by Graham Farran | Mar 16, 2017 | New, Past Listing Videos, Property Management, Real Estate Investments
317,000
Nice updated duplex townhouses 5 minutes from downtown, close to the hospital, and near Schroder park. Great Investment property or live in one unit and rent out the second unit. Average rent is $900-$1100 monthly. There is newer carpet and vinyl flooring throughout. Nice finished one car garage with automatic door with remote. Expanded patio/outdoor entertainment space included with unit 1368. With full price offer the hot tub will be included.
by Expert Properties | Dec 31, 2016 | Home Care, Home Sales, Property Management, Real Estate Articles
Having a rental property is a great investment and as we go into the new year and you get ready to file your taxes – those investment benefits will be realized!
However, a big part of maintaining your investment is to make sure that the maintenance to the property is upheld.
Here are a few ways that you can deal with a maintenance need at your rental property:
- Make sure that the property is rent ready from the beginning. If you have just purchased a rental property or you have been living in your home and are now renting it out, it is essential that you make sure that the property is ready to be rented. Any repairs or areas that need maintenance should be addressed right away before they escalate. If you notice any leaks or light switches that don’t work properly – make sure to call professionals out to investigate and make the repairs before to put it up for rent. Having a ‘clean slate’ before renters move in will help to make sure that the property stays in good condition, long-term.
- When you rent your property – make sure that you have a clear maintenance policy in place that your renters acknowledge and sign. It is essential that people know who to call and how to get help if there is a need for maintenance. The sooner that the repair or maintenance is done, the less chance there is for serious damage to your property. Having a long-term problem that isn’t addressed quickly and properly – will definitely call you more money and stress in the long run.
- Build relationships with vendors – If your rental property needs an appliance or a plumbing or electrical repair – it is important that you have a specific person to call who is an expert in their field. The longer that you research looking for a plumber – the more chance there is for serious damage to your property. Have someone on-call for each type of maintenance or repair need so that you and your renters know exactly the name and number to get ahold of.
Going into the new year, it is important to be thinking about protecting your rental property investment. You want to make sure that your tax benefits are as big as possible for next year!
by Expert Properties | Nov 28, 2016 | Property Management
Now that the winter season is officially upon us it is time to be paying close attention to the maintenance and upkeep of your home – including your rental properties.
When you have a rental property it is an excellent investment. However, it does require some maintenance to protect that investment and the winter weather can be more damaging than any other season to all systems of your properties.
Here are a few things that we suggest you do in preparation of the coming winter weather to keep your rental property in top shape:
Make sure that all of the windows are sealed properly and do not have any cracks or rotten spots in the molding around them. Check the weather stripping and replace it if necessary. Add more caulking to those spots that do not have any or where it is missing. If your tenants have been using window air conditioning units – this is the last call for getting those appliances taken down and stored.
Have the water heater inspected and make sure that it is ready for the cold winter temperatures. Consider having the tank flushed by a professional plumber and add an extra layer of protection by wrapping an insulated blanket around the tank to maintain the energy-efficiency.
If your rental property has a fireplace it is important to make sure that the flue is cleaned out and the structure of the chimney is in good shape. Have the cutout at the point of the roof inspected by a professional to make sure that it is in good shape and there are not concerns about fire
If you have any units that are vacant, make sure that the thermostat is set no lower than 55 degrees and that the plumbing is protected from freezing temperatures. If necessary, consider wrapping heat tape around plumbing that is installed in outside facing walls.
If there are any trees on the property that have low-hanging limbs, this is the perfect time to get those trimmed back so they don’t fall on the home and cause serious damage.
To ensure that your investment is protected – make sure to take these few steps before the winter weather settles in completely. There are some cold temperatures forecasted in the coming weeks and having an emergency at your rental property could really put a damper on your holidays.
by Expert Properties | Apr 25, 2016 | Property Management, Real Estate Articles
“Jacksonville’s gold deposits were discovered in the 1850s, and the town’s past still glitters today, literally. The famed Jacksonville Inn was actually built out of sandstone that had specks of gold in it.
The town thrived as a commerce capital until its fate changed when, in 1884, the railroad connecting eastern Oregon with a national rail network bypassed Jacksonville, and the economy tanked. In a strange twist of fate, the town’s poor fortune was actually what helped preserve its the 19th-century charms. Left mostly untouched for years, its historic buildings led it to become the first town in America to be named a National Historic Landmark in 1966.
