Tag: Property Management Austin

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

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Your to-do list always seems to have some kind of home maintenance project on it, especially when a new season begins. Between your pool days and backyard BBQs, make sure you work consistently on the upkeep of your home. Not sure where to start? Luckily, we’re here to help.

 

  1. Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. It’s recommended that you do this once a month, so be sure you’re always putting this at the top of your checklist.
  2. Prep your air conditioner. The sweltering heat means that your A/C and fans are going to be working hard to keep you cool. Be sure you keep units clean and switch out the filters once a month in order to make sure there’s no disastrous break down and that they’re operating at peak performance during the few months you need them.
  3. Keep your grill clean. It may have been months since the last time you fired up the outdoor cooker for burgers and steaks, so give it a deep cleaning. The burnt residue of last year’s forgotten hot dogs won’t improve the flavor of this year’s hot dogs.
  4. Give yourself a porch worth perching on this summer. Dirt and debris can accumulate on your porch, especially after a harsh winter. Sweeping and mopping your porch can do a lot to refresh the atmosphere and make it the perfect place to enjoy those summer evenings.
  5. Detail your deck. It’s important to hammer in any nails that are coming up and could cause someone to trip. Check for rotting and see if it might be time to reseal it.
  6. So mulch to do for your garden. Mulch keeps weeds down and can help your plants retain the moisture that the summer sun tries to take from them. You should also find time to get rid of the dead foliage and let your plants focus their energy on the healthy parts of the garden that are trying to bloom. Train your garden for the hot and dry days by setting up a new watering schedule. Water a few times a week with more water than you usually add rather than watering them lightly every day. It helps promote strong and deep roots.

 

We hope this summer checklist won’t interfere with any of your plans and will make your house the hub for all the season’s best get-togethers. If you or a loved one are looking for a new neighborhood that offers everything you need for a fun family summer, we’re here to help you find that dream home!

Six Tips on Investing in Real Estate

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Today we’re lifting the veil and revealing some of the key factors you need to know to begin investing in real estate. We’ve laid them out in six simple steps to get you on your way.

Step one: Learn everything you can about real estate investing.

Real estate has many nuances and can be a large beast to jump into head first, so it only makes sense to seek knowledge from those who’ve been in the industry and have hands-on experience you can use to your advantage. No matter how you learn best, there’s a method for you. From books and blogs to podcasts and forums, you’ll find a plethora of knowledge and experience that will benefit you in the long run. Start with the general topics and take a deeper dive into the investment areas that catch your eye.

Step two: Don’t wing it.

If you don’t make a plan and start investing based on an idea of grandeur in your head, you’re bound to make a lot of mistakes. Mapping out where you are today with your assets, expenses, and monthly income, as well as where you want to be and how you’ll get there will keep you focused and moving in the right direction. Once you have a plan set out, ask an investor to look it over and make sure it’s plausible. If there are some flaws in your plan, your investor will point them out and help you create a plan that may work better for your budget and lifestyle.

Step three: Finance before you purchase.

What we mean here is that you need to know how you’re going to finance your property purchases before you try to find the residence you would like to add to your investment portfolio. Banks and mortgage lenders will be able to show you all of your options, so you can narrow your scope and focus on properties that make sense for you.

Step four: Look for the right investment.

This is the step that can hold many people back. It makes everything real and is the step you need to take to actually make your investment plan a reality. Make a list of what you’re looking for and specify location, price, property type, and condition of the property and begin crossing off homes that don’t work for you. Don’t make exceptions to your list and stick with your gut.

Step five: Put in the paperwork.

Partner with a real estate agent who understands real estate investment, and don’t be afraid to tell them all of your wants and needs. Your agent will begin to pull properties that meet your criteria list and negotiate with the sellers when you find the right fit to get you the best deal. Once you’ve struck a deal, look for unforeseen costs and have an inspector take a close look at the property. The last step is to close and officially become an investor!

Step six: Effectively manage your properties.

Just like any other business, real estate investment will fail if it’s managed poorly. Learn what it takes to be a good landlord, or look into professional property management companies and find the right manager for you and your investments.

If you’re thinking about real estate investment and are ready to find the right property that meets everything on your criteria list, we’re here to help! Reach out to us today, and we’ll begin the search to put your plan in motion.

5 Reasons It’s Time to Drop Your Bad Property Manager

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Property management is all about doing the best work possible for property owners.  At least, that’s what we believe at Talk Property Management/Broker.  We know not everyone thinks this way and many agencies fail to live up to the standards set for them by their owners. If you find yourself in this situation, keep calm and hire a new property manager who will take care of you, your tenants and your property.

  • You’re Losing Money. If you are working with a property management company that can’t promote your property, doesn’t make time for you, isn’t keeping an eye on your investment and won’t deal with troublesome tenants, then you are definitely going to hurt in the long run, even if you aren’t currently.  The only way an owner can charge a premium for their property is if the property is being properly promoted and appropriately managed.
  • Good Tenants Will Leave. When there is an issue with difficult tenants and it isn’t dealt with properly, your otherwise happy tenants won’t stick around. One, it’s unfair to those who are considerate of others, keep things clean and make an effort to be good neighbors for someone else to be getting away with bad behavior.  Two, tenants who are behind on rent and stick around aren’t always likely to keep that information to themselves.  If your tenants who pay rent promptly on the due date get wind of this, you can guarantee they will be moving on or possibly adopt their own bad habits.
  • Your Name is Being Tarnished. They might take some of the heat, but ultimately it will come down to you, as the owner. If a situation arises that gets the attention of local government, activists, media or law enforcement it doesn’t matter whether or not you were aware of it, you are on the hook.  This is particularly important for property owners who live out of the city or state in which their property is located.  When you have no opportunity to even drive by and check in, you are at the mercy of your property manager.
  • You Can’t Get a Renter Interested in Your Property. You’ve listed the property, your property manager swears they are promoting it but can’t give you any real proof and you aren’t seeing any real interest, applications or activity that means much of anything.  In this situation, you may be paying for services that are not being provided or something has happened to the property that is keeping people from acting on it.  The reason could be anything from a dirty house, to insect issues, or something more serious like graffiti or massive damage to the interior of which you are unaware.  If you are dealing with this, it may be time to pay your investment property a little visit.
  • You’ve Been Getting Complaints. It takes a lot of aggravation for a tenant to not only track down owner information, but then to contact them directly. If you find you are receiving multiple direct calls or emails from tenants who are getting little to no response from property management, then you know business is not being taken care of and it is time to deal with the issue pronto before you start losing leases.

