Are you looking for an easy Property Management guide to help you understand what questions you should be asking a prospective Professional Property Manager? Well first, let’s review some of the reasons why you may be considering this in the first place. Perhaps you’re a homeowner who is moving out of state, but you plan to return to your current home at some point in the future. Maybe you’ve been called overseas for a tour of duty and want to ensure your home is well taken care of while you are gone. Or possibly you’re planning to upgrade and purchase a new property but keep your current one as an investment. Or you might be an investor who simply needs help managing your portfolio.

In a nutshell, property management in Northern Virginia is a specialized area, and for those wishing to maximize the yield from their rental property, it’s essential to understand what a manager can do. WJD Management has been providing top-notch property management services in Northern Virginia since 1985 – so if you’re looking for reliable information about your real estate investment, we can help.

Whatever your reason may be for possibly engaging a Professional Property Manager, this is clearly an important decision and there is a lot to think about! Property managers can be a terrific asset or a real detriment if you don’t choose one wisely. Use our quick hit list to help you consider everything you need to do to make an informed decision about hiring a Professional Property Manager. You can also check out our other detailed guides such as “Why Hire a Property Manager” and “How to Find the Best Property Manager for You.”

What is Property Management?

Property management is the process of overseeing and managing a real estate investment. Maintaining a real estate investment requires tending to every detail, from locating occupants and obtaining rent payments to repairing damages and ensuring conformity with local regulations. A property manager is responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operations of an investment property.

Hiring a professional property manager can provide numerous benefits for both landlords and tenants alike. For landlords, employing a professional property manager can free up their time by taking away the need to be constantly present in order to effectively manage their investments. Tenants benefit from having someone who understands how leasing works and how to professionally handle any issues that might arise with the rental unit or landlord, which could help avoid costly disputes down the line. Below is a quick overview of what property managers do.

What does a Property Manager do?

Locates qualified tenants.
Negotiates leases.
Resolves tenant complaints.
Handles tenant violations.
Maintains the property.
Ensures that the property and the lease both comply with the law.
Manages expenses and collects rent.
Does the required IRS income reporting.
Performs regular property inspections.
Does everything you will have to do if you try to manage the home yourself!

When to Hire a Property Manager

You own multiple properties and are unable to manager all of them yourself.
You live far away from your rental property.
You don’t have any experience managing a rental property.
You can afford the monthly management fee (typically 8%).
You don’t have enough time to manage the property by yourself.
You are willing to delegate this task to a professional.

How to Find the Right Property Manager

Ask friends and colleagues for referrals.
Research property managers online.
Check licenses and certifications.
Look for experience and stability of staff.
Ask lots of questions!

What to Look for in a Property Management Contract

Services and Fees

You must understand what services the property manager has agreed to perform and how much they will charge for these services.

Your Responsibilities as Property Owner

The contract should clearly define what your obligations are as a landlord.

Equal Opportunity Housing

The contract should state that the Property Manager follows both the federal, state and local fair housing laws.

Liability

Pay close attention to what limits have been placed on the property manager’s liability.

Termination Clause

Make sure the management agreement has a clear termination or cancellation clause.

What to know about Property Management in Northern Virginia

Navigating the complex and ever-changing Northern Virginia real estate market requires an understanding of current trends to be successful. Let’s examine the Fair Housing Laws applicable to Fairfax County real estate transactions in order to ensure adherence.

Fair Housing Laws in Virginia

Fair Housing regulations in Virginia are put in place to shield people from bias due to ethnicity, hue, faith, ancestry, gender identity/expression, impairment or family status. These laws apply to all types of housing transactions including rental properties and the sale of real estate.

Overview of Fair Housing Laws in Virginia:

The Commonwealth of Virginia has adopted several fair housing laws that prohibit discrimination in any type of housing transaction. The most comprehensive law is the Virginia Fair Housing Law (VFHL), which applies to both public and private housing providers throughout the state. VFHL prohibits discrimination in housing transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or familial status and requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled persons if requested. It also requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons if requested by a tenant. The legislation also safeguards occupants from being ousted without a justifiable reason or appropriate legal procedure, as well as forbids proprietors from asking for higher rents on the basis of these safeguarded categories.

Fair housing laws in Virginia are essential for protecting the rights of tenants and landlords, as well as promoting fair practices. It is imperative to have a complete comprehension of the fair housing laws in Virginia prior to participating in any property management dealings within the state.

The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA)

The VRLTA is a broad set of regulations that define the relationship between landlords and tenants in Virginia. The VRLTA sets out the rights, responsibilities, and remedies for both parties in residential rental agreements.

The VRLTA is a comprehensive system of regulations that dictate the relationship between landlords and tenants in Virginia. This act outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties involved in residential rental agreements as well as remedies for violations. It covers topics such as security deposits, rent increases, repairs and maintenance obligations, eviction procedures, late fees and more.

Both landlords and tenants are beholden to the rights enshrined in the VRLTA. Landlords must provide habitations equipped with all necessary services such as heat/air conditioning, running water, hot water, electricity and sanitation facilities – while also adhering to any applicable local building codes or ordinances concerning health safety standards. On their part, tenants have a duty to pay rent on time without prompting; obey all terms of the lease agreement (e.g., occupancy limits) ; keep their unit tidy and secure at all times – once again conforming to any relevant local building codes or ordinances related with health safety norms.

The VRLTA is a crucial statute to be cognizant of in relation to managing real estate in Northern Virginia, detailing the prerogatives and obligations of both proprietors and lessees. To ensure success with a rental property, one should conduct a thorough rental market analysis before investing in real estate.

Rental Market Analysis

Rental Market Analysis is a technique employed by real estate investors and property managers to establish the most profitable rental fees for their holdings. It involves gathering data on comparable properties in the area, analyzing that data, and using it to set realistic rental rates that will maximize profits while still attracting tenants.

Once this initial research has been completed, it is important to analyze all relevant economic indicators, including unemployment levels and consumer spending trends which could affect demand for rentals within your particular region or market segment. After collecting and assessing all necessary data points, it is time to set realistic rent prices based upon supply and demand dynamics; this will enable you to generate maximum returns without driving away potential tenants due to overly high costs.

If you are ready to rent your home, feel free to take advantage of our exclusive FREE Rental Market Analysis. Finally, don’t forget to connect with us on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest for tips, ideas and updates.

Your Guide to Northern Virginia Property Management