5 Signs Landlording Is Not For You

Managing a rental property, along with its tenants, is a difficult and time consuming and a job not everyone is cut out for. In most cases, everyone might be better off hiring a property management company. Most investment property owners find hiring a management company unloads a lot of stress and responsibility.

WRITTEN & PUBLISHED BY: PPPM

Here are five signs you shouldn’t be managing your own rental property:

1. You can’t say ‘no.’ Being a lenient landlord can be very harmful to your business. There are a few things a landlord should just say ‘no’ too such as late rent, renting to the unemployed, or agree to bypass the credit check. If you crumble under confrontation or tears, it’s time to hire a property manager.

2. You’re disorganized or forgetful. If you have a busy life and find it hard to keep track of whether or not a tenant paid rent or you received a work order from them last week, or even last month, that is sign you need to hire a property manager. Being a negligent landlord is not only frustrating for you, but can frustrate the tenants and anyone else involved.

3. You are unfamiliar with housing and rental laws. Both state and federal housing and rental codes can be quite complicated. If you aren’t willing to learn the ins and outs to ensure your property is in compliance, it’s safer to hire a professional. Property managers know the housing’s legal systems and will help minimize the chances of a claim being filed against you.

4. You screen renters with ‘gut instinct.’ Not only can judging a renter based on looks, what car they drive, or how they speak can cause you trouble in the future for your business, but due to discrimination laws it can get you in trouble with the law. If you aren’t willing to start running credit checks, you should consider hiring a property manager. Management companies will have fair, unbiased systems when it comes to selecting tenants.

5. You let your tenants walk all over you. It is great to be a landlord who wants the tenants happy, but if they have the upper hand, you are not cut out for this job. Feeling threatened by your tenants or ignoring when they break the rules will only cause you further and greater problems. It is important to hire a property manager that the tenants will respect and will keep order in place.

See original article here: http://parkplaceid.com/blog/index.php/2012/07/5-signs-landlording-is-not-for-you/

Are you currently managing your own rental property and feel it’s time to hire a property management company? Call Charissa with Windermere Property Management:

Charissa Frerichs
______________________________
charissa@wpmsouth.com
Office: 253.638.9811 ext. 202
Direct: 206.458.4999
Fax: 253.638.0437
www.wpmsouth.com

WPM South, LLC – The Verdi Management Group
15215 SE 272nd St Suite 204, Kent WA 98042

4 Body Language Cues You Need to Know When Networking

WRITTEN BY: Ivan Misner
PUBLISHED BY: Entrepreneur.com

Body language can be extremely powerful when it comes to networking  and building relationships with others. Within the first seven seconds of  meeting you, people check you out visually. Could you be unknowingly undermining your networking efforts through your body language? If you are  meeting with new prospects or planning to host an event, you’d better make sure  you are not discouraging people from approaching you with your body  language.

Here are four key factors to keep in mind:

1. Eye contact. Some of the most powerful and successful  business leaders in the world are known for the impressions they make during  face-to-face meetings. Their gaze never wavers from the eyes of the person they  are speaking with, making them feel as if they are the most important person in  the room. With a little practice, anyone can do this.

Are you making good eye contact throughout the conversation? Or are you  looking behind the person to see who else is in the room?

2. Arm movement. If you are speaking to someone and your  arms are in a position that gives even a subliminal hint that you’re not  interested, you’re not going to give off a positive impression. What are your arms doing? Are they folded, signifying boredom, or tucked  behind your back, indicating interest?

3. Your stance. Make an effort to stand in a manner that is  open and welcoming, rather than blocking people out of your conversation. Are  you leaning on something, as if bored or tired? Are you unable to shake hands  because you’re juggling a plateful of food?

4. Facial expressions. Maintaining an interested facial  expression goes hand in hand with maintaining eye contact. Are you smiling, or  holding back a yawn? Are you showing interest? What does your face say?

It should go without saying that yawning while someone is talking to you is a  surefire way to shut them down immediately, yet I have seen this happen more  times than I can count while observing conversations at networking events. Remember that much of your future networking success rides on how you come  across in that first encounter. You want people to perceive you as alert,  interested, knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Try these two actions in the next few weeks to help ensure that you are  making positive and powerful first impressions:

1. Look in the mirror before leaving the house and ask yourself: “What message  am I sending to people meeting me for the first time? What opinions will they  have of me before I even open my mouth?”
2. Become more aware of your body language by getting feedback. What are you  saying without speaking a word? Before you host your own event, take a trusted  friend with you to a networking function and ask them to give you honest, direct  feedback on your body language. Provide them with a small checklist of the  four factors discussed above and be prepared for their honest insights.

