What is the biggest worry of a property manager? Maintenance issues. It will make your residents not happy to live at your property if there is a constant need to call maintenance for repairs. Facts spread quickly, especially in today’s online era, and people’s curiosity gets fulfilled when they search for a service or establishment reviews. Yes, apartments get rated and reviewed too.

 

Upon (or before) acquiring a rental property, always check its reviews or talk to the previous owner to learn about the issues the building has had in the past. Whether it’s an old or new building, consider investing in the best infrastructural components, that way you ensure each resident is enjoying the utilities as they should without worrying about what will break next.      

 

Water heater.

People need hot water for their shower, laundry, to wash their dishes, and for other cleaning and hygiene purposes. The water heater should be of industrial-strength, and if it is a relatively large property, there should be more than one water heater placed on opposite sides of the building. Have a property manager discuss with the contractor about which would be the best choice according to the number of units and tenants that it will serve.

 

Power outages.

When building a complex from the surface up, the best is to invest in the infrastructure that will be effective and energy-efficient. The circuit breakers and fuse boxes should be in excellent condition and should be sealed with approved stickers (depending on which state you are in). Next, consider switching or advising your residents to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. 

 

Leaks.

It all narrows down to the pipes and their condition. New technologies have advanced home innovation. Several companies such as Leak Defense System have developed sensors that will detect water troubles throughout your building!

 

In short, the best way to keep up with maintenance issues is to encourage open communication between property managers and residents that way they get solved before becoming bigger!

 

Aperto offers full-scale property management services, providing a complete and comprehensive leasing and rental assistance for acquisition rehabs, stabilized assets, and new property lease-ups. Combining proven management systems with regional expertise, Aperto provides unmatched service. Learn more here!

You’ve done it: the first rental property you own has begun giving its profits and now it’s time to invest again and purchase the one you saw advertised on your drive to the city. After having spent months, maybe years, tending to your first rental property’s needs, you begin to wonder if you should hire a property manager to assist you. Unless you know every single tenant-landlord law and regulation and have all the time in your hands to fully dedicate yourself to addressing your apartment or commercial building’s needs, then the answer to “should I hire a property management company?” should be “yes!”

Owning a rental property comes with many challenges, especially if you’re renting out a multi-family apartment building with over a dozen units. In some cases, having a resident manager comes in handy as she or he will handle repairs or any issues that come up in the spot. However, if there are many units in the building, and if you own more than one building, it is best to hire a property management company to ensure your investment is in good hands. Furthermore, if you do not live near your rental property, it is best to have professionals who will manage the property and its needs, saving you time and making it more convenient for everyone.

A rental management company is staffed by experts who will take care of every aspect of your property. They will handle contractor services such as landscape and maintenance, and very importantly, ensure rent is collected on time. The biggest advantage of hiring property management is that they possess the knowledge of tenant-landlord regulations and other property laws, meaning they will take care of more sensitive matters such as pursuing an eviction. If you own an apartment building that is part of an affordable housing problem, you want to ensure your building continues to receive the financial assistance or grants. A good property management company will have the experience necessary to make sure your building and tenants continue to abide by the rules.

If you decide to hire a property management company, make sure to speak to other property owners to get a good recommendation. Search for property management companies, and request to interview them. Property management companies are independent contractors, saving you the hassle of being an employer, although at the beginning you will have to invest the time to confirm they are the best property management for your properties. Expect to hear quotes ranging from five to ten percent of what you collect in rent.

At Aperto, our approach to property management is simple. We deliver consistent and meaningful value through our team and service. Learn more about our property management services by visiting our website!

 

Whether you own a single building with a few rental units or a large apartment complex with multiple buildings, it is always best to hire a property management company. It is an investment as there are many liabilities that come with renting out apartment homes and commercial spaces, but what’s better than outsourcing this task to the experts?

 

Knowledge is power. Trust is earned.

Research to find the best property management company.

 

To hire the best property management company, you must first do some research to ensure you will be passing along this responsibility to someone of trust and who offers the best property management fees. This last one is an important note to consider as it immediately reflects the quality of service you can expect from them. There are a lot of factors that go into calculating the price of property management, such as the number of units, their location, age of the property, etc. Most property management companies charge between 4 – 12 % of the monthly rent, covering with this their staff’s salary and the services they offer.

 

Know what you need and what you can get.

All property management company services may vary.

 

Make sure the rental management company you hire provides all the services you need. These can vary per region, as some areas may have different regulations or needs than others (say, apartments in the area of Illinois may need more preparation and maintenance during winter storms). You are paying for the management’s knowledge, such as landlord-tenant laws, maintenance costs, marketing your rental property to fill in vacancies, as well as investing in their ability to respond to tenants’ requests and complains, and ensuring rent is collected on time. So definitely do not cut corners when hiring a company that has an impeccable reputation and years of expertise.

At Aperto, we serve over eighty communities and we take pride in providing a quality home environment for our residents with responsive and caring management. Visit our website to learn more about our property management services and contact us today!

