Leander, TX · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 2 votes
Hi there!
I have a property in Old Town Alexandria and was looking for a property manager for it since my husband and I are moving out of state. Any recommendations? Tips? Anything?
Also, does anyone have any thoughts about renting a property furnished vs unfurnished?
Rental Property Investor · On the Road · Member since 2018 · 25 posts · 21 votes
6y
Hi Amanda! Property manager here in DC, so I can speak a bit to my experience on the furnished vs. unfurnished question. The vast majority of our rentals (SFHs in DC proper) are unfurnished, and we advise owners that that's the best way to go. Most prospective tenants that you'd want in your place have their own furniture already (or at least their own taste, which may be different from yours), so with a furnished place, you're generally shrinking your pool of applicants a bit. There's also the additional hurdle of cataloging everything you're furnishing, and any disputes you may have at move-out over condition, what counts as normal wear and tear, and things like that. In my experience, any boost you'd get in furnished rent is not terribly significant compared to the potential for a longer vacancy, and the hassles furnished rentals entail.
Two other things I'll note. We do manage a few furnished places, but they're more often than not shorter-term situations, e.g. a homeowner needs to relocate for a few months or a year for work, but intends to come back at some definite future time. More commonly, if we're showing a house where the owner is open to leaving some stuff behind, we'll mention those items specifically to prospective tenants, almost as a "bonus", if they want it.