A little feedback can go a long way to helping you present yourself in the  best way possible.

Read more: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/227257#ixzz2dP1WRPlu

Tenant Living in a Foreclosed Property. What are Your Rights?

WRITTEN & PUBLISHED BY: WashingtonLawHelp.org
* This publication was a joint effort of the Northwest Justice Project and Columbia Legal Services.

If you rent your home, and your home was sold at a foreclosure sale, the new owner must give you at least 60 days’ written notice to vacate before evicting you. Additionally, if you are a “bona fide” tenant, the new owner must give you at least 90 days’ written notice to vacate before evicting you and you may be able to stay until the end of your lease.  You must still honor the obligations of your lease or rental agreement during this 90-day time period.

How do I know if I am a “bona fide” tenant?

To be a “bona fide” tenant entitled to protections under the federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA):

• You must not be the child, spouse or parent of the former owner; AND
• The lease or tenancy must have been the result of an “arm’s length transaction” (not a special deal between friends or family); AND
• The rental amount must be at fair market rent, not at a discount, or the rent must be reduced due to a government program that subsidizes the rent.

I am a bona fide tenant. How much notice will I receive prior to eviction?

You are entitled to a written notice that gives you at least 90 days between the date you receive the notice to vacate and the date you need to move out. 

I am not a bona fide tenant. How much notice will I receive prior to eviction?

Under Washington state law, you are entitled to a written notice giving you at least 60 days between the date you receive the notice to vacate and the date you need to move out.

How does the federal law affect me if I have a lease?

If you are a bona fide tenant and the new owner is not planning to move into the home, you can stay until your lease ends.

If you are a bona fide tenant and the new owner is planning to move into the home, s/he must give you at least 90 days’ notice before evicting you.

What if I am renting month-to-month?

If you are renting month-to-month, or if you began your tenancy with a lease that has expired and you are now renting month–to-month, the new owner must give you at least 60 days’ notice, or 90 days’ notice if you are a bona fide tenant, before evicting you.

I am a bona fide tenant. I just got a notice that says I need to send documents to a law firm to qualify for the federal PTFA protections. What should I do?

If you are a bona fide tenant, you are entitled to a 90-day notice OR entitled to stay until the remainder of your lease term, even if you do not send the requested documents to the law firm that contacted you.  However, it is still a good idea to notify the law firm that you are a bona fide tenant pursuant to the PTFA so they are aware you are entitled to the additional time in the home.     

What if I am on Section 8?

If you are a Section 8 tenant, you have the same protections listed above:

• completion of your lease period and/or
• 90 days’ required notice before eviction

The new owner must also honor the terms of the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract that accompanied your Section 8 tenancy. The new owner may not use the “other good cause” clause of your HAP contract to terminate your lease if the “other good cause” is that evicting you will make the property easier to sell.

I am not on Section 8, but my rent is reduced or subsidized by another program. Am I protected?

If your rent is reduced or subsidized by a federal, state, or local subsidy program, you have the same protections as any other renter, including the right to a 90-day notice.

I live in Seattle. Does the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance protect me?

In Seattle, no landlord can evict a tenant for any reason other than those listed in the Ordinance. Purchasing property at a foreclosure sale is not listed as one of the reasons why an owner can evict a tenant so the Ordinance may protect you. If you live in Seattle and you are a tenant living in a property in foreclosure, get immediate legal advice.

To whom do I pay rent after the foreclosure sale?

Federal law says to pay rent to the new owner. If no one has given you payment information for the new owner, save the rent money until you find out how to make payment.  Even if the new owner has not told you where to send the rent, they still have a right to collect it.  If you are a bona fide tenant and you fail to pay your rent, federal law still requires the new landlord to give you at least 90 days’ notice prior to eviction.

Under Washington state law, a tenant living in a foreclosed property may get either a new rental agreement or a 60-day notice to vacate. If you enter into a new rental agreement with the new owner, then you will pay rent to the new owner. If you get a 60-day notice to vacate, the new landlord may only evict you in less than 60 days for waste or nuisance under state law.

