What we look for in Northern Virginia renters
In Northern Virginia, our management staff likes to work with reliable tenants. Here are a few of the traits we look for.
- A tenant pays the rent on time every time. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A renter is honest. A renter does not sneak in a co-renter or pet.
- A tenant is fastidious. A renter does not bring pests such as rodents and bugs.
- A renter does not damage the property.
- A tenant is courteous and pleasant to get along with. A tenant understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A renter doesn't bother neighbors.
- A renter reports problems when appropriate. Renters that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause head-aches for property managers.
- A tenant doesn't complain when it's not appropriate. This means that a tenant doesn't ask to replace functioning systems. A renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A tenant doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the renter doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A tenant does not smoke in the home.
- A tenant is looking for a lease that is as long as the property owner wants to rent the home.
So this is what we're looking for in a tenant, but how do we find renters who measure up to this standard? Experience has taught us that troublesome tenants can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with jobs. We have a nose for sniffing out troublesome renters.
Our Five Step Process
Fair Housing Laws and our conscience dictates that we do not judge applicants in Northern Virginia based upon appearance. Experience has taught us that appearances can be very decieving. We do however assess potential tenants based upon their track record and their actions. If a applicant is difficult with our managers from the beginning, they will probably be difficult as renters. If a lies, we will expect them to be dishonest as a renter. If a has troubles producing certified fundsfor background fees and the first month of rent, we can expect that same person will have difficulty while they are in the rental.
But even if every action initially is good we still vet each potential tenant with a complete background check. Every applicant and occupant must provide a government-issue photo identification. From there, as rental we start our vetting process.
How we protect the landlord’s interests in Northern Virginia:
Northern Virginia Rental Management Resources
Basics
Fundamental info about what management services in Northern Virginia.
Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with rental property management
Find A Tenant
Market your property to rent to find a reliable tenant in Northern Virginia fast.
Accounting
How does Nesbitt Realty keep track of income and expenses for real estate investors?
Cost
A breakdown of fees associated with rental management in Northern Virginia
Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty checks the backgrounds of tenants for landlords.
Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage property?
Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a free archive for rental investors in Northern Virginia
- Before you lease out your rental property in Northern Virginia
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the renter
- During the lease term
- End of lease term and what happens when a tenant breaks the lease
- How does the landlord get paid?
- How your property management company handles the association and your community
- How your property manager handles utilities
- How Nesbitt Management finds renters
- Insurance matters for rental investors using our property management
- How Nesbitt Management handles keys
- Northern Virginia property owner responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your rental investment in Northern Virginia
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your rental property
- When landlords don't yet know their new address
- Vetting tenants in Northern Virginia
More Information About Northern Virginia
Our recommendation
After the background check is reviewed we make a recommendation to the real estate investor based upon our experience as rental managers in Northern Virginia and the information which we have verified. Ultimately the property owner decides if the risk is worth taking, but they make that decision based upon facts and our expert advice.
Do you need understand more about our area?
Nesbitt Realty's Guide to Real Estate is a handy resource for anyone who wants to investigate real estate facts about Northern Virginia and neighboring areas. The Guide to Real Estate has facts regarding what has sold and what is for sale, as well as some surprising facts that you may not know. Also, our Guide spotlights many of the elements of residing in Northern Virginia. Of course, all of this is interesting for purchasers and sellers, but landlords and tenants will likely also find this data to be somewhat informative.
Our Broker Will Nesbitt
"I am by nature a trusting person, but this business has taught me to verify every statement that a tenant makes. Scammers and bad tenants can sometimes give every appearance of being trustworthy and upright people. We never cut corners on background checks." ~ Will Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt
I like tenants that pay on time. Late paying tenants cause extra work and unnecessary stress for landlords and property managers. ~ Julie Nesbitt