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If you are in Charleston property management one of the parts of your job that is always on your mind is how to rent vacant homes so that your clients can keep making money. One of the hardest times of the year to rent a single-family home is during the winter months. Even places that have a mild winter such as Charleston, South Carolina have a lull in move in’s during the holiday season. If you manage rental homes however the property owner expects the home to be full all the time, so what are some things a Charleston Property Management company can do to help increase their move in rate during this time of the year?

1. Make Sure Homes are Move in Ready-People have a lot on their plates during the holiday season and may need to transition from one home to another very quickly. Making sure that your homes are move-in ready when you put them on the market and start showing them is a great way to get a signature on a lease fast.
2. Curb Appeal Matters-When families are moving during the holiday season one of the last things on their minds is decorating for the holiday. If you are targeting families, you could increase the curb appeal of a home by hanging a holiday wreath, wrapping some holiday evergreen garland around the mailbox post or doing other small things that make the home look festive, happy and cheerful during the holiday season.
3. Clean After Showing-While it may not be snowy, the winter season can bring rain and mud that Charleston property management has to contend with. Some property managers require that prospective tenants take off their shoes to tour the home, others have booties ready in the entryway to cover shoes. If you do neither of these, be prepared to have someone clean the floors after each show so that the carpets, tile or wood doesn’t look stained, dirty and damaged.

Scott Properties is one of the best Charleston property management businesses in the state. Trust them to make sure that your home is never vacant.

Rental Homes Charleston| Buying property in Charleston, South Carolina is an excellent choice for property investors who want to rent single-family homes. Charleston recently surpassed Columbia as the largest city in South Carolina with the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood doubling in size since 2016. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, 28 new people move to the Charleston region each day with is helping Charleston property management companies boom with new business, especially when it comes to single-family homes.

Charleston, South Carolina is growing at three times the national average, and one-third of the people that live in the state are renters. Home values are increasing, and the average rent is rising right alongside. Families are also growing in Charleston at a rate of ten new babies being born each day which means that families will need more space for their expanding families.

Three and four bedroom homes are currently the most sought-after property in Charleston. Most often, this many bedrooms is only available in single family homes. Nearly two-thirds of the residents in Charleston are between 18-44 years old which is also the prime market for tenants. The millennial population grew by 58% from 2000-2012, and those people are starting families and moving out of apartments, seeking single-family rental homes instead.

Charleston, property management companies, can help property owners market to the right people in Charleston to ensure that your home is never on the rental market for long and always stays rented. Property management companies are also able to handle all tenant relations for you including maintenance requests, late payments for rent, complaints, and general questions. When you rent single family homes in Charleston, it is crucial to use a property manager that is professional and can earn you profits on your home.

Contact Scott Properties today to see how we can help you start making an income with your single-family rental home.

Are you looking for rental homes Charleston, South Carolina? Are you moving from out of state and need help discovering where the best rental homes Charleston are? Scott Properties offers high-end, luxury rental homes in some of the best areas of South Carolina including Dewees Island, Isle of Palms, West Ashley, Folly Beach, Goosecreek, Mount Pleasant, and the city of Charleston. Renters who want to live their best life should consider these neighborhoods and Scott Properties for their rental home needs.

Dewees Island- Part of the barrier island, Dewees Island is great for renters because the island is secluded with only 150 homes total, no paved roads, and strict codes for the building. The properties on the island are exclusive and nestled in the woods with three miles of beach to view.

Isle of Palms-The Isle of Palms is thought to be more than 25,000 years old and former home to pirates. This island is great for renters who want waterfront property where they can sail, boat, and jet ski. Tenants with dogs, however, must obtain a permit from the Palms Police Department.

West Ashley- West Ashley is one of the districts of Charleston and has a population of 75,144 people. This neighborhood is perfect for city lovers who still want to enjoy waterfront vistas, and scenic views. The area was developed in the 1950’s and is currently being revitalized. Charleston’s largest shopping mall and the newest hospital are both located in West Ashley.

Folly Beach- Considered, the edge of America, Folly Beach is an attractive rental area for people who want to relax and enjoy artisanal experiences. The music and art scene is huge at Folly Beach, and there are many historic houses to choose from. Homes on Folly Beach average half a million dollars, making them one of the most affordable beach communities in the United States.

