service that come with them, ultimate benefit our clients in their most dire times of need. Whether it’s needing to have rent collected in a pinch or there is a plumbing emergency at 2 a.m., we’re here for you.

Time and time again, we’ve saved our property management clients time and money throughout Arlington County. And, we’ve certainly mitigated quite a bit of stress by having the right resources locked and loaded when needed.

As the famed businessman Harvey Mackay once said, “Even the Lone Ranger didn’t do it alone.”

Along your property management journey, you certainly don’t need to fly solo either.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

4 Property Management Stress-Savers During Stressful Times

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 25 May 2020 20:49:42 GMT

Property managers and tenants alike can mitigate the COVID-related stress. Here's how.

Remember how generally peaceful things were in late 2019 before this whole COVID-19 thing happened?

Okay, so there was still a lot of political bickering, weird people doing weird things and all that stuff. But we didn’t have this giant pandemic to navigate and all of the various anxiety-inducing things that have come with it.

There is no denying: Things are and will be different in the days, weeks and months ahead. And, a through line is that folks are generally stressed out.

So, as a property manager, how can you put your best foot forward and positively impact the stress your tenants may be feeling? In turn, are there good deeds and exercises that can ultimately make things a little easier for them... and you, too?

Let’s start with these four practices that will help produce good vibes all around:

1) Stay educated on the latest guidelines. Particularly here in the COVID-19 era, it’s never been more important to know what you should – and need to – be doing as a landlord. This can span the proper cleaning supplies for your janitorial crew, sanitation stations for on-site amenities and so much more, on top of the regulations that have nothing to do with the pandemic itself.

2) Make a schedule and stick to it. No one likes it when the cable TV dude says, “we’ll be there between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.” That is an obnoxiously long timeframe. You don’t have to be like that with your tenants. Of course, in scheduling repairs, site visits, administrative duties and so much more, things can and may take more time than scheduled. But, scheduling appointments and discussions with your tenants – as opposed to broad timeframes – will ultimately save you and your renters a bit of stress.

3) Lay it all out. No homeowner, seller, renter or anyone that touches real estate likes to be surprised down the line, period. So, if there are specific rules, regulations and quirks that touch a property you represent, you must let your tenant know up front. In addition to saving you a prospective legal issue, it will save everyone an uncomfortable conversation in the future.

4) Stay accessible. A crisis is your time to shine. When things go wrong, that is when you need to be on your A-game. Just as you’re going to need and/or want that monthly rent payment come its due date, you’re going to need to be there for your tenants when things go atypical. If you need help managing these scenarios – which will inevitably happen – it’s best to have a property management company in-tact and ready to roll.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

What Will Post-COVID Property Management Look Like?

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 11 May 2020 16:37:39 GMT

As the virus sorts itself out, here's how to get a step ahead.

We’re now months into the COVID-19 pandemic and, realistically, could be several months from a widely available treatment or vaccine. (But, hey, let’s be optimistic that we’ll see big-time progress sooner rather than later!)

Amid the speculation pertaining to the virus itself, there has been much speculation as to how real estate will be affected in the weeks, months and years ahead.

So much is still yet to be determined, while specific practices may be at the hands of various mandates and regulations. Until those guidelines are ironed out, there are some things that we can definitively say will apply to the post-COVID real estate realm.

Here’s what we see happening:

- Marketing will be that much more important. Look at how the marketing of homes has changed throughout the decades. We’ve gone from solely yard signs and black-and-white fliers to an incredibly invigorating and dynamic marketing space. Post-COVID, folks may not be willing to simply stroll a street and walk into a property/building for a tour as they once were. So, beautiful, high-resolution photos and, in some cases, video/virtual tours will be that much more important. If you weren’t thinking about it before, it’s more important now than ever: How can you best showcase a property to help a prospective renter truly feel and appreciate the space?

- There will be an even bigger push toward digital services. For some property managers, digital has been the way to go for years, spanning online portals, electronic payment options and document services like DocuSign. Perhaps we’ll see even more folks opting for digital convenience amid an influx of new, exciting technology that can help make everyone’s jobs and tasks that much easier.

