How to Prepare Applicants for Applying to Your Rental Property in Long Beach
Dustin Edwards • April 4, 2020
A Prepared Applicant Helps You Find the Right Tenant
When most people think of getting their rental property in Long Beach rented to a new tenant they usually think of how they are going to prepare the home, taking pictures for the listing, what they will need to do to show the property, etc. One of the last thoughts that usually comes to mind is that of preparing the applicants.
Preparing prospective rental applicants before they even apply has the following big benefits:
- Avoids unnecessary frustration from applicants
- Focuses your pool of applicants on those who are prepared for your requirements
- Gives you more applications to review that meet your goals (note: the more rules the fewer overall applications, but the applications that are submitted will meet your requirements!)
There are many ways you can prepare applicants for applying
to your rental property in Long Beach. If you are renting your home for the first time, on your own, we recommend you consider the following:
- Applicant Profile - This means outlining the standards of the applicants you are looking for. For example what should the minimum FICO score be? How long are you going to require they have been at their current job? How long of a residence history would you like them to provide? Do you care if they have active collections? All of these (and more) are aspects you not only can decide on but can communicate to prospects before they become applicants so they can understand what you will be expecting from each applicant.
- Property Profile - Take the time to outline the specific requirements of your property. Take into consideration items such as allowing smoking? Will you be allowing pets? If you allow pets are you providing any restrictions on those pets (don’t forget to check with your insurance provider regarding pets)? Will they be responsible for maintaining the landscaping? All of these are aspects you can outline to prepare tenants for the requirements of the property.
- Payment Terms - There was a time when the only preferred method of payment from a tenant was that of a cashier's check, but that isn’t the case in today’s era. With options such as Zelle, Venmo and much more how are you planning on taking payment? What day is rent considered late? How much is the late fee? Outline each element of the payment terms to ensure you and your new prospective tenants are aligned in your expectations.
- Advance Notice of Fees - Most rental applications will require a credit check and if so, who is going to pay for that? Before someone applies, take the time to outline the fees they can expect to invest in the application process. Even a modest fee of $25-$40 can dissuade some people from applying to a property and if that is the case then it could mean they aren’t a match for you for the long run.
- Timing of your review process - When you take someone’s application when can they expect a response from you? And how will they receive a response from you (i.e. email, phone, mail)? Identify clearly how and when you will be communicating with prospective tenants to help them understand the process of review as it will save you many emails and calls of people wondering “when” you will respond.
When it comes down to preparing applicants to rent your property in Long Beach we hope this has helped. We have prepared 1000’s of applicants over the years for the properties we manage for our clients and we would be happy to do the same for you. When you want to find out more about how we prepare applicants we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or simply fill out our Free Rental Analysis
and we can share a detailed analysis of your property.
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With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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