Published on: 09 November 2018
Last Updated on: 13 March 2021
You can’t afford to pay for a house unless you have saved enough money over the years to directly fund the cost of the property. You need a mortgage to help you pay the amount you need for the property.
You have different options for lending firms. Not all of them might be good for you though. Some of them have high-interest rates while others have repayment schemes that are not entirely suitable for you. There are ways to find the best lending firm.
Check your credit rating
Several loan applications end up in rejection because of their low credit score. You need to check your rating first before you decide which lending firm to apply to. Even if you try your best to apply to some firms, you could still fail if your credit rating is terrible. You can either wait until your score increases or settle for firms that accept your current credit rating.
Research the options
You need to check the lending firms available in your area, or online. Find out what other people are saying about these choices. You also need to calculate the cost if you take a loan from them. You can make a sound decision if you have enough data about the pros and cons of each choice.
List the pre-approval requirements
You can send your documents initially for checking. At this point, you will know if you can proceed with the transaction, or you need to submit more documents. It helps to easily get a mortgage preapproval if you already have complete documents at this stage to ensure that your next transaction will run smoothly. There are different requirements for every lending firm, so you need to know them all.
Compare the terms and conditions
Don’t choose a lending firm just because you feel like the interest rate is low. You also need to dig deeper and look at the terms and conditions. You might find it difficult to repay the loan if their terms are not fair enough.
Visit the firms on your shortlist
You can start comparing the choices online; after listing the options that you think are interesting, visit those firms. You can set up an appointment to confirm the information found online. You can also ask for further details that you did not see on their website or clarify any other information you find vague.
Find a mortgage broker
Instead of going directly to mortgage lenders, you can ask for help from mortgage brokers instead. They knew a lot about mortgages and have helped a lot of people over the years. They will make sure that you get the right lending firm or bank that will make it easy for you to get the loan. They have years of experience in doing this job, so they know every mortgage detail. They will present you with the information and allow you to decide in the end. You would rather have them by your side than dealing directly with the banks.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
Construction is on the rise across the United States. From single-family homes and apartment complexes to commercial projects, reports show that construction companies are going to have their work cut out for them in the years to come.
Having the right equipment on hand to complete that work is the key to their success. Heavy machinery holds a great deal of power in the construction industry, making it essential for several reasons.
Effective Project Completion
Being able to effectively complete projects is one of the most basic benefits of having a diverse heavy equipment supply at a construction company's disposal. Without the proper equipment for the jobs at hand, construction companies are bound to experience problems and delays. They may spend more time than necessary trying to complete tasks with inadequate equipment, which could impact their clients' timelines as well as their own profits.
With the heavy machinery they need, construction crews can complete projects faster and more effectively while remaining on budget. They'll be able to use their resources more efficiently, possibly reducing labor and material costs. Each piece of machinery has the potential to improve a company's performance, productivity, and bottom line.
Cost-Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness is also a key consideration. Trying to complete a project with outdated, broken-down equipment can cause countless problems. Those include costly delays, wasted materials, increased workloads for crew members, and quality issues to name a few. Heavy machinery that's in good condition and suited to the specific requirements of a project greatly reduces those problems and the risks that come with them. It also reduces repair costs to further ramp up cost-effectiveness.
Improved Safety
Safety is crucial in the construction industry. Workers are up against numerous hazards on construction sites. Using the wrong types of equipment to complete certain tasks can exacerbate those dangers. Working with equipment that's in poor condition and prone to breakdowns makes matters even worse. Having the right heavy machinery on-site reduces the risks of injuries. Equipment that's in good repair improves worker safety as well.
Versatility
Having a variety of equipment on hand gives construction companies more versatility too. It allows them to accept projects with confidence that they'll be able to complete them. They won't have to limit themselves to only the projects they're equipped to handle. It also gives them the power to adapt to challenges and unexpected developments they face on the job. With the right heavy machinery in their arsenal, their projects can go smoothly no matter how many problems arise along the way.
