It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and homeowners aren’t the only ones decking the halls. After Thanksgiving, any landlords who have yet to put up decorations are probably wrestling with the decision to do so. Installing lights, garlands and other decorations can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Is it worth it year after year?

Winter isn’t exactly peak rental season, but business doesn’t stop from November to December. When you have other pressing tasks to attend to, Christmas lights might be the last thing on your mind. However, they can make your renters feel more t home. Before you start investing in seasonal cheer, consider these pros and cons of decorating your rental property for the holidays.

The Pros of Decorating Your Rental Property for the Holidays

• It gets tenants in the holiday spirit. Sometimes, nothing beats basking in the glow of holiday cheer. The daily challenges we face aren’t easy, but the holidays give us a chance to unwind, spend time with loved ones and feel like a kid again. Therefore, it’s likely that decorating your rental property for the holidays will put a smile on your tenants’ faces.
• It makes your property stand out. When you drive around town this time of year, you probably notice the properties that are decorated. They look joyful, warm and cozy. it’s no surprise, then, that more potential renters will be attracted to your property if it’s decorated. As a landlord, you’re selling the idea of being at home. Living and raising a family in a comfortable environment is important to people. As strange as it may sound, small touches like holiday decorations can contribute to that.
• More lighting keeps your property secure. There’s more to holiday decorating than just making sure Santa can find you! Decorating your rental property during the holidays also keeps it secure. Theft is rampant this time of the year, especially as more people order online and leave packages on doorsteps. Installing some extra holiday lighting keeps these areas visible.

The Cons of Decorating Your Rental Property for the Holidays

• It can be expensive. It needs to be said: holiday adornments aren’t cheap. Affording decorations isn’t easy for homeowners, let alone property owners. If you do decide to decorate your rental property for the holidays, don’t go crazy. You can create a festive atmosphere in and around your building with just a few small items. Renting decorations is also an option if you’re looking to save money this year.
• Decorations can be damaged or stolen. Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to secure your holiday decorations. You need to accept the risk of a thief stealing your lights or winter weather damaging your décor.
• Some decorations aren’t inclusive. It’s likely that many of your tenants will enjoy seeing Christmas decorations, but some could find them offensive. Keep in mind that not everyone celebrates the same holidays. If you’re considering decorating your rental property for the holidays, it’s best to avoid religious displays that aren’t universal. These are better suited for your own home, not your business.

Partner with All County Denver Metro for Expert Property Management Services

All County Denver Metro Property Management is here to give property owners confidence in the quality of their tenants and the security of their property through knowledgeable and trustworthy property management services. From managing tenant relationships to pricing rent to lease enforcement, we look forward to working with you to see how your investment can be a long-term, stress-free asset. For a complimentary quote or information about decorating your rental property for the holidays, call us today at (720) 575-6100.

There is still time to prepare for the holidays, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with preparations. It’s likely that your to-do list is long and includes things like shopping, meal planning, and decking the halls. The idea is to stay ahead of the game so you have plenty of time to enjoy everything you’re planning for.

If you live in a rental unit, it can be especially challenging to decorate and cook in a small space. However, a little creativity goes a long way. Learn how to simplify the season and save time with these easy holiday tips for tenants.

4 Holiday Tips for Tenants

1. Is Your Space Too Small for a Christmas Tree? Consider These Alternatives

Chances are, a 7-foot tree isn’t going to fit in your apartment. You may not even be able to get a tree that size in the elevator (forget the stairs). Still, you have plenty of options if you still want the experience of “trimming a tree.” A variety of thin trees and tabletop trees are available online. You can still decorate these with tinsel, lights small ornaments. If your space is too cramped for a tree, consider stringing up lights around house plants or walls. There are numerous ways to get in the Christmas spirit. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

2. Keep Cooking Safety in Mind

Your rental unit is your home, but you still share the building with others. That’s why one of the most critical holiday tips for tenants is safety related. Most fires occur in winter due to an increase in holiday cooking. Never leave items like your Thanksgiving turkey or holiday mac and cheese unattended. Leaving the home when the oven is never a good idea. Additionally, avoid cooking under the influence and keep utensils and oven mitts away from burners.

3. Decorate without Cluttering Your Home

Like many tenants, you probably have too many holiday decorations. We understand: it’s not easy to resist festive trinkets like snow globes and nutcrackers. When they go on sale at the end of each season, you’ll want to whip out your credit card. However, you’ll regret it the following year when you have nowhere to put your new decorations. Keep your collection limited and focus on specific areas in your home. Choose your most treasured items and consider donating anything extraneous. After all, Santa needs to be able to walk from room to room without tripping over clutter (as do you).

