Investors who manage rental property in the Emory or Decatur neighborhoods don't generally have to worry about severe winter weather - except when the temperatures drop and snow and ice incapacitate the area.  While the colder weather only lasts several days, a few precautions could protect your home and the safety of your tenants. There are a few steps you can take to limit the number of issues that might affect your property. According to FEMA, residential fires cause more fatalities, injuries and property damage during the winter months between December and February.  The furnace of your Emory home should be inspected before it gets cold.  Your Lease should specify that your tenants are responsible for keeping the heat on at a temperature to prevent pipes from freezing. Smoke and car... 12/05/2018

If you plan to lease a property in the Emory Area or in Decatur, you should know what may be expected before you complete an application to rent a home.Finding the right home in the Emory Area where you want to live is an obvious first step, but prospective tenants often have to pass stringent credit and background checks. In popular neighborhoods where rental properties are at a premium, there may be tough competition for a desirable home. It's best to be prepared in advance: Check your credit - most credit companies allow you to have one free credit check per year.  Here are the phone numbers for the major credit card companies: Equifax - Customer Service - 866-640-2273 Experian - Customer Service - 888-397-3742 TransUnion - Customer Service - 855-681-3196 While it is always advisable... 12/08/2016

When I began selling homes in the Emory and Decatur neighborhoods back in the early 1980’s, it was a rather settled and somewhat stodgy environment.1930’s – 1940’sFamilies had moved to the area in the late 1930’s or 1940’s when much of the area was developed.  Smaller bungalow style homes were created in neighborhoods like Emory Grove, Great Lakes, and Glendale Estates.The original owners bought what they could afford in a new area where many of the streets were still unpaved.  In a few years, the area was full of young children, who played together and grew up together on the same streets.  Everyone knew their neighbors, their children and their pets. Garden Clubs were formed and play areas were established.It’s hard to image what North Decatur Road and Scott Boulevard might have been ... 07/19/2016

Some Pet owners are finding it difficult to lease a property in Atlanta and in the Emory area because many property owners are reluctant to accept pets. We Love Our DogsAccording to a recent survey by Apartments.com, more than 70% of renters own a pet. In fact, 65% of American households own a pet – 42% owned a cat and 54.4% owned a dog.Some two-thirds of pet owners have experienced difficulty in finding a rental property that allowed pets.If you are an investor with a rental property, one of the frequent questions you will hear is “do you take pets”? There are horror stories about dogs that destroyed the woodwork or chewed the carpet, but most pets are well-behaved or crated when their owner is away. If the investment property is in a townhome or condo community, you should consider yo... 07/09/2016

Managing your own Decatur investment property is often difficult, especially if you need time for a demanding full-time job, a busy family life, and want some precious down time.  Those annoying tenant requests always seem to come at critical times – just when you are leaving for vacation or an important business trip. You may have inherited a family home or become a new Decatur investor. Your Decatur home may need repairs or updates – someone will need to meet the workmen. When your property is ready, you will need to advertise for new tenants – someone will need to screen them carefully by requiring credit, background, criminal checks, employment and more. How will you market your home for tenants? Who will prepare the Lease? Who will hold the Security Deposit? How will the rent be co... 07/09/2016

This post was originally published on 7/3/2016 by Emory Decatur Property Management According to Georgia and Federal Law, if you own investment property near Emory University or in Decatur, certain responsibilities fall on your shoulders.As long as you are not involved in a federal government housing program which have additional requirements,  here are some concerns you should consider: You are required to inform your Decatur renters of the presence of lead based paint on your property.  Lead based paint was banned in 1978 so any newer home is unlikely to contain lead paint. Fair Housing laws also require that you  avoid  discrimination of any kind in leasing your property - - race. color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. You should be aware that Military ... 07/08/2016

This Blog was first published by Emory Decatur Property Management on 7/4/2016 You may need a little assistance in managing your Emory area investment home or Decatur property – particularly if  you have moved away from the Atlanta area.Some investors and owners do successfully manage their own properties.  An experienced Decatur property manager, however, can save you many headaches, like those calls in the middle of the night to syfon water out of a flooded basement or an alarm going off that your tenant can’t locate.  Tenants have called me recently for both of these issues and they need to be handled quickly.Managing property for other people requires special skills: A very thick skin helps -a property manager acts as a Mediator between the Owner and the Tenant Organization is essen... 07/08/2016