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Making an apartment complex feel like home for the residents is something that property managers should strive to do. It’s not always easy, but with a little effort, it can be done. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to make your apartments feel like home for the residents. Whether you are dealing with new residents moving in or long-term residents who have been there for a while, these tips will help make everyone feel welcome and comfortable! 

Add Some Personal Touches 

One of the easiest ways to make an apartment complex feel like home is by adding some personal touches. This could be anything from giving welcome gifts to new residents to creating a beautifully landscaped property for your residents to enjoy. Anything that makes the residents feel welcome and comfortable will work! 

Get to Know Your Residents 

Another way to make your apartments feel like home is by getting to know your residents. Take the time to learn their names, what they do for a living and any other interesting facts about them. Not only will this help create a friendly atmosphere, but it will also make them feel like they are important in the community. When you know your residents’ names, you can say hello to them as you see each other around the complex and they will feel touched that you remember who they are. Not everyone takes the time to learn names!  

Create a Community Bulletin Board 

A community bulletin board is an effective way to make your apartments feel like home. You can post notices about upcoming events or meetings, as well as provide information on new residents who have just moved in! A community bulletin board can be a great way for residents to connect with each other and discover common interests or help each other out. For example, a resident puts up a flyer saying she’d love to walk people’s dogs while they are at work, or a flyer looking for a math tutor for her son. Creating community connections among neighbors certainly makes your apartment complex feel like home!  

Have Regular Events and Activities for Residents to Participate In  

The more involved you are with the community, the better it will be. Having regular events and activities for residents to participate in is one of the best ways to get them engaged and feel welcome at their apartment complex! Meeting your neighbors can be tough even if you live in an apartment. By gathering together for fun and family-friendly community events, your residents have an easy way to meet and form friendships.  

Make Staff Available for Questions and Concerns  

One thing that can really turn people off from living somewhere new is having no idea what’s going on because they don’t know anyone else yet. Make sure residents know who to go to for questions and concerns from residents, whether about maintenance requests, financial matters, neighbor complaints, or any other common concerns. When people know who their point of contact is, they feel more comfortable and secure living in the apartment. 

These are just five ways that you can make your apartment complex feel like home. Implementing even one or two of these tips will help create a more welcoming environment for all of the residents! 

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to make your apartments feel like home, reach out to MMC Properties to learn about our friendly and professional property management services. 

Are you a property owner who is considering hiring a property manager? If so, you’re making a smart decision. A good property manager can help you maximize your rental income and make owning rental property easier and more profitable. However, not all property managers are created equal. How do you know which one is the best choice for your rental home or apartment complex? Keep reading for tips on how to find and hire the right property manager for you! 

When looking for a property manager, always do your research. Not all management companies are created equal, so it’s important to find one that has a good reputation and plenty of experience in the industry. Here are some tips on what to look for when interviewing potential managers: 

Do: 

• Ask about their experience with managing rental properties similar to yours, whether that be a duplex or large apartment complex 
• Check references from current and past clients  
• Get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision  
• Look for a company that is licensed and insured  

Don’t: 

• Hire the first company you come across – take time to interview multiple companies before making a final choice 
• Choose a company just because they’re the most affordable option (you get what you pay for) 
• Forget about asking questions! It’s important that both parties are on the same page when it comes to managing your investment property 

How Do You Know You Made the Right Choice?  

Once you’ve hired a property manager, how do you know if you made the right choice? Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Are they keeping on top of maintenance and repairs?  
• Is your rental income increasing since hiring them?  
• Do they respond quickly to tenant requests or concerns?  

If you’re happy with the answers to these questions, then chances are you made a good decision in hiring your property manager. However, if you’re not satisfied with any of these factors, it may be time to reconsider your choice and find a company that better suits your needs. 

No matter who you choose as your property manager, always remember that communication is key. Be sure to communicate often with them about any concerns or issues that arise, as well as anything else they may need to know. 

If you’re looking for a property manager in Middle Tennessee, give us a call today! We’d love to help manage your investment properties so that you can relax and enjoy life. 

