Author: ARLnow.com Sponsor

Property Pros: Home Tips For The Changing Seasons

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This is a sponsored column by Jim Muldoon, a Northern Virginia native, Arlington resident and one of the real estate and remodeling experts at Legacy Home Improvement Consultants. Legacy HIC is your source for all real estate and home improvement needs. Please email with any questions or topics you would like covered.

With the weather going from hot to cold, there are a lot of good ways to prep for protecting your home and minimizing energy expenses. Here are some tips to get your property winterized.

Make sure you keep the cold out and the heat in. Check the seals on windows, doors, piping coming into the home, electric lines coming into the home, exterior exhaust grills and attic fan venting to stop unwanted air flow. Foundation cracking and weather strips on garage doors require more than just caulking, but a quick sweep of the exterior should identify those issues.

Exterior maintenance is important before it gets too cold. Check for cracks in your driveway, walkways and brick. Handrails need to be secured so when ice is on the ground, you can rely on that support. A roofing professional should make sure there are no leaks in the roof and that the gutters have been cleared out. Trim back tree branches that are close to your home and walkways, so they will not be at risk to break with the weight of snow. Disconnect hoses and shut off valves that run to exterior water-spouts.

Winter to HVAC professionals is like tax season to accountants, so get your equipment serviced now before it is too late! Check filters to make sure air flow is not impeded. Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected for regular use. Re-program your thermostat schedule so you stay comfortable without major ups and downs for your interior heat. Change the direction of your ceiling fans to create an upward draft to redistribute warm air. Prepare for power outages by stocking up on firewood and replacing batteries in flashlights, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Re-organizing your mud and utility rooms is very helpful. Having the right equipment in place for snowy months is better done while it’s still warm out. Take out your snow blower and make sure it is in working order. Bring your shovels, ice melt and snow boots to accessible areas. When putting away your lawn movers and other gas powered lawn equipment, drain out left over gas in the tank.

Checking these items off your list will give you head start on enjoying your holiday season.

Email me at [email protected] if there are any topics you would like me to cover in future articles or you have any questions about a remodeling project you are about to undertake. Your real estate is one of your best assets. Let the Property Pros help you get more informed.

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by licensed broker Aaron Seekford of Arlington Realty, Inc. GET MORE out of your real estate investment with Aaron and his team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6116 today!

Please note: While Aaron Seekford provides this information for the community, he is not the listing agent of these homes.

A HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of the “Just Reduced” readers out there. From my team to you and yours, I hope you enjoy your holiday. And I also hope you’re saving up a nice appetite for whatever meal(s) await!

One of my favorite parts about this time of year is the quality time that I get to spend with loved ones. Sure, my wife, kids and I travel throughout the VA/DC/MD area visiting our closest family and friends. But, we also love having so many folks over to our beautiful home in Arlington County.

It’s an honor to host those who have made such a positive impact on us.

If you’re looking for your very own home in Arlington County, I’m always here for you. In the meantime though, I hope your Thanksgiving 2016 makes for some amazing memories.

As of November 21, there are 195 detached homes, 41 townhouses and 270 apartments for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 41 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week.

Here is this week’s selection of Just Reduced properties:

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Aaron Seekford.

Ask Eli: Resale Value Of Solar Panels

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by Eli Tucker, Arlington-based Realtor and Rosslyn resident. Please submit your questions to him via email for response in future columns. Enjoy!

Question: Do solar panels improve or hurt the resale value of a home?

Answer: Green living. Green roofs. Green technology. With so much time spent discussing Green initiatives, you would think that investing in solar panels and other eco-friendly home products would put you in a competitive advantage when you sell your home. In my experience, that’s not the case.

Arlington residents overwhelmingly vote and promote Green policies locally and nationally, but I’ve found that when it comes down to the pocketbooks of individual buyers, most are not willing to pay a premium for a home that’s been upgraded with eco-friendly products and landscaping. Businesses, not residents, are usually the ones who take up Green initiatives because there’s a positive return for their brand and larger tax incentives.

