Ggpm's Blog

The Reason for the Season

ggpm — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:20:10 +0000

We had an awesome time at the company breakfast. It was a pot luck and there was a variety of food from a number of people who are talented cooks. It was a time for us to slow down and catch up with each other while we enjoyed a meal. Beth Dippo blessed us with a praise dance that was very appropriate for the season. It’s awesome to work for a company that acknowledges the true reason for the season.

Get it rented

ggpm — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:18:52 +0000

When working with an owner that has never rented their property before, it’s important to be honest on what it is going to take to get it rented! This can be sensitive topic, when the home is their current residence and are some obvious condition problems.

When and how to tactfully reveal to the owner that the home needs to look clean, smell clean and not have any evident deferred maintenance can be awkward. In most presentations the question of, “How long is it going to take to rent?” always comes up. This is can be your opening. We can rent you home in most cases to the first or second applicant, but then explain.

When showing the home it so important there is not any question in applicants mind that the home will be in move-in condition. If there is a question on what is going to be repaired, replaced or cleaned, they could move on to another home! Go through the home with the owner and point out all repairs that need to be completed before it can be listed. Continue to explain that the home will need to be cleaned in a professional manner. Be specific on what clean is. There are different standards on what “Clean” is.

If the home has a pet order, it will have to be addressed by replacing the carpet or flooring. Even a slight pet order can keep a home from renting. At the end of my inspection, I feel confident in saying, “If we take care of these items that your home should rent very quickly, possibly to the first or second person who views the home. If we do not we run the risk of an extended listing period. Most the owners that I have had to address these problems with are open to making the corrections; the ones that do not are informed and prepared for the wait.

Greg Garrett has a heart for the community.

ggpm — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 19:46:43 +0000

We are in the final stretch just before the holidays. Many people have already done whatever charitable donations they are going to do and have placed their full focus on family and friends. Greg Garrett Realty, on the other hand has taken it upon themselves to find some families in need to help during their difficult times. There is truly no lack of people in need, one simply needs to look at those around them. Kudos to this company for being responsive and ever vigilant to those around them.

Pick of the week!

ggpm — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:25:36 +0000

Ann’s pick of the week is a new listing: 416 Church Road. This home is large, updated, and has one of the best things going for it that I can possibly think of: FLEXIBILITY! This is one of those homes that doesn’t come with “rules” like: this is the livingroom. With this home, you can do a lot of things like have a formal area and then a casual area downstairs. Or, You can use the great big finished room over the garage as a play room, a home theater, a huge office (especially nice for someone who works from home), a guest room, etc… It’s an all around updated, newer home (only 3 years old) and it’s very neutral, a blank slate you might say- just aching for someone to bring it to life with some personality. It’s not boring, there’s interesting characteristics that may even seem unexpected. For instance, the alcove along the stairs would make an awesome place to display art or to decorate seasonally. The house was thoughtfully planned with an open floor plan downstairs, lots of storage, plenty of windows (even in the large laundry room that has not only a window but also nice cabinetry and a sink), and easy access to the network interface to allow for all the telecommunication/cable needs anyone may have. The location will remind you of being out in the country yet it’s just outside of the Yorktown Naval Weapons station which is close to the beach, highway, NN park, historical sites like the Yorktown Battlefields, Lee Hall, and The Colonial Parkway. This is a very sought after area! Whoever winds up residing in this home will be very lucky, indeed.

Happy Friday!!!

ggpm — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:52:10 +0000

The girls always expect me to say this as I walk in the door on Fridays. Perhaps it’s the expectation of a good day, a nice weekend, or a date night. Regardless,when I put it into perspective and think of all those new residents setting up their new homes this weekend, it makes me smile. Occasionally we have new renters who move in over the course of the week but typically it’s the weekend move that’s most popular. Fond memories of my own moves (most paid for with beer and pizza to my friends/family) remind me that a move is not just a move but the beginning of a new chapter in each mover’s life. I’m happy and proud to be a part of that. OK movers- remember to lift with your legs, not your back & “Welcome Home!!”

Hustle and Bustle

ggpm — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:07:07 +0000

The office has been very busy for this time of the year. As the holidays approach our industry is usually very slow, but that’s not the case at Greg Garrett. It seems all they want for Christmas is a new home rental. We have them is all shapes and sizes, priced to suite every need. What better time to express how thankful we are to our Residents and Owners than at Thanksgiving time. Gobble Gobble!

Do you need a Property Manager?

ggpm — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:40:26 +0000

What to ask yourself to determine if you need help to manage your investment. Here are a few things that can help you make up your mind.

How close are you to your home? This is huge when thinking about repairs and emergency maintenance, regular home inspection and collections. Are you going to be able to carve the time out you need to deal with these issues?

Have you though about how much rent you should be asking. If you ask too little there could be $$$ left on the table ask too much and you could be sitting with a vacant property for months.

Accounting is another area that needs some thought. Record keeping of property costs and income at tax time is very important to make sure you are filing properly. A property management company will keep track of all of your costs and income. Most will send you monthly statements and will provide a 1099 at the end of the year.

Application and tenant approval is essential to finding good tenant for you home. Do you have the ability to do background checks on rental history, credit and confirm income to qualify your new tenant. Not doing this properly can cost you thousands of dollars in rent loss and damages,

Finally proper representation in court when you have to go is also essential. Property management companies have experience in court and will have an Attorney on retainer for some of the difficult problems that might arise.

If you have questions on any of these it might be in your best interest in talking with a property management company,

420 Chapel Street in Downtown Hampton

ggpm — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:33:37 +0000

Check out this lovely house with lots of personality. The home was built in 1890 and offers 1800 sq. ft, w/ great bay windows in the spacious living room. The original banister and stairs from 1890 are surrounded by the original wood floors( which just got re-finished) and really sparkle. Top that all of with a claw foot tub, and this house is awesome. So if you like old houses with a story to tell as much as I do, then you might wanna give this one a look.

Ann’s pick of the week!

ggpm — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:56:30 +0000

OK, I REALLY like a good deal. Case in point: I bought a new washer, dryer, and a big upright freezer (frost free) and when I got done negotiating the deal I wound up with reduced rates (enough to pay for the freezer) and free extended warranties on all three appliances. That said – I want to say one more time that I really like a good deal!

My pick of the week is definitely a great deal in my book: it is…. (drumroll please)…518 Great Park Drive!!! Whoo-Hoo! It’s a house with character, with space (1973 square feet – not including garage or storage shed), with updates (who wants avacado green appliances? Not Me!), with large rooms, with a fenced backyard, with the “new” short shag carpet (love it!), and a FABULOUS location. Best part??? At the price of $1550.00, it’s only 79 cents per square foot!!! OMGoodness, soooo sweet.

Agent Rental Referral Program

ggpm — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:28:33 +0000

Agent Rental Referral Program. What is it?

The program is designed to allow any agent the ability to list a home with Greg Garrett Property Management and will be guaranteed by contract, to receive the listing back when the owner is ready to sell.

The Agent Rental Referral Program should give an agent confidence that they will be taken care of along with their client in a professional business relationship. It will also give the agent an opportunity instead of loosing a client to a property management company with the hopes that they will come back. We guarantee that they will! Additionally and just as important the agent will have inventory in waiting and ready when the market changes. This will be huge for some of the small businesses in the area.

I am very excited to see how well this will be received when completely rolled out.