Although not mandated by law, most landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit as part of the move-in costs. In Virginia, if a landlord asks for a security deposit, by law, they cannot charge for more than two months. So if the monthly rent is $1,500, then...
It’s common for a landlord to experience a vacancy every once in a while. The tenant may have reached the end of their tenancy or it’s possible that you’re a new landlord and are renting the property for the first time. But whichever circumstance you find yourself...
As a landlord, you have a responsibility to provide a habitable place for your renters to live in. What’s more, depending on where your property is located, habitability standards and responsibilities can differ. Part of habitability consists of ensuring that all...
Investing is a crucial aspect of financial planning, and it’s necessary if you want to build wealth for your future. There are different types of investment options available, and all of them come with different risks and rewards. Choosing the right option depends on...
To attract and keep tenants happy and set your property apart from the competition, landlords need to provide appealing amenities. In Hampton Roads, renters are looking for properties that offer modern and convenient features that make their lives easier and more...
If you’re a landlord or property manager, keeping your tenants happy is key to running a successful business. Nevertheless, tenant issues can still happen despite your best efforts. For instance, maybe a tenant doesn’t like how their repair requests are...
Have you purchased a property and currently setting it up as a rental home? Or are you in the process of converting your current home into a rental? If you are then you may be trying to decide whether or not to furnish it. In the past, simply including utilities is...
DIY landlords are presented with unique challenges since they need to accomplish a variety of tasks on their own. While maintaining their rental property, they also need to manage their tenants’ concerns, market available units, screen prospective tenants, and remain...
Owning a property is a great way to earn additional income. If you own a rental, the major source of your income is generated by your tenants. As a landlord, your goal is therefore to retain quality tenants. So it’s crucial to provide outstanding services and...
When a property is used on a daily basis, its physical condition will experience gradual deterioration. This is commonly known as normal wear and tear. This refers to the reasonable damage to a property as a result of normal, everyday use. When tenants live on the...
When listing your property, you must prepare a lot of things from the photos to use in advertising as well as set the right pricing. Rent should be set appropriately for you to generate revenue and easily compete with the other rentals around the neighborhood....
Investing in rental properties requires you to handle a lot of paperwork. After choosing the perfect tenant, it’s essential that both parties have an understanding of their corresponding responsibilities and expectations in terms of renting the space. If you want to...
Routine maintenance is needed to keep your rental properties in pristine condition and helps you maintain long-term tenants. Familiarizing yourself with the landlord-tenant law will help you understand your responsibilities as the owner. You also need to be aware of...
Reducing vacancy risks, not having to worry about regular property upkeep, and having a consistent flow of income are just some of the advantages of having long-term tenants. When you find a tenant who pays rent consistently, abides by the terms of the lease, and...
Selecting quality tenants for your Hampton Roads rental property should be one of your top priorities as a landlord following the marketing process. You can never discount the effect of having great renters since they ensure you earn steady returns from your...
Even if you have a newly renovated Hampton Roads rental, if it’s vacant it can’t generate income but it will still produce costs. This is why marketing is an essential skill to have since you’ll encounter vacancies in the course of owning a rental property. Focus on...
It can be challenging to find and keep great, long-term tenants for your rental properties. However, if you invest wisely in home remodeling, you might be able to get beyond that challenge and increase property value. Your home will become more appealing with the...
Are you thinking of renting out your Hampton Roads property? If you are, it can be one of the best decisions you can make. Rental property investing can provide you lucrative returns if you do it well. The following are some tips to help you become a great landlord!...
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) in Virginia aims to protect homebuyers, home sellers, lenders, borrowers, landlords, and renters against housing discrimination. This state or federal law applies to all individuals and entities involved in housing, including owners,...
Successful rental owners follow these guidelines to ensure the success of their rental, and maximize their owning experience. 1. Treat your rental property like a business… because it is a business! 2. Have a financial reserve set aside for the “unexpected.” Placing...
Are you looking to invest in Hampton Roads real estate? Investing in real estate provides a great opportunity for wealth through passive income and long-term value appreciation. Yet, finding a suitable property has proven to be a challenge for many investors. Real...
Are you wanting to invest in real estate? The Hampton Roads rental market has proven to be very lucrative for many investors! Seven cities make up the Hampton Roads metropolitan area along the Virginia coast. With a combined population of around 1.7 million, the...
Are you looking to become a real estate investor? This could be a financially beneficial option for you! The process may seem intimidating if you’re a first-time investor wanting to buy a rental property. However, knowing what to look for might help you avoid...
