PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
 
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 Property Management: It’s about owners, tenants and Harcourts Professionals successfully working together. It’s a specialized business that requires a full range of effective, proven Property Management tools and solutions.  It takes a lot of personal experience and knowledge too.

v      Rental Collection. Harcourts monitors tenant payments on a regular basis and will implement immediate collection proceedings should a scheduled payment be missed.

v      Property Inspections . We provide a complete and regular inspection programme as required. This is highly recommended to safeguard against property neglect or abuse.  

v      Maintenance. Every attempt will be made for the owner to be contacted regarding any maintenance (unless otherwise specified), but should contact not be possible, we will assign our own reliable and responsible trades people to carry out maintenance work on the properties we manage.

Financial Administration.  For the efficient management of property, Harcourts has systems in place to ensure that the legislative requirements are carried out correctly. Professional representation for property owners in respect of tenancy matters is also available.     

v      Compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act. Harcourts has systems in place to ensure that the legislative requirements are carried out correctly. Professional representation for property owners in respect to tenancy matters is also available.

v      Marketing Rental Properties. When marketing rental properties, our aim is to achieve the best possible return, under the best possible conditions. To do this effectively local knowledge is vital. Our Property Managers are continually trained in knowing the market value and market conditions/trends.  Properties are also advertised on our rental list, on 6 websites being, http://www.berwick.harcourts.com.au/, http://www.harcourts.com.au/, http://www.realestate.com.au/, http://www.domain.com.au/%20and if you require it we can erect a sign board at the front of the property to also generate interest.

v      Landlord Insurance.  We would recommend that Landlord Insurance be considered. Three firms with whom we have had extensive dealings and offer a similar standard of coverage for rental properties are:

Terri Scheer Insurance Brokers:  1800 609 911
EBM Insurance Brokers : 1800 800 544
AON Real Estate Insurance Solutions: 1800 105 900

Matching the Right Tenant to the Right Property

v      Harcourts has a comprehensive and continually update database of tenants waiting for available rental properties. If those we have available do not suit a specific tenant profile we will advertise to ensure that we get the right tenant for the right property. All tenants are carefully interviewed and screened. It is imperative to ask the right questions, to ascertain the suitability of the prospective tenant. This is a matter of experience and knowledge, which our Property Managers possess.   

v      NTD checks (National Tenancy Database) is the largest and most highly endorsed tenancy database in Australia.  It ensures its practices are beneficial to all parties operating within the property industry. The information collected and provided by NTD adheres to the strictest of guidelines.  These checks are helpful to highlight both good and bad references for tenants and an additional check can also advise of any bad debts the client may have.

Future Planning

v      Rental Evaluation . Harcourts constantly monitors the rental market to identify trends.  Changing property values combined with favorable finance interests rates, for example can signal when a change of rental level is appropriate. Property Managers also prepare reports to owners with all the relevant information regarding methods of maximizing income for their property.

v      Property Evaluation. Investing in a property can be confusing. To source properties with the most investment potential Harcourts Property Management Team will refer you to a sales consultant who is experienced in the market of the potential purchasing area you may be interested in.

Fees & Authority

Professional Fees

Our mission is to provide sound real estate advise to you which, when supported by the power of unrivalled teamwork and our dedicated and diligent follow up, will deliver the highest possible price for your property.

Naturally an important question in many of our clients’ minds concerns our fees.  We will be competitive, fair and reasonable. Of course, we will be happy to further discuss the precise terms at the appropriate time.

At HARCOURTS BERWICK we have managed to identify some factors which may assist in achieving a better managed property and may even assist with a higher rent.  We are also aware tenants are more likely to care for a property if the landlord has gone to the trouble of presenting the property at its best prior to tenancy.  Sometimes this just means a clean and tidy house.

We have listed some handy hints that might become useful:

v      Mow and edge lawns and weed all garden beds

v      Remove all rubbish

v      Clean walls, floors and windows

v      Clean inside cupboards, draws and bench tops

v      Check that all curtains and blinds are in working order

v      Dust and remove cobwebs

v      Steam clean the carpets throughout

v      Repairs any items such as dripping taps, sticking doors and draws

v      Ensure all light bulbs are in working order

v      Ensure that the smoke alarm has new batteries

v      Clean any items from shed or under the house

v      No items should be left in the property

  S ubstantial amounts of money are not really necessary.  A clean and tidy home where everything is in working order is all that is required.

• What is their understanding of the Residential Tenancies Act? 
• What are their people skills like?   Are they strong in taking control of various situations, are they effective communicators, are they firm but fair?  
• Do they possess great problem solving ability?   Can situations be resolved swiftly to protect your interests without compromise.  Are they really working for or against you?
• How do they conduct their tenant selection process? 
•   How much do you know about the tenant selection process?  Asking the right questions and getting the right answers before you put someone in a property can save untold heartache and frustration, not to mention $$$$$$$.
•   Do you know the right procedure when dealing with rental payment arrears?  Have the correct notices been issued & have enough days been allowed in the calculation of dates?  If not, your notices may be totally invalid and you will have to start the procedure all over and risk you’re your landlord insurance policy being deemed null and void.

Wise Investing……

The key is to bide your time, and carefully watch the rental market, its cycles, trends, movements, before making the ultimate decision.

Residential Property Investment is widely chosen by people as their choice of investment because of the familiarity of owning a home; therefore they feel comfortable investing in it.

The secret to good investment choices is by firstly investigating the area and what it has to offer thoroughly. For example, a property that is close to schools, shops, transport and amongst nice tree lined streets is more likely to fetch the prospective owners’ desired rental income amount. Where as, a property that is not in such great location and far away from all amenities are likely to get a lesser rental income.

TIP: Choose an investment property that is to the tenants’ wants and needs!

Properties with ducted heating, air conditioning, security doors/alarms, garages, spa baths and other mod cons are very popular, and highly sought after.  If the tenant sees themselves as living in your property for a reasonably long time, they usually want to be comfortable and more often than not are willing to pay the extra money for it.

When buying for investment, view properties with regard to their potential for capital growth, bear in mind their attractiveness to tenants. Focus on areas with a good track record of capital growth.

Capital growth runs hand in hand with good infrastructure. Look for suburbs with great growing potential.

Finally, you do not want to be worried about your Investment, so choosing an experienced Property Manager is absolutely imperative, and of course it goes without saying that would be our team here at Harcourts Berwick!!!