- Those on their A-game will thrive. Our local, US and global economies have all taken a hit in some regard. Compared to the absolutely thriving times before COVID-19, there may now be more property options for prospective renters out there. For property managers, now is not the time to slack and you must deliver your absolute best to ultimately retain and obtain tenants. Punctuality, seamless communication and reliability are critical now more than ever before.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Spring Cleaning Your Property Management Approach

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 17:50:58 GMT

Your home may be spotless. Are your property management skills on their A-game, too?

Many folks are finding themselves spending a bit more time in their homes these days.

And with that time, some spring cleaning has surely kicked into high gear.

As we tackle the cobwebs that built up through the winter, de-clutter our living spaces and get our own homes as a sparkly-clean as possible, let’s not forget to spring clean our property management approach.

Here are a few touch points you’ll certainly want to hit on your property-management to-do list this spring:

1) HVAC service and repairs . Virginia can certainly be known for its frigid winters and uber-hot summers. And before the sweltering heat arrives and a property’s HVAC system potentially fails, it’s time to give that system a check. By staying proactive in your HVAC repairs, you can keep your tenants cool (and happy). No one – you and your tenants certainly included – want to deal with a failing A/C system in the heart of summer, if at all possible.

2) Property inspection . Yes, this can be difficult to do in the heart of a pandemic. But, at a mutually agreeable time and, most importantly, when safe, it’s a great time to see how your roof held up through the winter and check-in on any existing or prospective plumbing issues.

3) A friendly hello . Particularly during these weird and wacky times – and especially if you haven’t already – what a wonderful time it is to simply say “hi” and “I’m here for you.” If some rules, regulations and obligations have visibly laxed, it’s a great time to remind your tenants of what’s expected. And, if these check-ins or any of your spring cleaning tasks have become too much to handle, it’s beyond time to turn to a trusted property management company.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com .

3 Answers for Finding a Rental Amid COVID-19

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:46:19 GMT

Needing to find a rental amid the global pandemic? Yes, you can still do it safely.

In addition to helping folks manage their properties, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management also helps countless renters find the rental of their dreams in our area each year.

Like so many aspects of our daily lives, COVID-19 has certainly affected how we, as real estate professionals, may approach connecting a prospective renter with a property.

As COVID-19 stirs many questions – some of which we see on a daily basis – we wanted to take a moment to answer three of the biggest questions we’ve been receiving.

And, as always, if you have a question unique to your scenario amid this unprecedented climate that isn’t answered here, we’re always open ears (our contact info is below).

Here we go:

1) I don’t want to venture to a home for a showing. Is there a way I can “see it” without physically going there? In most cases, yes. At a minimum, there should be professional photos and/or video showcased in every listing. In some cases, there may be a dedicated website with additional photos and/or video beyond the traditional MLS listing. Also, amid the current climate, we’re starting to see more folks offering virtual tours, which provide much of what you’d see during a stroll through a residence.

2) What if I want to physically visit a place - What precautions should I take? COVID-19 is an incredibly fluid situation, so the latest guidelines as outlined by local health entities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should be adhered to. With that being said, treat each home you enter like you’d treat a trip to the grocery store: Wear a mask, sanitize your hands after touching any areas and practice social distancing during any interactions.

3) What about all the paperwork that may be involved – Do I have to complete that in person? Fortunately, DocuSign and technology like it, allows you to electronically sign and complete vital documents from anywhere. Regarding any financial or unique aspects that pertain your transaction, communicate with your agent on optimal modes of delivery and a solution can likely be developed.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

Tax Deduction Pro-Tips for Rental Real Estate Owners

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:37:19 GMT

Your tax deadline has been extended. Let's make the most of it.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, you now have three more months to complete your taxes.

What was once an April 15 deadline is now officially July 15, 2020.

So, what are you going to do with that extra time? Hopefully, amid all of the craziness happening in our world at the moment, this allows you a few extra minutes or so to truly maximize your returns.

For rental real estate owners, there are a few specific things to keep an eye on this year.

And, before we dive into those items and very importantly: Please turn to your tax advisor and/or the governing bodies that exist (e.g. the IRS) for the latest recommendations and/or items that may apply to you. The below is a shortlist of generally public information.

On that note, here are the tax deductions that rental owners should be looking at this year:

1) Materials and repairs. Think of the repairs – and what was needed for them – that took place at your property in the prior year. This can range from a leaky refrigerator to an unsealed window to some major drywall repair. These repairs are totally tax deductible.

