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Should You Add A Fire Pit At Your Rental Property?

Are you thinking about adding a fire pit to your Beaverton Rental Property? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

Adding a fire pit is a smart investment to make, especially during the summer months, when people tend to spend more time outside.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about fire pits so that you can choose the best one for your rental property.

Gas Fire Pits

Gas fire pits are ideal because of the simple fact that once the gas is turned on, the fire pit will produce an instant flame.

Installing a gas fire pit may be more costly than a traditional wood fire pit, and they may require more maintenance during the year, but these fire pits also offer the following benefits:

  • Adds A Sense Of Style to Your Outdoor Living Area
  • Extends The Outdoor Season For Your Tenants
  • They Turn On and Off Easily
  • Gas fire pits hold Up Well to the Elements

Traditional Fire Pits

Before installing a tradition fire pit on your property, make sure that you are choosing a location that’s no less than 15 feet away from your rental property, and ten feet away from power lines. This is important because you want to have peace of mind that no sparks or embers will catch your property or nearby structures on fire.

It’s also best to study the prevailing wind direction online so that you can best determine how the wind will blow once the fire is lit.

The fire pit must by at least 44 inches wide and 14 inches high. These dimensions ensure that people will be able to sit comfortably at the end of the fire pit.

Regardless of the style of fire pit that you choose, it’s also best to add a fire extinguisher next to the fire pit, so that tenants can easily put out fires should they begin to get out of control.

Tenants should also be instructed about fire pit safety when they move in, including basic tips like the following:

  • Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
  • Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the fire.
  • Avoid using soft woods like pine or cedar, because they can pop and throw sparks.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.

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Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

For more property management tips, or to speak with us about the property management services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here.

Rental Property Upgrades That Are Not Worth The Money

Are you planning on making upgrades to your Beaverton rental property?

Upgrading your rental property will help increase the value of your property, and keep your tenant happy, but some upgrades are not worth the money.

In this article, we will break down upgrades that you should not make to your Beaverton rental property.

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Upgrades That Are Not Worth The Money

Granite Counter Tops – Yes, even though granite countertops are a favorite feature that many home design show gurus add to their rental properties, the reality is that these countertops are not worth the best investment for a rental property.

Granite countertops are not worth the investment because they are more costly than other solid surface countertop types and they can also be difficult to keep clean.

Elaborate Landscaping – When it comes to your Oregon rental property landscaping, all you need is a clean look in the front yard and a suitable backyard that also offers room for play.

What you don’t want to do is get elaborate with landscaping and add plants that require more time and maintenance because most tenants don’t want to spend time maintaining landscaping.

Wood Flooring – Every landlord wants to add the best features to their homes but wood flooring isn’t always the best option because it can be hard to clean/maintain and many tenants won’t have the time to invest in keeping the flooring clean.

For best results, use carpeting in the bedroom and dining areas, then use laminate or another type of high-use flooring that can easily be cleaned when needed.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in property management for single-family and multifamily properties in the PDX area.

Our team can help with you our full suite of property management services which include rent collection, maintenance, customer service, accounting, and more

For a property management quote, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

What Are The Intangible Features That You Need To Attract New Tenants?

If you’ve owned rental properties in Beaverton Oregon for some time, you know that the job of being a landlord is getting more difficult each year because the rental market is 24-7-365 and landlords need to do more than just put up a ‘for rent sign.

In this article, we will share with you some of the ‘intangible features’ that you can use to make your rental property stand out from other comparable properties and attract more qualified tenants.

Your Property Must Be Well Represented Online

The first intangible feature that your rental property must-have is a presence that’s well represented online. This means that you must do more than just list the property on Craigslist, or Facebook Groups, you must have a website where you can showcase that property in greater detail.

A Helpful And Professional Landlord

Besides having a great presence for your property, you also must have a helpful and professional landlord who is available to engage with tenants, answer their questions and screen them to see if they will be a good fit for your rental property.

Excellent Communication

Another important feature that you must offer tenants is excellent communication, this means that they should be able to make contact by telephone, text, or email and you should be able to respond to them promptly.

Quality Maintenance And Well-Timed Upgrades

Last of all, but most important, maintenance is also another essential feature that tenants are looking for in a rental property because the average renter doesn’t want to feel like their property is falling around them.

Your goal should be to perform quality maintenance at your property on a quarterly or annual basis as well as well-timed upgrades that add value to the property while showing your tenants that you want to continue keeping the property as nice as possible for them.

Contact Rent Beaverton Homes

At Rent Beaverton Homes, we specialize in local property management for single-family and multifamily properties in Beaverton and the surrounding areas.

To learn more about the property management services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

Is Window Replacement Necessary For Your Rental Property?

Are you thinking about replacing the windows in your rental property but you’re not sure if you should make this improvement now, or continue to wait?

Windows are often the last thing that gets replaced because they can often last for more than 30 years, but there are obvious signs when it’s time to replace them.

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How To Know When To Replace The Windows In Your Rental Property

Age – If the windows in your rental property are more than 20 years old, this is one sign that you should consider replacing them.

