old-dominion

Welcoming Your Neighbors with a Smile

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:57:14 GMT

How to be a great neighbor

It seems like something we all should know how to do, but there are times where even the best neighbors fall short. When living in a neighborhood, especially in homes close together, it is important to be conscious and aware of your actions. You want to act appropriately and be considerate of those around you.

When someone new moves into the neighborhood, it is always a great idea to greet them with a smile and a welcome gift! This can be baked goods, flowers, or even a welcome home card - anything to show you are acknowledging their arrival and excited to meet them. Of course, you do not want to be overbearing or overwhelm them, but it is a kind gesture to make. This can help your new neighbors feel right at home and show that you are someone they can approach if they need anything.

Being aware of your neighbor’s needs:

One of the most important ways to be a good neighbor is to be conscious of your noise levels throughout the day, but especially in the evening. You do not want to be the reason people cannot fall asleep, as you never know what people are dealing with at home or in work. Being self-aware helps respect the people around you.

If you are a “the door’s always open” type of person, make that known through small talk when you pass by people walking through your neighborhood. It is nice for people to know they can rely on you for something in times of need. Being a neighbor does not mean you have to be their best friend, but I have found through experience that they can turn into them if you let the relationship develop naturally. You do not want to force it but having friends in your neighborhood can make life a lot more fun!

Make sure you are acting appropriately for the people you are living around. Some people would prefer to be left alone and live in a quiet area, while others will want to form friendships and have dinner parties. It is all about assessing everyone around you and respecting their needs. If you have any more questions on being neighborly, please reach out to us!

Best Apps for Landlords

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 18:54:46 GMT

Managing your properties more efficiently

When it comes to managing multiple properties, it is important to find a way to keep your information organized. Smartphone applications are a great way to do this because you have everything at your fingertips. This makes everything easily accessible and will in turn make you a more effective landlord. Listed below are some of the top apps all landlords should use.

Landlord Property Management

Price: free with premium upgrade options

Keep track of your tenants, rent payments, invoices and expenses, and get useful reminders with this app. It has a simple design to make it easy to learn and use.

Housters

Price: $1 per unit/month with a 3-month free trial

If you are looking for a way to easily track tenant payments, manage your tasks, and more, this is a great application. It is very user-friendly and even allows you to keep in contact with your tenants.

Zillow Rental Manager

Price: free

This application is great for ad placement. It allows you to advertise your properties on a daily basis to ensure you are at the top of the list each day. If you are looking to find new tenants, this is the app for you.

Landlord Studio

Price: $4.99/month with a 30-day free trial

Looking to organize your income and expenses more efficiently? This is the app you need! It allows you to digitize receipts, keep track of documents, and will alert you with important notifications.

There are many applications you can find and use to make your life as a landlord easier and more organized. This list is a great starting point if you are looking to invest in an easy-to-use application right on your phone.

Change of Address Checklist

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:53:55 GMT

Who you need to contact and how to prepare for this change

When it comes to moving, you may not realize all that goes into it. Something some people overlook is notifying people about your new address and all that goes into preparing for this change. Most tenants think to notify the postal service, which is a great start, but there are some other people and facilities that need to be notified as well. The reason you have to notify the post office is so they can forward mail to your new address instead of your old. You do not want to end up losing or missing important pieces of mail because they do not forward it to the correct location.

Other people who need to be notified of your new address:

Your work
The bank you use
Credit card companies
Insurance companies (renter’s, car, health, etc.)
Utility companies
Magazine subscriptions
DMV
Cell phone provider
Anyone who sends you bills

Changing your address with the postal service can typically be done online for a minor fee. It is important to notify all of the above when moving so that you ensure you do not miss bills or other important pieces of mail.

Renewing Leases

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 15:00:54 GMT

Why tenants choose to stay in their current property

As a landlord, you want your tenants to renew their leases. This creates less stress, and you will use less time and money trying to fill the vacant spaces. However, as a tenant, renewing a lease can either be a very easy or a very difficult decision. There are stressors that come along with trying to find a new place to live, and you have to evaluate all the pros and cons to your current living situation. All in all, landlords should focus on keeping their tenants happy so they feel satisfied with their current situation and will renew their lease when it comes time.