2) Home improvements. No, we’re not talking about the Tim Allen sitcom here. And, no, you cannot straight up deduct the cost of improvements, like enhancements to a home’s structure or key systems, including electrical, HVAC, fire protection, alarm and security. But, you can recover some of your improvements by claiming depreciation, which is outlined in detail by the IRS.

3) Mortgage interest. Landlords can deduct interest paid on a mortgage for a rental property. A couple of tips on this front: Your claim must be below the property’s principal limit and the claim must be made on Schedule E, as part of the property’s expenses.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Property Management Musts in the Heart of a Crisis

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 21:38:05 GMT

Now, more than ever, it's time to deliver your A-game.

Here we are – in the heat of a battle that is literally affecting the entire world.

We will emerge stronger, both as an Arlington community and broader society, once we officially defeat COVID-19.

In the meantime, we have to keep moving forward with various aspects of our lives as best we can.

And while this pandemic is certainly unlike anything we’ve collectively experienced in our lifetime, there are some core property management principles that are vitally important for the time being.

Here are three property management musts for weathering this COVID storm (or any crisis, for that matter):

• Over-communicate . Things are absolutely a two-way street - just as it is not the time for a tenant to cease communication with a landlord, your tenants are relying on you. There may be federal regulations, guidelines and seemingly everything in between that affect your property and tenant-landlord relationship. We’re in this together - everyone needs to be on the same page in terms of the latest informational landscape.

• Keep it clean . Now is not the time to go totally lax on any cleaning or maintenance measures in place. In fact, where possible and where feasible, it’s time to up your game even more. Do what you can to ensure your property’s cleanliness (contingent on whatever agreements may be in place) and make sure your tenants know what’s being done for their protection.

• Defer to the experts . In the case of COVID-19, our collective knowledge and understanding of the disease is rapidly evolving. If you do not know the answer to a specific question and to prevent a potential legal headache, your best bet is to defer to the latest guidelines as established by the U.S. government, local jurisdictions and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

4 Steps for a Seamless Property Management Journey

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 16:54:36 GMT

The seemingly little things can make a big difference.

As the old adage goes, “the small things can matter.”

And, in the real estate realm, what may seem like a minor feature or service provided by a property management company can make a ginormous difference in your bottom line and/or peace of mind.

Arlington Realty Property Management has been engrained in the Arlington community for decades and, throughout the years, we’ve picked up on and stuck with a handful of key tactics/steps that work.

Here are four of those steps that make things that much more seamless for our clients:

1) Captivating photography. Our platinum service comes with each and every property manage. Within this service, we send a professional photographer to properties to capture eye-catching photos (and a video!) at no additional cost to our clients. These photos ultimately attract the right tenant in less needed time.

2) Trusted inspections. Our team conducts annual and semi-annual inspections, helping to stay proactive against the little issues/problems that can evolve into major headaches over time.

3) 24-hour emergency service. A catastrophe happens at your property in the middle of the night. Can you handle it? We always can and will with our 24-hour emergency service, helping to remedy the situation and mitigate your stress.

4) Digital convenience. Where some management companies still resort to a check and paperwork through snail mail, we utilize the leading-edge software for property and tenant management. Among our system’s features, detailed monthly statements are available online and tenants may make online payments direct into your account each month.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

5 Time-Saving Property Management Tips

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 21:19:00 GMT

Short on time when it comes to your landlord duties? Let's change that.

Beyond the financials involved with owning and managing your own property, there is another key factor you’ll want to keep a close eye on.

Your time.

We can quote a lot of famous folks on the importance and value of the time you devote to various things, but for the purpose of this blog, let’s go with a timeless Mark Cuban nugget:

“Time is the most valuable asset you don't own. You may or may not realize it yet, but how you use or don't use your time is going to be the best indication of where your future is going to take you.”

So, on that note, what are the time-saving tactics you can implement along your property management journey that may ultimately propel you to success? Here are five starters:

1) Use technology to your advantage. We are long past the days where dropping a check off to pay rent is the only way to go. Explore online payment options to save you and your tenant extra time (and perhaps an extra check).

2) Vet! Spending a little extra time vetting a tenant up front – including background and reference checks – will certainly save you some time and potential headaches in the long haul.