Cost Savings vs. Aesthetics

Solar panels are a slightly different story because they can provide real savings with lower utility bills and tax incentives. However, there are two factors that offset those savings in buyers’ minds — aesthetics and maintenance concerns. The current technology is predominately the large panels you’re used to seeing, which isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, especially when so many buyers are spending $1M+. Buyers are also skeptical of future maintenance costs if panels stop working or are damaged in a storm. Also, keep in mind that the pay-off period for the energy savings can take 10+ years.

For proof of the difficulty solar panels have had in the residential market, you don’t have to look much further than Elon Musk’s Solar City, which due to recent financial struggles, was recently acquired by Tesla.

Solar Will Improve Resale…Eventually

The solar industry has started introducing solar roofs, instead of solar panels, which incorporate solar technology into individual shingles so that it looks like a normal roof (it’s supposed to be more durable too). Right now it’s expensive, but as the prices comes down, I expect it will catch on quickly and become a great selling point.

What do you think about the resale value of homes with solar panels? It usually costs $10-15k to add solar panels to a home. If you were buying a home for $1M, would you be willing to pay a premium of $5-10k? Would you make a better offer on a home with solar panels than the same home without panels?

If you’d like a question answered in my weekly column, please send an email to [email protected]. To read any of my older posts, visit the blog section of my website at http://www.RealtyDCMetro.com.

Eli Tucker is a licensed Realtor in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland with Real Living At Home, 2420 Wilson Blvd #101 Arlington, VA 22201, (202) 518-8781.

Open House at Fusion Academy’s New Permanent Campus in Alexandria

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Fusion Academy Alexandria is a revolutionary private middle and high school where positive relationships unlock academic potential.

We are a non-traditional community of learning with the smallest class size possible: one student and one teacher per classroom. This allows us to personalize curriculum for each student’s unique strengths, interests, and learning style. We are also able to customize scheduling; students may enroll at any time (even mid-semester or during the summer) and take classes at a time of day that works best for them.

We just moved into our permanent campus space at 333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 100 in Alexandria. You are invited to see our new space and meet our team at an Open House on December 8.

You’ll get to peek in our teacher-customized one-to-one classes, hang out in the Homework Café®, be inspired in our mixed-media art studio, and jam in our state-of-the-art recording studio. We’ll also share student stories and the exciting things they have been working on since we started teaching in September.

Classes are offered at three levels: essential, college prep, and honors. From algebra to yoga and everything in between, we have a wide variety of classes to choose from. Students can enroll full-time, take classes for credit, or utilize our tutoring services. In addition to academics, we partner with outside therapeutic professionals to support students’ emotional health and help foster a balanced life.

While it’s impossible to put our students into categories, we generally serve students with the following backgrounds: accelerated/gifted learners, ADHD, dyslexia, mild learning differences, social challenges, school anxiety, or students with challenging schedules. Students who attend Fusion have one thing in common: traditional school isn’t working.

Fusion has over 37 campuses across the country in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Antigone, parent from our Lake Forest, Illinois campus says: “The teachers at Fusion have offered my son the highest content classes with the perfect amount of purposeful homework for reinforcement. Accelerated learning and inspiration happens in the classroom. This has allowed for unique extracurricular activities and family time to enrich his life after school. Fusion provides balance between high academics and nurturing the childhood years. Everyone in our family is less stressed with this approach to learning.”

Connect with us at FusionAlexandria.com to learn more and RSVP for the December 8 open house.

The preceding post was written and sponsored by Fusion Academy.

Legal Insider: Severance Agreements in Virginia

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters.

By Kimberly Berry

Most employees in Virginia are considered “at will,” which means they can resign and/or be terminated at any time. When employment ends, an employer may offer a severance package to an employee in exchange for the employee’s waiver of rights. However, employers in the absence of an agreement or severance policy, generally have no obligation to provide employees severance pay. If severance pay is offered, an employer will offer the employee a Severance Agreement.