Top reasons tenants renew their leases :

Ideal location
Amenities that are offered
Quick responsiveness to maintenance issues
Receive a discount for renewing their lease (i.e., free month of rent)
Property offers social events for tenants
24-hour doorman for safety
Accepts and holds packages for tenants who may be out of town
Offers parking
Allows pets in the building
Loves the space and atmosphere of their living situation

Overall, people are going to stay where they feel safe and at home. They want to know they are being taken care of and that their landlord can be contacted and will respond in a responsible time. People stay where they are comfortable, so as a landlord it is important to offer your tenants fun things to do or provide them with amenities they can’t find elsewhere. If you would like to learn more about Old Dominion Realty’s experience with tenant renewals, please send us a message so we can talk!

Prioritizing Maintenance Issues

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:09:41 GMT

What classifies as an emergency and what can wait

When it comes to maintenance issues, it can be difficult to identify which ones need to be addressed immediately and which ones can wait for regular hours. Some can cause hazards that affect your safety, and others are minor occurrences that can be resolved at a later time. Let’s talk about some issues that need immediate attention.

Roof Leaks

Due to how fast these types of problems can progress into something worse, it is important to call a roofer for immediate assistance. Not only can water intrusion lead to mold and rotting, but it can cause electrical problems that will be even more expensive to address.

Electrical and Wiring

These types of issues that occur in a home need to be looked at as soon as you notice it. These can lead to house fires or electrocution, all of which can lead to serious consequences. It is important to contact an electrician if you notice your lights dim when you turn on appliances or your outlets are hot to touch.

A/C and Heating Unit

If you notice that the cooling and heating system is not working properly, it is a good idea to seek help quickly. This can be when your thermostat is not working properly, or you notice a drastic temperature shift in your home without being able to change it back.

Now, let’s discuss some of the problems that can occur that can wait to be addressed until regular business hours. Most of these are not life threatening and will not do severe damage if you wait to take care of them.

Clogged Toilets

If you live in a home with multiple bathrooms, this is not a problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Sure, it may not be pleasant to have a backed-up toilet for a few days, but if you have other bathrooms in the home to use it can wait to be fixed.

Slow-Draining Shower or Sink

Although this can be annoying, it is not going to cause any damage to your property. It is not something you need fixed immediately and once Monday comes around, you can call and have it cleared out.

Stove Burner

If one of your stove burners is not working, it is not considered an emergency maintenance issue. You can get it looked at and replaced in the following week but avoid turning it on and off to ensure you don’t create a further problem.

Communication is key when you experience any type of maintenance issues. Our team will work hard to get all of our tenants issues taken care of as quickly as possible.

Applications for Real Estate Investors

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:33:23 GMT

The best apps for organizing your investments

There are many ways to organize your investments and track the trends of real estate. Having this information in a safe, secure, and accessible location is important for a real estate investor, and an application allows for all three of those. Not only will the information be available at your fingertips, but you will be able to relax knowing your information is also protected.

Top applications for real estate investing:

Fundrise

This application allows you to invest your money in a portfolio filled with real estate investments carefully selected and developed with the goal of maximizing returns. Private real estate offers consistent cash flow through long-term growth. It focusses on flexible investment minimums and a low-fee model to ensure you keep more of what you earn.

LoopNet Real Estate

LoopNet helps investors and tenants find the perfect property or space for their next investment. The research they provide offers an in-depth look at the properties listed, and you can even use an advanced search option to find the exact property you are looking for.

Xome

Something unique about Xome is that investors can gain access to a list of properties that are not widely available yet because it takes information from listing service data. It also pulls information off of real estate auctions that are sometimes given exclusively to the app, giving investors access to information they can’t find elsewhere.

Premier Agent

This application is from Zillow and provides realtors instant access to property listing inquiries from Zillow and Trulia. Investors also have the ability to organize their listings and all connected information in one place.