Artifacts are still being dug up that explore Jacksonville’s gold rush past. In 2004, road work uncovered broken Chinese bowls and tea cups along with other objects that shed a light on its short-lived Chinatown, Oregon’s first, created when Chinese immigrants moved to Jacksonville during its boom. A narrated history walking tour provides a fascinating learning experience about the town’s preserved homes and buildings.
The town’s wineries have come into focus in the past few decades. The Applegate Wine Trail runs through Jacksonville, which is home to six tasting rooms in town, as well as wineries just outside it. Those looking for an alcohol-free beverage can do no better than Good Bean. The raved about coffee shop delivers a tall order, one of the best cups in Oregon.
Crater Lake National Park is a scenic drive from Jacksonville, making it a great day trip from Jacksonville. The journey offers some spectacular views of Oregon’s countryside, and those with the time should take a detour to the Lost Creek Reservoir, at the Mill Creek Falls turn-off. A switchback hike rewards with a beautiful waterfall at the end.
Every summer, a concert series in Jacksonville memorializes one of many who came to Jacksonville in search of gold, photographer Peter Britt. He spent much of his time in town capturing its historic legacy, which people can now look back on today. The Britt Festival, which runs all summer, takes place on his old estate. This year’s lineup boasts Diana Ross, Grace Potter and Hunter Hayes, among others.”
Mansky, Jackie. “History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian.” History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian. Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016.
by Expert Properties | Mar 16, 2016 | Property Management, Real Estate Articles
Whether you are looking to put your house on the market this coming spring season or you are gearing up to have new renters move in, this is the perfect time of year to get a head start on all of those spring cleaning tasks that go a long with these activities.
Owning a home is a lot of responsibility and being a landlord is that much more. But, the benefits of owning a home – either for you and your family to reside in and make beautiful memories or as an investment property – are significant and the better you care for your home the greater the benefits.
Going into the spring and summer months, most people are starting to think about what kinds of home improvement projects they should spend their time and resources on. Things like landscaping, plumbing, and energy-efficiency are all at the top of the list. Consider adding the installation of a cool-roof to your list. These energy-efficient installations work to reflect the sun’s rays away from your home.
This is done with the use of highly-reflective paint, a reflective sheet covering, or reflective tiles and shingles configured into a roofing pattern. Most any type of residential or commercial building will benefit from a cool roof.
Some of the more desired benefits to have a cool roof installed are:
- Dramatic reduction of power bill. When you have a cool roof installed, the materials of the roof are essentially pushing away the rays of the sun so they don’t get absorbed into your home.
- If there are rooms in your home where the air conditioner doesn’t quite cool off, a cool roof will eliminate this problem as those areas won’t heat up the way they do with the traditional roof.
- The longevity of the roof is extended as the heat is not absorbed by the roofing materials, reducing the sun damage.
One of the best ways to improve the value of your home and have a dramatic impact on the energy-efficiency of your home is to have a cool roof installed. Cool roofs are designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofs, and provide the above benefits.
by Expert Properties | Dec 18, 2015 | Property Management, Real Estate Articles
Saving money on holiday lighting while still having a beautifully decorated home is a win-win. This is the time of year when many people pull out the storage tubs from their hiding places and take inventory of the holiday decorations that they have to work with.
As you are assessing your holiday decorations and devising your plan of attack, keep these energy-saving tips in mind:
- If any of your stands of lights are not LED, make sure to replace them. LED lights use more than 65% less energy than tradition light strands, making them a great investment. The bulbs actually burn brighter than tradition bulbs, and there is no filament inside so there is no risk of a bulb burning out. After Christmas sales offer a deep discount on holiday decorations, so you can get an even better deal on all new lights for next year also.
- If you are out doing some shopping, look for holiday decorations that offer a mail-in rebate. Energy Star offers rebates and coupons with most of their decorations and usually come with a three-year warranty.
- Create a schedule for your holiday decorations. Rather than keeping your decorations on all hours of the day, make a schedule so that they are only on for a few hours. For instance, once it is completely dark outside you can turn your lights on and then leave them on until you go to bed. This helps to reign in the amount of time that you are running your lights and thus how much energy is used.
- Rather than choosing the inflatable lawn decorations that required power to inflate, choose statues made of wood or plastic to place in your yard. The inflatable decorations use quite a bit of electricity, and if you are using them in addition to lights, you could see a significant spike in your power bill. Wood or plastic lawn decorations still add a nice element of holiday decoration, without the added power usage.
As you are planning your holiday decorating for the year, think about these tips to make sure that you are keeping the holiday spirit without adding too much to your power bill. Also, you can talk with professional holiday lighting installers to learn about how to get the most impact from your lighting display with the least impact on your bill.