A Severance Agreement is a contract between the employee and an employer that provides the terms of the end of employment between the employer and the employee. Severance Agreements may also be offered to employees who are laid off or facing retirement. In addition, depending on the circumstances, a Severance Agreement may be offered to an employee who resigns or is terminated. The Severance Agreement must have something of value (also referred to as consideration) to which the employee is not already entitled.

Employers are generally required to provide an employee time to consider the Severance Agreement before signing. An employee typically has a 21-day consideration period to accept and at least a 7-day revocation period to revoke an employer’s Severance Agreement if the employee is over 40 years of age. For a group or class of employees (i.e., two or more employees) age 40 or over, employers must provide a 45-day consideration period and at least a 7-day revocation period.

Items and/or terms that the employer and employee may place in these agreements include:

  • Financial terms, tax issues and timing of severance payments
  • Continuation of employment benefits (i.e. health, etc.)
  • Issues related to unemployment compensation
  • References
  • Claims to be waived (i.e. discrimination, etc.)
  • Confidentiality
  • Non-Disparagement
  • Re-employment possibilities
  • Scope of possible non-competition
  • Preservation of trade secrets
  • Recommendation letters
  • Consequences of violating the agreement
  • The state law governing the agreement

Severance Agreements will usually include a general release or waiver that requires that the employee cannot sue his or her employer for wrongful termination or attempt to seek unemployment benefits upon the effective date of a fully executed Severance Agreement. Before an employee signs a Severance Agreement, he or she should consult with an attorney to discuss the rights that he or she may be waiving and the terms of the Severance Agreement.

If you need assistance with a Severance Agreement or other employment matter, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also visit and like us on Facebook.

Rethink Energy: Get Your Federal Tax Credit Before They Expire!

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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This regularly-scheduled sponsored Q&A column is written by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy team (AIRE). This county program helps you make smart energy decisions that save you money and leaves a lighter footprint on the environment. Got a question? Email us at [email protected]!

December is just around the corner, and so is the expiration for some of the federal tax credits for energy efficiency. In fact, December 31, 2016 will be the last day you can use federal tax credits to make your home more energy efficient — and save yourself some hard-earned cash by reducing your monthly energy costs this winter.

Products must be installed in an existing home or your principal residence on or before December 31, 2016 — so don’t delay.

If you upgrade your heating/cooling system, install insulation, seal air leaks and/or replace your water heater, you can double your savings by combining the Federal Tax Credits with Arlington’s Home Energy Rebates.

Federal Tax Credits + Arlington’s Home Energy Rebates + Lower Utility Bills + Better Home Comfort = No Brainer

So, what are you waiting for? Contact an insulation specialist, HVAC installer or contractor to take action today and ring in the New Year with comfort and savings.

WWBG: Brewery Collaborations

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Editor’s Note: This biweekly column is sponsored by Dominion Wine and Beer (107 Rowell Court, Falls Church). This column is written by Dominion owner Arash Tafakor.

A brewer once told me that it’s not just ingredients and skill that makes a beer taste delicious; that it’s the love and passion for brewing that makes a beer shine.

You begin to discover these special beers more and more as a result of brewery collaborations. The magic of collaborations occur when breweries, restaurants and/or bottle shops from all over the world combine to brew something unique and limited. These beers are brewed based on each participant’s strengths, passion and craft trends. A couple of key factors that make the product extra special are the love and fun that flows into the process.

In a growing and rapidly changing beer industry, collabs are nothing new. They’ve been around our industry for a very long time. But in a market with increased competition between breweries, distributors and bottle shops, collaborations are an escape from our increasingly evolving industry. Sharing ideas, developing long term relationships, and bringing people together help bring a sense of community within the Craft beer world.