Personal Capital

This is a personal finance application that will track your income, net worth, cash flow, and more. However, as a real estate investor you can connect your real estate assets and properties to the application and track all of it on the app. An added bonus is that the app is completely free!

Landlord Studio

If you are looking for an efficient application to set reminders, track investments, and analyze financial reports, this is a great app for that. Something to note is the cloud storage this application offers because it allows investors to store their information in one place that can be accessed on any device anywhere in the world.

This is not an exhaustive list of applications, but these are great places to start if you are looking for a more efficient way to organize your investments. If you have any questions about these applications, or about real estate investing in general, please reach out to us!

Tips to Being a Great Tenant

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 20:53:04 GMT

How to be the best tenant in your landlord’s eyes

Happy New Year everyone! As we start 2021 together and begin setting our individual goals, it is normal to be reflective of the past and seek to learn where we can improve for the future. When it comes to being a tenant, there are always ways to be better to your landlord and even the property itself. I am going to share some of the tips that I have learned along the way.

Read your lease thoroughly: You must read and understand what your lease says and requires of you. This is the time for you to ask the landlord questions on parts that you may need further clarification on. Asking questions to gain a better understanding is critical because you do not want to end up in a situation where you are receiving consequences for a simple misunderstanding.

Submit maintenance requests promptly and in writing : To ensure your requests are documented, it is better to email or mail them in. In case of a problem, this allows you to look back on it and have it as evidence of what you said word-for-word.

Pay your rent on time : As obvious as it seems, you would be surprised how often rent payments slip from the mind. If you want to be a reliable tenant, make sure you keep up with your rent payments. The key to this is to set a reminder on your calendar a few days before the payment is due to ensure it gets in on time.

Keep your rental property clean : You do not want your landlord walking into your rental property and seeing a mess. Show that you care about the place you are living and respect the landlord’s property. Try to set a day each week to clean your space or even assign 30 minutes a day to tidying up.

Have renter’s insurance : This is vital to protecting your assets within the rental property and can cover the cost of damage to the property due to negligence. Having renter’s insurance will help the landlord because you will not be leaving them with a bill due to your inability to cover the cost.

These are just a few ways to make sure you are the best tenant you can be. Make sure you are respectful of the property and the landlord to ensure a great relationship throughout the time of your lease. We want to wish you a Happy New Year and we look forward to what 2021 has to offer!

Finding the Perfect Property Manager

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 18:34:31 GMT

What to look for in the property manager you hire

When you begin the search to find a property manager, it is important to make sure you are putting your property in good hands. A property manager is someone property owners can hire to oversee the day-to-day operations of a real estate unit. They are going to be acting on a property owners’ behalf to preserve the value of the property. Due to how involved they are going to be in the upkeep of your home, you do not want to make this decision lightly. So, how do you know who is a good property manager to invest in? Here are a few qualifications to look out for:

Communication skills : Someone who can listen to you and communicate back to you respectfully and responsibly. You do not want to end up hiring someone who takes days or weeks to get back to an urgent request or simply doesn’t listen to your needs. They should also be articulate in their communication.
Reliability : Make sure this is someone you believe you can rely on for the job. They are going to be taking care of your property, and if you cannot count on them doing a great job, they are probably not the best choice.
Knowledge : “Do they know what they are doing?”, as silly as it seems, this is an important question to ask yourself. A property manager should understand the ins and outs of the property, real estate laws and regulations, standard operating procedures, and keep up with reports. This revolves around how proactive they are in finding information and reacting to the information to prevent problems.
Personality : Property managers have to be personable, patient, and confrontational when necessary. Since they are working with residents, contractors, and property owners they should know how to act appropriately in different circumstances. Finding someone who can stay calm under pressure, but also knows when to confront others to solve a problem is key.
Organization : There are so many moving parts to managing a property, and the property manager has to be able to keep things in order. Asking them, “how do you stay organized on your busiest day” can bring insight into how organized they are. It is likely your property is not the only one they are managing, so they need to be able to keep up with the demands of each one. A great property manager will be able to juggle the stressors of the job while being timely in responses and getting things done.

