Tenant screening is a major part of the leasing process as it helps fetch quality and reliable tenants. The process is usually undertaken by a professional and consists of credit checks, previous history checks, criminal record checks and more. Tenant screening helps in filtering out trustworthy tenants from the lot applying for a lease; this has major implications on the rental revenue and property upkeep in the long run.

Listed below are some reasons in support of tenant screening:

• Timely Payments: A responsible tenant takes rent payment seriously and ensures it is paid on time every month. A tenant who has a constant income and a previous reputation of paying rent on time will do the same wherever he goes.
• Longer Tenancy: Screening a tenant increases the chances of ending up with a tenant who will stay for a longer period of time. A tenant who has cleared the test of reliability in terms of a positive employment record, regular income, a good credit score, etc. is more likely to stay for a longer duration.
• Preserves Property Condition: Quality tenants are likely to take care of the rental property as if it were their own with due diligence. Such individuals add value to the rental and assure minimal depreciation of the property and its surroundings.
• Keeps The Local Community Safe: Screening tenants is not only beneficial for property owners but for the local community too. The entry of responsible and reliable individuals into the local community ensures fewer crimes, more safety and responsible citizens who add value to the lives of those around them.
• Peace Of Mind: An insight into issues like a potential tenant’s criminal history, employment history, current status, previous tenancies and more increases the chances of making the right decision. After a thorough screening process is conducted, you can enjoy peace of mind with the assurance that you have made the right choice based on the screening process.
• Better Reputation: A property owner with good tenants enjoys a high reputation among the community. Taking time to screen tenants improves the quality of neighborhood and increases turnover as more quality tenants are likely to prefer your property for its reputation.
• Better Understanding: The process of screening a potential tenant gives the property owner a better understanding of the person. Getting to know the critical details that are discovered at the time of screening helps in avoiding confusion and unexpected events in future. Screening gives you an overall accurate picture of a tenant’s personality and trustworthiness.

If done correctly, real estate investment can be a lucrative venture that offers benefits which set it apart from other forms of investment in the form of full control, passive income and equity gains. In fact, property investment is one of the safest forms of investing money. A successful property investment plan comprises of strategically choosing and purchasing property as per the market trends and other economic factors.

Before committing your finances to a property investment, following are some things to be aware of:

• Consider Investment Loans: Consult an expert for guidance on the best options of collecting funds for your investment. Take time to research on the available options by considering the benefits each one has to offer and how it will positively impact your financial situation.
• Research: Research on properties that suit the requirements of your target clients as this will ensure you get the most out of your investment. Sideline your personal likes and dislikes when researching and use a logical analytical approach based on economic factors instead. Best option is to contact a professional real estate agency as it may provide an online list of properties and help in choosing the suitable one.
• Fixed and Variable Expenses: Before investing in property, calculate the amount of money that you have, the amount you intend to borrow, the cost of purchasing the property, renovation expenses and operation costs. Then deduct the expenses from the price you will list your property for and the result will be the profit you can expect. This calculation will help you take calculated risks while staying in the safe zone.
• Investment Strategies: There are different investment strategies that you can adopt depending on the nature of income that you want from the property. Common strategies are buy and hold, house hacking, rehabbing and rental income.
  
• Types of Properties: In addition to your investment strategy, the type of property you invest in will also impact your profits. You can choose to invest in multi-family homes, townhouses, single-family homes, condos, etc. Also consider whether you want to invest in old or new properties as both have their peculiar benefits.

Working towards a lower tenant turnover is a great way of ensuring revenue in the form of rent. For this, it is important for a property owner to understand the factors that can affect the rate of tenant turnover and work on creating favorable circumstances for tenants to stay for longer durations.

Following are some tips for reducing tenant turnover and ensuring a consistent flow of revenue from rental property:

• Rigorous Tenant Screening: Take tenant screening seriously as this is the first step towards ensuring that you get quality tenants who are likely to stay for longer durations. Quality tenants cause less damage as well as fewer disruptions and maintenance issues. While screening potential tenants, check the criminal background, credit reports, eviction history and more.
• Build Positive Relationships: Establish positive relationships with your tenants by maintaining open channels of communication, responding to them when they need you and maintaining a friendly and non-intimidating tone when talking to them. It will increase their chances of staying with you and spreading a good word about your services.
• Avoid High Rent Increments: Sudden hikes in rent should be avoided if you want a low tenant turnover. Even though, at some point you will have to increase the rent, it is advisable to spread out the frequency of doing so. The amount of rent charged should be in sync with the region, state regulations, improvements made in the rental property and so on.
• Keep The Property In Good Condition: Upgrade your rental property from time to time to keep your tenants interested. Everyone loves staying at a place that is well-maintained and regularly updated as per the latest trends and requirements of tenants. Respond to requests from your tenants regarding repairs and things such as a fresh coat of paint, in-unit laundry, kitchen renovations, etc.
• Tweak Lease Agreements: If you are experiencing issues with tenant turnover, consider making a few changes in the lease agreement. You can change the lease duration or policies related to pets, guests, income requirements and so on.
  