Dominion Wine and Beer is no stranger to collaborations. Recently, we coordinated a collaboration called All Eyez on Me with Aslin Beer Company (Herndon, VA). All Eyez on Me was a New England Style Double IPA with a unique hop profile. Aslin is well known regionally and nationally for brewing incredibly juicy IPAs. The opportunity to brew a beer with such a fine brewery was an incredible experience for Dominion. Dominion also brewed a Citra Hopped low IBU IPA beer with Three Notch’d Brewing Company (Richmond, VA) that turned out fantastic and we can’t wait to brew again.

Three Notch’d also recently launched a new project called “RVA Collab House,” to enable individuals or groups in the Richmond community to leave their mark through the art of Craft Beer. If anyone is interested, the signup form is attached HERE. Both collaborations proved to be a huge hit and very popular among the beer community. The Aslin / Dominion All Eyez on Me lasted about 15 minutes, flying out of the cooler in our pre-filled crowlers. Similarly, our Three Notch’d collaboration lasted only a couple of days on the menu and sold out quickly at the brewery. These results exceeded our expectations.

Jace Gonnerman, the Beverage Director of Meridian Pint, Brookland Pint, and Smoke & Barrel, three craft beer centered restaurant establishments in Washington D.C., is the “King of Collaborations” in my opinion. I spoke to Jace about this article and he explained to me how collaborations are an integral part of his restaurant group’s identity.

If a local brewery crosses your mind, there’s a good chance that Jace has already been there to brew a collaboration. Jace noted that collaborations help support local breweries and foster lifelong personal and business relationships with brewers and breweries. Jace’s collaborations are also legendary. His collaboration with Ocelot Brewing Company (Dulles, VA), called Talking Backwards, is an extremely drinkable high ABV Triple IPA, was considered one of the best IPAs ever brewed in Virginia. The industry cannot thank Jace enough for all his hard work and dedication to the craft. He sets out and pursues collabs, invites friends of his in the industry to come share the wonderful experience.

Be on the lookout for the following upcoming collaborations:

  1. Boulevard Collaboration No. 6 Barrel Aged Blend with Firestone Walker, a blend of each breweries barrel aged beers.
  2. Aslin and Manor Hill out of Ellicott City Maryland are brewing an IPA, bringing MD and VA together.
  3. Meridian Pint, Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, and Union out of Baltimore have a collab scheduled for early next year.

What are your some of your favorite collabs? Any we should be on the lookout for to put on tap?

Listing of the Day: 608 N. Vermont Street

By ARLnow.com Sponsor
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608 N. Vermont Street
Neighborhood: Ballston
Listing Price: $1,700,000
Open House: Sunday, November 20 from 2-4 p.m.

In the newest Northern Virginia hotspot of Ballston, a new construction home will be built by Brett Roman and Arlington Construction Management just a few blocks away from the new Ballston Quarter mall and Metro station, giving buyers the unique opportunity to own a large home right in the heart of the hottest local neighborhood.

The home, at 608 N. Vermont, will be upwards of 5,000 square feet on three sprawling levels with five bedrooms and five baths on a half acre lot with a detached garage.

The home will boast luxury finishes and fixtures, including hardwood floors throughout, 10-foot ceilings on the main level, granite countertops, and built-in bookcases. The large gourmet kitchen features a butlers pantry and buyers have the option of requesting a loft for even more storage space. The main level also includes private office space. The grand master bedroom includes two spacious walk-in closets, a luxurious bathroom, and a private balcony.

The home will be finished by summer 2017, leaving potential buyers plenty of time to customize the home to their preferences. For even more information regarding this exciting new construction home, check out the Zillow listing and take a virtual tour.

More information about the property can be found here. Tour the model on Sunday at 2513 11th St. N., Arlington, VA 22201. Please contact Dan with the Orange Line Living Team and Optime Realty at [email protected] or call (571) 969-7653.

Just Listed in Arlington

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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Just Listed highlights Arlington properties that just came on the market within the past week. This feature is written and sponsored by Team Cathell, “Your Orange Line Specialists.”