Trust your gut when interviewing candidates because more often than not, how you feel after meeting someone can speak volumes that should not be ignored. You are putting your real estate in their hands; it is important to find someone you trust and can rely on. If you have any more questions about finding a property manager, feel free to contact us directly!

Top 5 Harrisonburg Attractions

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:17:36 GMT

Some of the best local activities in Harrisonburg

Now that it is officially the holiday season, there are many local activities to participate in. These can be great to bring family and friends to, and some have been modified to follow covid regulations. This time of year, especially after the year most of us have faced, it is important to spend time with loved ones and also take time for ourselves. These local attractions are worth trying out!

Harrisonburg Farmers Market

This is the place to go if you are looking for fresh, locally grown produce! When I went to the farmer’s market it was a relaxing start to my weekend. You get to walk through, talk to the people who produced the food and learn about the community. The winter hours (December through March) are 9 am-1 pm. After March, it goes back to its normal hours of 8 am-1 pm.

White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard

White Oak has been one of my favorite places to go this past year. It offers wine tasting, farm tours, and it even has a gift shop. It is a great spot to go with friends and to even bring children to because of the animals! Something fun they offer is a wine slushie, it may sound odd, but it is delicious! It is open from 10 am-5 pm for the remainder of the year.

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum

If you love being outdoors and walking, this is a great place! The trail has a lake, beautiful scenery, and stopping points to sit and enjoy your surroundings. Whenever I need to clear my mind and do not want to drive long distances for a hiking trail, this is where I come. You could go alone, with people, or bring your dog if you have one!

Pale Fire Brewing Co

If you are looking for a great local brewery with a comfortable atmosphere, this is the place to go! It has a beautiful Tap Room, indoor and outdoor seating, and even has a fireplace to enhance the experience. One of the best parts is you can see the brewery equipment through large windows in the Tap Room! I was never a huge fan of beer until I came here, now I look forward to getting to try a new one every time I go! It is open weekdays from 3-5 pm and Sunday 2-9 pm.

Explore More Discovery Museum

If you have children of your own, or in your extended family, this is an incredible place to bring them. This is a non-profit museum focusing on interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences for children. They are allowing visitors to book spaces on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:30 am-12 pm and 1:30-4 pm. It is located downtown so it is within walking distance of a lot of the best restaurants too!

These are just five of the things you can do in Harrisonburg! There is so much to learn about and see in Harrisonburg. If you want to find the best activities for your interests, you can check out the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center . It is a great resource to learn about the amenities that Harrisonburg offers and give you even more places to explore in the city.

Rental Property Investment Tips

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 18:25:53 GMT

Building confidence in your next property purchase

Finding a rental property to invest in can be a difficult process. Many factors go into your research process and everyone has different requirements/needs that have to be considered. However, there are universal ways to know if a rental property is a good or bad investment and key insights that every landlord should consider before purchasing a property.

As a landlord, it can be easy to get trapped in the mindset of finding the perfect investment property. There is no perfect property, but there are properties worth investing in. There are a lot of ways to determine the value of an investment, and below are some of the best ways to ensure you find the best one.

Top 5 Rental Property Investment Tips

The One Percent Rule : This says that the property should rent for one percent of or more of its total upfront cost. This quick and efficient check will allow you to narrow down your list of properties to the one’s worth considering due to its potential value. - Forbes
Calculate the Cap Rate : The capitalization rate will give you a better look at the property’s potential for return on investment. To do this, you will divide the property’s net operating expenses by its purchase price. - Forbes
Inspect the condition of the property : If the property has been well-kept, you can be sure that potential tenants will be attracted to it. If there is a lack of curb appeal, it may not be a promising investment. However, a property left in poor condition could also work in your favor. You have the potential to negotiate the price of the property and receive a discount because of the work you will have to put into it. - Forbes
Compare the purchase price and the county appraisal value : You can find this information on the county appraisal district website. If you notice that the selling price is lower than the county’s value assessment, you will likely make a profit on the property. - Forbes
Do your research : You do not want to miss any piece of information on a property. Before making a decision such as purchasing a property, it is vital to know all of the details about the area the property is located, any past or current issues with the property, and the true value of your investment.