There is no authority for a new owner to evict for other reasons, such as nonpayment of rent. If you are living in a property that was sold at foreclosure, and you have gotten a 60-day notice to vacate, get legal advice right away about your rights and responsibilities.

Do I have to keep paying rent after I get my 90-day notice?

The rent issue is complicated.  If you are a bona fide tenant, federal law provides that your obligation to pay rent continues during the 90 days. But the new owner may decide to never demand or collect the rent, or may not even want to enter into a landlord-tenant relationship.

If you are a bona fide tenant and you want to stay for the 90-day period, you should keep paying rent to the new owner to avoid eviction.  However, if the new owner seeks to evict you for non-payment of rent, the new owner may still be required to give you a 90-day notice. If you receive a notice for nonpayment of rent, you should get legal advice immediately. State law provides for a 60-day notice to vacate. During that period, a new owner may only evict a tenant if the tenant commits waste or nuisance — but NOT for non-payment of rent.

You may decide to enter into a new rental agreement with the new owner of the foreclosed property.  In that case, you would have to keep paying rent.

If you get a notice to vacate and you choose not to pay rent during the notice period, but do not move at the end of the 60 or 90 days, the new owner could sue you and force your eviction through the unlawful detainer process. If you are in this situation, get legal advice right away.

How do I know if the person claiming to be the new owner of my home is actually entitled to collect rent?

Scammers may get in touch with tenants living in foreclosed properties and demand rent.  Before you pay rent to a person who claims to be the new owner, make sure that the person is the actual legal owner of the home and is entitled to collect the rent. First, ask the new owner for a copy of the Trustee’s Deed as proof of ownership. Then contact the County Auditor to make sure that the Trustee’s Deed is legitimate and not a forgery.  Contact information for County Auditors in Washington State is at http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Washington-Land-Records-and-Deeds.htm.  A local title insurance company may also be able to give you that information.

I paid my old landlord a deposit and/or last month’s rent. What happens to that money after foreclosure?

If the former owner did not refund your deposit or transfer it to a new owner after the sale, the old landlord is liable to you for up to twice the amount of your deposit, plus attorneys’ fees.  You can file a case in small claims court against the former owner to get your deposit back.

Northwest Justice Project (NJP)’s video called Where is My Security Deposit and publication called Can I Get My Security Deposit Back, available at www.washingtonlawhelp.org,explain in more detail  how to get your deposit back and how to use Small Claims Court. (You can also call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014 to ask for the publication.)

• NOTE: Even if the old landlord has wrongfully kept your deposit, you may still have to pay a new deposit to the new owner anyway.

Before the foreclosure, I was paying rent to a property management company that worked for my old landlord. If I keep paying them, will they just send the rent to the new owner?

No. The property management company had a contract with your old landlord. That contract ended when the home was foreclosed.

Your old property manager may have contacted the new owner and established a new contract to continue managing your home. Confirm this before paying rent to your old property manager after a foreclosure.

My home needs repairs, or my utilities were shut off because the old landlord did not pay the bill. Who do I contact?

The new owner becomes the landlord for all purposes after the foreclosure sale.  Problems with maintenance, repair, or utility service (assuming that the landlord was obligated to pay utilities) are the new owner’s obligation. Our publication called Tenants: What to do if Your Unit Needs Repairs has more information.

You may be able to keep your utilities on by contacting the utility company and paying some amount to the utility company directly to avoid shut off, even if the utilities are in the former owner’s name.

• WARNING: If the utilities are not in your name, be very cautious about agreeing to put them in your own name.  Find out from the utility company whether it could make you liable for any arrearage or amount that may accrue after you move out.

The new owner or foreclosing lender has offered me a one-time cash payment to vacate my home immediately. Should I take it?

This is up to you. Be aware of your right to 60 or 90 days in the home prior to eviction.  If, for example, a new owner tells you that you have a choice between taking the cash and leaving now or being evicted with less than 60 or 90 days’ notice, you may have legal remedies against the new owner, because this is untrue. However, if taking a cash payment and leaving your home is in your best interest, you may wish to bargain for an acceptable amount of time and cash to move.

The foreclosure sale happened. I just got a notice to vacate in 20 days, not 60 or 90 days. What are my rights?

Regardless of that notice, you have an absolute right to at least 60 days’ notice.  You have a right to at least 90 days’ notice if you are a bona fide tenant.  If you want to stay in your home for the full 60 or 90 days, let the new owner know that you have this right and you plan to assert it.  If the new owner refuses to comply with the law, get legal help.