Use – Have your tenants complained the windows are difficult to open or close? This is another sign that you should consider investing in new windows for your Oregon property.

Moisture – Most important of all, if your rental property has more moisture inside than normal, this is another sign that they should be replaced because that moisture will lead to mold and more repairs for your property.

Noise – Can you easily hear outside noise, even while you are inside your property? This is another sign that it’s time to replace those windows because a noisy property could make it difficult for your tenants to enjoy living there.

How Much Do New Windows Cost?

Window replacement can cost up to $1200 (or more) per window, depending on the style and material of the window, so it’s to choose a window that matches the style of your property while also being budget-friendly at the same time.

Some of the most basic types of windows include:

  • Casement windows
  • Awning windows
  • Bay windows
  • Slider windows
  • Picture windows
  • Single-hung windows
  • Double-hung windows

Once you replace the windows at your rental property, they should be inspected and maintained annually because proper window maintenance can help your investment to last 20-30 years.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in local property management for single-family and multifamily properties across Beaverton, Portland, and the surrounding areas.

To learn more about the property management services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

How Your Tenants Can Decorate Their Rental Properties Without Damaging Them  

In today’s world, most tenants want to decorate their rental properties because they want to personalize those properties and make them feel like they are their own.

Sadly, when it comes to decorating, this often involves damage because some tenants may use screws and nails while other tenants go a little too far when it comes to personalizing their properties.

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What Are The Do’s Of Decorating A Rental Property

The new time you rent to a new tenant, make sure that they are aware of the following do’s and don’t of decorating a rental property.

Do use command hooks – Thanks to command hooks, or similar products, it’s possible for tenants to decorate their rental properties without using nails or screws.

Do use area rugs – Using a few area rugs in a rental property can effectively personalize the floors of that property, make it feel more like a home, and also insulate the floors to limit heat loss during the winter.

Do use peel and stick wall coverings – Tenants who want to paint, or personalize the walls inside a property should be encouraged to use peel and stick wall coverings instead because these wall coverings offer a wide variety of patterns and are very easy to use.

Do invest in additional lighting – Another great way to personalize a rental property is lighting because adding more light can easily brighten up any dark space and make a rental property feel like home.

What Are The Don’t Of Decorating A Rental Property?

Don’t use nails or screws in walls – As we mentioned above, screws and nails are unnecessary in today’s world simply because command strips offer the same functionality and cause no damage to walls.

Don’t allow permanent fixtures without permission – If your tenant is thinking about adding a permanent fixture to the rental Oregon property, they must get your permission first. This is important because that fixture must complement the design/look of the property and be easy to remove (if needed) once the tenant moves out.

Don’t allow paint without permission – Tenants who want to paint their rental properties should be made aware that they can paint them only with your permission first.

This is important because if the tenant paints the property, they must be made aware that the property must be repainted a neutral color once they move out.

Some tenants will balk at repainting the property themselves before moving out, leaving this job to their landlords, so it’s best to make sure that they know they will be required to repaint or risk losing a portion of their security deposit due to this cost that you may incur.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we’re experts at local property management and our team can assist you with managing your single-family, or multifamily rental properties.

To learn more about the services we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

Tips For Lowering Vacancy Rates And Increasing Renewals

Vacancies are something that no landlord looks forward to because they mean that one of their properties is unoccupied and not producing income.

Thankfully, it’s easier than ever before for Oregon landlords to lower vacancy rates and increase their renewals by following these simple tips.

Tip #1 – Make The Landlord-Tenant Relationship A Priority

Let’s face it, landlords and tenants need each other because the landlord needs to have an occupied rental property while the tenant needs a place to live.

This is why the landlord and tenant should prioritize their relationship with the tenant and make a point of having a presence in their tenant’s life so that they know that the landlord doesn’t view them as more than a source of revenue.

Some of the things that landlords can do to improve their relationship with their tenants include:

  • Provide the tenant with multiple ways to reach the landlord.
  • Respond to tenant complaints or maintenance issues immediately.
  • Keep promises to the tenant.
  • Remembering the tenants’ birthdays and having a least one special event per year to interact with the tenants.

Tip #2 – Stay Open To Feedback

Most tenants hate moving, especially after they’ve found a rental property that seemingly offers them everything they’ve been searching for.

Some tenants will think about moving if they feel that the landlord isn’t receptive to their feedback, especially when it concerns things that can be done to improve the rental property.

Landlords should always encourage feedback and let their tenants know that they are listening, especially if the tenant offers feedback for things that can be done to help the tenant to have a more enjoyable experience while living at the property.

Tip #3 – Offer The Tenant Renewal Incentives

Last of all, but most important, landlords shouldn’t hesitate to offer renewal incentives to their tenants, especially if those incentives may lead some tenants to renew their leases a month or two early.

Some of the renewal incentives that landlords should consider offering include gift cards, cash, parking benefits, discounts on their rent, or possibly a new television.

These are just a few practical ideas that landlords can utilize to increase renewal rates and keep good tenants for years to come.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in managing single-family and multifamily properties across the Beaverton area.