At the end of the day, you want to feel confident you are putting your money into a property that holds value. You do not want to end up investing in a home that takes more than it gives back to you. Although that is not an exhaustive list of what you should pay attention to, those are great places to start. If you want to learn more, contact us with any questions you have!

Top 5 Restaurants in Harrisonburg

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 18:36:42 GMT

Personal favorites and reviews of the local Harrisonburg restaurants

Moving to a new town can be overwhelming, especially when you are leaving the comfort of your old home. This move means having to find new places to shop, eat, hike, and more. After living in Harrisonburg for four years, I can tell you there are some amazing local restaurants that you may have never had before. I am going to share some of my personal favorites just in time for the holidays when family and friends are visiting, and for when you are looking for a new favorite spot.

Spot 1: Beyond Restaurant & Lounge

This is a great spot for Asian dishes, sushi, and cocktails! The outdoor patio in the evening is lit with hanging lights and has a great atmosphere. One of my favorite sushi rolls is the ‘Bora Bora’. I can tell you that the sushi is fresh and is some of the best in town. The entrees are typical Asian style cuisine, and my favorite to get is the ‘Drunken Noodles with Chicken’.

Spot 2: Magnolia’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

Magnolia’s is a great modern Mexican restaurant. It has many options that are great for adults and children. One of the best appetizers is the ‘Chips + Queso Dip or Guacamole’ or ‘Chips + Salsa’ which is similar to the typical chips and salsa starter at Mexican restaurants. A personal favorite entree is the taco combo where I get one ‘Masa Crusted Shrimp taco’ and one ‘Americano taco’ with a side of rice. They are flexible with the combos and allow me to pick two tacos from different parts of the menu. The rice has its unique flavor that you can put on the tacos or eat separately!

Spot 3: Rocktown Kitchen

Rocktown Kitchen is an American style restaurant with a casual fine dining environment. They offer patio and indoor dining, local wine and beer, local food, curbside pickup, and kid’s meals. My favorite appetizer is the ‘Stuffed Mozzarella Burrata’. This comes with slices of a baguette and is a great starter to share with the table! Entrees range from red meat, chicken, pork, and fish so there is a dish for everyone's tastes.

Spot 4: Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza

If you are looking for an organic and fresh Italian restaurant, Bella Luna is the place to go! The food is made from scratch every day using the best ingredients. Bella Luna offers wood-fired pizzas, hand-made pasta, seasonal salads and sandwiches, and amazing desserts. Whenever I go to Bella Luna, I always order the ‘Lemon Hummus’ to start. This comes with a bowl of hummus and wood-fired flatbread and it is a table favorite! Two of my favorite entrees are the ‘Brooklyn pizza’ and the ‘Pasta Bolognese’. I can also tell you that if you like spicy food, the ‘Ring of Fire pizza’ will be a favorite of yours.

Spot 5: Billy Jack’s Shack / Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

These two restaurants are some of everyone’s favorites in Harrisonburg. If you are looking for a casual dining experience with burgers and beer, these two are the place for you! Jack Brown’s solely serves burgers and one of my favorites is the ‘Greg Brady’ which comes with mac n’ cheese and barbecue chips on it. Make sure to ask for a side of Jack Brown’s sauce so that you can use it as a dipping sauce for your fries or even put it on your burger. Billy Jack’s serves the same burgers as Jack Brown’s, but they also offer more of a variety of food. When I do not get a burger, I get the box of ‘Fried Mac with a side of Javier sauce’ and ‘Sticky Nuggs in the Sticky Sweet Chili sauce with a side of the ranch’.

There are so many places to eat in Harrisonburg, and you will not be disappointed with the quality! The local restaurants are one of the reasons I love living in Harrisonburg and make me never want to leave.

