What we seek in Northern Virginia renters
In Northern Virginia, Nesbitt Realty prefers to deal with dependable renters. Here are some of the traits we seek out.
- A tenant pays the rent when due every time. This means paying on or before the first, rather than at 5 pm on the 5th.
- A renter is honest. A tenant does not sneak in a co-tenant or pet.
- A tenant is fastidious. A tenant does not attract pests such as rodents and bugs.
- A renter does not break the property or its systems.
- A renter is courteous and easy to work with. A renter understands the difference between a property manager and a hotel concierge.
- A renter doesn't disturb neighbors.
- A renter complains when appropriate. tenants that don't report maintenance issues cost property owners money and cause problems for property managers.
- A renter doesn't gripe when it's not appropriate. This means that a renter doesn't demand to replace functioning systems. A renter doesn't expect more than the lease provides. A renter doesn't complain that an appliance doesn't work when the renter doesn't know how to operate the appliance.
- A renter does not smoke in the property.
- A tenant is looking for a lease that is as long as the property owner wants to rent the rental.
So this is what we're looking for in a renter, but how do we find renters who measure up to this ideal? Experience has taught us that tardy tenants can appear as polite, nicely-dress, well educated people with jobs. We have a nose for sniffing out difficult tenants.
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 judge applicants based upon their history and their actions. If a applicant is rude to our staff at the start, they will probably be trying as renters. If a is dishonest, we can expect them to be dishonest as a renter. If a has troubles producing certified fundsfor background fees and the first month of rent, we will expect that same applicant will have troubles while they are in the rental.
But even when every action initially is good we still check the background of every applicant with a complete background check. Every potential renter and occupant must provide a government-issue photo identification. From there, as property managers we start our vetting process.
How we protect the landlord’s interests in Northern Virginia:
Northern Virginia Property Management Resources
Basics
Fundamental info regarding rental managment in Northern Virginia.
Getting Started
Learn more about getting started with property management
Find A Tenant
Market your property to rent to find a great renter 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 property management services in Northern Virginia
Vetting
How Nesbitt Realty checks the backgrounds of renters for property owners.
Reserves
What is a contingency reserve account?
Territory
Where does Nesbitt Realty manage rentals?
Clients
Who uses Nesbitt Realty management services?
Landlord Reference
a good source for property owners in Northern Virginia
- Before you lease out your property in Northern Virginia
- Collections and evictions
- Communications with the tenant
- During tenancy
- End of lease term and what happens when a tenant breaks the lease
- How does the landlord get paid?
- How your management company handles the association and your community
- How your property management company handles utilities
- How Nesbitt Management finds tenants
- Insurance matters for landlords using our property management
- How Nesbitt Management handles keys
- Northern Virginia landlord responsibilities
- Maintenance, repairs & inspections for your property in Northern Virginia
- The move-in inspection
- Property management information form
- Selling a 1031 tax exchange & more
- Starting our management of your property
- When owners don't yet know their new address
- Vetting renters in Northern Virginia
More Information About Northern Virginia
Our recommendation
After the background check is finished we make a recommendation to the real estate investor based upon our experience as property managers in Northern Virginia and the information that 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 want understand more about this community?
Nesbitt Realty's Guide to Real Estate is a free resource for anyone who hopes to review important real estate information about Northern Virginia and nearby areas. The Guide to Real Estate has data about what has sold and what is for sale, and many compelling facts that you may not be aware of. Not to mention, our Guide spotlights some assets of residing in Northern Virginia. Yes, all of this is helpful for purchasers and sellers, but property owners and tenants may also find this data to be quite enlightening.
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