by Sherri Fowler | Sep 2, 2015 | Blogging, Case Studies, Content Writing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, Ghostwriting, Medical Writing, Technical Writing, Trade Writing |
There are a lot of details involved in leasing a property, according to Julia “Margie” Stephens, a Realtor® and Leasing Specialist with Waterfront Realty Group, Inc. in Naples, Florida.
Every property is unique in their amenities and each association differs in their homeowner regulations. Therefore, Margie has made up a typical checklist of what you, the homeowner, can expect when leasing your property. This checklist is not meant to be all-inclusive.
If you’re considering leasing your property, please contact Agent Margie for a first-hand assessment.
Typical assessment:
- Determine if homeowner is interested in renting for a seasonal or annual basis.
- Rental rates differ for an annual rental or a seasonal rental.
- Seasonal meaning December through April at 15% commission.
- Annual meaning twelve consecutive months at 12% commission.
- View your property to determine if anything needs to be repaired or updated.
- Determine specifics, such as pet policy, utility policy, security deposit policy.
- Determine the rental rate; compared to like properties in the area.
- Review home watch service possibilities.
- Sign rental listing agreement with homeowners.
- Process and send Tourist Tax monies, as required, to State and County.
- Conduct inventory audit; written and photo.
- Make contact list with policy numbers of homeowners preferred contractors or service companies.
- Determine best marketing strategy for property; including MLS, social media, and current database
- Make a tenant booklet that includes Wi-Fi password and location of water heater, electrical panels, etc.
- Market the property.
Typical leasing steps:
- Tenant to fill out an application and any required association fees.
- Prepare or process an attorney prepared lease.
- Tenant to review and sign the lease.
- Tenant to give security deposit, pet deposit, half the rental rate and tourist tax.
- Copy of signed lease agreement to homeowner and tenant.
- Funds held in the escrow account until the tenant takes possession of the property.
Typical tenant arrival steps:
- Prior to tenant’s arrival, the property gets cleaned.
- The homeowner pays for the cleaning and I coordinate it.
- I’ll inspect the property after it is cleaned; to verify cleanliness and all appliances are in working order.
- If there are any issues, I’ll discuss with the homeowner.
- I’ll then coordinate any subcontractors or warranty work that needs done, if there’s a problem.
- I’ll leave a form for the tenants to fill out if appliances are not working properly.
- Once tenants take possession of the property, rental proceeds and commissions are disbursed.
- Tenant deposits and tourist taxes are kept in Waterfront Realty Group, Inc’s escrow account until they’re due to be processed.
Typical tenant departure steps:
- After tenant departure, I inspect the property to make sure it is in the same condition as when they arrived.
- If there are any issues, I’ll discuss with the homeowner.
- I’ll then coordinate any subcontractors or warranty work that needs done, if there’s a problem.
- I’ll send the tenants a certified letter stating the repair costs, if any, that will be deducted from their security deposit.
- If there aren’t any issues, the tenant’s security deposit will be returned to them.
- Check with homeowner to see if they’re interested in current tenant returning for next year; if seasonal lease.
- Check with tenant to see if they’re interested in leasing the property for the following year; with homeowner approval.
- If both are in agreement to lease again the following year; the security deposit will be kept in escrow and a new lease will be sent to the tenant for signature.
- Tenants are expected to not leave more than two loads of laundry; exclusively sheets and towels.
Periodic property check-in:
- I inspect the property every couple of months; even if there’s a home watch service agreement in place.
- I will discuss any issues with the homeowner and coordinate any subcontractor or warranty work that needs done.
As you can see, continual communication between the homeowner and the leasing agent is key because there are a lot of steps involved in leasing out a property.
Agent Margie will be happy to provide a first-hand assessment of your property. She can be reached at Agent Margie.
Julia “Margie” Stephens, Realtor®
(239) 775-1499
AgentMargie@gmail.com
Waterfront Realty Group, Inc.
1395 3rd St St
Naples, Florida 34102
by Sherri Fowler | Dec 15, 2014 | Blogging, Case Studies, Content Writing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, Ghostwriting, Medical Writing, Technical Writing, Trade Writing |
“If you’ve ever wanted to head south for the winter, Naples Florida is the place”, according to Julia “Agent Margie” Stephens, a Realtor® with Waterfront Realty Group, Inc. in Naples.
“But you’d better book early”, Margie said “because the Naples, Florida rental market is booked for season”. “The homes and condos that were available for rent, for the 2014 season, were scheduled, for the most part, almost 10 months out”.
Some of Margie’s clients didn’t get a hold of her in time this season to book early. Unfortunately, the late bookings were costly to several of her clients. Instead of those clients being able to book a three month stay, they had to end up booking a four to five month stay. “The additional time that had to be booked will end up going unused by her clients”, she said “because they were only able to be in Naples for a three month stretch of time”.
Margie is one of the best Residential Rental Agents in the Naples Luxury Market. She’s currently receiving at least 40 calls per day from clients looking for a seasonal rental. “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find every customer exactly what they’re looking for because season began two months ago” she said.