• Prioritize Tenant Satisfaction: Be proactive about the requirements of your tenants by making a conscious effort of asking them for feedback and suggestions as to ways with which you can improve your services and whether there are any problems being faced by them. Show them they matter by responding to their requests and suggestions promptly. Such a level of care and credibility will surely keep them with you for a long time.
• Ask For Referrals: If you are looking for new tenants as a result of expansion plans, ask your long-term tenants to refer your services to friends and family. There are higher chances of getting high value tenants from such referrals.

There is no one size fits all rule when it comes to choosing the right type of investment property; it is subjective. However the goal of purchasing investment property is the same - to earn profit. When choosing the right type of property for investment, a buyer should consider his budget, kind of property required in terms of built type and size, the location, personal requirements and more.

If you are planning to invest in property, here are some tips that will help you find the right property for your needs:

• Research The Area: The first thing is to research the area you want to invest in. Consider the average rent in the area, the local real estate market, rental rates, future development plans and more. Researching before consulting an expert helps in narrowing down your options and saving time.
• Location: A major factor that influences the demand for an investment property is its location. If the location is desirable in terms of proximity to schools, public transportation, shops, restaurants, gyms, health care and so on. Other factors to consider when assessing the location are crime rate, competition, reviews of locals, rental rates in the area and the neighborhood.
• Type Of Property: Your financial strategy will depend to a large extent on the type of property you invest in. You may invest in property located in the suburbs, a low-maintenance townhouse, a high-rise city apartment or another type of property. Consider the pros and cons of each type of property before making a purchase.
• Rental Return: Focus on the potential rental return from the type of property you intend to buy and base your decision of investment on the gross rental return. For this you will have to consider the difference between the expenses of maintaining the property and the estimated amount of cash flow from it.
• Consult An Expert: When you are done with your research, you should consult a reliable real estate agent in your area for the best guidance.

One of the most secure and rewarding forms of investments are property investments. In addition to being a steady and reliable source of income (in form of rent), they also lead to asset appreciation over the course of time. Nevertheless, in order to guarantee a profitable investment that yields long-term returns, there are some features that every investment property buyer should look out for.

Listed below are some of the features to consider when investing in property:

• Location: Choose a location that not only works for you in terms of viability and profitability, but is likely to attract good tenants. For your property investment to be a success, it is important for it to cater to the needs of a wide group of tenants. So choose a location which offers a peaceful neighborhood and easy access to transportation, schools, hospitals, job hub, entertainment centers, etc.
• Growth Potential: Consider the growth potential of the area you are planning to invest in by assessing its local economy in terms of planned improvements, infrastructure, educational facilities, local businesses and more. Investing in an area with high growth potential increases the prospects of a profitable venture and high quality tenants.
• Durability: As there is no fixed maturity for property investments, the property you invest in should be durable enough to generate income for many years. Always opt for a property with negligible issues, if any. These properties are easier and faster to repair as opposed to those with larger issues that take much longer to resolve, add to your costs and reduce the property’s appeal.
• Price: How much can you afford to spend on the investment? Formulate a budget and take into account the property’s purchase price, your spending capacity and the property’s intrinsic/true value. When it comes to real estate, it is not about how much you can afford to spend as much as it is about spending on property that will generate profits.  So, a potential buyer should compare the purchase price of the property to its intrinsic/true value and opt for one that has a lower purchase price and higher intrinsic value in order to generate returns.
• Maintenance: For a property to generate high yields, it is important to evaluate additional costs (maintenance costs) of keeping it in great condition for existing and potential tenants. So, when buying property, choose one that will require minimal maintenance e.g. one with fewer complex systems and appliances that require constant maintenance.
• Market Trends VS Long-Term Appeal: Even though it is tempting to follow market trends and buy property with the latest building designs, you should focus on the long-term appeal of an investment instead.

Lone Star Realty & Property Management, Inc. assists its clients in investing in quality properties for earning higher ROI.  The agency enlists suitable investment properties on its website. For more details on features of a good property investment, visit 1020 West Jasper Drive, Killeen, TX – 76542, or call at (254) 699 – 7003.