When you encounter a difficult or absentee property manager the frustration can drive you to believe maybe you would be better off managing the property yourself.  But, remember there was a reason you hired them in the first place.  You can find a partner in that has your interests and success at heart.  Work with one of the best property management companies in Austin, Texas, and get in touch with TALK Property Management today!

TALK Property Management is a Company You Can Trust

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What makes TALK Property Management/Broker Different?

TALK Property Management/Broker is a full service company that puts your needs first. We are always just a phone call or email away. Ours is a company you can trust and rely on to take care of your investment and treat your tenants with respect.

TALK Property Management’s staff is knowledgeable, professional and courteous. Communication is very important to us. Whether your are an owner or a tenant, we keep you informed.

Our services include:TALK-Property-Management-Meaning

  • Monthly Accounting Reports
  • Automated Owner Distributions
  • Owner Portal with WebCloud Document Retrieval and Notifications
  • Multi Media Marketing and Leasing
  • Regular Property Inspections and Texas Property Code Compliance
  • Inexpensive Maintenance/Repair Vendors
  • Comprehensive Tenant Screening (Credit, Rental History, Criminal Check, Income Verification)

Give us a call and Let’s TALK! or click here to sign up for a free consultation.

Texas, It’s Finally Time to Winterize Your Home!

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We thought it might never happen, but the cold is here, which means if you’ve been putting off winterizing your home because of the warmer weather we’ve been experiencing, it’s time to stop procrastinating. Not only will these tips help keep the cold at bay and your home nice and toasty, but they can help reduce your utility bill as well.

• First thing’s first, make a checklist by taking a survey around the house of problem spots.

• Flush your water heater. Sediment can build up in the bottom of your water heater over time which can affect its performance. You can flush water through the drain valve to clear out material. For a step-by-step video click here.

• Change the rotation of your ceiling fans. Remember that reverse switch? It’s time to use it. Make sure they are moving in a clockwise direction in order to direct hot air from the ceiling to the floor.

• Remember to replace filters for your central air and heating system. This a small thing that can save you lots of aggravation.

• Here’s a trick for insulating your windows you may not have been aware of…window insulation film. This inexpensive film comes with a kit and can keep a significant amount of heat from leaking out of your windows.

• Under the door draft guards can work well to keep drafts from exterior doors at bay. They aren’t always ideal if you have a lip to get over when the door is closed, or they can be tough when there is carpet to deal with. In those cases, a towel blocking the bottom of doors with less traffic or overnight can help as well.

• Weather-stripping is one of the easiest ways to seal doors and windows. It comes in different thicknesses and in convenient rolls as tape.

• If you don’t already have one, invest in a programmable thermostat. If you do already have one, use it! Programming cooler settings while you are away at work or on a trip can save you money, and you can still ensure you walk into a warm house by the time you get home. Because, really, who doesn’t love the feeling of walking into the warmth from the freezing cold?

• Chimneys, which aren’t used much if at all around Central and South Texas can be a major source of chill and wasted heat. You can plug it up with a chimney balloon which will keep drafts from sneaking in. Make sure you’re not going to be using it first. Chimney balloons should only go in inactive chimneys.

• Cover pipes if a freeze warning occurs. Pipe covers can be found at many stores and can be a lifesaver when it comes to saving money and aggravation over the winter.

With these handy tips, we hope you have a warm and cozy home all winter long. Winterizing is less extensive around these parts than in other areas, but it still pays to take the time to care for your home!  If you’re a property owner looking for a great property management company, contact TALK Property Management today!

Don’t Do it Alone: A Property Manager Makes Your Life Easier

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Whether you are an individual owner or an agency, managing your own properties is an exceptionally daunting task. You may be unaware of all the time, stress, financial administration and paperwork that a skilled property manager can take off your hands. On the other hand, you may be reading this because you have already ventured in to self-management and realized that it is time to get some help. You’re in luck! TALK Property Management is here to teach you about what property management can do for you.

Property managers are your ambassadors.

They handle situations that arise with tenants as they occur. A good property manager not only takes care of tenant needs in a courteous, professional and timely manner, but keeps the property owner apprised of any and all issues, as well as their resolution. Keeping tenants happy with the service they receive is a main point of property management. Happy tenants = long term leases.

Property managers conquer the digital realm for you.

Do you have time to post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Periscope, YouTube, LinkedIn and the like? Are you confident in the digital advertising space? What is your email marketing reach? Do you know what keywords will perform the best, which social networks work for you, how to target your audience demographics online or what SEM and SEO mean? No? When you hire a property manager, you don’t have to. Property managers in the digital age make sure they can work as hard for you online as off.

At TALK Property Management, our focus is YOU. The services we can offer you will make your life easier and ensure you are getting the highest exposure to top quality tenants. Once they are in the door, TALK will help you keep those excellent long-term renters happy with awesome and swift service. Click here to contact us today for a free property management consultation and let’s TALK.