MMC Properties is a professional property management company with over 30 years of experience managing rental homes and apartment complexes in the Middle Tennessee area. We’re licensed and insured, and we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. For more information or to get a quote, please call us at (615) 849-9006 or visit our website at mmcproperties.com.  

Whether you actually hurt yourself or just suffer from a bruised ego, slipping and falling is always a nasty shock. At your own home, you can usually just dust yourself off and forget about it, but if you own a rental unit or apartment complex, slips and falls suddenly become much more serious. Maintaining a safe property for your employees and tenants becomes paramount, both to give them a great experience, and to prevent any big insurance claims from knocking at your door. 

Reduce your rental property’s potential for hazardous slips and falls by implementing these safety tips: 

Secure Stairways and Ramps 

Stay up to date with your city’s local building codes, and install the proper handrails along every stairway and ramp. Even tiny platforms comprised of 1 or 2 steps should have some kind of banister in place. This gives stability to your pedestrians and helps protect you if someone falls in those areas and decides to pursue legal action against you. Also consider lining your stairs and ramps with a non-slip material. 

Maintain Walkways and Lawn Areas 

Remove obstructions from any walking paths that your employees or tenants have to use. It is also important to repair uneven, broken, or bumpy surfaces in the parking lot or on the sidewalk. In the winter, make sure your sprinkler systems are turned off and drained to prevent leaks and icy patches around your property. 

Keep Safety in Mind All the Time 

Aside from covering the basics to keep your rental units up to code, just make it a habit to look for potential slipping/falling hazards located all around your property.  

• Maintain adequate lighting in all areas where employees and tenants will be walking.  
• Keep “Wet Floor” signs in areas where your employees can conveniently access them to warn people away from spills. 
• Repair torn carpet, loose or missing floor tiles, and other flooring materials as soon as you can after they are damaged. 
• If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, establish a snow removal plan for parking lots, sidewalks, and dumpster areas.  
• Keep emergency phone numbers posted in areas where people can see them easily. 
• Stay stocked up on first-aid kits and keep them in plain sight. These emergency resources help you and your staff minimize the damage of a bad fall. 

When an employee or a tenant takes a fall at your business, the consequences have the potential to be dire. Prevent them as much as you can by keeping the area clean and maintained. People will be safer and your property will look better for your efforts! Overall, make sure you are protected by a trustworthy property management company that will ensure your property is in its best and safest shape for your tenants, employees, and visitors. Call MMC Properties located in Middle Tennessee today to learn about our professional property management services.  

In order to consistently generate rental income, it is essential to find quality tenants for your properties. While it may be tempting to trust prospective renters based on a good first impression, failing to thoroughly investigate your tenant’s background could lead to some undesirable consequences. Here are nine tips for screening prospective tenants for your rental properties. 

1. Formal Rental Application

While having a written rental application may seem like an obvious first step, it is essential to make sure your application is robust and covers you from potential liability. You will want information regarding the prospective tenant’s credit, banking details, and employment information. If you make notes on applications, ensure that they strictly relate to your formal criteria (ex. “Monthly income of $2,500 insufficient for rental” or “Credit score of 430 falls below minimum applicant score”). Avoid comments pertaining to any factors outside of your written criteria, as these comments could potentially be used against you in court (ex. “Aging tenant may not be able to adequately care for home” or “Concerned about possible damage from young children”). Be sure to check your state requirements for how long you need to keep rental applications on file. 

2. Standardize & Document Qualification Criteria

Another essential part of the screening process is developing and documenting your qualification criteria. Documenting criteria that are gender-neutral, race-neutral, and disability-neutral can help protect you from legal liability if a rejected applicant decided to sue. 

3. Background Checks

You should always run background checks on all prospective adult renters. This can help uncover any potential illegal activities conducted by an applicant. Additionally, a background check will provide information regarding the renter’s employment history, which can be helpful in evaluating the risk of a potential tenant. 

4. Credit Checks

A credit check is another essential part of a thorough screening process, as it will give you a better idea of the tenant’s actual payment history. While a charming tenant with great provable income may sound perfect, it is important to verify that the person has a history of timely and complete payments. 