The new owner may wish to enter into a new rental agreement with you. The new owner does not have to do so. You should only enter into a new rental agreement if it is in your best interest to do so.

Finally, you can simply move out. You do not have to stay in the property after the foreclosure sale. You should, however, remove all of your belongings and valuables when you move, so that the new owner does not take or destroy them.

Who is not protected under the law?

These protections are only available if the tenant is NOT the previous owner of the property whose interest was foreclosed (your former landlord).  A former owner must vacate the property 20 days after the foreclosure sale or is subject to eviction.  Additionally, a former owner is not entitled to post-sale notice of the eviction prior an unlawful detainer action.

What if my landlord changes my locks or gets rid of my belongings?

A landlord cannot simply change the locks or remove a tenant’s belongings.  The landlord must seek a writ of restitution from a court, the writ of restitution must be granted by a judge, and the eviction must be conducted by the sheriff.  Call the police if your landlord changes your locks or removes our belongings.  You can also call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014 to seek legal assistance.

Where can I find these laws?

The federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act is at S. 896, Pub. L. No. 111-22, §§ 701-704.

The state law, SB 5810, is at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202009/5810.SL.pdf.

Where can I find relocation assistance?

There are agencies in Washington that may be able to provide relocation assistance.  Call 211 or go to http://win211.org/ for more information about the relocation resources available in your area.

This publication provides general information concerning your rights and duties.  It is not intended to replace specific legal advice.  This information is correct as of August 2013.
© 2013 Columbia Legal Services — 1-888-201-1014 (Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and to individuals for non-commercial purposes only.)

Sending Clients Thank You Gifts: What Does it Say About You?

WRITTEN & PUBLISHED BY: AboutFlowers.com

“Flower Givers Perceived as Successful and Caring”

Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you.  Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones.  According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us. Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people.  More specific findings include:

• Both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people;
• Men and women come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others;
• and Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.

“Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,” says Haviland-Jones.  “That news is particularly important to those interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships.”

Discovering the scientific power of flowers is not new to Haviland-Jones. Previous Rutgers University research conducted by her team found that flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Specifically, upon receiving a gift of flowers, the female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days.  The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and friends. “Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Haviland-Jones. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one.  That’s powerful.” M.J. Ryan, award-winning author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series and The Giving Heart, uses cutting-edge science to bring out the best in people.  In her books, she teaches individuals how gratitude and generosity can result in greater happiness, health and feelings of human connectivity.

“Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers,” says Ryan.  “In my everyday work with individuals, CEOs and leadership teams at some of the world’s top global companies, I see the powerful implications of gratitude and appreciation.” According to Ryan, a simple call to the florist can make a big impact beyond conventional gifting occasions.  Some of her favorite, unexpected gifting opportunities include surprise recognition for a job well done; an “I miss you” gift for an out-of-town family member; and an advance “thanks for hosting us” gesture before visiting a friend’s house. “A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts,” says Ryan.  “I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.”

See original article here: http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-gift-giving-tips/power-of-giving-flowers-study.html

Are you working with a property manager that sends you Thank You gifts? If not, you should be working with Charissa!

Charissa Frerichs
______________________________
charissa@wpmsouth.com
Office: 253.638.9811 ext. 202
Direct: 206.458.4999
Fax: 253.638.0437
www.wpmsouth.com

WPM South, LLC – The Verdi Management Group
15215 SE 272nd St Suite 204, Kent WA 98042

10 Ways to Retain a Good Tenant

WRITTEN & PUBLISHED BY:  APKA Investment Committee

A good tenant is your best asset, and as a landlord, retaining good tenants should be one of your biggest priorities. The good news is that keeping great renters isn’t too hard if you know what to do. Here are ten things you must do to keep your good tenants happy enough to stay put!

1. Respond quickly to complaints about noise or reports of criminal activity, such as drug dealing.

If you have specific rules about noise, enforce them. If you are aware of any crimes taking place on your rental property, take action immediately. Evict drug dealers; consult your attorney if you need help, or consider hiring a property management company that includes evictions in its services. If drug dealing is happening on a nearby property that is not owned by you, work with neighbors, the property owner, and the police.

