What we look for in Merrifield renters
In Merrifield, Nesbitt Realty prefers to work with dependable tenants. Here are some of the traits we look for.
- A tenant pays the rent on time every month. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A renter is trustworthy. A renter does not sneak in a co-renter or pet.
- A renter is reasonably clean. A tenant does not attract pests like rodents and bugs.
- A tenant does not break the property or its systems.
- A renter is courteous and easy to get along with. A renter knows the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A tenant doesn't disturb neighbors.
- A renter reports problems at appropriate times. Renters that don't report maintenance issues cost real estate investors money and cause issues for property managers.
- A renter doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a tenant doesn't demand to replace functioning systems. A renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A renter doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the tenant doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A renter does not smoke in the property.
- A tenant is looking for a lease that is as long as the owner wants to rent the home.
So this is what we're looking for in a renter, but how do we find renters who measure up to this standard? Experience has taught us that tardy tenants can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with jobs. We have a nose for sniffing out unreasonable renters.
Our Five Step Process
Fair Housing Laws and our conscience dictates that we do not judge potential tenants in Merrifield based upon appearance. Experience has taught us that appearances can be very decieving. We do however judge potential tenants based upon their history and their actions. If a applicant is difficult with our managers from the beginning, they will probably be rude as renters. If a lies, we will expect them to be unreliable as a tenant. If a has troubles scrounging up fundsfor background fees and the first month of rent, we will expect that same potential tenant will have difficulty while they are in the rental.
But even if every statement initially is promising we still vet every potential tenant with a full background check. Every potential renter and occupant must provide a government-issue photo identification. From there, as rental we start our vetting process.
Merrifield Property Management Resources
Basics
Basic information regarding property management in Merrifield.
Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with rental property management
Find A Tenant
List your property to rent to find a great renter in Merrifield fast.
Accounting
How does Nesbitt Realty keep track of income and expenses for property owners?
Cost
A list of fees associated with property management services in Merrifield
Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty checks the backgrounds of tenants for property owners.
Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage property?
Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a good source for property owners in Merrifield
- Before you lease out your rental in Merrifield
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the renter
- During the lease term
- End of lease term and what happens when a tenant breaks the lease
- How does the rental investor get paid?
- How your management company handles the association and your community
- How your property manager handles utilities
- How Nesbitt finds renters
- Insurance matters for landlords using our property management
- How Nesbitt Realty & Management manage keys
- Merrifield rental investor responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your rental property in Merrifield
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your rental
- When owners don't yet know their new address
- Vetting renters in Merrifield
More Information About Merrifield
Our recommendation
After the background check is finished we make a recommendation to the real estate investor based upon our experience as property managers in Merrifield and the information which we have verified. Ultimately the real estate investor decides if the risk is worth taking, but they make that decision based upon facts and our expert advice.
Should you know more about our area?
Our Guide to Real Estate is a free tool for everyone who needs to learn more about Merrifield and nearby communities. The Guide to Real Estate provides information regarding what has sold and what is for sale, and many compelling facts that you may not be aware of. Also, our Guide features many of the benefits of residing in Merrifield. Naturally, most of this is interesting for buyers and sellers, but real estate investors and renters will probably also find this information to be quite enlightening.
Our Broker Will Nesbitt
"I am by nature a trusting person, but this business has taught me to verify every statement that a tenant makes. Scammers and bad tenants can sometimes give every appearance of being trustworthy and upright people. We never cut corners on background checks." ~ Will Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt
I like tenants that pay on time. Late paying tenants cause extra work and unnecessary stress for landlords and property managers. ~ Julie Nesbitt