Professional Reputation
Companies that have a selection of heavy machinery to work with tend to have more positive reputations as well. Those who are ill-equipped to handle certain jobs often end up with numerous complaints against them and low client satisfaction rates. On the other hand, construction companies that have the equipment they need to meet clients' expectations are more likely to develop reputations for excellence. That, in turn, can generate repeat business and draw in a steady stream of new clients.
Equipping Yourself for Success
Several types of heavy machinery are available for construction companies to take advantage of. Though not all companies need every piece of equipment on the market, having an extensive selection to work with can be advantageous. It helps construction crews to complete projects more safely and effectively. It also gives them greater versatility and leads to improved cost-effectiveness. All those factors enable them to better meet clients' demands and can help bolster their professional reputations.
Read Also:
Construction Safety Systems: Promoting A Safer Industry
Is Prefabricated Metal The Future Of Warehouse Construction?
7 Common Construction Project Management Problems
Finding and selecting quality tenants is crucial for property managers. The success of your investment relies heavily on who you have living in your units. Proper tenant screening and selection help minimize risks and maximize returns.
In this article, we’ll explore key elements of the tenant selection process. We’ll go over how to screen applicants, spot red flags, check references, evaluate credit, and choose ideal tenants. Let’s get started!
Overview Of Tenant Screening Goals
Thorough tenant screening serves several important goals:
Identify responsible tenants who pay rent on time
Avoid problem tenants who could disturb others or damage property
Verify applicants are who they claim to be
Evaluate the ability to afford rent based on income and debts
Check backgrounds for any reasons of concern
Select tenants who will follow rules and fulfill lease terms
Screening is your chance to assess applicants’ qualifications and compatibility before approving them. Use it to gain a 360-degree view informing your leasing decision.
The Role Of Property Management Companies In Los Angeles Real Estate
Finding and retaining good tenants is crucial for property owners and managers everywhere, but tactics can vary by location. For instance, property management companies in Los Angeles have insight into tenant preferences and screening practices effective for the area. Factors like rental price averages, employment demographics, and housing regulations specific to LA impact local tenant selection approaches there versus other cities. While core principles remain constant, optimizing your tenant vetting process may involve fine-tuning your metro area.
Components Of The Tenant Screening Process
Comprehensive screening includes several key steps:
Detailed Rental Application
Have applicants complete a comprehensive rental application covering things like:
Full legal name and contact details
Social Security Number for credit/background checks
Current and past home addresses
Employer name, income, position, time employed
Personal/professional references with contact info
Bank account details for payment processing
Vehicle information like make, model, year
Emergency contact person details
Any relevant remarks about qualifications, special requests, etc.
Thorough applications provide a foundation of info to verify and evaluate applicants.
Identity Verification
Check IDs like driver’s licenses to confirm applicants are who they claim to be. Comparing names, photos, and addresses helps avoid fraud.
Income Verification
Verify income levels match what’s stated on the application. Request recent paystubs, tax returns, and bank statements as evidence. Income should adequately cover rent and other costs.
Employment Verification
Speak with the stated employer's HR department to confirm the position, dates employed, and salary. Beware if details seem shaky.
Rental History Checks
Contact previous landlords to check payment history, lease violations, damages, complaints, evictions, etc. Look for consistent on-time payments. Beware of frequent moves, evictions, or unpaid rent.
Credit Checks
Run a thorough credit check to verify your credit score, current debts, and any negative marks. Watch for unmanageable debts, court judgments, and bankruptcies.
Background Screening
Perform criminal and eviction record screening through approved channels to uncover any serious offenses or causes for concern.
Personal Reference Checks
Contact 1-2 references provided to assess the applicant’s reliability and character from people who know them.
Pet Screening
If applicants have pets, request veterinary records to confirm they are licensed and vaccinated. Also, verify breeds allowed per property rules.