3) Load your listing with information. If you don’t want to be asked a bazillion questions during the listing phase, load up your listing with as much proactive information as possible. If the MLS system doesn’t provide enough room for you, a dedicated website with room to elaborate is always a nice touch.

4) Don’t get too wacky with your paint colors. How will this save you time and energy, you ask? Well, a consistent, non-obtrusive paint color will always be more appealing to a prospective tenant than say a tie-dyed house. Attract more buyers up front, and quicker, by not being too extravagant with your offering's features.

5) Hire a management company. The small investment up front can save you hours upon hours in the long haul. If you’re limited on time as it is, turning to a trusted local management company can be the lifeline you’ve been looking for.

To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Steps to Becoming the Best Landlord Possible

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 21:19:44 GMT

Remember that awful landlord you once had? Don't be like that.

Perhaps you’ve had an awful landlord (or ten?) throughout the years.

A lackluster landlord can make all the difference in a renter’s experience and their bad traits can truly span the spectrum: Grumpy, inattentive, financially inept, nonresponsive, inconsiderate and the list goes on and on.

If you’ve had personal experience with a subpar landlord, the last thing you want to do is become one yourself. It’s a no-win for everyone involved including the renter that has to deal with you and your bottom line (who is going to want to rent from a dud?).

So, when you’re in the position of managing or co-managing a property, here are three steps to becoming the best landlord possible:

1) Ensure your home is on its A-game. If there’s a glaringly obvious repair that needs to be made, wouldn’t you want that done if you lived there? Also, are there elements of the property that could use a quick and affordable spruce? By priming your property (and keeping it in top shape!), you’ll attract more business up-front and have a better chance of retaining tenants.

2) Screen your tenants with care. Contingent on a number of factors, you may be waiting days or potentially weeks for a tenant application to roll in. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to settle on the first one. Do your due diligence: Contact references, conduct a background check and ensure their income matches what’s needed to be sustainable.

3) Get organized (like those bowling shoes in our photo!). For landlords and property owners, it’s important to remember that this is an investment. Whether it’s your list of vendors for when there is an emergency, your financial books or your 24/7 channel of communication with tenants, you’ll need be organized and ready for whatever property management may throw your way.

In some instances, you may not be able to do it alone and the professionals are ready to help. To kick your property management efforts into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

4 Vital Attributes Needed for Managing Properties

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 11:00:24 GMT

Managing properties isn't for everyone. How do you stack up?

It takes a certain type of person to thrive as a chemist.

The same may be said for so many professionals – spanning teachers, lawyers, full-time Moms and Dads and more.

And, just as certain attributes are vital to being an NBA player (being tall helps a little), there are some absolute musts when it comes to the realm of property management.

So, let’s dive into four key attributes and see how they may align with your property ownership (and potentially management) journey:

1) Flexibility . A pipe may burst in the middle of the night. A major appliance may fail. And, flooding and smoke damage can happen to anyone, too. When something goes wrong, flexibility and 24/7 availability is imperative to nip whatever it is in the bud.

2) Follow up-titude . Sure, we made up a phrase here. But, the ability to follow-up with tenants, service providers and any other folks that may touch a property is a major need when it comes to managing one of your most valuable assets.

3) Financial savviness . An investment can turn into a genuine nightmare unless you have a true pulse of its financials. You to know where your accounts stand in real-time beyond simply knowing that a check came in (or didn’t).

4) Crystal clear communication . To mitigate unnecessary messages, phone calls and steps, it’s important to update folks (and, in return, be updated!) in an efficient manner. A clear communicator can be the difference in a task that lasts 10 minutes versus 10 days.

So, how do you stack up? This may all sound up your alley and you’re geared up for a property management endeavor. Or, perhaps, you’re missing an attribute or two above... or you simply want help or peace of mind?

That’s where the team at Arlington Realty Property Management is ready to help.

When you’re ready to roll on your unique journey, we have the answers, resources and traits needed to maximize your investment.

To kick your property management into high-gear, give Arlington Realty Property Management a buzz today at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com

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5 Simple Upgrades to Make Your Rental That Much More Appealing

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:03:54 GMT

Easy-peasy enhancements that may lead to more rental dough for you.

How does that old adage go? "A little bit can go a long way."

In the real estate realm, it couldn't be more true. When selling a home, staging can make it incredibly more appealing. When buying, ensuring a fast and speedy purchase can, too.

But, what if you're renting?

