All Forum Posts by: Antonio Lopez

Ideally, you want the property to be rent ready.  If everything is fixed and clean before you show the property, it's more likely to rent quickly and at a higher rent.  Tenants are similar to home buyers. They don't have a good imagination of what it will look like when you are through with your repairs.  If your current furniture is nice and in good condition, you might leave a few pieces in the living room and/or a bedroom to "stage" it while you are showing it to prospective tenants, but don't leave any personal items.  You want the prospective tenants to imagine how their furniture will look in the property.  Even though this may be your first rental, try to always present yourself as professional, but friendly.  This will create a welcoming atmosphere, while also creating a healthy landlord/tenant relationship.

Check out The Book on Managing Rental Properties for lots of information on being a landlord. Good luck!

@Antonio Lopez you can start marketing it now. But get good pictures of the inside as soon as possible.