Whether caused by the surprising election results or by some other factors, home owners decided it’s finally time to sell their homes.

New listings jumped up to 50 this week, the most in five weeks. While that’s good news for buyers, the bad news is that interest rates also shot up this week. Before the election, rates were about 3.6% for a 30-yr fixed rate. Today, ten days later, the rates are 4% and expected to continue climbing.

Buyers this week ratified 58 contracts outpacing new listings again. The pressure on available inventory was evident this week as seven of the homes sold had been on the market for over 200 days. Two of those had been on the market for over 500 days. This raised the average days on market in Arlington to 83.

Home values are a tale of two markets in Arlington. Year to date, the average price of a condo has declined 3.68% over the same period as last year. Single family detached homes, however, have increased in value by 2.48%, according to data from RBI, the statistical division of MRIS.

Click to see all the fresh new inventory in MRIS and call Team Cathell (703-975-2500) when you find a home you like.

Healthy Paws: Dogs and Cats Are Not Small Humans

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

Healthy Paws

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Sometimes it’s hard to say that our fur-kids really are not human. Many of us love them and treat them like they are. While we could argue behavioral and psychological reason for and against that perspective, one thing that is pretty straight forward is drug metabolism…

Dogs and cats are not small humans and cats are not small dogs. Each species has very different abilities to metabolize certain drugs and as such, there are some human medications that should NEVER be given to our pets, some that can under direct supervision of a veterinarian, and some that are fine to use but may require a different doses for our pets than humans.

NEVER:

Tylenol (acetaminophen), in cats: Causes a life-threatening inability to deliver oxygen to tissues.

Pepto Bismol in cats and dogs: Contains aspirin in a form that is not useful for treating any condition and often causes GI bleeding.

Breath Fresheners in dogs and cats: Some human breath fresheners can contain xylitol, which has the potential to cause the blood sugar to drop dangerously low (hypoglycemia), causing loss of motor control or even seizures; and even liver failure.

Ibuprofen in dogs and cats: Very easy to overdose and can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomach, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure and acute neurologic symptoms.

Pseudophedrine and phenylephrine in dogs and cats: Can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, agitation and heart rhythm disturbances.

ONLY UNDER VETERINARY DIRECTION & SUPERVISION:

Aspirin in dogs and cats: If given at high enough doses to help with inflammation, aspirin almost always causes gastrointestinal bleeding. There are far better and far safer medications to help with inflammation (arthritis and pain). We can use it safely in very low doses to reduce platelet activity and clotting in certain disease situations that predispose clotting.

Immodium AD in dogs: While not toxic to most dogs, some dogs may carry a genetic mutation that makes the more sensitive to the effects of this drug and can lead to seizures and even coma.

GenTeal Eye Lubricant: This is a useful artificial tear supplement when your dog has been accurately diagnosed with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (AKA “Dry Eye”). Eye issues can quickly go awry, so always have a veterinarian exam before trying to treat at home.

Tylenol in dogs: The dose range is pretty narrow and it’s definitely not a first-line pain medication in dogs. We tend to use it more with severe pain, and in combination with codeine. Overdosing can cause severe liver disease and so should only be used exactly as directed and prescribed by your veterinarian.

Antihistamines in dogs and cats: Claritin (loratidine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine) can be used to reduce itching. Claritin and Zyrtec tend to be better for general allergies in our dogs, but they do not cause drowsiness in dogs and cats they way they do in humans, so don’t try these as a sedative. Talk to your veterinarian about dosing. **Be sure NOT to use an antihistamine that contains Pseudophedrine – such as Zyrtec-D or Claritin-D**

SAFE TO USE (though we still recommend consulting with your veterinarian before starting these medications):

Pepcid AC (famotidine) in dogs and cats: Pepcid and other antacids such as Zantac (ranitidine) or Prilosec (omperazole) are safe for pets and used for many different diseases (such as gastroenteritis, kidney failure and liver failure). Check with your veterinarian for dosing.

