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Owning a rental property can be a good investment as it generates a steady income, however this is only possible with a landlord who has good tenants that pay rent on time and don’t destroy the units. Managing a rental property becomes difficult and time consuming when problem tenants exist. This is a major reason why hiring a professional property management company has a number of benefits for landlords, especially landlords who own multiple properties. A property manager can save the landlord significant amounts of time and money and make owning a rental property more rewarding. A big benefit to using a property management company is that they will handle all the tenant screening responsibilities. Credit and background checks are very important and some landlords do not run these checks because they either don’t have time or don’t know where to get the reports. Property management firms also handle all the legal aspects of dealing with tenants and maintaining a property. Landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality, so it is important to know how to handle problem tenants and other rental issues properly. Property managers handle evictions, property inspections, lease negotiations, lease terminations, and the collection of rent from tenants. They also make sure that each property is in compliance with all property codes and safety laws. These services can help landlords avoid costly lawsuits and legal problems. The property manager controls the entire rent collection process so that landlords do not have to deal with problematic tenants or tenants who don’t want to pay their rent on time. Collecting rent on time every month is essential to paying property taxes and other expenses on time. It is the primary source of income for landlords, but not all landlords control the rent collection process as well as they should because they listen to tenant excuses and allow people to pay their rent late. In some cases, tenants use bad checks to pay their rent and the landlord is stuck with bank fees and other problems. This is where the property manager comes in, to pick up the slack that the landlord can’t handle. A property manager will contact a late-paying tenant until payment is received and if a tenant does not pay as agreed, a property manager can start the eviction process. Property managers also handle lease enforcement. The terms of a lease protect both the landlord and the tenant but the landlord is the one who suffers in the terms of the lease are broken. In a sense, the property manager does all the heavy lifting so that the landlord does not have to take uncomfortable actions. If a tenant is not allowed to have pets and someone reports that a pet is on the premises, the property manager will contact the tenant and demand that the pet be removed within a specific timeframe. If the tenant puts holes in the wall or makes other property modifications that were not discussed with the landlord, the property manager can make sure the tenant pays for repairs. A property manager can save landlords time and money by helping them determine which deductions to claim and  get organized each tax season. This can also save landlords from having to pay fines and penalties for filing their taxes incorrectly. Using a property management firm can also help shorten vacancy cycles which can cost a landlord money. A property manager will reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare a property for rent, determine how much rent to charge, and market the property to potential tenants. Once a tenant rents a property, a property management company can also improve tenant retention. It is best to keep tenants for as long as possible and property managers can make this happen by making repairs quickly and helping tenants whenever there is an issue. Most of the benefits of using a property management firm are directly related to saving money but they can add to the personal benefits of a landlord as well. With a property manager, landlords will have less stress, they will have more time, and they will be allowed greater freedom. The landlord won’t be tied down to one location and a property manager will serve an overall benefit to the landlord.

Pets and animals may offer many benefits to their owners, however owning animals can also reduce the value of a residential or commercial property. Pets can urinate indoors, scratch hardwood floors, or tear up carpets with their claws. This may make it difficult to sell a property for a fair price. Cats Cats can scratch up floors, pull up pieces of carpet, scratch walls, or leave strong odors that can be difficult to remove. Feral cats may also be a problem for property owners as they may rummage through garbage or mark their territory with foul-smelling liquids. Dogs Some dog breeds may not cause damage, however dogs can still break through screen doors or gates, scratch hard floor surfaces, damage carpets. Female dogs that do not get spayed can also cause damage. Birds Birds cause cleanliness problems. Bird droppings and feathers can get on floors, window treatments, furniture, and other surfaces. Farm Animals Farm animals can be a lot of hard work as some of these animals can be large and require regular food, cleaning, and medical care. Large animals like cows and horses are among other animals that can cause property damage and reduce the value of a property. Wild Animals Wild animals such as deer can damage fencing or grass. Bears can destroy trash cans, railings, and fences. Bat droppings cause a foul odor and are difficult to clean. Rodents gnaw through wires, make holes in walls, and cause other property damage. Benefits While animals may cause damage, they can also be very beneficial to property owners. Feral cats feed on rodents, dogs can act as guard dogs, farm animals can provide fertilizers, and other animals can reduce the number of insects. With proper care the benefits of animals can be utilized and the quality of the property can stay up to par.

A well-constructed house is worth the time, work, and money. However, it is important to ensure the quality and durability of workers and materials. Professionals will be skillful and dedicated to their respective jobs. If any of these aspects lack the required attention necessary then the renovation could become disastrous for the homeowner. The following should be considered when selecting the professional best qualified for the construction job. Decide on the scope of work to be done The first decision of a homeowner should be what area of the homework will take place and how much they are willing to spend on the project. These two factors determine who to hire. If the cost of the project is more than 500 dollars and includes a variety of professional work such as electrical or mechanical then a general contractor should be hired. Otherwise, a handyman can get the job done. Ask around when searching for contractors If a general contractor is the route you decide to take start looking for the pest possible candidate for the job. This is best done by asking other people such as the local furniture maker, hardware suppliers, construction professionals like architects and engineers or neighbors and relatives. Also ask about work ethics, attitude, experience, and any other relevant information. Ask the right questions In the interview process to gather as much information as you can to feel comfortable with the contractor you are considering for hire. Trust your gut feeling and don’t feel the need to settle immediately on one particular contractor. Also be sure to take some time to reflect on the answers you've obtained during your contractors interview. Do not settle Do not settle for only a couple of bids, aim for more. You have the freedom to invite contractors to bid for your project. Choose the best contractor out of the bids that you have; four or five should be enough options to choose from. Protect yourself from disputes and scams Some people have had bad experiences in construction projects due to scams resulting in lost properties and large amounts of money. It is very important to communicate your intentions and what you are expecting from the contractor and the contractor should be communicating with you as well. Miscommunication leads to disputes and complaints. Always keep copies of your documents and never sign papers that you have not read thoroughly.