5. Verify Income

While the rental application should ask the applicant to state their income, it is important to back this up with actual documentation. Though pay stubs can be a great starting point for verifying income, consider also requesting 2-3 months of bank statements in order to fully verify the applicant’s income.  

6. Consider Contacting Direct Supervisor

Once you have verified all of the applicant’s information, consider contacting their direct supervisor at work. While some applicants may resist giving you this information on your application, someone who is a great employee is unlikely to withhold their boss’s contact information. See if you can get a feel for what type of employee the applicant is, as a good employee is more likely to be a good tenant. 

7. Contact Previous Landlords

Another great source of information on prospective tenants would be their previous landlords. Keep in mind that previous landlords may have positive or negative biases towards their previous renters, so be sure to contact at least two previous landlords to get a more neutral perspective. 

8. Interview the Tenants

Once you have completed all of your research, the final step is interviewing your tenants in person. Use a combination of your judgment and the research you have conducted to determine if the tenant is right for your property. 

9. Hire a Team of Professionals

The reality is that screening tenants can be a tricky process. Failing to thoroughly screen prospective renters can result in lost revenue and damage to your property. If you want to take the headache out of renting, hire a team of professionals to handle the heavy lifting. For the best property management team in Middle Tennessee, look no further than MMC. With services including tenant screening, a full-time maintenance team, and licensed realtors ready to help your next investment property, MMC can manage your rental so that you can focus on what matters most to you. Call MMC today to see how we can help you! 

Whether you are an experienced landlord or a new investor, the survival of your business depends on your ability to attract and maintain quality renters. While a well-written description and professionally staged photos are a great start for marketing your rental property, lacking the amenities that people want can result in longer vacancy periods and decrease overall profits. Offering attractive amenities has become even more essential as more people are working remotely, resulting in renters spending much more time at home. Here are the top five amenities renters are seeking in 2022.

Laundry Access – One of the most sought-after amenities is easy access to a washer and dryer. Offering an in-unit washer and dryer can be a huge selling point to perspective tenants. Alternatively, if you own an apartment building, you could look to set up a laundry unit in the basement.

Pet-Friendly Policies – Even though allowing pets in your rental property is risky, having a no pet policy will exclude many renters who already have pets. Additionally, many renters may not yet have a pet, but want to get one in the future. In order to protect yourself from potential damage, you should charge a pet deposit. Additionally, you can charge pet rent, further increasing the profitability of your rental unit. When remodeling a pet-friendly unit, consider adding tile, laminate, or vinyl flooring instead of carpet for a more durable and easily cleaned product. If you own an apartment building, pet-related amenities such as a dog park and doggy bag stations can be very attractive to pet owners.

Plenty of Parking – Another amenity that can help attract and retain quality renters is offering plenty of parking spaces for residents and guests. If your rentals are primarily single-family residences, typically a simple driveway is plenty of room. However, if you own an apartment, offering a large parking lot or parking garage can ease the frustration of finding a place to park after work.

Aesthetic Outdoor Spaces – Paying special attention to your outdoor spaces can help potential renters imagine themselves living in your space. Additionally, offering great outdoor spaces can help current residents build a routine that revolves around your amenities, which in turn increases tenant retainment. Amenities such as a pool, tennis court, grilling station, or a fire pit are great options for standing out as a renter. When designing your rental units, try to include access to a patio or balcony so that your renters can get some fresh air close to home.

High Security – One of the best ways to maintain a feeling of peace and safety for your renters is to invest in security. Some of the most popular options for increasing security include an access gate, security cameras, and adequate (but non-intrusive) lighting, especially in parking areas. For in-unit security, consider adding alarm systems or automatic locks with keypads for renter convenience. By paying special attention to your amenity offerings, you can successfully push your rental business to the next level. Beyond offering a solid selection of amenities, consider hiring a property management team to take the headache out of renting. For the best property management experience in Middle Tennessee, look no further than MMC. With a wide range of services including an in-house maintenance team, thorough resident screening, and access to licensed real estate agents, MMC can help you grow your business while freeing you up to pursue your passions. Call today! 

