Tenant screening: Check those tenants out!

 

The usual landlord/tenant relationship goes something like this.  The tenant rents an apartment, pays the rent, the landlord maintains the property and all is well.  The times that the landlord/tenant relationship goes sour can often be traced back to the tenant screening process.


Bad tenants usually do not just develop overnight, they have been bad tenants for a while and they leave a trail.  Your job as a landlord is to sniff out this trail before you allow them in your property.  You can save yourself many headaches by rigorously screening your prospective tenants.  In fact, I might even go so far as to say that tenant screening is the key component to being a successful landlord. 


Bad tenants may present themselves very well.  They may dress and speak well.  They will say all the right things.  They may even have cash in hand and be ready to move in.  When someone is holding $500 in front of you to move in, it can be very tempting.  Do not do it!  Screen them!  Screen everyone thoroughly.  Check every reference and verify everything on their application.  Oh, you don't use a written application?!?  Well there is your first problem.


Here are some tips when screening tenant applications:


    Pull credit and criminal history on everyone.  This is your first line of defense against the bad tenant.  Compare the data in the reports you receive with what is stated on your application.   Does it match?  If it does not, dig deeper.  Why is the info different?  If we discover lies, that is immediate cause for disapproval.


    Verify their work history.  Do not do this by calling the number they have listed on the application if you can help it.  A friend may be waiting for your call on the other end.  Instead, call the main office and get transferred into the department where the person says they work.  In this way you can avoid the "friend" set up.


    The current landlord may want them out and will therefore lie to you.  It is best to talk with the previous landlord or to get an accurate view.


    People forge documents.  It has happened to us.  Do not believe the paycheck stubs, letterhead, whatever.  Verify everything with the issuer.


    The old adage is true; do not judge a book by its cover.  We had a well dressed, well spoken man fill out and application, say all the right things and pay the application fee in cash.  He must have assumed we would pocket the fee and not check.  He had never paid a bill in his life.  Even the phone company was after him!  There are professional scammers out there, be vigilant.  It would have taken us at least 4 months to get him out.  I know that time frame could be a year or more in some parts of the country.


    Ask their place of employment if there are any planned layoffs.  We had a tenant get laid off the day he was approved to move in.


Most people are good, tell the truth and try to do the right thing.  Your job is to weed out the bad ones by finding the lies.  And they will lie to cover up their past, and get into your property.  Evictions are neither fun nor cheap.  So save yourself some hassle, set up a rigorous tenant screening process.  Also, be sure to treat every applicant in the same manner by using the exact same screening process.  Don't set yourself up for a discrimination lawsuit because you treated one perspective tenant differently.


Author: Kevin Perk


Kevin's Website: http://www.smarterlandlording.com

Three ways to give your home's curb appeal a boost

Homeowners only get one chance to make a first impression. That's one chance to impress potential buyers, family, friends and neighbors with the first thing they see: your home's exterior.

From simple upgrades to meticulous landscaping projects and replacing an outdated roof, there are dozens of options to enhance the appearance of your home's exterior. Improvements don't need to break the bank or take a year to complete. By focusing on three simple areas, you can change the entire look of your home that you'll appreciate every time you pull into your driveway.

1. Landscaping

The key to curb appeal is balancing what makes you happy with what works in your community. Take a moment to observe the types of trees, plants and flowers in your surroundings and look for ways to incorporate them into your yard.

Planting flowers is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to make an impact. Flowers along the sidewalk, in front of the house, inside flower boxes, pouring out of hanging baskets, or even in berms and raised garden beds, provide a giant boost to your curb appeal. Exercise your creativity by combining plants of different height, texture and color in the same container. By sticking to perennial plants native to your environment, you will not have to worry about replanting every year.

2. Roofing

Redesigning the style and color of your roof is a dramatic and effective strategy for improving curb appeal.

"Your roof accounts for 50 percent of your home's exterior," says Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Product, Inc. "Updating the shingles on your roof is going to make a huge impact on the overall appearance of your home - take advantage of it."

Start by evaluating roofing choices for compatibility with your existing siding as well as the style of your home. If your home has a busy exterior with more than one contrasting color, try adding a classic, rustic color like TAMKO's weathered wood. The shingle's subtle blends of color and wood-like appearance complements nearly any exterior paint color.

