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Q: What Management Fees do you collect on?
A: We do not charge management fees when your property is vacant. We do not charge
management fees on uncollected rent.
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Q: Do you have an easy termination policy?
A: We understand that life happens and situations may change! Every Management
Agreement will eventually end, whether it is a year later or ten years down the
road. Our agreement is about as easy and flexible as you will find anywhere.
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Q: What are your Maintenance Processes?
A: We have an outstanding relationship with a group of various licensed small
businesses that cover all of our maintenance concerns. Typically when a standard
maintenance request is placed our vendors are able to make contact with the tenant
that day and no later than 48 hours from time of reporting. Additionally, we have
implemented an After-hours Service that allows tenants to call in Emergency
Maintenance requests. Within minutes one of our trusted vendors is dispatched
and in communication with the tenant to go to the property.
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Q: What are your methods of communication?
A: In addition to phone, email and fax, we also offer the Owner Portal. An online site
through our management system that allows you to view your owner ledger, leave messages
for our Property Management Team and even check status of maintenance requests placed in
the system. This program assists in streamlining all of the wonderful processes we have
in place here at Blackwell all while giving our owners real-time updates.
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Q: How long will it take to rent my property?
A: Four factors influence the movement of rental property:
- Location
- Condition
- Price
- Time of Year
When the location has appeal to the applicant, the property is in good condition
(especially paint and carpet), the rental price is in-line with market value and
it is within the favorable marketing season, properties tend to rent quicker.
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Q: How will you market my property?
A: Your property will be advertised on our company
website
www.RentBlackwell.com.
We also use extensive internet advertising including Bright MLS (Realtor database),
REALTOR.COM, TRULIA, ZILLOW, etc. Through these sources your property will be listed
on more than 40 national websites. Your property will have a worldwide exposure, in
an effort to ensure that anyone looking for a rental in our territory can find your
property.
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Q: How long will you market my property?
A: Getting your property rented as soon as possible to a qualified tenant is
one of our highest priorities. Lost rent due to vacancy is income never recovered
for both of us, since we don’t charge management fees during vacancies. Hence, it
always remains a top priority.
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Q: How long does it take to qualify an applicant?
A: The qualification process normally takes 24-48 hours to complete while we
compile all of the information required.
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Q: What about rent increases and lease renewals?
A: The rent is evaluated before the end of each lease period to make sure it
stays in line with the current market conditions. Once a market analysis has
been done we will suggest a lease renewal to the owner, including the new rental
amount. If acceptable to the owner, we will then present the offer to the tenant
and execute a new lease if accepted by the tenant.
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Q: What happens if a tenant doesn’t pay rent?
A: This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions and the subject of the
greatest concern. The answer is that when a tenant does not pay rent and remains in
the property, there is a procedure in place. On the 6th of the month, they receive a
5 day pay or quit notice. If they have not rectified the situation by the 5th day
(the 11th), we file for eviction at the court house. We receive a hearing date and
attend on your behalf. The total eviction process for West Virginia and Virginia vary
greatly by county. We represent you throughout the whole process no matter how long
it may take.
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Q: How likely is it that an eviction will occur?
A: Although we cannot predict the future we can tell you our history. In all of the
years we have been open and dealing with thousands of tenants, the actual number of
court-ordered evictions is less than a handful. We attribute this to our excellent
property management staff and our comprehensive tenant qualification/selection process.