Goosecreek-Goosecreek is a smaller city with a population less than 40,000. Most of the residents in Goosecreek are middle class with home values averaging around $167,400. Goosecreek provides excellent rental homes Charleston for families with the average head of household being approximately 31 years old.

Mount Pleasant-Mount Pleasant is part of the top ten fastest growing neighborhoods in the country and is the most popular area of Charleston to live in. The public school system is fantastic, and there is plenty of shopping and entertainment in this city of 85,000 people.

If you are interested in the best rental homes Charleston, call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you find a home in Charleston!

Rental Homes Charleston: Why Live Here

Property Management | Charleston, South Carolina has been named by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the Top Fifteen best cities to live in the world. Charleston is named among the famous cities of Rome, Istanbul, Cape Town, Florence, and Kyoto Japan. What is so great about finding rental homes Charleston and what is attracting so many people to beach living?

Environmentally Friendly

You may not think that a tourist town such as Charleston could be environmentally friendly, but Charleston is the top city in the United States for its low environmental impact among many other reasons. Biking is huge in and around Charleston due to the beautiful weather that lasts all year and the paved streets. There are many bike sharing programs throughout the area. The Islands and the coast of Charleston are protected, and homes here must adhere to strict environmental standards, especially on some of the islands where there are no paved roads.

Fun and Entertainment

Families love rental homes Charleston because of the endless fun and entertainment options for children, adults, and families. The good weather that lasts all year brings many beachfront festivals and concerts to the Charleston.

Charleston is also one of the best cities to live in for water sports lovers. Kiteboarding, kayaking, sailing, deep sea fishing, surfing, and other outdoor adventures are popular in Charleston. The city is also a historic haven with sites dating back to the revolutionary and civil wars. There are dozens of preserved plantations, forts, and other monuments that have stood the test of time.

The arts scene is remarkable in Charleston. The oldest community theater in the United States is located in Charleston, and there are professional ballet companies and symphonies in town as well. The French Quarter is home to more than thirty galleries and art museums.

If you are interested in living in Charleston call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you rent your home in Charleston!

Property Management | If you own a rental home, finding qualified tenants can be a challenge. Sure, people may look and sound nice on the phone or in person, but can you trust them to pay rent on time and maintain your property? Knowing who to say “yes” to and accepting them as a tenant can be nerve wrecking. This is precisely why you need a property management company that understands and is up to date with fair housing laws and can screen tenants appropriately to make the best decisions for your rental home.

Applications

Every property manager will have a rental application that prospective tenants can fill out if they are interested in renting a property. With the application usually come a fee that covers the cost of background and credit checks, as well as the time it takes to screen the tenant. An application should be filled out for each person over eighteen years old who plans to live in the home. Some property management companies will make exceptions for children in school living with their parents if they are under twenty-one.

A rental application should ask for full name and address, social security number, and five years of work and rental history. Photo identification should also be copied along with at least thirty days of paystubs.

What Does Property Management Look For?

Using the information provided with the application property management companies will run credit and backgrounds checks on tenants. They will verify rental history, income, and previous residences as well. While every company will be different, Scott Properties, offering high end and luxury homes in the Charleston area has disqualifying criteria similar to national standards.

Net income must be three times the rental price
No evictions within five years
No outstanding balances to previous landlords
Credit score above 520
No violent felonies within seven years
No foreclosures or bankruptcies within seven years
History of paying comparable rent amount
Having pets that are against policy

Your property management company should take all of these things into consideration, if they don’t, call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you rent your home in Charleston!

Property Management | Deciding to hire property management to take care of your rental property is a big decision and one that should not be made lightly. There may be several companies that boast the best vacancy fill rates or have great reviews, but as an owner, there are common things that you should wonder about. When you begin interviews potential companies to manage your rental property, make sure to ask these questions.

1. Do You Require A Security Deposit?Not requiring a security deposit is a big mistake for homeowners and most property management companies will also charge at least one full month’s rent as a deposit that will be placed in an escrow account according to law. These deposits protect the owner against damages incurred by the tenant.
2. Do You Do Inspections?Believe it or not, many property management companies do not walk through or inspect rental homes to make sure that everything is being taken care of. An excellent property management company should schedule walkthroughs at least twice per year to verify that the house is being treated well.
3. What Are Your Fees?Don’t trust a property management company that has hidden fees or charges for services based on a laundry list. A high-quality management firm should charge a flat percentage rate of the gross monthly rent. Owners also need to ask if the tenant doesn’t pay rent, who is responsible for the rental fee? Some companies may require that the property owner still pay the fee, even if the renter doesn’t pay. Look for a property management firm that doesn’t hold owner’s responsible such as Scott Properties in Charleston.
4. What is The Application Process for Tenants? As the owner of the home, you want to know that the people renting from you will pay on time, not destroy your home, and not cause problems in the neighborhood. Tenants should be screened through an application to determine suitability. Background checks, income verification, and previous rental history along with photo idea should all be part of the application process.

