Property Owner FAQs

You will benefit from the advanced technology property management services provide when you work with us! This includes real-time access to your accounting.

You'll be able to pull dozens of reports to see how your property is doing, as well as access copies of any related documents. You can even see when your tenant paid their rent the instant we post the payment.

Maintenance request notifications are sent to you via email in real-time, as soon as the resident inputs it in their resident portal. Our team will immediately take action to troubleshoot and diagnose the issue. If repairs are to exceed the pre-approved threshold, we will provide an estimate, at which time you can approve or decline repairs. 

Repairs invoices are paid on the 10th of the month using the rent money collected on the 1st of the month. Information regarding the repairs are uploaded to your owner portal so you will always have a record of work performed.

It depends on how experienced you are, and how much time and money you can invest while you learn. On the surface, managing a rental property seems like a pretty simple proposition. When you really get into all the little things that can happen with a home and a tenant, and the laws that govern how you work with both, it is more than most investors expect.

That’s why very few people manage their own rental homes long term. Most people handling a rental home for the first time will end up going with a property management company, or let frustration push them out of real estate investing entirely.

How much does it cost you every day to have your property sit vacant? If you don’t know you should figure it out. Most people can’t afford NOT to hire a professional property manager.

Unless you have a solid background in property management, your most expensive choice will probably be to save some money and manage the home yourself. Unless you are very good at pricing your rental, running an ad, taking calls, and negotiating a lease, it is easy to add a month or two to each vacancy. You may lease the house for less than it is worth, or settle for a tenant you can’t properly screen.

Unless you are experienced with managing this process, it is easy to have a simple 30 day eviction turn into 60 days or more of lost income. With a regular full time job taking your time, even seasoned experts can rarely manage their own rental home efficiently enough to save money over a professional property management company.

Those extra vacant months quickly cost you more than management fees ever will.

As soon as you sign up with Charleston Property Company you will receive a link to your personal portal. You will have access to copies of all important documents, including your Management Agreement, monthly statements, repair invoices, and more, all online 24/7.

If you need to talk to somebody after taking advantage of the wealth of information we give you online, call or e-mail us anytime. We are happy to help you with any questions you may have. Charleston Property Company makes it easy to know what is happening with your homes.

Your property manager will have a impact on your experience as a real estate investor. We are investors ourselves and have tailored this company to be exactly what we wanted (and could never find) in a property management company. If your property manager can’t say yes to everything below, red flags should be going up for you!

If they don’t own investment real estate themselves, they can’t possibly understand what it is like to be an investor, to have a vacant property, or to be left out of the loop. We believe it is impossible to effectively manage a rental property without that personal experience!

If your property manager knows what it is like to have a bad tenant, they will screen better if they know what it is like to pay that mortgage with no rent, they will be more committed to getting the home leased etc. If they aren’t passionate enough about real estate investing to be in the game themselves, how careful will they be with your investments? If they don’t nail this one, keep shopping!

The critical thing to each investor shouldn’t be how many houses you manage, but how you will manage their ONE property. Before you sign up with a huge company, make sure they can provide you with the personalized care you deserve. How can you tell if they do a good job? Check them out with the BBB or with a simple Google search to find out if they manage their homes well, or just churn through the numbers.

Don’t be fooled by all the smoke and mirrors. Nobody works for free, but some companies are masters of hiding the dozens of ways they can reach into your pocket.

• Ask about the renewal contract and find out if your rates will change after the first of the year.
• Ask about other things that may show up as bills on your accounting. Little extra charges and fees can nickel and dime a great property to death.
• Make your property manager be honest about their fees. Expect great service and be ready to pay a fair price for it, but avoid the gimmicky promotions.
  

A few tried and true quotes come to mind, 'You get what you pay for,' or 'There is no such thing as a free lunch,' and 'If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.'

How much marketing do you really believe they will do for free? None. Count on it. We would never trust our results to the stuff we can get for free and we don’t think you should either. Be ready to make an investment in your vacancy.

The difference between aggressive marketing and free marketing will definitely show up in longer vacancies and extra mortgage payments with no rent. Leasing is a numbers game, and aggressive marketing will create more leads…More leads give us more choices…More choices result in better tenants in less time.

Whether it is your primary home or a rental, things do go wrong in a home. The easiest way to lose a great tenant is to be careless with maintenance, or let the property condition decline. We advocate being very proactive with maintenance to keep the relationship with the tenant strong, and to preserve the value of your investment.

