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How to Prepare Applicants for Applying to Your Rental Property in Long Beach

Dustin Edwards • Apr 04, 2020

A Prepared Applicant Helps You Find the Right Tenant

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When most people think of getting their rental property in Long Beach rented to a new tenant they usually think of how they are going to prepare the home, taking pictures for the listing, what they will need to do to show the property, etc. One of the last thoughts that usually comes to mind is that of preparing the applicants.

Preparing prospective rental applicants before they even apply has the following big benefits:
  • Avoids unnecessary frustration from applicants
  • Focuses your pool of applicants on those who are prepared for your requirements
  • Gives you more applications to review that meet your goals (note: the more rules the fewer overall applications, but the applications that are submitted will meet your requirements!)
There are many ways you can prepare applicants for applying to your rental property in Long Beach. If you are renting your home for the first time, on your own, we recommend you consider the following:
  • Applicant Profile - This means outlining the standards of the applicants you are looking for. For example what should the minimum FICO score be? How long are you going to require they have been at their current job? How long of a residence history would you like them to provide? Do you care if they have active collections? All of these (and more) are aspects you not only can decide on but can communicate to prospects before they become applicants so they can understand what you will be expecting from each applicant.
  • Property Profile - Take the time to outline the specific requirements of your property. Take into consideration items such as allowing smoking? Will you be allowing pets? If you allow pets are you providing any restrictions on those pets (don’t forget to check with your insurance provider regarding pets)? Will they be responsible for maintaining the landscaping? All of these are aspects you can outline to prepare tenants for the requirements of the property.
  • Payment Terms - There was a time when the only preferred method of payment from a tenant was that of a cashier's check, but that isn’t the case in today’s era. With options such as Zelle, Venmo and much more how are you planning on taking payment? What day is rent considered late? How much is the late fee? Outline each element of the payment terms to ensure you and your new prospective tenants are aligned in your expectations. 
  • Advance Notice of Fees - Most rental applications will require a credit check and if so, who is going to pay for that? Before someone applies, take the time to outline the fees they can expect to invest in the application process. Even a modest fee of $25-$40 can dissuade some people from applying to a property and if that is the case then it could mean they aren’t a match for you for the long run.
  • Timing of your review process - When you take someone’s application when can they expect a response from you? And how will they receive a response from you (i.e. email, phone, mail)? Identify clearly how and when you will be communicating with prospective tenants to help them understand the process of review as it will save you many emails and calls of people wondering “when” you will respond.
When it comes down to preparing applicants to rent your property in Long Beach we hope this has helped. We have prepared 1000’s of applicants over the years for the properties we manage for our clients and we would be happy to do the same for you. When you want to find out more about how we prepare applicants we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or simply fill out our Free Rental Analysis and we can share a detailed analysis of your property.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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