Many things may come to mind when you’re planning—or even wanting to take—a well-deserved vacation. Picking a destination, where the best attractions are, and what activities to do—all of these are typical getaway thoughts. The summer and early fall seem designed to take time off to spend with family and friends. Even off-season deals hold appeal to for savvy vacationers. If you own an investment property in Sarasota, some of the underlying reasons driving you towards a vacation could be the very thing holding you back!
Being a Landlord Means Sacrificing Personal Time
Rental maintenance issues can happen at any time: whether you’re at home, at the office, a special event, or on a much-deserved vacation. Being a landlord is an “always on call” job; unexpected repairs can throw a wrench into your well-planned seaside escape. Some like to give it a go at being a DIY landlord because they find satisfaction in the work. Others know that hiring professionals can be the difference between a “staycation” that’ll leave your kids groaning and lasting family memories.
Depending on the issue, some maintenance or repairs need to be addressed quickly to prevent further damage. For someone already working a typical nine to five, sometimes this can prove very inconvenient. Imagine an emergency pops up, and you’re already well on your way down Highway 41! You may be forced to hire expensive, rapid-response maintenance services—assuming they’re available!
Sudden Storms Can Rain on Your Parade
No matter the season in Florida, let’s face it: things happen. No Sarasota property is immune to damage in periods of extreme weather. Anyone who lives near the coast knows that there’s always a risk when storm season rolls in. Damage to siding, cracks in the driveway, roof damage, or other unexpected repairs can arise. The leak in the roof must be quickly repaired to prevent further damage. Holes or gaps in siding can be the perfect new home for a variety of unwanted critters who have no intention of paying rent! Cracks in driveways and walkways can grow over time if not addressed properly and create a fall risk. Storm damage can be severe in Sarasota, and you may need to address issues quickly if rain and high winds are involved.
It’s 90F in Sarasota—and the AC Goes Out
With record-breaking heat in recent years, the reality of AC issues can not only be bothersome and inconvenient, but deadly. Remember to keep up on regular maintenance to prevent unnecessary AC unit issues. Here are a few things to remember when regularly checking an AC unit:
- AC evaporator and condenser coils should be clean.
- Clear the area around your AC unit from weeds and debris.
- Check controls and electrical to make sure they are working correctly.
- Filters need replacing according to manufacturers’ recommended intervals as.
- Check refrigerant levels and for possible refrigerant leaks.
You can hire a professional AC technician to do maintenance to your AC unit while you’re on vacation, but this can get pricey—especially given the cost to have a service technician even inspect the place! An expert property management company is a better option. Property management companies are ready for emergency maintenance and have forged connections with industry professionals that often save you money.
Vacations Aren’t Exclusive to Your Tenants!
A growing number of people are moving to the sunshine state every year! Having an investment property is an opportunity to capitalize within an ever-growing market. Whether you happened to inherit property or have a spare property, you have options. You could generate extra income from your unused resource every month by renting it out, you could sell it, or you could move into it. If you’re looking to rent or sell, consider your options. In the case of “sell,” it all depends on the state of the housing market. Renting out your property would generate lasting income for you, which can be helpful if you’d like to build your savings for retirement—or a vacation. Here’s where property management really shines: it helps you regain your time. Property management is the secret for how to love being a landlord while leaving the responsibility behind.
Now That You Know the Secret, It’s Time to Act
Ideally, we would all like to maintain a work-life balance that allows us to spend time with our family and friends. For those who own or inherited an additional property, a vacation may seem like an unattainable dream due to an endless array of things to do. Taking on another task may not be something you wanted on your “to-do” list! Being a fantastic landlord means making some considerable personal sacrifices. As you know well by now, your property never takes a vacation—a maintenance call could come at any time. That said, being a landlord does not have to cost you your dream vacation.
From dealing with tenant issues and evictions to maintenance and screening, a property management partner is there for you. An expert property management company can also market your property, send notices, collect rent, and even distribute tax information to tenants! But not all property management companies in Sarasota county are cut from the same cloth. How can you be sure that the property management company you’re entrusting your future to is “the one?” Get started with Real Property Management of Sarasota & Manatee’s FREE Guide to Finding the Best Sarasota Area Property Manager. Your freedom is waiting!
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