Holiday Security and Safety

Nothing can ruin a joyful holiday season faster than coming home to find your home has been broken into.  That sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach will gnaw at you for weeks.  Don't despair though; there are a few simple ideas to make your home less appealing to the burglar, all without breaking the holiday budget.  We all know break-ins occur more frequently around this time of the year,  Let's face it, the average break in thief is not that motivated otherwise, they would just get their own hob and not resort to stealing your stuff.  So making your home appear more protected will certainly help to dissuade them from trying.  Here are a few simple and low cost ideas to help whether you are staying home or travelling this holiday season.

Take a good look around the outside of your home both during the day and at night and make notes on where there are hiding places, dark places or windows with easy access from the ground.  Trim any bushes or trees back around your house to limit the amount of cover an intruder might find appealing.   Breaking into a home takes a little bit of time, and should anyone walk or drive by, the intruder will want to hide.  Next, make sure your exterior lights all work and consider installing extra lighting in particularly dark area.  Home improvement stores offer inexpensive remote motion detectors that will sense motion outside and turn on a light or TV inside. 

Be neighborly letting your close neighbors know if you are leaving, or if you are staying, ask if they will be leaving so someone can watch for trouble.  If you are leaving, stop the paper and mail.  Nothing screams "I'm not home!" more than two weeks of unread newspapers in your driveway!  If you are home or away. LOCK YOUR DOORS and windows and place obvious sliding door stops in your sliding doors.

Use common sense and all the security features your home has, such as deadbolts and window lock. Be observant of what is going on around you.  Should you notice something amiss at your neighbor's home, call the police; should they catch a burglar, there will be one less that might break into our home.  Best of all, have a great and safe Holiday season.

By Brian Hefner

Writer for the Eagle Magazine

For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/

Your Boise Property Management Rental Resource

Words N Terms

Visit http://www.wordsnterms.com/ your leading free online Dictionary and Thesaurus made up of an extensive database of words, terms and phrases used in Real Estate contracts and rental home and apartment leases. Supplying trustworthy, extensive definitions; Words N Terms is beneficial to every tenant, landlord, Property Manager or Real Estate Agent.  Words N Terms Dictionary and Thesaurus is updated regularly with word definitions written in simple language to aid in strengthening your knowledge and understanding of the Real Estate business.

For any questions on real estate terms go to http://www.wordsnterms.com/

For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/

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Appliance Installation

Many installers or those in home repair don’t think to mention items that need to take into consideration when remodeling or updating your home or rental property. These items can save you thousands of dollars in repair and or replacement costs. Ask your property manger to check for the following items making sure your rental property is safe and maintained correctly.
When having an appliance installed, be sure it can be removed easily for service. Flexible hook-ups for dishwashers and gas ranges can make repair jobs less labor intensive. Also, leave extra electric cable when installing electric wall ovens and cook tops. This will minimize the time the technician spends on the job and reduce the cost to you.
Dishwashers
If your kitchen floor is being installed or replaced, make sure that the floor beneath the dishwasher is the same height as the open area of flooring. Once installed, there may not be enough clearance to remove the dishwasher for servicing. The only alternative will be to lift the whole countertop off of the cupboards to remove the dishwasher, a needless expense.
Wall Ovens
When installing a wall oven below countertop level; be aware that small children could be exposed to a burn hazard. Wall ovens do not have to conform to the same temperature standards that regular ranges do. This is because they are designed to be installed above counter height.
Washing Machines
When installing a washing machine, be sure water shut-offs can be reached easily. Also ensure the water hoses are anti burst and are long enough to remove the appliance when necessary. A floor drain may also be necessary should the water pump or motor fail.
For safety, never leave an appliance operating when you are not home.
For additional information on this and other renting articles, please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/
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Energy Saving Tips for Tenants and Landlords