The Importance of Renters Insurance

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 18:16:51 GMT

Protect yourself from unpredictable events in the home

As a tenant, it is important to keep your belongings safe and secure. There are many ways people can do this, but one way to guarantee you will not be liable for lost or missing items is through renters insurance. Renters insurance is a property insurance that protects you, your belongings, and your living arrangements after a covered loss. It helps ensure your losses within your rented property are protected.

What are some incidents that renters insurance covers?

Personal possessions: Items damaged through fire, theft, vandalism, plumbing and electrical malfunctions, and other hazards.
Liability: This coverage protects you against a potential lawsuit from people who were injured in your rental property.
Additional living expenses: If you can no longer live in your home due to one of those damages listed above, this coverage assists you in paying for temporary housing.

You might be thinking, why do I need to invest in renters insurance as a tenant? There are many reasons. To start off, it protects you from incidents you least expect. If there is an accident, such as a fire, burglary, or injury in your rental, you will not be held liable for the damages. There are unforeseen events that can take place that will end up being pricier for you to pay out of pocket versus having an insurance policy that covers it. Which leads into the next reason - it does not have to be expensive. You can find an affordable provider that will end up being cheaper than paying for damages you shouldn’t be responsible for. There are many credible renters insurance providers you can find online or through a referral that you will not have to spend a hefty amount of money on. Although there are limits on what renters insurance covers, all of what it covers will benefit you and your wallet in the end.

Why renters insurance is important:

Life is unpredictable and there are events that are just out of our control. This will protect you from losing more than you can afford to pay for upfront. You do not want to be caught in a situation where you are held liable for an event that occurs that you shouldn’t be responsible for. If you do not know where to start in the search for renters insurance, you can start with us!

On Old Dominion Realty Property Management’s tenant portal , you are able to submit proof of your insurance coverage or purchase a policy from the site. This makes it easy for you and for ODRPM to keep track of what is covered by your renters insurance. To learn more about how you can utilize your renters insurance through ODRPM’s portal, check out our website !

Old Dominion Realty Property Management Tenant Portal

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 17:02:16 GMT

Technology that simplifies life for the tenant

As a tenant, there are struggles that you face when it comes to keeping all of your information organized. It can be difficult to access contact information when you need to fill out a maintenance request, or simply updating payment and profile information. That is why Old Dominion Realty Property Management (ODRPM) has created an online portal that keeps all of your information in one place. This allows for easy accessibility and convenience when tackling day to day responsibilities. Listed below are some of the key features of the tenant portal.

Key features :

Rental payments through tenant portal: The struggle of paying rent through different intermediaries is done! You can pay online in a safe and secure way.
Ability to purchase or learn about renter’s insurance: Now, the answers to any questions about renter’s insurance can be found online with the ability to actually purchase it right then and there.
Access to account balance information: Any outstanding balances or rent payments you owe will be accessible to you online.
Filing maintenance requests for services you need as well as tracking for such requests: The pain of trying to contact someone to help when there is a problem that needs immediate assistance is over! Through the renter’s portal, you can easily file a request and you will not have to worry about someone missing it.
Access to payment history and account details: When you need to go back and check your past payments, that information will be stored in your account.
Ability to contact property manager with questions: Do you ever struggle to get in contact with the property manager? Now, you will not have to worry about them missing your emails or calls because you can contact them directly online!
Gain further details on the property you are renting: Stay updated and informed on your property’s details with this feature! You will have all the information you need on the property at all times, not just during your initial search.
Can easily update payment methods and other profile information: All of your payment and profile information can be updated in the matter of minutes. The information you put into the system is protected and you will not have to worry about losing it.

ODRPM’s online portal is meant to help tenants maximize the value in what they are renting and to ensure they have an enjoyable renter experience. These unique features are part of what makes Old Dominion Realty a valuable and reliable partner. The relationship between tenants and agents is of the utmost importance and these features benefit all involved. If you want to learn more about how our portal works and how these features are utilized, you can find that information on our site .

ODRPM wants to make your life as a tenant easier and less stressful. ODRPM puts the needs of tenants first and will ensure the stressors that accompany renting a property are put at ease.

To learn more about what we can do for you or with any questions you may have, contact us on our website!