Having to evict a tenant can cost you anywhere from $3,500 to $10,000. Add in the additional work and time taken to handle an eviction and you'll want to do whatever you can to avoid it.
One of the ways you can help to make sure you don't have to go through this process is by hiring a professional leasing agent to help you find and screen potential tenants. Professionals will know exactly what to look for to find the best fit.
But with so many options available, how are you supposed to choose the right leasing agent?
In this post, we'll go over some of the most important things to consider when choosing a leasing agent.
Keep reading to learn more.
The Services They Offer
There are different levels of service that are offered within leasing services. The level of service you choose will depend on how hands-on you want to be with your property, and what your budget is. Typically, the fewer services offered the more affordable they should be.
Services can range from simply identifying potential tenants all the way through to full property management services that will take care of pretty much everything for you. This includes handling day-to-day things like tenant questions and maintenance requests once a tenant has moved in.
Their Experience
The point of hiring a leasing agent or property manager is to take work off of your plate so you can focus on other things. This is why it's important to choose one that has the right experience to actually help you.
If a leasing agent isn't familiar with your particular type of rental property, or even just your geographic area, it can wind up slowing the process down rather than speeding it up.
Marketing and attracting tenants for a unit in a large apartment building is not the same as it would be for a single-family rental. Before hiring an agent, ask to see examples of their previous marketing work so you can be sure they're the right fit for your specific rental.
How They Charge
Not every leasing agent or property management company will charge the same way. Some will charge a flat fee while some will charge a percentage of the first month's rent once the unit is occupied.
They may also have additional services they offer that would be charged separately. You'll want to have a very clear idea of the cost and any payment schedule expectations before hiring a leasing agent. You don't want any financial surprises.
Choose the Right Leasing Agent for You
Finding the right tenant for your rental can be a lot of work and stress, but it doesn't have to be. Hiring a leasing agent to find quality tenants for you can help to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
If you're in the Hampton Roads, VA area and need assistance with leasing or property management, we're the team for you! Get a free rental analysis today.