Antihistamines: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) tends to be better for acute allergic reactions (such as bug bites and contact allergies that cause hives) and may cause mild drowsiness. It doesn’t do nearly as good a job for general allergies as some of the newer antihistamines. The dose is 1mg per pound of body weight every 8-12 hours for allergic reactions (so a 25lb dog would get 25mg every 8-12 hours). If the symptoms are not improving within 24 hours of starting Benadryl or if the allergic reaction is getting worse in spite of using Benadryl — your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian!

Meclizine in dogs: This is a motion sickness medication, similar to Dramamine, that can be helpful for reducing car sickness and doesn’t cause much drowsiness. The dose is 12.5mg-25mg per dog given 1-2 hours before a car ride.

Topical ointments with a numbing cream: In most cases, a topical Bacitracin ointment is likely okay to use, but when they are supplemented with a pain numbing cream, such as hydrocortisone or tetracaine, these can be toxic if ingested.  Most dogs and cats tend to lick ointments immediately after application and we often recommend the use of an e-collar (i.e. the cone of shame) when using topical medications.

Additional resources on toxic and non-toxic household items, plants and medications can be found at ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control’s website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Rental Trends: What to Look For in a Property Management Company

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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This biweekly sponsored column is written by the experts at Gordon James Realty, a local property management firm that specializes in residential real estate, commercial real estate and homeowner associations. Please submit any questions in the comments section or via email.

If, after reading our article on why it’s a good idea to hire a property management company, you decided to move forward on that, you might wonder what to look for in a property management company. The process requires a careful assessment of your needs, budget and goals as a landlord.

There are several factors to consider before choosing a property management company:

What are your needs and do the company’s services match them?

A property management company should be able to handle the entire rental process for your property — from advertising and marketing the unit to tenant screening and collecting rent once a tenant has been found.

Once a tenant has been placed, key tasks property managers handle include: preparing leases and enforcing the lease terms, inspecting the property regularly, overseeing all repairs, landscaping and other maintenance. A property management company should also have a sophisticated system to track rent collection, notify you of any property issues, document all financial transactions and provide you with regular reports of income and expenses. Because the company should handle all communication with the tenants, great customer service and the ability to maintain positive relationships with tenants are critical.

If you own a DC rental property, for example, but live here in Arlington, you are legally required to provide the city with the name and address of a resident agent based in D.C. Since the resident agent can be an individual or a business, you can use the services of a DC property management company, which can receive any communication on your behalf.

What is the company’s fee structure?

Ask for details about the company’s fees and what services they cover, before you sign a contract. This is an area where companies differ.

  • Is there a flat percentage fee for an all-inclusive package or does the company charge different fees for separate services?
  • Are there extra charges for specific services or items?
  • For repairs, does the property management company add a percentage “mark-up” fee to contractor’s invoices?
  • How often will you be billed for the fees?
  • Who will be responsible for handling your property?
  • Find out whether the company will designate a dedicated property manager for your property. If so, find out whether the manager is licensed and how much experience he or she has, including experience managing properties similar to yours. Find out the company’s procedures for handling issues that might come up when your manager is busy or on vacation.

How and when can you and the company communicate?

When you have a question, will the company answer quickly? The company’s availability and responsiveness to you and to tenants matter. Note their hours and learn how they respond to owners questions and how they handle urgent and emergency property issues that occur outside of those hours. Do they have 24-hour emergency service?

Some companies have sophisticated property management software that allows owners to securely view their property records and monthly reports online anytime. If the company doesn’t have that, find out when and how the issue reports.

Decide how often you want your manager to contact you with updates. In addition, it is wise to set limits on how much the company can spend on repairs without your approval.

Does the company have good references?

Request and call multiple references from the company. Has the company managed properties comparable to yours? How many additional properties does the company manage? How do they divide their time to address issues at different properties?

These questions can help you start the process of selecting a property management company for your rental property.

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