Be sure to follow fair housing laws throughout the screening process and avoid discrimination. Focus objectively on qualifications and ability to meet lease terms.
Consulting Tenancy Databases
Various rental industry databases help identify past tenancy issues reported by other landlords and property managers:
Eviction Records
Damage/Complaint Reports
Rent Payment History
Lease Violations
Prior Evictions/Collections
While costly, these databases provide an added layer of rental background insight from an impartial nationwide source. They can reveal serious red flags not evident elsewhere.
Balancing Tenant Screening Elements
Each screening component provides important pieces of the full picture. But avoid putting too much weight on any single factor. For instance, a low credit score doesn’t necessarily mean the person won’t pay rent reliably if other factors check out. And someone with an old petty misdemeanor isn’t necessarily high-risk if they have great landlord references.
Consider the full scope - credit, background, income, rental history, interview impressions and references for a balanced decision. Don't let one element override others without due consideration.
Strategies For Choosing The Best Tenant
Picking the ideal tenant involves balancing several factors. The ability to afford rent is of course essential. Tenants need a stable income adequate to cover the rent plus other costs. However, also consider their income growth potential, not just current earnings.
Look at their track record too. Do they have a solid history of paying on time, maintaining units well, following rules, and keeping good relationships with past landlords and neighbors? Consistency in meeting obligations predicts future behavior.
Also assess their responsible character based on the full application, background checks, interview, and references. Do they seem conscientious, honest, and reasonable? Shared values matter for a good fit.
While an imperfect credit score does not preclude someone, evaluate if they are actively managing income and debts responsibly regardless of past issues.
Furthermore, consider lifestyle compatibility with the property and community. Will their habits mesh well? Similar priorities and standards make for an easier relationship.
Avoid fixating on any single factor when choosing tenants. Seek those who balance financial ability, compatibility and character. This leads to positive partnerships that serve both parties' needs. Taking a big-picture view helps identify tenants who will be assets to your property and business.
Setting New Tenants Up For Success
Once selected, help tenants start strong by:
Providing a detailed move-in checklist covering rules, contacts, procedures
Clearly explaining policies before signing the lease to set expectations
Assisting with utilities connections and community amenities access
Offering a tenant portal or app for easy maintenance requests
Following up after move-in to ensure satisfaction
Proactive support fosters longer and happier tenancies benefitting all parties. Ongoing communication, responsiveness and periodic check-ins help too.
Dealing With Rejection Decisions Carefully
Rejecting applicants can be uncomfortable. But follows key principles:
Be objective - based solely on qualifications, not personal factors
Stick to facts - explain specifically how criteria were unmet
Follow Fair Housing laws - no discrimination based on protected classes
Maintain privacy - don’t discuss decisions publicly
Respond promptly - let them know quickly so they can make other plans
Rejection is just part of the screening process. Handling it properly avoids fair housing violations while preserving your business reputation.
FAQs
What Are The Standard Tenant Screening Fees?
Typical screening fees range from $30-$75 per applicant to cover criminal/eviction checks, credit reports, reference checks and processing time. Some landlords charge slightly more for deeper screening.
When Should I Require A Security Deposit?
Requesting a security deposit equal to 1+ month's rent is common at lease signing to cover any damages and provide financial security. Make sure deposits comply with state laws.
What Screening Practices Could Expose Me To Fair Housing Violations?
Avoid discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, disabilities, national origin, or family status. Focus objectively on qualifications alone.
If A Tenant Stops Paying Rent Suddenly, What Are My Options?
You can issue pay or quit notices as a formal demand for payment. If they fail to pay after proper legal notice, you may proceed with formal eviction filings to reclaim possession.