Here are five simple upgrades to consider to attract the renter of your dreams:

1) Go digital. Welcome to the 2020s (that still feels weird to read/say, right?). We have digital everything, spanning thermometers, Alexa, Google, Siri and all kinds of other digital toys. Do you need to go hog-wild on digitizing your home? Not necessarily. But, look at the features you have and which ones would totally benefit a refresh and you'll find that happy medium.

2) Let it flow. Once you've ensured your place has reliable, running water (duh, and obviously very important), take a look at your faucets and shower heads. Just as you may not be a fan of that uber-short shower head or slow-running, ugly faucet, your renter may not be either.

3) See the light. We've come a long way from the standard, one-setting, blaring light that you were once forced to have. In addition to sustainable, preliminary bulbs, are there any parts of your rental that could benefit from dimming lights, adjustable lights or more light in general?

4) Let it all out(let). Your outlets don't need to be dumb. They can be smart. Smart outlets range in functionality, with the most basic ones having a USB port and some allowing you to turn them on/off via wi-fi and/or a corresponding app. This technology can provide notable convenience and is kinda fun, too.

5) Paint! A little paint and sweat equity can equate to magic. Sometimes you don't need anything new or fancy, but you simply need to work with what you have. A pop of color or a new coat of paint can make a world of difference for most rooms and your renter will totally appreciate it.

When you're ready to take your rental to the next level with world-class service and expertise, give the Arlington Realty Property Management team a shout at 703-836-2525 or mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

The 3 Traits Your Ideal Property Management Company Possesses

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 17:38:32 GMT

The data is in and here's what you need to be looking for more than ever.

Why do investors turning to investment/property management companies?

With decades of experience serving Arlingtonians and our neighbors throughout Virginia, Maryland and D.C., we've certainly heard some valuable feedback throughout the years.

But, sometimes a little supporting, national data can go a long way in truly explaining how folks feel and what, specifically, they are looking for.

AppFolio, a trusted partner of ours in the property management software space, recently conducted an in-depth study titled "How Today's Real Estate Investors View Investment Companies." The report involved in-depth research from 101 individual real estate investors and their thoughts on a variety of things throughout the space.

One question in particular from the survey caught our eye: What is the primary reason you invest in real estate through an investment management company? The top three responses were:

Knowledge of the real estate market (34%);
Financial expertise (25%); and
Professional property management (23%).

So, as you embark your real estate journey in the New Year, you'll want a financially-savvy, locally-knowledgeable professional property management team advocating on your behalf. You certainly don't want to settle for an out-of-market rookie when it comes to your most important investment(s).

When you're ready to hear more about why and how property management in Arlington, Virginia will benefit you, the dedicated team at Arlington Realty Property Management is ready to chat. To discuss your unique needs, give us a call today at 703-836-2525 or email us at mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

3 Ways to Maximize Your Rental Property's Profitability

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 17:34:00 GMT

Own property that will surely be profitable? Let's take it to the next level.

If you're a property owner in Arlington County and are looking to rent it out... what an amazing situation to be in.

Google around for anything pertaining to Arlington County real estate and it's simply unavoidable: Our real estate market remains one of the hottest in the nation, anchored by low unemployment rates, high-paying salaries and big-time announcements that are having quite an impact on our area, like Amazon's forthcoming HQ2.

We have a lot working for us.

But beyond simply putting your place up for rent, how can you get the most bang for your buck?

With 30-plus years of serving Arlingtonians, we've seen quite a bit. Here are three keys to maximizing your rental property's profitability:

1) Examine (and examine again!) the price of your rental. Of course, you want to find that magic number that results in an appealing price for renters and more dough in your pocket. But, there's much more to that number that you may think. How much are your property taxes? How much are the utilities you may be covering? How valuable are the amenities that you offering in comparison to comparable properties? Factor in these elements (and more!) and you may land on a totally different figure.

2) How much are you paying for insurance? Perhaps it's been 3, 5 or, heck, even 25 years since you've given your landlord insurance rate a hard look. And, if you haven't, it certainly can't hurt to ask for a few quotes to see where you stand. You may very well be paying hundreds, or even thousands, more per month than you should be (contingent on how many properties you are renting out).

