You have gone through the “legal” legwork and have our home “make ready” so now it is time to get a renter in the home. To do this, you will need to decide how much your rental property is going to rent for, as well as where and how you are going to advertise the home for rent.
How do you decide what the rent is for your rental property? Try Craigslist or other local listings for rental rates of comparable properties. The classifieds sections of local news websites can also help. Checking with online vendors such as Rentometer may be an option, too. Remember that what you think your home is worth (what will cover the mortgage, etc.) most times is not the same as what the market will bear.
When determining security deposit amounts make sure you understand your State Statute (if applicable) with regard to maximum amounts. Many States limit the amount of security deposit you can charge for your rental property to cover damages from a renter. Determining market rental rates in San Antonio and appropriate deposit amounts will take a couple hours of your time.
Once the market rent and security deposit amount have been determined, it is time to post the property for rent. Taking photos and/or video may seem like a great idea, but make sure you take the time to get the right shots. Remember you are selling a renter to live in your rental property, and dark, ambiguous, or ill-centered (sideways, upside down) photos will not show your property in the best light. When taking photos in the bathrooms, for instance, make sure the toilet seat is down and you are not a “ghost” in the mirror. If the room has a large window that brings in natural light, take the photo with your back to the window to capture the room filled with light. Remember, too, a bedroom is more than a window and a closet, so ensure that you get full pictures showing the entire bedroom. The photos you take should entice you or your family and friends to want to see more. Once you have the right shots, use an online editor to ensure the photos will show your property in the way that you see it while attracting renters that will want to live in the home. Taking quality, well-lit photos and/or video and editing will take about four hours of your time.
Here is an example of a Dark photo, be careful about your pictures. Potential tenants will not be able to relate to place their looking at through the pictures. Pictures are number one priority for rentals!
Real Property Management Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, Rentals, Landlords, Tenants