This aspect of your investment strategy is so critical that we strongly avoid cutting corners and going with the cheapest possible solution. There is usually a reason one painter is half the price of another… and it sometimes means paying the good contractor to go do it right after you tried to save a little money. We always leverage our volume to get you a good job for a fair price.

The fastest property to be leased in any neighborhood is almost always the best rental home for the best price. We will direct you on how to make your property the best, and how to price it to move. If you follow our lead, your vacancies will be very short. If we are trying to rent a home that is in rough shape and overpriced, be ready for a few extra mortgage payments.

• We balance the need to end the vacancy with the desire to get the right tenant.
• We don’t want to 'slam' a marginal tenant in your property fast, just to evict them in a month or two.
• We are committed to marketing the home for maximum applications.
• We then perform a thorough tenant screening to avoid problems where possible to place the right renters faster.

For the dedicated price shopper, few things will be more confusing than trying to find the absolutely cheapest possible property manager (who you will naturally expect to outperform the more reasonably priced options). The reason for the confusion is that many managers will pull you in with an unbelievably cheap initial price that is loaded with hidden fees, and a January 1st renewal that hits like a landmine.

At Charleston Property Company, we would rather lose a few of the passionate price shoppers than be the company they get mad at when they realize their 'deal' wasn’t what they thought it was. Our fees are straightforward and easy to understand, but more importantly, honestly disclosed. We expect our clients to know we need to make a fair profit and we don’t mind being open about how we do it.

You can learn more about our fees here.

Rental rates fluctuate with neighborhood, time of year, and many other market conditions. What a house will rent for is entirely a function of the current market and your competition during a vacancy.

Unfortunately, it truly has nothing to do with your mortgage payment, what you rented the home for last time, or anything else. Making sure you are priced to move, without being too low, will be part of the initial visit our agent will make to the home.

Get a Free Rental Analysis today to get started!

Very few tenants ever need to be evicted, but it does happen.

• We always start the process with the intent to get the home back as soon as legally possible.
• Along the way, we encourage the tenant to cure if we believe they will learn from the experience and stay current in the future.
• We handle the 30-day notice, required mailings, the legal document preparation, and interfacing with the attorney.
• Once a judgment is secured we schedule the visit to the house with a court officer to execute the Writ of Ejectment and change the locks on the house.
• When possible, we work with the tenant rather than evict them, but we are committed to having your tenant on track and staying current or finding you a new tenant who will.

Being a real estate investor is a long term commitment. If you follow the recommendations we give you during a portfolio plan, you will end up making real estate investments the foundation of your long-term wealth.

One reality of being in the game is that if you own enough real estate over a long enough period of time, you will experience everything being a property owner has to offer! The good news is that the problems that can come up are pretty predictable and easy to plan for. Part of our property management services is preparing you for those problems and making sure you know what to expect.

The key is to have the experience of a professional, full-service property management company behind you so you can get back on track quickly with minimal legal issues, loss of rent, and damage to the home.

• Charleston Property Company staff has accumulated extensive professional experience and industry accreditation in real estate investment and property management.
• Our agents are always available for personal mentoring and to answer your questions about real estate investing.
• You will enjoy dedicated property managers and qualified leasing agents.
• Our customer service staff is committed to quick response and making sure our clients are so satisfied they gladly refer their friends to us.

We only offer a standard lease that complies with all state and federal laws to include all fair housing laws. Our leases are standard 12 months in length with the option to renew if the tenant qualifies.

We are perfectly happy managing a wide variety of single-family homes, condos, and townhomes. We specialize in middle to upper middle income single-family homes, condos, and townhomes.

There are literally hundreds of factors that impact the properties we recommend to our real estate investor clients. Overall, we focus on properties that will be held for long term growth, in areas that have the strongest potential for maximum return on investment. The easiest homes to own and manage are the homes that attract the very best tenants in any given neighborhood.

At Charleston Property Company, we conduct thorough move-in, mid-lease, and move-out inspections to ensure your property's proper maintenance, safety, and compliance. Our experienced property managers follow comprehensive checklists, fostering open communication with tenants and proactively addressing issues. Outsourcing inspections to us saves you time, ensures prompt issue resolution through our network of trusted contractors, and maintains your properties in optimal condition. Contact our team for more information and request a free copy of our Make-Ready Checklist for insights into preparing rental properties for new tenants.

