 Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Apr 22, 2008 2:35 PM
 Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Apr 22, 2008 2:43 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by June [PA]) Apr 22, 2008 2:46 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by kt [IL]) Apr 22, 2008 3:23 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by 4mm [CT]) Apr 22, 2008 5:05 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by TJ [PA]) Apr 22, 2008 5:12 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Apr 22, 2008 5:19 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by ctlandlord [CT]) Apr 22, 2008 6:34 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by JD [CA]) Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by Michael [IA]) Apr 22, 2008 9:57 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Apr 23, 2008 12:18 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Apr 23, 2008 12:24 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by AJnID [ID]) Apr 23, 2008 2:49 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Apr 23, 2008 4:33 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by Michael [IA]) Apr 23, 2008 9:11 PM
Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 2:35 PM
Message:
State Specific Question About: IOWA (IA)
Wondering if I can get some advice on how to market my rental in a rural community. I own 1 SFH and it has been vacant for 3 months now. It's driving me nuts that I can't get it rented out. I have lowered the rent by $50.00 and still very little interest. It is 4 miles out of town but located on a highway. Everything in the house is 2 years old. I would have loved to rent this place before I owned a home. We want no pets/no smoking but I'm starting to think we may need to give in. Everyone that calls has a pet or wants a garage. There are no outbuildings on the property and we can't afford to build a garage at this time. Is there something I can do to make the place seem more attractive to people or is it just a hard time to find good tenants? I am very inexperienced at this landlording stuff. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on and will gladly take any advice. I'll tell you the caliber of people I'm getting........parolees and people that have rap sheets a mile long with several evictions. I'm so glad I ran the criminal reports on these people. --12.22.xxx.x |
Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 2:43 PM
Message:
I was in Iowa City for a year. in Iowa you must have a garage or car port.
build a (wood) carport yourself for +/- $800. add wood sides (panels) to it.
maybe enclose a small area by the back/side door with fence. not the whole yard.
also a job you can do yourself to save $$.
appears you will have to upgrade the property so you can attract the renters you want. --192.251.xxx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by June [PA]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 2:46 PM
Message:
Perhaps you might have some success with a realtor.
I've been a landlord for over 50 years. My last vacancy I turned over to realtor because I just couldn't climb steps to2nd floor anymore.
The guy got me a tenant in almost nothing flat--and for more money than I would have asked.
So, go on trying for yourself and/or sign up with realtor.
The cost? One month's rent if you continue to manage it yourself or 1/2 month and 6 percent of rent if you allow realtor to manage it.
"I" opted to have realtor manage this one apartment. (Seemed like a good idea at the time--and it seems to be working out.) --64.12.xxx.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by kt [IL]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 3:23 PM
Message:
Carport would help, here u can have a metal 1 put up for about $800 & tax. Id keep rent where it was at & offer 13th month free with 12 paid on time & everything ok elsewise. --72.26.xx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by 4mm [CT]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 5:05 PM
Message:
If you are considering pets...which I did to fill my last vacancy...I told the tenant that I need an $800 pet deposit. I told her that I would inspect the apt in 30 days and if there were "pet issues" the pet would have to go. I also told her that in 6 months, if pet was working out okay, I would refund 1/2 of pet deposit.
I wrote it up on an addendment attached to the lease. She agreed to all terms. Dog died 3 months later from a quick cancer, but it did turn out to be a very nice dog, no issues. She asked if we could start from te beginning again for a cat. I agreed.
I found that if they are willing to put lots of cash up, they really do feel their pet is well behaved. If they don't agree, then your better off without their pet in your property.
Perhaps you can also advertise at any large businesses, chuches, local supermarkets to get the word out.
Good luck --192.128.xxx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by TJ [PA]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 5:12 PM
Message:
pmh, Why do you need a carport or garage in Iowa? Just curious! --96.235.x.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 5:19 PM
Message:
alot of snow & ice in the winter. shelter the car(s).
(hot & humid in the summer) --71.11.xxx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by ctlandlord [CT]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 6:34 PM
Message:
without knowing what you have already done its hard to help. but .....even rural you must have hospitals.. advertise there in the inhouse newspaper. any federal or state office.
I last made up flyers bright orange with all of the details and tear off ends with phone number, as well as a large orange sign ( I made one but ebay also has a great one for 35 bucks) , I also do hoaky things like air fresheners and some staging. it works for my hard to rent units
and this past year in winter it was horrible to rent, nothing moved, but now it is chipper up --69.118.xx.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by JD [CA]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 9:20 PM
Message:
Are you advertising in the local paper? Craigslist?
--71.128.xxx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by Michael [IA]) Posted on: Apr 22, 2008 9:57 PM
Message:
TLynn Where in Iowa are you located? I am from the Davenport Area. --192.172.x.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Posted on: Apr 23, 2008 12:18 PM
Message:
Michael, I live in Winterset, SW of Des Moines. It's a pretty nice little town and growing all the time. It's in Madison County - you know- The Bridges of Madison County movie? I have been advertising in our local newspaper. Today I called another paper and took pictures to advertise on Craig's List. We'll see if that does any good. If not, I may come down on the price again. Just had a Section 8 lady call. From reading various posts I don't think I want that Jerry Springer stuff to deal with. It's actually a nice little house. My DH and I bought it 2 years ago and basically redid the whole house. New fridge, stove, carpeting, linoleum, bathroom fixtures, a few new windows, new deck. It's not too bad in my opinion. I'm going to think positive and will get a good renter in there! --205.188.xxx.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by TLynn [IA]) Posted on: Apr 23, 2008 12:24 PM
Message:
One more thing, would it help or be a waste of money if I planted flowers around the house to add some color? I've got a few small bushes planted but no other plants. Also thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Geez, I had some more stuff typed up but the site said I was using foul language. Huh? --205.188.xxx.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by AJnID [ID]) Posted on: Apr 23, 2008 2:49 PM
Message:
My website works well for me, I tell them to view the pics online then I don't have to run out for nothing. My places are older, but once they see that they are well kept inside and out they are more eager. The highway might be an issue for people with children.
I too found that when I rented to people with pets a very high pet deposit seemed to assure that the animal was well behaved. Do as 4mm suggested if this is something you might consider. I also found that people would pay more rent just to have their pets, so you might not have to lower the price on your unit. --72.22.xxx.xxx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by pmh [TX]) Posted on: Apr 23, 2008 4:33 PM
Message:
put in some flowers. curb appeal will help alot. renters want the place to be their home. make it attractive. after they move in they can water the flowers.....
I would suggest you allow pets. for obvious reasons that is probably not a good idea in a complex, unless size is limited, but for a house, out in the countryside, you can attract renters with pets, maybe larger dogs.
I allow pets (restricted dog list) in my houses. many LL and complexes here in town do not allow pets. so I am able to charge higher rents.
I have had many responses from C/L, and have rented sometimes to those applicants.
keep us posted. --71.11.xxx.xx |
Vacant for 3 Months (by Michael [IA]) Posted on: Apr 23, 2008 9:11 PM
Message:
TLynn, if you were in the QC area I was going to recommend QCforrent.com. I have had great luck with them, but they are pretty much local to the QC area. Good Luck and yes the flowers will help because it is always the wife that says yes or no on the house. --192.172.x.xx |
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