If your home's exterior is a more neutral shade, try adding a vibrant colored shingle to stand out in your neighborhood. TAMKO has a large selection of classic and vibrant shingle colors and styles to meet any need. To learn more visit www.tamko.com.

3. Paint

Whether you're updating your color scheme or applying a fresh coat, painting is an easy way to update your home's look from the street in a big way. Depending on your budget, this project can be big or small. To make the most significant impact, consider painting the entire house. This will bring new life to paint that has lost its luster or possibly a new palette of color to incorporate into your yard. Although this project can call for a larger investment, the result will pay off in the end.

If your budget is more limited, focus on the areas that catch the eye. Give shutters and trim a fresh coat of paint, or paint the front door a bright shade of red or blue.

You don't have to make a large investment to make a large impact. Focusing on key areas of your home's exterior will refresh the entire appearance of the home and provide a facelift that's within your reach.

Courtesy of BPT

Hot trends for spring home improvement projects

Warmer temperatures, green grass and increased daylight help shake off the winter blues and inspire home and yard improvements to spruce up your surroundings.

Whether you're remodeling to stay put, or putting your home on the market, consider home improvement and design trends as you plan your renovation projects.

Add bold, bright colors
Need a color boost? Fresh color recommendations from the Pantone Color Institute include Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Bellflower and Cabaret.

Try adding a splash of these vivid hues to help alter your mood and boost vitality and enthusiasm. Repaint a wall, bookcase or front door for a bold color burst. Or sprinkle splashes of color with new covers for patio furniture, area rugs, pillows or window treatments.

Go green, save green
Among the top green home trends from buildipedia.com is renovating to reduce your home's heating and cooling load. Add more insulation in the walls, roof and floors or seal up leaks or install new windows and doors.

Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified products that help lower your home's energy consumption, and in turn, your utility bills.

Low-maintenance Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors feature a premium look in an energy-saving design that is the most energy-efficient product line the company offers.

Energize your entry
No time for major renovations? Weekend projects, like installing a new front door to welcome guests to dinners, graduations and get-togethers, can transform your entryway with minimal hassle and cost.

Consider installing a 36-inch-wide entry door to add more room to maneuver. Whether you're carrying a baby or a bag of groceries, or need extra space for a wheelchair or walker, wider entry doors are ideal for nearly any home - especially multigenerational ones.

Today's hottest entry door trends revolve around styles, materials and performance.

"The Craftsman style remains a popular choice for entry doors," says Steve Brenizer, product marketing manager for Pella Windows and Doors. "Rustic door styles with hinge straps and clavos that create a distinctive look are also standouts. And customizing with decorative glass to let in natural light without sacrificing privacy, or adding decorative grilles are also sought-after style options."

Fiberglass is in
When it comes to exterior doors, fiberglass is surging in popularity, Brenizer says. "Fiberglass entry doors look like an authentic wood door, without the ongoing maintenance needs of wood," he adds. "Plus, fiberglass offers exceptional energy efficiency, weather resistance and outstanding durability to resist dents and dings."

New fiberglass Pella entry doors push industry performance standards to new levels. Their dual-seal technology provides two layers of protection to help block out the damaging effects of extreme wind and rain. Fiberglass doors are very customizable, Brenizer adds. Homeowners can choose their own exterior clad color, interior wood stain or paint color, or create a custom color to truly reflect their home's style. For more information visit Pella.com or call 888-847-3552.

Greening your home: Start at the tap

In today's environmentally conscious times, it seems we're surrounded by the need to shop, act and live "green." Some of our choices are easy and small, while others can be big and costly. But one thing is for sure - each choice can make a significant difference. 

 

Some of the most important green choices we can make are right within our own home, according to Kevin McJoynt at Danze, Inc.

"Installing items like Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient windows is a great step in moving your home to be more green," says McJoynt. "But changing your in-home water usage can have the most impact."

 

According to McJoynt, water shortages, energy demands and the cost of transporting water continue to rise. "Finding ways to simply reduce our usage without dramatically altering our lifestyle could save billions of gallons of water each year in the United States."