Start with these four questions when you interview property managers. If the answers aren’t to your liking after these four, it is time to move on to a different property management company. Call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you rent your home in Charleston!

Are you looking for rental homes Charleston, South Carolina? Are you moving from out of state and need help discovering where the best rental homes Charleston are? Scott Properties offers high-end, luxury rental homes in some of the best areas of South Carolina including Dewees Island, Isle of Palms, West Ashley, Folly Beach, Goosecreek, Mount Pleasant, and the city of Charleston. Renters who want to live their best life should consider these neighborhoods and Scott Properties for their rental home needs.

Dewees Island- Part of the barrier island, Dewees Island is great for renters because the island is secluded with only 150 homes total, no paved roads, and strict codes for the building. The properties on the island are exclusive and nestled in the woods with three miles of beach to view.

Isle of Palms-The Isle of Palms is thought to be more than 25,000 years old and former home to pirates. This island is great for renters who want waterfront property where they can sail, boat, and jet ski. Tenants with dogs, however, must obtain a permit from the Palms Police Department.

West Ashley- West Ashley is one of the districts of Charleston and has a population of 75,144 people. This neighborhood is perfect for city lovers who still want to enjoy waterfront vistas, and scenic views. The area was developed in the 1950’s and is currently being revitalized. Charleston’s largest shopping mall and the newest hospital are both located in West Ashley.

Folly Beach- Considered, the edge of America, Folly Beach is an attractive rental area for people who want to relax and enjoy artisanal experiences. The music and art scene is huge at Folly Beach, and there are many historic houses to choose from. Homes on Folly Beach average half a million dollars, making them one of the most affordable beach communities in the United States.

Goosecreek-Goosecreek is a smaller city with a population less than 40,000. Most of the residents in Goosecreek are middle class with home values averaging around $167,400. Goosecreek provides excellent rental homes Charleston for families with the average head of household being approximately 31 years old.

Mount Pleasant-Mount Pleasant is part of the top ten fastest growing neighborhoods in the country and is the most popular area of Charleston to live in. The public school system is fantastic, and there is plenty of shopping and entertainment in this city of 85,000 people.

If you are interested in the best rental homes Charleston, call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you find a home in Charleston!

Property Manager | When a property manager is handling the leasing of your rental home, you want to trust that they will be able to keep your property safe and incur a profit for every month. One way the property manager you are working with will ensure that your rental property stays safe and valuable is to include mandatory renters’ insurance in the lease agreement.

Why Renters Need Insurance

Many tenants may not want to purchase renter’s insurance. No one wants to take on more bills; however, renter’s insurance should be non-negotiable. Many renters do not understand that when it comes to their belongings, a property owner’s insurance is not liable for damages to the renter’s things. Renters need their insurance to cover them in the event of disasters that result in the loss of property.

Your property manager should ask for a copy of renter’s insurance to prove the renter’s liability coverage if damages are caused to the property as a result of the renter’s negligence. Renters are often surprised to find out that if they leave the water running and flood the apartment, or cause a fire, that they are responsible for the damages, not the property owner.

Where to Get Renters Insurance

Many renters will ask a property manager where they should get renters insurance. Most of the time a renter can receive a discount on their insurance if they package renter’s insurance with their other policies such as car insurance. Tenants should be able to choose whatever insurance provider they prefer, but a property manager may also have suggestions for tenants.

What Does Renters Insurance Not Cover?

While every policy may be different, there are a few things that most renter’s insurance will not cover. Natural Disasters, especially in flood zones such as coastal cities are not covered in renter’s insurance policies; however, additional coverage for these events is generally available. Damage caused by pests is usually not included. High-value items such as antiques, or rare collectibles often require additional coverage as well, especially if their value exceeds your policy limits.

If you are looking for rental property in the Charleston area, call Scott Properties today to see how we can help you rent your home in Charleston!