Investing from out of the area can be a rewarding venture, but without local oversight, it quickly becomes a challenge. This month, we toured a home for an owner who believed his property was “rent-ready.” Unfortunately, he was in for a major surprise.
Before officially hiring us, he asked our team to perform a site visit. Because we provide boots-on-the-ground out-of-state property management support, we were able to uncover the truth before a single tenant signed a lease.
The Hidden Costs of Unfinished Repairs
Our walkthrough revealed that the property was far from ready. We identified between $2,000 and $3,000 worth of essential work, ranging from exterior curb appeal to critical interior finishing.
In a competitive leasing market, skipping easy improvements to save costs is a mistake. It often results in:
- Extended vacancy periods.
- Lower-quality tenant applications.
- Increased liability for the owner.
What We Uncovered: The “Rent-Ready” Checklist
While it wasn’t easy news to deliver, providing the owner with clarity is our priority. Here are the specific issues our team identified:
- Exterior: Landscaping overgrowth, tree removal needs, and a broken mailbox.
- Maintenance: Pressure washing and unfinished sink installations.
- Safety & Aesthetics: Burglar bars on doors/windows (requiring removal), wall patches, and missing window blinds.
- Climate Control: Missing mini-split remotes.
- Paint: Significant interior and exterior touch-ups needed.
Starting the Management Journey Right
Finding reliable contractors is one of the trickiest parts of long-distance investing. Even before this client fully signed with us, we paired him with a legitimate vendor to provide accurate estimates and professional repairs.
We believe in getting the property looking right before it hits the market. By addressing these safety hazards and cosmetic flaws now, we ensure a smoother management journey and a better return on investment for the owner.
