BDF Realty’s Blog

  As a Charlotte property manager for a good nine years now, I’ve seen a lot of rental homes come and go; some rented quickly and some didn’t.  Most of the houses weren’t perfect, but almost all of the houses that rented quickly had one thing in common- they were really clean.  And you may be surprised on how many really dirty homes are on the rental market!   “Cleanliness is next to...

As a Charlotte residential property manager, we are seeing the rental market really heat up!  There are fewer buyers and more renters; this causes rental prices to go up and vacancy rates to go down.  In the home sales market, sales prices and activity continue to stagnate making it a less ideal time to sell.  The laws of supply and demand are in full effect!   We are also seeing an...

  In property management, one of the things we discuss with new clients is their goals.  Are they planning on keeping the property long term or are they looking to sell it at the first opportunity?  Do they want to move back into it at some point?  How much flexibility do they need?  What is their risk tolerance?   We want to make sure that we are enacting strategies that fit what...

  I was out to dinner the other night in Uptown Charlotte and saw the typical 21st century young, urban couple.  They were dressed stylishly, moved with grace, were good-looking, and barely talked or looked at each other the entire time I saw them at the restaurant.  Were they:   A. In a fight? B. Shy mutes? C. Engrossed with their mobile phones?   Of course, and sadly, the most probable...

Due to the tough home sales market, some home owners have been thrust into being “accidental landlords”.  Their homes won’t sell for the prices they need, they have to move, and they can’t afford to keep them empty indefinitely.  So, left with little choice, they will (reluctantly) start the process of renting their homes out.   They start with strong intentions, but then fear takes...

  Rental homes are in a full-on, undeniable uptrend!  A recent real estate article headline blared, “Property Managers Set to Rule the World!  1.8M new tenants to enter the rental pool in the next two years.”  Exciting stuff for us stodgy property managers!   While this leads to raised glasses (no plastic cups- they’re actual glass now!) in the property management industry, it is...

  Many property managers first get into the property management business because they own investment properties and are already managing them.  “Why not add a few more?  The infrastructure is already in place!”  This rationale brought me into this exciting world of property management.   Becoming proficient at investments is an ever-evolving process.  It takes a lot of easy education...

Q.  Why did the chicken cross the road? A.  There was bird feed there B.  A coyote was chasing him C.  He saw a hot “chick” on the median D.  To get to the other side Answer D is the response that makes this a legendary “joke” (somehow…).  Answer D is also very incomplete.  Everything happens for a reason; no one does things without some type of incentive being involved.  I mean, the chicken...

  Dating web sites, like E-Harmony and Match.com, have grown in popularity and are apparently very effective; one in five people getting married met on-line, their advertising claims.  That’s pretty good!    It can be even better for real estate.  Many polls conclude that 90%+ of home searches begin on-line!  Real estate web sites have the potential to be much better matchmakers!...