Top 6 Amenities for a Charleston Long-Term Rental Home
Handsome Properties July 17, 2020
Handsome Properties July 17, 2020
The Joseph Bennett House at 128 Bull Street is available for lease fully furnished.
Click here to view our video tour and schedule a showing of this beautifully appointed 6-bedroom, 4.5 bathroom home in Harleston Village.
Homebuyers and renters alike prize Charleston for its year-round mild climate, strong job growth, and soothing natural setting. Living in a tourism-fueled city filled with multiple options for dining, recreation, and culture has its advantages, too.
But no matter how many restaurants and golf courses there are from which to choose, at the end of the day—and every morning when you wake up—you’ll need a place to live whether it’s a single-family home or a condo.
Handsome Homes is a property management company with a twist—we manage properties for owners, but we also help people find homes to lease long-term. Long-term renting is often a solution when you’re relocating to a new area and need time to search for a home to purchase. Leasing a long-term rental home is also a common practice for snowbirds who wish to avoid winters in cold climates.
If you’re a property owner who’s thinking about turning your Charleston home into an investment property, we can help you find, screen, and manage long-term tenants. If you’re a potential tenant in need of a long-term property in Charleston, we can connect you with the ideal residence that meets your needs.
We did some research to find out what amenities tenants look for in a long-term rental property. Our findings resulted in five home features most tenants commonly look for. We added the sixth entry on the list based on our own experience. We also came up with our own ranking order. Property owners, how does your long-term rental stack up against these features?
You might think we put central air first because it’s July when average summer temperatures in Charleston are at the highest. But our research shows that central air is a top amenity no matter what time of year it is. In Charleston’s climate, central air is a must no matter what the season.
Top tip for property owners: Be sure your AC system is properly maintained and running smoothly. For a monthly fee, our property management services include scheduling maintenance for home systems like HVAC.
Top tip for long-term renters: Ask the property owner how to properly set and run the AC system for maximum comfort and efficiency.
Property owners and long-term tenants both value the protection of a home security system. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, about 325,000 homes are broken into every year even though statistic show an overall decrease in burglary rates.
Burglars are most attracted to homes without security systems—but only 17 percent of houses have a security system in place. Even more compelling, the National Council for Home Safety and Security cites a UNC Charlotte study showing that 83 percent of burglars check to see if a home has an alarm system and 60 percent said they would change their mind if one was installed.
Top tip for property owners: A home security system is a sensible investment that protects the home and its occupants. Today’s smart security systems do more than deterring burglars by keeping property owners connected to their homes no matter where they are.
Top tip for long-term renters: Be sure you know how the home security system works and who to call in case of any malfunctions.
It’s no surprise that wireless internet access came up on several of the sources we checked. With the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic causing more people to work from home, it’s more important than ever for a home to have wi-fi.
Top tip for property owners: Be sure your tenants can find wi-fi passwords easily and quickly. One way is to create a folder or binder with internet access information that you can leave inside the home. You can also include directions for operating the TV and cable system.
Top tip for long-term renters: Be sure to log on to the correct wi-fi system that comes with your long-term rental home.
Outdoor living spaces are among the most sought-after home features where long-term tenants are concerned. Homes with decks, patios, and balconies where people can dine and relax outdoors are features that keep tenants happy and vacancies low.
Top tip for property owners: Boost the appeal of your outdoor living spaces by furnishing them stylishly and completely. At the minimum, provide a table with an umbrella and chairs. Choose durable materials that are easy to maintain and keep clean.
Given Charleston’s thriving restaurant scene, chances are your long-term rental home is within a short drive or walk to nearby restaurants. That’s a boon to long-term renters who may want to explore the area or just take advantage of take-out options. A home close to restaurants often means that other essential business and services are also within easy reach.
Top tip for property owners: Of course your tenants can use Google maps to quickly learn which restaurants are in the area. But having a personal recommendation is often much better. Consider providing tenants with a list of your favorite eating places. They’ll appreciate it!
Long-term tenants and property owners both appreciate property management that’s thorough, efficient, and responsible. That’s exactly what Handsome Homes provides.
We serve property owners by marketing your rental property to minimize vacancies and maximize income, screening and qualifying all potential tenants to ensure the best fit, and negotiating rental agreements. Prospective tenants looking for a new place to live can expect white-glove service and a wider scope of listings from our referral network.
Top tip for property owners and long-term tenants: Handsome Homes offers a Tenant Portal that allows tenants to log into their account using a unique username and password to make electronic rent payments, submit work orders, and receive communications about their rental.
Additionally, tenants can review their statements, and make minor setting changes, such as email address updates and email receipt preferences. The added convenience of providing tenants with a tenant portal means happy tenants and less vacancies.
Handsome Homes
Transforms property buying and selling into a thoughtful, curated, and highly personalized experience, expertly tailored to Charleston’s luxury, historic, and exclusive real estate markets.
