Congratulations, new landlord! You've just purchased your first rental property in Schaumburg, IL, and now the real adventure begins. As you step into the world of property ownership and management, you're likely wondering: what's next?
Don't worry - we're here to help.
Let's go through what you need to do as a first-time real estate investor in Schaumburg.
Understand Local Laws
Familiarize yourself with the Illinois landlord-tenant laws, including those specific to Schaumburg or Cook County. This includes regulations regarding security deposits, lease agreements, eviction procedures, rent increases, and tenant rights.
Learn about local building codes and property maintenance requirements enforced. This includes standards for safety, habitability, sanitation, and structural integrity of rental properties.
Property Marketing
Marketing is important for getting the word out about your new rental properties.
Write a detailed and compelling listing description for online platforms such as rental listing websites, social media, and local classifieds. Include information about the property's location, size, amenities, rental terms, and nearby attractions or amenities like schools, parks, shopping centers, and public transportation.
Tap into your Schaumburg network. Ask for referrals from local friends, family, colleagues, and real estate professionals. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be powerful in attracting qualified tenants.
Property Maintenance
Develop a proactive maintenance plan. It should include regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance tasks. This can help address issues promptly and prevent costly repairs in the future.
Respond quickly to tenant maintenance requests and address repairs promptly. Keep communication lines open with tenants to ensure they feel heard and valued.
Install and maintain proper smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment as required by law. Ensure all of your rental property safety measures are up to code and in working order.
Keep proper records of all of the maintenance and repairs conducted on the property. This documentation is essential for tracking expenses. It helps demonstrate compliance with landlord obligations. And, it helps with resolving disputes.
Tenant Screening
Define your tenant screening criteria, including minimum credit score, income requirements, rental history, and employment stability.
Develop a comprehensive rental application form that collects essential information from potential tenants. These include things like employment history, income verification, rental history, references, and background and credit check consent.
Contact previous landlords listed on the rental application to inquire about the applicant's rental history, payment reliability, cleanliness, and any issues encountered during their tenancy.
Hire a Property Manager
Hiring a property manager can be a smart decision after buying your first rental property in Schaumburg, IL. That's especially true if you prefer a hands-off approach to property management.
Schedule interviews with several property management companies to discuss their services, fees, experience, tenant screening process, maintenance procedures, and communication protocols.
If possible, visit other properties managed by the company to assess the quality of maintenance, tenant relations, and overall management practices.
Succeed as a New Real Estate Investor in Schaumburg Today
There's a lot you need to keep track of as a new Schaumburg real estate investor. With this guide, hopefully you're on the right track.
Are you ready to hire property management help? PMI Chi-Town's franchise has been helping investors like you for decades.
Contact us today.