Owning a rental property is one of the most efficient ways to secure your financial future. By investing in an apartment complex, you will be receiving the return on your investment very fast as you are receiving rent money from multiple units.

Los Angeles has always been one of the top cities to invest in. There are many opportunities in LA, which make it a desirable city to live in. It is the summit of the entertainment industry, it has ideal weather, and it is close to beaches and other recreational areas. All of these are a guarantee that your apartment complex will always have tenants, and you will quickly begin making profits.

How to own rental property in Los Angeles.

Take a look at online listings. Compare prices and other factors such as location and the year in which the property was built. Keep in mind the following when searching for investment properties in the Los Angeles area:

• Location. Los Angeles County is extensive and spread out, so begin searching for the specific areas and neighborhoods that continue to rise in popularity. Find properties that are located close to each other and compare them side to side.
• Price. Other factors that will influence the price besides the location, are: the age of the building (older buildings may need repairs, more maintenance, or updates to keep with the city’s regulations), amenities (parking space, laundromat on location, access to freeways, etc), and if it is currently inhabited.
• Cap rate. You will notice that many multifamily buildings listings have a section that includes the “cap rate.” The capitalization rate is the result of a formula that factors the ratio of a rental property’s net operating income to its purchase price. Learn more about how to use cap rates as a rental property investor here. 

Finally, you should look into rental management companies that have experience with the type of apartment complex you are looking into purchasing or that you have purchased already. A good property management company will assure rent is collected on time and that your multifamily building is adequately maintained.

Aperto offers full-scale property management services, providing a complete and comprehensive leasing and rental service for acquisition rehabs, stabilized assets, and new property lease-ups. Combining proven management systems with regional expertise, Aperto provides unmatched service. Learn more here!

 

Times are changing. Recently, we’ve seen incredible advancements in social movements and technology, but with this tremendous growth comes some critical losses. One of the biggest losses we’ve seen in recent years is community. As we become more connected through digital means, we forget to link up with our IRL neighbors. 

Fortunately, for residents and community members surrounding the Aperto Property Whispering Pines apartments in Phoenix, Project S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness Family Education) aims to educate residents and community members about safety issues they could be facing. Created by the Arizona Multifamily Association (AMA), Project S.A.F.E. features topics ranging from fire and pool safety to identity theft. For the last seven years, Whispering Pines has made it a goal to ensure the wellbeing of their residents and community. 

Every year, Whispering Pines and other participants in Project S.A.F.E. organize a community event centered around a specific topic and theme; in 2016 the Whispering Pines staff dressed as mimes to break the silence surrounding domestic violence. The themes always change, but the impact never will.

Though Whispering Pines and other apartment communities host these events, Project S.A.F.E. is open to the surrounding community. It’s a way to unite the local neighborhood under the banner of safety and camaraderie. In addition to district residents, members of city leadership and local business are also in attendance which truly helps the community feel united. Without the dedication of properties like Whispering Pines, and other members of the AMA, Project S.A.F.E. wouldn’t be the success it is today.

Hellen Keller said, “alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” It is with this mentality that Whispering Pines is looking forward to their next year of participating in Project S.A.F.E. Follow us at Aperto Property Management to see what they’ll do next. To read more about Whispering Pines and their involvement with Project S.A.F.E., check out page 19 of Arizona Multifamily Association’s May/June issue of Apartment News.

When it comes to sharing your apartment listings, the possibilities are truly endless. You want to be sure your listing is seen by as many people as possible, but where to start? It seems like there are hundreds, if not thousands, of sites where you can share your listings. To help, we’re outlining the best sites to share your apartment listings.

 

Your Property Management’s Webpage

Ideally, your property management company should be sharing your listings and driving traffic through their webpage. By optimizing basic SEO strategy, they can ensure your page is showing up in web search results. When potential renters visit their page they can see all your properties, any neighborhood information, and contact the property manager directly with any questions.

 

Apartments.com

If you want to show your listings on one of the most comprehensive rental databases available, Apartments.com is your best bet. They give potential renters more search filters than other sites and allow users to draw a map of their ideal region. One of the best things Apartments.com provides potential renters is a commute estimator tool; that way they can find something close to their work without any surprises.

 

Zillow

There’s a reason Zillow is one of the most established rental sites. Since its launch in 2006, Zillow established itself as a mainstay in the real estate world. It has information on over 110 million properties and allows potential renters to find listings based on their budget, location, and other important factors. Most recently, Zillow launched a feature where potential residents can apply to multiple listings at the same time; making it even easier for you to get leases.

 

Zumper

Though Zumper lists apartments like every other site, it offers a few extras. When a potential renter views a listing they can see a chart of rent trends in the area and an interactive map showing schools, bus stops, and the walkability score. Also, potential renters can easily customize their search based on budget, listing type, neighborhood, and so much more. Also, the Zumper app shows your listings in real-time, allowing potential renters to see a listing as it’s posted.