If you need property management for your rental properties, or you’re searching for a more experienced property manager, who will offer you the level of service that your rental deserves, we encourage you to contact us today.

Call our property management team at (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.

Property Management Tips – How To Get Rid Of Bad Smells That Tenants Leave Behind

Searching for property management tips? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

One of the most common problems that landlords face is removing bad smells from their rental property that a tenant has left behind.

Smells are a fact of life, especially when you consider that your tenants may have families with children and everyday living may be responsible for them leaving behind a rental property that has smells that are difficult to eliminate.

Thankfully, you can get rid of smells in your rental property, before you show the rental property to your next prospective tenants, simply by following these tips.

Property Management Tip #1 – Air Out The Rental Property

One of the best ways to get rid of smells at a rental property is by airing it out when you open the windows and let the fresh air in.

Besides opening the windows to eliminate smelly odors, you should also leave a ceiling fan on in the rental property while it’s vacant because this will circulate airflow in the property and eliminate potential mold growth during the winter months.

Property Management Tip #2 – Determine What Needs To Be Replaced

If you’re still noticing the smells inside the Oregon property, even after airing it out and doing some deep cleaning, the next thing to do is determine where the smell is specifically coming from.

Once you find out where the smell is coming from and determine if it needs to be replaced.

For example, carpeting typically is one culprit when it comes to smells inside a property because carpet absorbs smells and they can be difficult to remove so if you think the carpet inside your property is locking in a less than appealing odor, you may want to replace it.

Property Management Tip #3 – How To Remove Cigarette Smells

Yes, even though you may have a ‘no smoking’ rule in your lease, your tenants (or their guests) may have smoked inside the property anyway.

Cigarette smells are difficult to eliminate but the reality is that it’s not impossible to remove them especially if you follow these tips.

  • Paint – After a cigarette smoker has moved out the most important thing you have to do is repaint the inside of the property because the smell of stale cigarettes will linger until the rental has been completely repainted.
  • Replace – Once the property has been repainted, you will then need to replace any window coverings or drapery inside the property because cigarette smoke also clings to window coverings and can be hard to eliminate.
  • Clean – Any surfaces that haven’t been repainted should also be thoroughly cleaned as well with an odor-eliminating solution so that the property smells clean and fresh when a prospective tenant comes to tour it.

Property Management Tip #4 – Eliminate Pet Odors

Let’s say that you allow pets in your property and found that once the tenant moved out, the property still smelled like a dog or cat. In this case, you will need to take a black light to the carpeting/flooring to determine if the animal may have relieved itself inside the property.

Once you determine that there is dried pet urine inside the rental, you can move forward with replacing the flooring and thoroughly cleaning that area so that the property doesn’t have any trace of pet smells when new tenants come to tour it.

How to prevent bad smells in your rental unit

The best way to reduce vacancy time and maximize cash flow is to prevent bad smells from permeating the unit in the first place. Preventative measures may involve some investment, but you will save time and resources related to deep cleaning after the tenant moves out.

For example, it can be pretty costly to clean or replace carpets, soft furnishings, or upholstered furniture—but if you don’t take preventative measures, you’ll likely have to do so at some point. Likewise, repainting walls to remove unpleasant odors takes time and money. And hiring a professional cleaning crew will eat into your profits.

Of course, thoroughly screening prospective tenants is one way to prevent cleanliness issues or look after the rental unit. But even when you screen your tenants, these types of issues can occur. As such, here are a few tips on preventing the foul smells that are difficult to remove.

Conduct bi-annual or annual inspections

You should always have a clause in the lease that specifies your right to carry out regular inspections of the unit. These inspections allow you to address any issues in the apartment before they are completely out of control. For example, you will typically be able to detect bad smells from issues like pets, garbage buildup, smoking, or illegal activity, like drug use.

Regular inspections also encourage tenants to clean the place thoroughly before you arrive. During the inspections, you can also check for maintenance issues like dripping plumbing, poor ventilation, or blocked air filters, which will help you to further reduce these types of issues.

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Bonus Tips – How to Fix Dog Scratches on Wood Surfaces

Perhaps you’re concerned about the baseboards, wood flooring, and doors in your home. Dogs’ nails can damage these surfaces, especially when they are excited to see their owner returning home. If you find deep scratches on your wood doors or window frames, here’s how to fix them:

  • Use coarse sandpaper to sand down the marks. This will remove any rough, raised areas and give you a smooth surface to work with.
  • Wipe down the area with a damp cloth and allow it to dry completely.
  • Find wood filler that matches the color of the surface you are repairing. Apply the filler with a small putty knife, making sure you fill the gaps.
  • Wait for the filler to dry, then sand first with coarse sandpaper followed by fine to smooth it out.
  • Wipe the area down once again with a damp cloth, wait for it to dry, then repaint or stain the area.

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Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

Are you searching for a reliable property management company in the Beaverton area?

Our team at Rent Portland Homes – Professionals can help! We offer local property management that will save you the time/money/hassle of managing your property yourself.

To learn more about the services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 646-9664 or click here.