McJoynt offers up these tips on how you can immediately start conserving water (and save money) in your home:

 

* Replace older toilets (1992 or earlier) with newer, high efficiency toilets (HETs). They operate at 1.28 gallons per flush and could save 11 gallons of water per toilet per day. Danze has several new HETs that outperform and are more stylish than many toilets found in current homes.

 

* Be sure to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth - it could save nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year. 

 

* Update your bathrooms with newer WaterSense certified lavatory faucets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense program, if every household in the U.S. installed these water-saving lavatory faucets, more than $350 million in water utility bills and more than 60 billion gallons of water annually would be saved, plus $600 million in energy costs for heating the water.

 

* Always turn the water off between tasks. Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.

* Make sure to wash only full loads of laundry. Using a high-efficiency washing machine is ideal, as they use about 28 gallons of water per load, versus an average machine that uses 41 gallons.

 

* Take a shower rather than a bath. A full bath tub requires up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons. Want to be even more efficient? Switch your showerhead to a water-saving option.  

 

"We realize showers are a tricky one when it comes to saving water. Homeowners want to make sure they have a well-performing shower experience," says McJoynt. "However, the EPA WaterSense program recently published standards for showerheads that consider both conservation and performance to build support of these water-saving units. Be sure to look for the WaterSense certification mark."

 

* Fix those leaks. Most leaky faucets can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year.

 

"Better design and engineering of many new bathroom products actually gives the user improved performance as well as efficiency," adds McJoynt. "Faucets, toilets and showerheads are great examples. They're just like other appliances that use less energy, but still work very well."

 

If all the water-saving green choices still have you overwhelmed, select one tip at a time and incorporate it into your home. Looking for other tips? Visit the EPA's WaterSense website. 

 

For more information about the performance and efficiency of Danze faucets, showerheads and toilets, visit www.danze.com.

Courtesy of BPT

Driveway Gates: An ideal way to finish off your drive

When it comes to your home, you want it to be as unique as you are, and first impressions are very important. It makes sense to start with the part of your house that everyone will see first - your gates and railing. Wrought iron driveway gates are an ideal way to finish off your drive and give your home that wow factor.


Driveway gates and fences will enhance the beauty, privacy and security of your home. A driveway gate extends your home security to the boundaries of your property, and in a time where people are increasingly worried about their security, adding an iron gate at the driveway entrance has become popular. Having a secure fence and gate can be a great comfort, particularly if your house lies in an area of heavy traffic. In addition to the security benefits, adding a gate also contains animals, clearly marks property lines and makes a huge aesthetic improvement to your home.


When you choose an iron driveway gate for your home, you can be confident in the knowledge that they are known for their strength and endurance. This makes them less likely to break or bend. With today's power coating options, wrought iron gates can become just as rust resistant as aluminum. Iron gates can be matched with existing fences, pedestrian gates and access control systems.


It can be very frustrating to finish a long commute only to have to get out of the car, open a gate, drive through it, get out of the car again and close the gate. With this in mind another trendy feature for your iron driveway gates is to install an automatic gate opener. Electric gates provide indispensable convenience, allowing a gate to be opened without ever having to leave your car and therefore eliminating all those cumbersome steps.


When purchasing electric gates you need to consider a few options. The most obvious is deciding whether you want your driveway gate to open by sliding or swinging outwards. Swing gates are more aesthetically pleasing but you must take into account the opening radius depending on the length of the gate. Sliding gates will eliminate this issue as they retract rather than swing out.


You will also need to consider how much power is required to open and close your driveway gate. The amount of power is dependent on the size of your gate, how it opens and how many times it will need to be opened each day.


Finally, how will your gate be accessed, and by how many users? Electric gates are operated by a controller which sends a signal to the opening mechanism.


There are several options for your controller:


•Wireless


•Wired keypads


•Keypads with intercoms


•Key card operated controllers


•Controllers operated by remotes or telephones


Each of these features will affect the price and your final decision should be based on your budget and personal preference. Once you have taken all these points into consideration you can narrow down your options and choose the best Driveway Gates for your specific needs.


by: Mehboob Talukdar


Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7350.shtml