 

What are your favorite places to share your apartment listings? Any tried and true favorites we missed? Let us know in the comments.

When it comes to a property management company, we know you are using a lot of paper. Paper to record leases, memos, clauses, anything. We’re going to ask a question that could be considered controversial: Have you thought about going paperless? An average office uses about 10,000 sheets of copy paper every year, of that 45% of printed paper ends up in the trash by the end of the day, according to Record Nations. Going paperless is a big commitment, but in the end, it could truly be worth it. If you’re still on the fence, here are some reasons to consider paperless document management.

Better Record Keeping

Believe it or not, going paperless can lead to better record keeping. A paper filing system can keep everything together in the office, but what anyone outside the office? If a tenant wants to read their contract, allow them to easily access it. If you need to reference something while out of the office, you could do it from your phone. An online document management system holds all your documents in one place where it can be easily accessed by all members of your team.  

Improved Security

Though the internet is a scary place of hacks and data breaches, it doesn’t always need to be. Good paperless document management systems also come with security measures. Do you have a sensitive document for your eyes only? Password protect it, make sure no one else can access it. You can also encrypt your files so that no one outside the organization can have access.

Sustainability 

Last, but not least, you should consider going paperless for the environment. Every year the U.S. uses 68 million trees to make paper and paper products. Environmental sustainability is a hot button issue and it could help attract and retain renters whose core values align with yours.

Are you considering paperless document management, or have you already transitioned? Share your story in the comments. We can’t wait to hear!

Moving day is always exciting. The thrill of relocating to a new city or neighborhood is truly unparalleled. Unfortunately, it’s easy to turn this exciting transition into a stressful one. Between unreliable movers and poor preparation, moving can commonly turn from a dream into a nightmare. There are ways to combat this and help new residents ease into their new life at your apartment community. Something small that goes a long way would be to give some tips to new renters when they sign a lease with you. Below are some common moving mistakes and how to avoid them. Feel free to print this list and give it to new residents, or keep it for reference.

Keep Organized 

One of the first things to derail a new move is disorganization. Encourage potential residents to start packing before they even sign the lease, this can help them to start the process sooner rather than later and hopefully have an easier moving experience. Something else that will make the whole process easier is to pack a special “first-night” box. This box should hold all the essentials a resident would need during their first night; toiletries, towels, sheets, shower curtain, change of clothes, etc. It might also be nice to give them local take-out menus so they don’t feel the pressure to go out for dinner or hurried to unpack their cooking supplies. 

Avoid Logistical Nightmares

Nothing makes a moving day more stressful than not knowing the basics. This could be the width of the residents’ new doorway or where to park the moving van. Something you can do to avoid unnecessary stress is to provide future residents with the dimensions of their front door. Though this may seem like a small gesture, it could help them during the moving and packing process. They can easily figure out what furniture will fit through the door and make arrangements if anything needs to be broken down, hoisted, or hauled. Another consideration would be to let them know where they can park a moving van and where best to unload. These precautionary measures can help avoid a headache on what can already be an incredibly stressful day.

Get the Right Movers

Hiring movers is scary. The thought of trusting a stranger with your most prized and personal possessions is worrying at best and anxiety-inducing at worst. If you can, vet some movers and see which ones are the most reliable. Helping new residents pick a mover can ease their concerns, as well as yours. You want your residents to be in the best hands, ensure they are.

 

Do you have any experience with moving mistakes and how to avoid them? If so, let us know in the comments!

Nothing ruins a building’s reputation faster than crime; your residents should feel safe in their home. One of the best things you can do to help your residents feel comfortable in your apartment community is to invest in some home security measures. Since a locked door or gate can only go so far, here are a few ideas of how to make your residents feel safe.

Renters Insurance

The first thing you can do to protect your residents is encouraging them to sign up for renters insurance. In the event that any of their personal property is damaged or stolen, they’re covered. No matter where your property is, break-ins happen. If your residents sign up for renters insurance, offer them an incentive of some sort; a month of discounted rent or a gift of some sort.

Install Motion Detector Lights

Believe it or not, most home invasions happen during the day. Many thieves are emboldened by knowing their target is at work or running errands. One of the best ways to combat this is by installing motion detector lights. These lights imitate human activity and will make it appear as though someone is home. Motion detector lights are a relatively affordable way to safeguard your property against potential thieves.

Replace the Deadbolt Strike Plate

When was the last time you replaced a deadbolt strike plate? If you can’t remember, it’s time for an overhaul. Though the strike plate is traditionally used to hold the door shut, a stronger one can help the door withstand a forceful kick. Also, invest in longer screws to help secure the strike plate in place. This small fix can make a big impact.

Reach Out to Your Residents

Get to know your residents! One of the best ways to make your residents feel safe is to be around. Let them know you’re invested in their security and safety. Ask them if they feel secure on your property and if there’s anything you can do to ease their fears.

Do you have any special security measures you’ve installed in your buildings? Let us know in the comments!