Investing in real estate is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio – rental properties can generate monthly income, and the home’s appreciating value will further increase the value of your portfolio. When considering what type of property to purchase, you could purchase a single-family residence, or a multifamily property such as a duplex, triplex, or even an apartment complex. While single-family residences can be a great investment, there are many reasons to consider investing in a multifamily property. Here are four reasons why you should invest in a multifamily property in 2022. 

1. Passive Cash Flow  

One of the best reasons to invest in real estate is to build passive cash flow. Purchasing a multifamily unit is a perfect way to start earning passive monthly revenue or increase your earnings from current investments. If you are just starting out, you can live in one of the units and rent the others out. You can also easily manage your own property while you live there, then outsource to a property management group once you move out. For the best property management experience in Middle Tennessee, contact the professionals at MMC Properties. 

2. Faster Portfolio Growth  

One major benefit of investing in a multifamily property is that it can help you quickly grow your portfolio. Acquiring a property such as a triplex is a much faster way to have three rental units rather than purchasing three single-family homes. Instead of having to go through multiple different sellers, inspections, and loans, purchasing a multifamily unit can simplify this process all into one deal. 

3. Lower Risk  

Another great benefit of investing in a multifamily property is that it is a relatively safe investment compared to other real estate assets. Having multiple rental units can ensure smoother earnings by spreading out when tenants move out, allowing you to continue earning rental income while searching for new renters. Rental properties can be a great investment during economic recessions, as people always need a place to live, and many people may be forced to sell their homes and rent during these times. 

4. Makes Property Management Make Sense  

Many real estate investors do not want to be directly involved in the management of their rental(s). In that case, hiring a professional property management team can take the headache out of real estate investing. MMC Properties can efficiently manage your property for you with our team of in-house contractors, resident screening process for finding new tenants, and licensed real estate agents to find your next investment property. Purchasing a multifamily unit will help you quickly scale your business, and having more units makes utilizing a management company an even better investment. 

If you are looking to start earning some passive income in 2022, look to purchase a multifamily property. These homes can package the benefits of purchasing multiple houses into one deal, allowing you to quickly grow your side business. Once you have found the right property for you, contact MMC Properties to see how we can transform your rental experience. 

Holidays are a time for joy and cheer, whether with friends at work events or surrounded by family at home parties, but don’t let this season’s messy aftermath get you down. When you rent your home, it’s imperative that you keep your rented space in the best condition possible, so you can collect your deposit once you move and also leave the home nice for the next tenant. Keeping your rental home clean begins with the little things, like cleaning up after parties! Follow these tips to have a happy and clean holiday party. 

Prep Work 

A little forethought can save you hours of cleaning. Stock up on trash bags, wipes, paper towels, and cleaning sprays. Make sure you also have a broom and pan, mop, and vacuum. Keep these items on hand, with extras in a closet or under the kitchen sink. 

Organize the party areas to each have at least one waste basket, preferably near each “messy” station or the doorway. Placing an extra bag or two inside the bottom of the trashcan will make it easier for any helpers to lighten the load. 

Consider cheap, plastic tablecloths- they make a world of difference in clean-up. Plasticware is another time-saver for large crowds, but if using silverware and real plates, usually for a smaller group, let guests know where and how to dispose of their dirty utensils and plates. Neatly stacked dishes in the sink or, even better, in the dishwasher can shave loads of time later. 

Clean As You Go 

Wiping spills and brushing crumbs as the event progresses is wise. Most guests will feel inclined to help if they see you cleaning and if cleaning supplies and waste baskets are nearby and visible. 

How you choose to prepare meals will also make a difference in cleaning time; try lining pans with foil and crock pots with plastic lining bags. Insist that guests take their dishes with them when they leave- one of the biggest headaches is cleaning others’ dishes and then finding the opportunity to return them to their owners. Wrap their dishes in a grocery bag and set it on the table with their names on them. Let them know you appreciate their cooking and help in keeping the vicinity clean. 

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially during the holidays. People understand and want you to enjoy the party as well. Kindly request assistance and divvy up jobs, such as emptying trash, loading the dishwasher, sweeping floors, clearing tables, etc., but be sure to thank them genuinely and maybe even publicly at the event. Get the kids involved with smaller jobs, such as throwing away trash, drying dishes, and relining the trash receptacle. 

