What You Rent for the Money

Written by on November 20, 2011 in What You Rent for the Money - No Comments
What You Rent for the Money

Based on HGTV’s What You Get for the Money series, RentMonitor – property management software – helps you take an inside look at rental properties from across the country. With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re looking at cities closely tied to the holiday this month and highlighting Plymouth, Massachusetts, New York, New York, and Buffalo, Minnesota to show you What You Rent for the Money.

Plymouth, Massachusetts
3 Bedroom / 2.5 Bathroom / 2,636 sq. ft. / $2,100 per month

What You Rent for the Money - PlymouthThough many competing claims exist, the most familiar story of the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Colony, in present-day Massachusetts, in 1621. More than 200 years later, President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941.

What You Rent for the Money - PlymouthBuilt in 2002 this lovely home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms on 2.79 acres. This beautiful property abuts the Atlantic Country Club and features hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, ceiling fans, a farmers porch, alarm system, and 2-car garage. The spacious bathrooms are complete with ceramic tile. Each bedroom offers a walk-in closet. The gourmet kitchen contains a sliding glass door that leads to a large deck and beautiful backyard.

New York, New York
 1 Bedroom / 1 Bathroom / 900 sq. ft. / $3,800 per month

What You Rent for the Money - New YorkNew York is home to the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. While, it was originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy’s employees and the first parade featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.

What You Rent for the Money - New YorkThis beautiful 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment is located in one of the most sought after locations in New York City. Luxury living steps away from the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and public transportation. The modern bath offers marble finishes. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and an additional window. Apartment includes air conditioning units and window treatments. The building caters to your everyday needs with a 24-hour door person, valet parking, on-site laundry, and package receiving. This highly desired location features the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at your doorstep!

Buffalo, Minnesota
2 Bedroom / 3 Bathroom / 3,315 sq. ft. / $2,200 per month

What You Rent for the Money - BuffaloAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota is the top turkey-producing state in America, with a planned production total of 46.5 million in 2011. Turkey farmers in Buffalo, Minnesota are hoping one of their turkeys will be chosen as the National Thanksgiving Turkey and presented to the President at the Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. After the holidays, the lucky National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will continue to live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon’s nationally recognized livestock facility.

What You Rent for the Money - BuffaloThis spacious home features 2 nice sized bedrooms and 3 luxurious bathrooms. Enjoy beautiful sunsets and your morning coffee from the large maintenance free deck! The spacious kitchen is perfect for entertaining and hosting holiday dinners. The main floor great room offers vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and large windows that offer a beautiful panoramic view.  Open stairway lead to a master suite with additional loft area that can be used as an office. The lower level is finished, with wet bar, free standing fireplace and tongue in groove cedar ceiling with access to a walk-out patio. This home also offers a 2 car attached garage.

Landlord Tip – Get the Lights

Written by on October 25, 2011 in Landlord Tips, Management - No Comments
Tungsten light bulb inside rusty old holder

Now that the sun is setting earlier, many of your tenants will be coming home from work in the dark. While lighting is always important, this is the time of the year that your residents are thinking about it more and that means you should too. Take a few minutes to check the exterior lights and landscaping leading up to the door. Act like a kid trick-or-treating and remember that you want your properties to the be friendly places on the street – not the creepy scary ones.

Photo by: Horia Varlan

Curb Appeal = More Leases

Written by on August 10, 2011 in Management, Marketing - No Comments
curb-appeal

First impressions count. Your potential renters make a decision about renting your property in the first 30 seconds that they see it. The nicer your rental property looks when you first set eyes on it can make or break the number of showings you have and how long it sits on the market. Curb appeal can also increase the quality of renter you attract and the amount you can charge in monthly rent. Since long vacancy times directly affect your pocket book, it’s important to keep your property rented. Here’s how you can improve your rental property curb appeal and ensure more leases in a short period of time.

1. Look at the Big Picture

Step back and take a look at your rental property as if you were a renter. What does it look like when you drive by? Are you attracting the type of renter you want with your first impression? Do you want to stop and come in or do you want to drive away?

2. Clean up for Instant Results

Sweep the stoop. Wash the windows. Pick up anything cluttering up your entrance such as tools or toys. These simple fixes will go a long way in making your entrance feel inviting.

3. Small Landscaping Fixes

3a. Trim Hedges and Plants. Don’t let a stray plant keep your renter from coming inside to see what your property has to offer.

3b. Fertilize and Mow the Grass. If your property has a lawn, make sure it’s at its best. Even if you do not have a green thumb, you can hire a gardener to give it a little extra TLC.

3c. Add Color with Flowers. It’s easy to create an inviting path with potted flowers or plants.

3d. Spruce up with Mulch. Mulch is an affordable way to clean up flowerbeds and freshen up your property’s overall look.

4. Make a Dramatic Entrance

Painting your front door so that it stands out is an easy way to invite renters in. Stage the entrance with planters and an inviting welcome mat also guides renters up the pathway.

5. Check the Lights

Update light fixtures to add new life to your curb appeal. Use bright light bulbs and at the very least, make sure they work. Take it a step further by anchoring the door with matching sconces to create appealing symmetry.

6. Lay Out a Clear Path

Make sure there is a clear path leading up to your front door. If the path is not clear, consider adding stepping stones, gravel, or bricks. Never make someone work to get to your front door and inside your rental property.

7. Maintain a Cohesive Look

Does your garage door look like it belongs to your rental property? If not, consider painting it to match or think about replacing it.

8. Add Some Bling

Another simple update for your rental property is replacing the hardware outside your front door. Add shine and sophistication with new number plates, mailbox or doorknob. These pieces work best when they match, rather than as mix-and-match pieces. Think about how to complement your property’s style too. Bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel suits more contemporary ones.

RentMonitor, online rent collection software, makes it easy to be a landlord. We simplify the rent collection process by helping self-managing landlords stay on top of their rental property business. RentMonitor is the one solution landlords need to manage their rent payments, build better relationships with their tenants and make more money.

Photos by: Better Home & Gardens