Margie’s advice for anyone interested in renting a seasonal home or condo is to contact her by email at least ten months in advance. She suggested the best way to keep in communication with each other after that would be by a monthly email, just to touch base.
“Our rental inventory is low this year, just like our sales inventory, so finding the perfect match for clients has been a challenge”. “Working exclusively with an agent is the key for clients to successfully find a rental property however, because it’s less likely a client will get lost in the shuffle, so to speak”.
When I asked Margie what price range clients can expect to pay for a seasonal rental in Naples, she said, “for a seasonal rental, clients can expect a range from $3,500 per month to $60,000 per month, it just depends on what location the client would like to be in”.
“To rent beach side, clients can expect a range of $20,000 per month to $60,000 per month”. “To be in a golf community, away from the beach, clients can expect a range of $3,500 per month to $20,000 per month”. “Location matters, of course, but so does the size of the home, as well as, the amenities the community offers”.
She also said “requests for a seasonal rental that allow pets are difficult to find, but those requests can be met, just more so, in communities away from the beach”.
Margie’s projection for the 2015 season is “the same type of low inventory for our rental market, as well as, our sales market”. “We’ve seen a large number of clients move to Southwest Florida from the northern states this year”. “They’ve chosen to rent for a year before deciding which location they’d like to purchase in”. “We’ve got a large number of baby boomers moving down and either working remotely from Naples, or making short travels back up north for work, but still working for the most part down here”.
She said “the annual rental market for Naples ranges from $2,500 per month to $4,000 per month for golf communities”. “To rent closer to the beach, clients can expect a range of $4,500 per month to $7,000 per month”.
And if by chance you’re considering renting from an individual owner this season, Margie has some great advice. “Since an application fee is non-refundable, be sure to ask the homeowner or the association if there are any pet restrictions when the home is rented”. “Also be sure to ask if there are any restrictions on the length of time the home can be rented, such as a ‘ninety day rental period, only one time per year’”.
If you have plans to rent in the Naples area, Margie would love to hear from you! She can be reached at Agent Margie.
Julia “Agent Margie” Stephens
Waterfront Realty Group, Inc.
(239) 775-1499
AgentMargie@gmail.com
by Sherri Fowler | Nov 26, 2014 | Blogging, Case Studies, Content Writing, Copywriting, Freelance Writing, Ghostwriting, Medical Writing, Technical Writing, Trade Writing |
I am a Freelance Writer on Central Ohio Orthotic & Prosthetic Center’s website. Once of the articles I’ve written for them is in regard to Scoliosis:
You can read the article from COOPC’s website at COOPC Scoliosis or read below:
Scoliosis is described as an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Everyone’s spine has a natural curve to it. However, there can be an abnormal amount of curvature as well. According to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), a curvature of greater than 10 degrees is considered Scoliosis.
The most common type of Scoliosis is called Idiopathic Scoliosis. Idiopathic Scoliosis can be broken down into three age groups; Infantile which affects age 3 and younger, Juvenile which affects age 4 through 10 and Adolescent which affects ages 11 through 18. Adolescent is the most common type of Idiopathic Scoliosis.
Some symptoms may include: uneven shoulder height, uneven hip height, lower back pain, and tiredness in the spine after sitting or standing for a length of time.
Your physician will perform a physical exam. They will also require a set of x-rays to be made of your spine. They may also take measurements of your spinal curvature, called a scoliometer screening.
There are a variety of treatment options that your physician may choose for you. Treatment can depend on your age, the cause of your scoliosis, what location your spine is curving from, what degree your curve is and if your body is finished growing.
One form of treatment that can be prescribed by your physician is bracing. The goal of bracing is to correct your spinal curvature and keep it from getting worse. Scoliosis back braces are very effective in achieving correction of a spinal curvature. Scoliosis Braces are custom made for you, based on measurements or a cast impression. Once you’re fit with your Scoliosis Brace, you will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment with our office, as well as with your physician. Your physician may repeat x-rays with you wearing your brace to make sure the degree of correction is achieved.
Another form of treatment your physician may prescribe is surgery. Surgical treatment would entail metal implants that are attached to your spine, and then connected to a single rod or possibly two rods. The goal of implants is to correct your spine and hold it into position until your spine has fused. Again, many factors go into your physician’s treatment preference for you. Your physician will review all of the options and choose the best one for you.
If your physician has prescribed Scoliosis Bracing for you, please contact our office to set-up a FREE consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss your particular Scoliosis curvature and bracing treatment goals. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Don’t forget to bring your prescription, x-rays and insurance card with you to your appointment.
And please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill out some patient information paperwork.
Our office staff will be happy to contact your insurance carrier and review your plan’s payment policy with you before you leave.
Patients Seen in Either Location Are Seen by Appointment.
Main Office:
3059 E. Mound St.
Columbus, OH 43209
614.231.4256
231HALO@CentralOhioOandP.com
Dublin Office:
248 Bradenton
Dublin, OH 43017
614.659.1580
231HALO@CentralOhioOandP.com
Please note: maps and driving directions were also included in COOPC’s original article.
Julia “Margie” Stephens, Realtor®
