Introduction
We’ll discuss your needs as a property owner in Hawaii and also take care of the initial paperwork to get you started. It takes about three to four business days to get you fully setup in our system but we can walk you through the set-up process in the meantime.
Here is a breakdown of what we need to get started:
- Signed property management agreement.
- IRS W-9 form
- Direct deposit agreement with voided check or deposit slip.
- Information to make payments towards homeowners association (HOA), maintenance fees, and Hawaii general excise (GE) taxes
- Copy of a photo ID; driver’s license, passport, or state ID
- Most recent mortgage statement (only if property has an existing loan)
- Confirmation of landlord / homeowners insurance
- All the remotes, 3 sets of keys, transmitters, carport and mailbox information, alarm information, call box access, etc.
Property Evaluation
When we do the initial walk through, we are looking to see if the property needs any improvements or repairs before occupancy. Here we will make sure the property has been cleaned professionally, evaluate the flooring and paint condition, test all the appliances, check your landscaping, and look for any other items which may need attention. It is recommended that you hire a property inspector to do a review of your property so that you are aware of current and future repairs.
Marketing Your Property
Your property will be advertised on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and a variety of different websites to get maximum exposure. We will closely monitor the activity and provide you feedback from interested parties. Professional photos and a 3D walk through are recommended.
Tenant Screening
Each prospective tenant will be thoroughly screened with a review of their credit history, any potential criminal background, previous rental history, and employment verification. During this process, we are looking for red flags to weed out unqualified applicants. Our goal is to find you a well quality tenant so that you can maximize your return while reducing your risk.
Rental Agreement Signing
We will have you and the prospective tenant review the rental agreement to make sure that each party understands their responsibilities and obligations. We also collect the security deposit(s) at the time. Your rental agreement and verification of security deposit can be found when you visit the Owner's Portal on our website.
Moving In
Once the rental agreement is signed we meet the tenant at your property in order to perform a move-in evaluation and orientation. We go through the property alongside the tenant, documenting the unit’s condition and checking for any last minute items that need attention. In addition, we will go over some basic home maintenance tips and demonstrate how to operate the appliances. This move-in meeting is an important step to building trust in a tenant relationship. Not only does this help inform tenants about their maintenance responsibilities, but it also increases tenant retention.
Rent Collection
Tenants are required to pay rent by the first of the month and are considered late after the 2nd day of the month. Thereafter there is a $50 late fee. The sooner we are able to collect and process the rent, the sooner we can initiate your monthly rent distribution. Our goal is to minimize the need to initiate eviction proceedings and will take the necessary steps to protect your interest. Should we reach the point of having an uncooperative tenant, you have the final decision on proceeding with an eviction request.
Processing Bills & Rent Distribution
Once the rent has been paid, we initiate payment for any outstanding bills. This includes any repair bills, paying for monthly yard or pool service, making payments towards HOA maintenance fees, processing your Hawaii GE Tax payments, etc. We then initiate your monthly rent distribution and make sure that is available for you to view in your Owners Portal.
Financial Reporting
Choice Advisors Property Management offers 24 / 7 online access to your account information via your Owners Portal. From viewing financial reports to downloading copies of invoices, everything is available at your fingertips. Mailing of hardcopy statements is available upon request.
Property Maintenance
The key to a good landlord-tenant relationship is providing a quality product. Our Oahu property management team has found that well-maintained properties result in happier tenants. This in turn results in tenants staying the property longer and wanting to pay the fair market rent to do so. Fewer vacancies means less money coming out of your pocket. We offer 24 hour access for tenants to submit maintenance requests. This includes immediate response to emergencies such as water leaks, where time is of the essence.
Periodic Property Evaluations
Physically checking in on your property not only gives us a chance to make sure the tenant is keeping everything in order, but also allows us to identify deferred maintenance issues such as water leaks or structural concerns. Our Oahu property management team will evaluate your property two times per year, or more frequently depending on the level of service selected. Not only will this help to protect your property, but it is an opportunity to address tenant concerns.
Compliance with Lease Terms
While we work hard to find you the best qualified tenant, every now and then a problem will emerge. Despite how a tenant may look after performing a thorough background screening there is always a risk that things will not work out. Fortunately, we are prepared to respond to problematic tenants initially by understanding their concerns. In many cases, we are able to turn around a bad situation and then reinforce the lease terms by reviewing them with the tenant. This helps us resolve the problem while providing the tenant with the knowledge to prevent it from happening again.
Moving Out
During the final move-out phase, our goal is to get the property back quickly and in good condition, which allows us to minimize the amount of time the property is vacant. When the tenant is ready to vacate, we will thoroughly document and review the property’s condition and compare this to our original photos and property condition form. In comparing the move-in and move-out evaluation reports, we will check for repair items that the tenant may be responsible for before refunding any of their security deposit. Any normal wear and tear which isn’t the tenant’s responsibility will be brought to your attention for correction.
Preparing Your Property
Based on the walk through, we will make recommendations on what repairs or corrections are needed to maintain the condition of your property. With your approval, we then help coordinate all the approved repairs quickly and efficiently and provide you feedback along the way. If your property requires major repairs or renovations, we will provide you an estimate of this additional service to manage the process. Sometimes properties in disrepair may require a facelift, which also helps to improve the value of your property and will receive the best rent. After these preparations are made, we will begin marketing the property and find the right tenant.