Unless you live in proverbial paradise, you’re most likely going to see some form of extreme weather this winter. Some residents may be new to this type of climate and may need some tips and tricks on how to best live under Mother Nature’s wrath. Here is a little neighborly advice and seasonal reminders to spread to your residents when it turns cold: 

1) Dress appropriately 

Layering in any climate (even paradise) is key. Winter weather can be nasty and cold in many locales, and it can even bring on precipitation. The biggest concern when stranded outside is to keep warm and dry, so wearing a weather-resistant outside layer is best. If it comes to it, remove any wet layers to avoid hypothermia. Vaseline can be an added protection when applied to any small, exposed areas of skin that may become beaten with wind. Overall, be prepared with clothing options. 

2) Prepare your car 

This is also a great place to store more “options.” Keep a blanket, emergency kit, and water in your vehicle in case you become stranded in winter’s worst. Make sure your tires have good tread for slick conditions and add antifreeze (preferably a pet-safe kind) to your tank. De-Icer with a hardy handheld scraper can chip and melt away at accumulated ice. Keep some cat litter and a small shovel near your emergency kit to aid the tires in finding traction if needed. 

3) Prepare your home 

Exterior hoses should be disconnected from the spigots. Outdoor furniture should be stacked and away from doors to avoid blocking escape routes. Gutters and downspouts should also be clear and operational to keep water away from the building and to prevent damage. If you have a fireplace, do not use it unless it has been recently inspected and properly maintained. Although fire is a concern in winter months, the most pervasive concern is freezing pipes, so let your faucets drip at night and open all cabinets surrounding plumbing to allow heat to do its work. Keep the thermostat set at a minimum of 60 degrees to ensure proper heating of the pipes to allow water flow. Staying warm and dry is a priority! 

4) Be neighborly 

The exterior and grounds are usually maintained by the property management company’s staff, but when extreme weather hits, that may not always be possible. Help your neighbors out with keeping the facilities and common areas safe and clean for everyone. When shoveling parking lots and walkways, pile the snow and ice onto grassy areas. Offer a helpful push when a neighbor looks stuck. Rock salt can also go a long way to make some stairs and slippery surfaces safer for residents. A little shared neighborly love can warm everyone’s cold day and make this place feel even more like home. 

Holidays are supposed to be about sharing good times with family and friends, so we’ve gathered some tips for how to avoid the biggest risks to your season of cheer. 

Illness  

Transmissible viruses are the biggest risk when celebrating the holidays. Avoiding people when sick is key, but sometimes it is accidental or unavoidable. Washing your hands frequently and taking other proper cautions suggested by the CDC can help mitigate viral infections taking hold.  

Mental health can also be tried and tested during the holidays. Stress, over-eating, consumption of alcohol, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can all lead to an unhealthy mental state. This is as important a time of the year as ever to take care of yourself and reach out for help when needed. Self-care can go a long way, but it isn’t a cure-all, nor should anyone who isn’t a professional take on the sole task of ensuring or improving someone’s mental health; call your physician.  

Food   

Taking care when preparing those delicious dishes, such as avoiding cross-contamination and washing hands and prepping surfaces thoroughly with warm soapy water, is important, but not keeping food at the proper temperature is the most frequent cause of foodborne illness over the holiday season. There is a strain of bacteria called C. perfringens that is associated with cooked foods left out at room temperature, a common holiday occurrence. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this bacteria is to blame for nearly a million cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. alone each year, with more cases happening in November and December. Try to keep your cooked and refrigerated food temperatures out of the danger zone, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help keep you and your dinner guests safe to spread the good tidings and cheer while breaking bread.  

Fire   

Fire According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.” Be alert, follow cooking directions, and keep all burnables away from the stovetop. Fireplaces and candles carry similar risks during the holidays due to increased use in winter cold months and the abundance of decorations, and one small spark can ruin holiday plans and worse. Never leave a candle or fire unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Avoid using open-flame heating and lighting sources, and opt for safer, battery-operated, or electric sources instead.  

Décor   

With all of these decorations, the most dangerous is the Christmas tree and its lighting. Live trees dry out when not properly watered or if cut too early or left up too long. Be sure to pay attention to this as well as the electrical load on the sources. NFPA found that “electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.”  