Key Takeaways
Tenant selection has a huge impact on your investment's success. Screen diligently by:
Reviewing detailed rental applications
Running background checks
Verifying incomes and employment
Checking references thoroughly
Interviewing thoughtfully
Consulting industry databases
Balancing all factors objectively
This identifies responsible tenants who pay reliably, follow rules, and maintain properties well. Avoiding just a few problem tenancies through careful selection preserves your income and asset values in the long run. Finding ideal tenants is crucial, but takes diligence. A consistent screening process protects your investment and leads to longer, more positive tenancies for all. Invest time upfront to avoid major headaches later on. Your perfect tenant match is out there!
The solid screening takes time but adds tremendous value. Your ideal tenant match is out there!
Read Also:
10 Rights You Have As A Tenant That Your Landlord Won’t Tell You About
Investing In Property Is Investing In Your Future
The real estate business is undoubtedly a booming sector. Whether you’re buying properties as an investment or selling properties for profit, you can definitely earn some real big buck in the business. There’s another way of earning in real estate, though, and that is flipping houses.
What Is Flipping Houses?
This is a practice in the real estate industry wherein one buys a property at a low price and sells it at a high price, so profit is gained.
Those who are seasoned in the business say that gaining large profit in flipping houses does not happen overnight and in one transaction. The flipping business is a number’s game; the more houses you flip, the more profit you get.
Two Kinds of Flipping:
Fix and flip:
This is the common flipping that people know of. This requires a good sum of capital as you buy a house and then do some fixes before you sell it at a higher price.
After fixing the house, if you’re not a broker yourself, you’ll then hire a professional broker like those from CNY Realtor to make sure that you get the best value out of your flipping investment.
Nontraditional flipping or flipping of contracts:
Even if you don’t have the funds or a good credit score to borrow a large sum of money, you can still engage in flipping.
There are two important persons that you need to have though:
A cash buyer who will purchase your property right away for a fast returnWhere to find your cash buyers?
You can check your connections if you’ve got some rich friends who are willing to invest.
You can employ online marketing strategies to attract cash buyers.
You can check your local registry as to who made cash purchases for the past 30–90 days and then contact them one by one regarding your property on sale.
A motivated seller who is willing to sell his or her property at a low priceClues to look out for in finding a motivated seller:
In checking online, look out for keywords on postings such as “urgent sale,” “below market value,” or “for urgent disposal.”
Check properties under some type of lien, for instance, tax lien.
Take some time to drive through a specific neighborhood, and look out for a messy front yard and empty houses.
Whichever of the two you’ll be doing, you must carefully execute these three to make money in flipping houses:
Choose the hottest locations:
Don’t limit yourself in your area. Check for locations where buyers are currently flocking in buying properties. For flipping purposes, it’s not advisable to go with highly urbanized locations if you’re still starting as it will cost you a fortune.
Consider these viable locations when flipping:
Counties with recent developments
Beach areas with scenic potential
Small cities near highly commercialized ones
Know the average price of the property:
We’re not only talking here of the price you’ll be paying for the property but how much the cash buyer is willing to pay for it. You need to know the right price for yourself and the buyer, so your property gets sold and you’ll earn.
Follow these to check the average price on various markets:
Get the cash transactions in the past 30 days in the area where you’re eyeing to buy a property.
Check out some websites that can help you determine the retail prices.
Compare the retail prices provided and identify the average gap.
The average gap is the amount you’ll use to know how much you’ll mark upon the property as it’s around that estimated price other buyers have purchased their properties on.
Pick the right property:
Once you have already picked your location and you already know how to calculate the price gap, this is the crucial part. Choosing the right property can make or break your flipping.
How to look for properties in your chosen location?
Browse the MLS.
Check listing websites.
Talk to people in the area.
Check out houses that may be repossessed.
Earning in real estate flipping does not only involve a startup capital. It needs a proper strategy and critical thinking; money alone can take you nowhere. Grow your connections, do your homework, and exert extra effort in finding the right property to flip – the right mix of these can help your success in the flipping business.
Read Also:
How Real Estate Factors Into Business Decisions
Finding The Best Mortgage Lenders To Buy Your Dream House