Certainly! Charleston Property Company has a pet-friendly policy that welcomes animals into your home. All applicants, whether or not they own a pet, must complete our pet verification and screening process. This process includes listing pets on the application, with different application processes for households with pets and those without. Our pet screening considers breed, age, weight, vaccination records, and behaviors to determine the monthly and non-refundable pet fees. We do not enforce breed restrictions unless stated otherwise in the property listing. Monthly pet fees range from $25 to $45 per pet, and non-refundable pet fees range from $250 to $325. Certified service animals and emotional support animals are exempt from these fees. For more details or to start the pet verification, visit our website.

We don't recommend it. Managing a property yourself can be overwhelming, and hiring Charleston Property Company as your property management partner offers several compelling reasons. Suppose you find it challenging to balance property management with your daily life or struggle with time constraints. In that case, our services allow you to regain valuable time and focus on growing your business.

For property owners dealing with high vacancy rates or unable to handle renter issues efficiently, our experienced team excels in tenant acquisition and retention. We specialize in addressing maintenance requests promptly, saving you time and ensuring skilled professionals handle the job. Our property management expertise also provides a hassle-free solution for the complex eviction process. Whether your properties are far away, you want to expand your portfolio, you need more time, or you're a new investor, Charleston Property Company offers tailored solutions to maximize your investment returns and ease the challenges of property management.

As a property owner with Charleston Property Company, you can expect regular communication and updates on your property. Our best-in-class property management services aim to make your real estate investment stress-free and profitable. With over 30 years of combined property management experience and a track record of caring for over 400 properties, our team ensures a hands-off approach, allowing you to regain your free time and focus on growing your business. We utilize cutting-edge technology and industry knowledge to boost your ROI, and our customer satisfaction initiative ensures happier tenants and fewer vacancies. 

Our maintenance process is designed to make your life easier and more profitable. We specialize in comprehensive property management services, ensuring that your rental property in Charleston, South Carolina, is well-maintained and safe for tenants. Our proactive maintenance strategies include regular and thorough property inspections to promptly identify and address issues, contributing to your investment's safety, security, and longevity.

We advocate for preventive property maintenance through a detailed checklist covering heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical components, interior and exterior elements, safety measures, and general tasks. This checklist serves as a guide for landlords to ensure that necessary maintenance is carried out promptly, enhancing the durability and appeal of their property.

Establishing vendor relationships is a key aspect of our maintenance process. We work with reliable vendors specializing in plumbing, electrical, and appliance repairs and maintenance companies for routine tasks. These relationships save you time and money and provide peace of mind that your property is in good hands.

We emphasize the importance of a maintenance calendar, helping property owners stay organized by tracking tasks, completion dates, and vendor contacts. This meticulous approach aids in identifying maintenance patterns, planning future tasks, and extending your property's lifespan.

Addressing maintenance requests promptly is crucial for tenant satisfaction and property preservation. We encourage tenants to report issues promptly, responding within 24 hours to prevent problems from escalating. This proactive stance demonstrates our commitment to providing a well-maintained living environment.

Planning for major repairs and renovations is also part of our approach. We advise landlords to allocate a budget for anticipated major repairs, ensuring emergency preparedness. This proactive planning simplifies addressing significant issues and maintains the property's safety, attractiveness, and value.

Disaster preparedness and safety measures are incorporated into our maintenance process, considering potential challenges in Charleston, such as severe weather conditions. A comprehensive disaster preparedness plan and safety measures like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms minimize risks and ensure a secure environment.

Our property management services aim to provide Charleston's best maintenance. We handle routine maintenance, inspections, vendor management, repairs, disaster preparedness, and more, offering a stress-free landlord experience while preserving your property's value and appeal. Partnering with Charleston Property Company ensures expert assistance in handling all aspects of rental property maintenance.

We do not allow owners to use their own vendors. Rest assured that all of Charleston Property Company’s vendors are hand-selected, licensed, and insured.

Home warranty companies are not recommended. While some highlight the benefits, it's vital to recognize potential drawbacks. Home warranties often have limitations, excluding key structural elements and imposing claim caps, deductibles, and service fees. You relinquish control over contractor selection and repair decisions, risking subpar service and repeated repairs on aging appliances. Customer service issues may arise, affecting tenant satisfaction.

Charleston Property Company offers a reliable alternative, prioritizing immediate responses to maintenance requests and ensuring a stress-free experience for property owners. Skipping a home warranty and choosing our property management services aligns with your goals, providing a favorable outcome and safeguarding your investment.

It is not recommended for an owner to do any services on their property personally.  By hiring a property manager, we provide that vital buffer between you and the tenant.