NFPA also reports that, excluding Christmas trees, in 2014-2018, fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $11 million in direct property damage in the U.S. Help keep this completely preventable occurrence from wreaking havoc around the holidays. Take the proper precautions to ensure a warm, but safe, holiday.  And make sure you check with your property manager to get the details of what type of holiday decorations are allowed.

Slips & Falls   

The CDC reported in a relatively recent study on holiday-decorating-related falls that most injuries were to men aged 20 to 49 years, and many were caused by falls from ladders. The big take-away? “Prevention strategies should focus on raising awareness about falls and promoting safety practices during the holiday season,” and we want to help.  

Clear your work area of these tripping hazards, make sure you have good lighting, and take caution in poor conditions when outside. Wear good shoes and proper clothing for the weather and task. Ask someone to help brace your ladder and hand you tools to cut down on trips up and down from heights. Overall, awareness is key and knowing that this injury is a top contender every year for ruining someone’s joy can be enough to help protect your holiday season from the blues due to injury.  

Make sure that your holiday season doesn’t succumb to the pitfalls of celebrating these winter months. With awareness and some forethought on safety, you can make these holidays something you want to remember for years to come.    

Are you struggling to get your real estate investment properties rented out? The best thing you can do is hire an experienced property management company to do the job for you. MMC Properties is a Middle Tennessee property management company that is here to help you get tenants in your rentals. We wanted to share a few tips on how to get your properties rented out faster.  

It’s All in the Listings 

One of the most alluring things potential renters look for is the listing. Now, this is obvious, but it’s what is inside the listing that matters. Detailed, well-written listings will usually have the best response rate as potential tenants have an exact idea what renting within your property will entail. With a listing like that you will be able to find a renter in no time. Here are a few key items to think about when crafting your property listing: 

• Type of Flooring (Carpet, Hardwood, Laminate) 
• Room Dimensions (Kitchen, Bedrooms, Living Room, etc.) 
• Disclose if Washer/Dryer In-unit or On-site 
• Central Heat and Air (if Applicable) 
• Balcony or Patio (if Applicable) 
• Any Pet Restrictions 
• Mention Nearby Public Transportation 
• Neighborhood Vibe 
• Any Additional Complex Amenities 

Update the Apartment  

If you are running into the question of why this unit can’t get a tenant when your listings are all updated and written well, the issue could potentially be the unit itself. Think back to when it was last given the update treatment, if it’s been a while, that may be the culprit. It may be that your appliances are outdated for current potential renters. New, shiny appliances can greatly increase the appeal for new renters and that appeal can go a long way – especially in the kitchen. Learning how to cook on a stove that is from before they were born may turn some people away. How to tackle this predicament:  

• Replace the stove, oven, and refrigerator. You can usually get a deal for buying in bulk at one store; we recommend purchasing the range and fridge for the same purchase to save additional money. Another option is to purchase directly from the distributor, this usually includes a special discount.  
• Give all the rooms in the unit a fresh coat of paint. Apply this to the exterior walls as well.  
• Check all the flooring in the unit and update any that need repair or replacing.  

Once you’ve updated all that you can within the unit, go ahead and have that reflected in your listing by adding phrases like recently updated, updated, or new. That alone can help boost traffic to the listing and lead to more potential tenants. 

Potential Tenants Love Special Offers 

When we spot a sign, our eyes are naturally drawn to the words ‘Special Offer.’ This is the same for your potential renters! If you need to find a renter and fast, try offering a move-in special offer. This is a common tactic for most landlords and property managers to assist in finding tenants fast. Ways this can be done: 

• Offer a deal for tenants who sign a lease before the previous month ends. Usually, this is a first month free offer.  
• Offer longer lease times for less pay every month. This can entice many people looking for affordable housing. This earns you a longtime renter! 
• Waive the application fee. It’s small, but it is something that doesn’t go unnoticed by potential renters.  

This is just a small list of what can be done to rent out your properties faster, but it’s a great start. If you are still having trouble getting your properties rented out, contact MMC Properties today.