2. Schedule maintenance and repairs at times convenient to your tenants, and let them know in advance.

Minimize the impact of repairs and maintenance by scheduling them at the times your renters are least likely to be around, typically between 9 and 5, Monday through Friday. Let your tenants know in advance when repair work is being done, and why. Consider the safety and security of your tenants while the work is taking place (for example, if a tenant’s parking spot will be unavailable during repairs, provide another). After the work is finished, send a thank you note.

3. Provide designated parking spots and enforce parking rules.

Having a parking spot with a short walking distance to home is very important for many tenants. Assign parking spots and enforce parking rules. Send warning letters to tenants who break the rules and have their cars towed if they ignore your warning. Also, make sure you have well-marked and sufficient guest parking.

4. Follow through on repair requests and other commitments. 


It’s simple: do what you say you’ll do. Recognize that all tenants want their repairs handled promptly, efficiently, and predictably. And remember that many tenants are “renters by choice“. They prefer to rent rather than own partly because they want someone else to be responsible for repairs. Have a repair and maintenance process that helps you consistently meet or exceed tenant expectations.

5. Give your tenants advance notice of upcoming inconveniences that you’re aware of.

Warn tenants about unexpected inconveniences that will be taking place near their home. If you’re aware of upcoming road closures or a planned power outage, consider sending out a newsletter, email, or a quick text message informing your tenants, so they have an opportunity to prepare or change their plans. You can also keep tenants updated using a Facebook or Twitter account.

6. Understand that your tenants want to feel safe at home.

Make sure that any outdoor areas used by tenants at night (such as a parking areas, paths, and entries) are well-lit. Keep foliage trimmed, and fences low. Stay on top of repairs. Arrange for a safety and security survey a couple of times a year, and let your tenants know when you’ve made improvements. Also consider giving your tenants some safety guidelines when they move in.

7. Make sure all of your tenants follow the House Rules.

Good tenants are good neighbors. In return, they want the same consideration. They will follow the rules you have developed for your rental property, as long as they are reasonable. All of your tenants should read and sign a copy of your rules when they execute the lease. Explain to your tenants that the rules will be enforced. Consider eviction for serious violations.

8. Consider allowing pets; and if you do allow pets, make sure owners clean up after them!

Tenant retention has been shown to improve if you allow pets, and certainly there are some great tenants out there who are also animal lovers. If you do allow tenants to keep pets, require them to clean up after them in the lease and require them to keep them on a leash when outside the rental unit. Provide “doggy bags” and garbage cans close by. If any tenants are not complying with your pet policy, issue a written warning. If that doesn’t work, ask them to remove the pet from the rental. Also consider this company–PooPrints. They are the CSI of dog poop for property managers, detecting which pooches are dropping bombs.

9. Be polite, courteous, and professional.

Recognize that being a landlord requires you to have great customer service skills. Never complain about your job or personal life. When the phone rings and the call is from a tenant who is paying you thousands of dollars a year, politely ask how you can be of assistance, no matter how bad your day is going.

10. Create opportunities to appreciate your good tenants.

I have read that you have to thank someone seven times before they really feel appreciated. I’m not suggesting that you maintain a spreadsheet tracking your appreciative words, but you should say “thank you” or send thank-you cards when appropriate. Gestures such as these go a long way in making your good tenants feel welcome and appreciated.

Good tenants know they are good tenants, and they expect to be treated that way. It’s worth the extra effort to keep them–they pay their rent on time, they maintain your property well, and they’re generally pleasant to deal with. If you are reliable, professional, and courteous, they will be too.

See original article here: http://akpa-atlanta.org/index.php/education/165-akpa-investment-committee-presents-10-ways-to-retain-a-good-tenant

Do you want a property manager that makes tenant retention a priority? call Charissa!

Charissa Frerichs
______________________________
charissa@wpmsouth.com
Office: 253.638.9811 ext. 202
Direct: 206.458.4999
Fax: 253.638.0437
www.wpmsouth.com

WPM South, LLC – The Verdi Management Group
15215 SE 272nd St Suite 204, Kent WA 98042

Shoptalk: August 2013

WRITTEN BY: Shoptalk Admin PUBLISHED BY: Shoptalk Service Evaluations In strong rental markets, many leasing employees are faced with the wonderful challenge of being 100% leased. Some apartments are being rented “sight unseen,” and perhaps there are only a few …

The Stresses of Trying to Manage Your Own Property

The Stresses of Trying to Manage Your Own Property.