1. Change light bulbs: Compact fluorescent bulbs use far less energy than incandescent and using the fluorescent lights last approximately 10 times longer.
2. Computers go to sleep when not in use: Settings can be adjusted to automatically go into sleep mode when not in use after 10-15 minutes. Noticeably reducing energy bills.
3. Take advantage of the sun: Open window blind shades with Southern and Eastern exposure during the day. Closing the window coverings just before the temperature begins to drop outside. This allows the sun to provide heat without the energy costs.
4.  Purchase an energy efficient heating system: Look for Energy Star Models for replacement of a  residential heating system; these are the most economical energy cost saving systems on the market. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
5. Heat up the house: The house won’t warm up any faster if you raise the thermostat setting. Home heating systems run at the same rate regardless of the temperature setting.
6. Maintain the heating system: Residential gas furnaces will run more efficiently and will last longer if the heating system is serviced annually. Cleaning or replacing the filters monthly is the responsibility of the tenant. Annual servicing is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
7. Use ceiling fans: The use of ceiling fans increase air movement and comfort levels which saves money. Changing the ceiling fan direction to counter-clockwise in the winter will push the warm air down into to the living space. Shut off the ceiling fans with lights during daylight hours also saves in utility bills.
8. Keep the doors closed: Shut the doors after opening to restrict the cold air from entering saves on utility bills. This also applies in the summer with keeping the heat outside.
9. Rearrange your rooms: Exterior walls feel colder and residences with older windows can be drafty. Rearranging your furniture by placing seating (couches, high back chairs etc.) near interior walls – that way you won’t “feel” the cold as much. Close closets and cabinets especially ones that are on exterior walls. These steps will not only make the home more comfortable but also energy saving. 10. Caulking and weather stripping: A major dollar saving task is window caulking, weather stripping, interior door sweeps and garage door sweeps. These are low cost, easy to install and will lower utility bills by preventing drafts. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
11. High efficiency windows: Replace current windows with vinyl windows under the Energy Star brand. This will reduce heating and cooling energy costs up to 15%. Replacing a window is relatively simple and the window replacement cost will be recouped in utility bill savings in a few short months. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
12. Don’t let the heat go up the chimney: Close the chimney damper. Closing the damper will stop the heat from being pulled out of the room and up the chimney. Keep the fireplace chimney clean and closed when not in use.
13. Turn off the furnace pilot light: During the summer months when the furnace is not in use the cost to keep the pilot light lit runs from $2.50 $4.50 per month. Shut off the pilot light when not being used.
14. Install a programmable thermostat: Allows the thermostat to be lowered when not at home or at night. You can also preset the thermostat to come on prior to returning home in the evening.  Returning to a preset daytime setting when you are home for any length of time. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
15. Proper Insulation: Ensure the walls and attic are properly insulated this will provide maximum savings and energy efficiency for many years. Checking for sales or specials on your purchases will also lower your costs. This is typically the responsibility of the property manager or landlord.
16. Use appliances efficiently: Do full loads in the clothes washer and dishwasher. Use cold water settings for clothing when possible. thereby reducing energy usage by 75%. Try to use these appliances late at night for maximum water pressure.

For additional information on this and other renting articles please visit our website at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/

Landlord Services

Being a landlord requires that many services be performed on a regular basis. Among these duties is to locate a suitable tenant, fill out the required paperwork and process that paperwork to ensure the best tenant has been chosen. Landlords and Property Manager’s alike are also required to inspect and maintain each property and be responsible for its general maintenance and repair.
Landlords and Leasing Property Managers must have a complete set of state specific legal paperwork. From a detailed lease, rental application, tenant credit screening authorization, and any and all paperwork resulting from tenant screening or background checks, all to ensure every step of the renting process is legally covered for your protection whether it is a property owner or property manager. To be sure the leasing process is completed in a consistent manner; a written policy should be completed prior to beginning the renting process. Doing so will aid in a standard process being done but will also remove any doubts for a discrimination suit.

Every property must be maintained either by maintenance personal of the property management company or by the owners chosen maintenance personal. Keeping a property well maintained helps to rent the property faster and at a higher rent. When the time comes to sell the maintenance has already been completed and will command a price at the top of the market.
During the rental property maintenance process every property manager or landlord should be in the habit of doing an inspection. Check smoke detectors, flooring, appliances, yard care and exterior inspection for the tenants care, as well as, maintenance.  This habit will ensure the tenant will be held responsible for repairs and damages that may occur during tenancy and lower the continued damage to the property. Be sure to properly fill out, at the beginning of each new tenancy, a move in condition form detailing the condition of the property. Filled out in detail, this form will clarify the responsibility for each repair in the event any damage occurs.
For many property owners the job of being a property manager is an overwhelming task. If this is your case, don’t hesitate to contact local management companies and interview for your property manager.

For additional information on this and other renting articles please visit our website at www.mrpmrentals.com.

Mountain Ridge Property Management

Your Property Management Source

Locating a Property Management Company

It is recommended that you interview at least two or three property management companies before deciding on the company who best fits your property and your needs.

Use the following guidelines. We believe a company should offer all of these services and at no additional cost to you.

1) High tenant retention. It isn’t the number of properties a company manages; its how do they manage the properties they have.

2) Attentive customer service. Do they pay attention to your needs?

3) Good lines of communication with owners. Are they easy to talk to and do they clearly understand what you are asking and wanting from them.

4) An attention to keeping costs low. Are they keeping costs low and within an acceptable range? Are they spending money on items that maintain the property and or increase its value?

5) Preventative maintenance. Do they do preventative maintenance? What does it include and how often is it done? Is there an additional charge for this service or is it included in the service provided by the property management company.

6) Inspection of units and property on a routine basis. How often and exactly what process is done and how often.

7) Good contractor supervision: Are they with the repairman or left alone in your rental.

8) What is the final cost to you for repairs at your property? Does the property management company charge you a fee for processing the paperwork for a repair?

Be sure every item that is important to you is included in your contract.

For additional information on this and other renting articles please visit our web site at http://www.mrpmrentals.com/