A lease is a contractually binding agreement. It requires a tenant to honor their rent obligations for the entire term, whether or not they live in the property you’ve rented out. There are some exceptions to this blanket rule, though, but discrimination is...
Landlords have certain inherent rights under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. One of the rights under the landlord-tenant act is the right to evict tenants for violating the tenancy agreement terms. But while a landlord has a right to do so, the act...
Under Virginia landlord-tenant laws, landlords are allowed to collect security deposits from tenants at the start of a tenancy. A security deposit offers a landlord a safety net, ensuring compensation for losses arising from their tenant’s actions when renting out a...
The Virginia landlord-tenant law is contained in the Virginia Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. State law grants both landlords and tenants special rights and responsibilities once a lease agreement has been established. Whether you’re new to owning a rental or are...
There are many exciting and interesting things to learn about being a landlord. But, one of the most often overlooked topics is rental property tax deductions! As a new or experienced landlord, you need to take the time to become a master of your taxes to ensure...
The COVID-19 pandemic has put over 40 million people out of work in the US–a full quarter of the labor force. While there are no reliable estimates as to how many of these people are renters, we do know that nearly 50 million people in the US rent their homes. Many...
Are you up to date with changes to the Rental Market? Rental properties are a great tool for getting in extra, steady income. But if you’re not paying attention, changes in market trends can sneak up on you. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for important...
The COVID-19 crisis has left millions of Americans in a tight financial spot. Many have been furloughed, laid off, or had to close their businesses. Others are saddled with medical bills from hospital stays or are dealing with grief from losing a loved one to the...
No matter what real estate market you are in, retaining good tenants can be hard. How can property managers focus on finding ways to retain good tenants? Here are some tips you need to follow to make your rental property into the successful investment you need!...
According to the Insurance Information Institute, winter weather events are the second leading cause of property insurance claims. In 2019, winter-related claims accounted for $2.1 billion in property losses. As a property owner in Virginia, you might assume that...
Prevention is the best approach to rental property maintenance. Finding and repairing small problems in the beginning can prevent exceedingly expensive costs from occurring. Taking preventative steps can not only help protect your property, but it can also...
Even though it was once a hobby only associated with old women, gardening is seeing a massive spike in popularity right now. What may surprise you is that the largest increase in gardening is happening among young people, primarily millennials. The issue is that while...
Landscaping can be frustrating for landlords, especially when their various rental properties require substantial maintenance. Implementing low-maintenance landscaping solutions can go a long way toward eliminating this stress and ensuring that the rental property...
Is it time to upgrade your rental properties? Not looking to spend a fortune? It can be hard to know exactly where your money would best be spent. You want to choose the right upgrades that will make the greatest impact without spending a ton of money. Upgrades also...
Landlords are responsible for keeping their properties in a fit and habitable condition, which includes keeping them pest-free. Pests can cause property damage, tenant complaints, tenant turnover, and many health and safety issues. Because of these issues, and many...
Vacancies are incredibly expensive for landlords. Not only do they lose the profit from regular rent payments, but they also have no income to offset the costs of maintaining the property. This can result in an extreme amount of expenses for landlords, so it is...
When it comes time for you and your family to move, it can oftentimes become a scary thought. All you can think about is how bad you want the moving days to be over so you can better enjoy your new home. This is how most individuals may feel when moving, so the common...
Repair costs can significantly add up in your rental property, which can offset many of the profits you have made. There are many ways that you can help reduce these costs and keep your rental property in the best possible condition. Here are 5 of the best ways that...
There are many different reasons why a tenant might abandon a property– they can’t afford rent, are facing eviction, or don’t want to deal with the legal process of breaking a lease. Despite the circumstances, it’s always stressful as a landlord to handle such a...
There are more families that own pets than landlords that allow pets in their rentals. It can help landlords to remain competitive if they allow pets in their properties. There are both pros and cons to allowing pets in your rentals, which is why it is important to...
Eviction laws fluctuate between states, which is why it is important to ensure that you are familiar with the laws in your state. The eviction process must be followed carefully to prevent significant consequences. Both landlords and tenants have rights and eviction...
When it comes to screening tenants, you cannot be too careful. Over 60% of landlords feel that a criminal background check is more important over a credit check. Background checks allow you to find out more about your potential tenant, and if they will be a good fit...
Tenant screening is critical to finding the right tenant who will care for the property, pay on time, and be a quality tenant for years to come. The tenant screening process should include five critical areas that can help you identify potential disqualifiers when...