The importance of tenant screening cannot be negated while renting a house in Ft. Hood. As a landlord, you need to conduct a thorough background check of your potential tenant to ensure he is suitable for your property. Tenant screening is also imperative to verify the financial record of the tenant. Below are some commonly asked questions regarding tenant screening:

Q: Why is it crucial to screen tenants?
A: Thorough screening is important so that you are able to find a tenant who is responsible, pays the rent on time and does not cause any trouble for the neighbors. However, to ensure that your tenant screening results are fair and reliable, you need to follow a pre-planned approach. You should also strictly follow the laws and make sure you do not discriminate between the applicants based on their color, religion or sex.

Q: What are the best ways to screen a tenant?
A: One of the simplest ways to get details of a prospective tenant is to make him fill out a rental application form consisting of essential information such as employment history, social security number, license number, history of evictions or bankruptcy etc. It is also imperative to contact his past employer and landlord to verify the information provided in the form.

Q: Is it mandatory to have a rental application in writing?
A: Although it is not essential to have a written application, going by just an oral agreement can be a risky proposition. You need to have a written proof of the information provided by the tenant. This can also be used as evidence in case you reject the tenant at a later stage.

Q: What types of discriminations are against the law while choosing a tenant?
A: According to Fair Housing Laws, you cannot reject an applicant based on his race, culture, ethnic background, disability or sex. You are free to choose a tenant but it should always be in compliance with the laws. For instance, you can reject a tenant if he does not comply with your occupancy policy and has more family members than you would allow in your rental unit. This is a health and safety concern as well as a fair reason to reject the application.

Q: What is the procedure to obtain a credit report?
A: Credit report is one of the most important means of conducting a background check on any tenant. In order to get a credit report, you will need information such as the tenant’s name, address and Social Security Number. The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (IITN) can be used in the absence of Social Security Number. You can visit the website of a prominent credit bureau to get the report.

For more tips assistance on screening tenants for your rental house in Ft. Hood, TX, contact Lone Star Realty & Property Management, Inc. We can be reached at (254) 699 – 7003.

In a competitive real estate market, the best way to get the optimum value of your property is to make it attractive for the buyers. The overall appearance and amenities offered in the property should adequately justify the asked price. Therefore, you need to do a thorough planning and carry out certain renovation tasks to make a worthy home selling transaction.

Here are some tips that can help to boost your home’s resale value:

• Make all repairs: Inspect the house and mend everything that looks broken, chipped or worn out. Take a look at the floorings, bathrooms, kitchens, curtains, staircases and bedrooms. Repairing things that are not functioning properly is a good investment as it assures buyers that they are getting a well-maintained home.
• Clean up well: Deep cleaning is a very good way to ensure your home attracts maximum buyers. You can hire professionals to remove all the dirt and grime. Also pay attention to the gardens, garage and backyard as buyers usually inspect these areas to see if the house has been maintained.
• Get a fresh paint: Freshly painted walls make your home look fresh and clean. Choose neutral colors like grey, white or cream so that the rooms look spacious. Not just indoors, but the outdoor areas also need a touch up. Paint or polish the main door to make it look welcoming.
• Invest in the garden: If you have a garden, it provides a good opportunity to impress buyers. Get landscaping done, prune the grass, trim the hedges and add accessories like chairs or benches to give your garden a warm look.
• Enhance curb appeal: Make the best first impression by improving the home’s entrance. Give the door a fresh paint, adorn with accessories and clean up the walkway so the buyers are more interested in viewing the property from inside.
• Depersonalize the space: Remove all your personal belongings like photo frames or accolades from the home so the buyer can have a closer look. Keep the pets away so they do not make the buyer uncomfortable at the time of showing.
• Accentuate the highlights: Certain areas like a fireplace, staircase, open kitchen, terrace etc. should be highlighted by cleaning well and enhancing their usability. Make sure you mention these features when you advertize your home or meet these buyers. This will make your property stand out from the rest.
• Hire a professional: Property managers have the necessary experience required to make your home look nice and inviting. They can inspect your home and suggest the improvement tasks that can increase the resale value of the property.

We, at Lone Star Realty & Property Management, Inc., can assist you in selling your home in Killeen, TX. For more information, you can call us at (254) 699 – 7003 or visit 1020 W Jasper Drive, Killeen, TX 76542.

As a tenant, you need to finalize a rental property that perfectly complements your lifestyle and gives you the much desired peace of mind. The home you rent should be well-maintained, close to your workplace and have an easy access to all the basic amenities. Therefore, it is important on your part to conduct a comprehensive research before deciding on the location and specific property you want to rent.

Listed below are some questions that you need to ask when renting a home in Killeen:

What are the terms and conditions of the lease agreement?

You need to be completely sure about all the terms and conditions specified in the lease agreement. Do not hesitate in clarifying any point that you do not understand or find doubtful. Ask questions pertaining to security deposit, how it will be utilized and how much of the amount is refundable.

Can I make any changes in the interiors?

You need to check with your landlord if you will be allowed to hang personal photographs or mementoes on the walls. Also, many landlords do not allow the tenants to renovate the rental property. So, if you want to paint the walls in your preferable color, it is better to ask the landlord about it before signing the rental agreement.

Who will pay for immediate repairs?

Emergency maintenance and repair issues may arise while you are residing in the rental property. These may include, appliance breakdown, water leakage, drainage problem etc. You need to confirm from the landlord as to who will be responsible for the cost of such repairs. This should be clearly specified in the rental agreement.

What all amenities are included in the rent?

It is important to ask the landlord if all utility bills are included in the rent amount. In most of the cases, the landlord pays the water and sewerage charges. So, you need to know beforehand what all charges you are or aren’t liable to pay during the tenancy period.

Are there any additional maintenance charges?

The tenants are required to pay maintenance charges every month. However, if you have any doubts, it is best to consult your landlord and confirm about the payment of these charges. You also need to be aware about the liabilities for the payment of any major repair or maintenance work in the house.

What security measures have been installed?

You need to know what all security measures have been installed by your landlord. Check if there are CCTV cameras installed and a security guard is appointed in the locality. You can also talk to people residing in the vicinity to know about the crime rate in the area.

If you are looking for a rental home in Killeen, TX, consider Lone Star Realty & Property Management, Inc. For more information, you can call us at (254) 699 – 7003 or visit 1020 W Jasper Drive, Killeen, TX 76542.