3) Hire a management company. Sure, you may be reading this thinking, "of course you're going to say this... you are a management company!" Well, we've seen it time and time again: Folks spending their hard-earned time, money and resources, well beyond what would be our fees, to take care of the seemingly simplest of tasks. Your time is your money. With a trusted property management company, you can rest assured that when a crisis calls, it will be handled and you may just find you'll be saving some serious dough, too.

For more information on property management services in Arlington County, call Arlington Realty Property Management at 703-836-2525 or email mypropertymgr@gmail.com.

An End of Year Property Management Check-In

duncan.shea@appfolio.com (Appfolio Websites) — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 15:41:21 GMT

Looking to attract or retain a tenant in the new year? Start here.

And, bam, just like that, we're nearing the end of yet another year.

Amid the family festivities, massive feasts and gifts galore, the end of the year is a stellar opportunity to ensure your Arlington real estate offering is as ready as you are for the year ahead. Whether you are looking to obtain a tenant or wanting to retain a tenant, there are certainly strategies that can absolutely work to your benefit.

It never hurts to get planning. So, a s you gear up for the next year, below are three key tips for a couple different scenarios, wherever you may fall on the property management spectrum.

And, just remember, this insight is truly the tip of the iceberg. When you're ready for a time-tested, locally trusted team to empower your property with world-class property management services in Arlington County, the team at Arlington Realty Property Management is ready to roll on your behalf.

Attracting a Tenant

E-boost the heck out of it. Sure, word of mouth and a posted flyer can go a long way. But, here in modern times, more and more folks are embarking on their searches online. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS , more than 44 percent of buyers/renters hit the Internet first for their search.
Make your listing pop. Of course beautiful photos are important. But, how about the actual description of your property? Load that bad-boy with key words and make it appealing. After reading it, would you want to rent it?
Make it available. If your only showing window is 8 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights, that may be a problem. Maximize your showings window so folks can see your property in real-life.

Retaining a Tenant

Proactive repairs. What are the repairs you can make now that will ultimately save you time and money in the future? You don't have to break the bank here, but if you see that old washer giving out next year, it may be time to replace it. You'll save yourself a headache down the line... and your tenant, too.
Renewal. Is your current tenant looking to renew... or perhaps not? How about you, as a property owner? Begin the conversation at least 90 days in advance so there are no surprises for anyone.
Give it a walk-through. The periodic check-in on your property doesn't have to be a hinderance to the tenant. In fact, it's an awesome opportunity to show your tenant that you care about their wellbeing and you may just catch a needed repair along the way.

For more on property management services in Arlington County, VA and beyond, contact Arlington Realty Property Management today at arlingtonrealtymanagement.com or 703-836-2525.

3 Property Management Services That Make a Big-Time Difference

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:35:44 GMT

On the fence when it comes to property management services? You'll want (ahem, need) these services down the line.

So, you own a condo, house, townhome or another wonderful structure in Northern Virginia and you're ready to find a tenant.

Excellent and congrats on maximizing your investment.

Just know this: A lot of time and energy can go into listing and managing a property. For example, are you 100 percent sure you're in the clear, from a legal perspective, with the agreement you'll have folks sign? Also, if or when a pipe bursts at your property in the middle of the night (we've all been there!), how will it be handled? And, before your prospective tenant walks through the door, how are you planning to maximize the marketing of your spot to get the most bang for your buck?

It's a lot to think about. But, amid your thoughts, here are three big-time services a property management company can provide that you'll totally want/need down the line:

1) Professional photos . In today's Insta-loving, visual-dominant society, you absolutely can not get away with sub-par photos. High-quality photos are an absolute must and, regardless of how awesome of photos an iPhone or something comparable may take these days, you'll need a professional photographer for the job.

2) 24/7 support . It's inevitable and emergencies happen. One of the benefits of having a stellar property management team on your side is that they can handle the sticky situations whenever they may happen. Emergencies don't discriminate in terms of day or time and you'll need 24/7 support to mitigate the super-stressful situations.

3) A seamless payments system . No, no one wants to get in his/her car, drive 3 miles, take a left down a dirt road and drop a check in a mailbox. This is the 21st century and whether it's statements or payments, it should all be accessible in a few clicks from the comfort on your home.

When you're ready to explore these benefits of property management with Arlington Realty Property Management (and more!), we're ready to chat. Reach us today at 703-836-2525 or mypropertymgr@gmail.com.