4. If You’re Going Away, Let Your Landlord Know

One last holiday tip for tenants: keep your landlord in the loop. If you’re going away for a couple of weeks, let them know beforehand. Empty rental units are vulnerable to crime, and if a sudden maintenance issue occurs, you won’t be home to report it. Communicating with your property manager protects your space and other tenants in the building.

Partner with All County Denver Metro for Expert Property Management Services

All County Denver Metro Property Management is here to give property owners confidence in the quality of their tenants and the security of their property through knowledgeable and trustworthy property management services. From managing tenant relationships to pricing rent to lease enforcement, we look forward to working with you to see how your investment can be a long-term, stress-free asset. For a complimentary quote or information about holiday tips for tenants, call us today at (720) 575-6100.

You might think that winter isn’t something you need to worry about just yet if you’ve recently finished your fall maintenance checklist. This couldn’t be further from the truth. During winter, your tenants will be spending most of their time indoors (especially if they’re also working from home). Your property’s heating system, wiring, plumbing, and other essentials should all be examined carefully before freezing temperatures arrive.

It’s crucial to stay ahead of the game and tackle these winter tasks now. Harsh weather is also on the way, which can be a real challenge in Denver. The first snowfall of winter is beautiful to look at, but over time winter storms can take a toll on your property’s exterior. Landlords who prep their property for winter now will be in a much better position, financially and otherwise, come spring.

 

3 Reasons to Prep Your Property for Winter During Autumn

 

1. Make Sure Your Heating System is in Excellent Condition

If there’s a problem with your heating system, you want to be aware of it sooner rather than later. Your tenants won’t be too happy if there’s a sudden breakdown that takes days to fix. When you prep your property for winter this year, call a professional to inspect your furnace. They’ll ensure that your system is operating as it should and inform you of any necessary preventative repairs. Whether you have a heat pump, a gas furnace or a boiler, you’ll need an expert to confirm that everything is in excellent working condition. Otherwise, you’re playing Russian roulette with your tenants’ heat.

 

2. Give Your Property a Competitive Advantage

Potential renters can spot a well-maintained property from a mile away. The best properties look winter-ready; this means gutters are clear, any trees near powerlines are trimmed, and rooms aren’t drafty due to unsealed doors and windows. When people visit your property, they should find it inviting. In autumn and wintertime, an inviting space is one that is warm, cozy, and structurally sound. You also want your interior and exterior to stand out from the rest. Ultimately, getting ahead will give you a leg up over the competition. Tenants will be more inclined to rent with you in the coming months if you prep your property for winter now.

 

3. Gain More Time for Unexpected Maintenance Tasks

There’s no way to predict what challenges you’ll face year to year. Your tenants might submit more maintenance requests than you’re expecting, for example. In addition, you never know when certain systems will need a repairs or replacements. Sudden breakdowns can occur at any time. Unfortunately, your maintenance schedule will be at risk if you don’t prep your property for winter early. Routine winter maintenance needs may fall on top of a long list of other urgent tasks. Therefore, you’ll save yourself a few headaches by taking care of your winter checklist as soon as possible.

 

Partner with All County Denver Metro for Expert Property Management Services

All County Denver Metro Property Management is here to give property owners confidence in the quality of their tenants and the security of their property through knowledgeable and trustworthy property management services. From managing tenant relationships to pricing rent to lease enforcement, we look forward to working with you to see how your investment can be a long-term, stress-free asset. For a complimentary quote or information about prepping your property for winter, call us today at (720) 575-6100.

You can’t go wrong with fall festivals in the Denver area. If you love picking pumpkins, sipping apple cider and basking in the crisp fall weather, there’s no better place to be. During October and early November, we still see many sunny, 60-70 degree days in Denver, so it’s the perfect time to get outside with your family. That being said, it’s not always easy to narrow down your options. Here are just a few of the festivals we recommend checking out this year.

The Best Fall Festivals in the Denver Area

7^th Generation Farm Fall Harvest Festival (Through Oct. 31^st)

You’ll find this fall festival in Louisville, Colorado, which is a little over a half hour’s drive from Denver. If you’re looking for a place your young children will enjoy, you have to plan a visit there this October. Here, kids can climb atop 7^th Generations’ Big Bale Hay Mountain, get a glimpse of farm animals, pick pumpkins and even explore a straw bale pirate ship. Adults will also love checking out the farm stand, which sells everything from roasted chiles to honey and farm fresh eggs. Better yet, the entrance fee is highly affordable for families ($6 per person, 3 years old and up). It would be wrong to leave without some delicious pumpkin bread, though, so save a few dollars for treats!

Spooky Streets (Oct. 21^st)

Looking for something to enjoy in the city? The Streets at South Glenn is hosting their annual Spooky Streets event from 4:30-7:30pm on the 21^st, and it’s sure to be a hit. At this free fall festival, your whole family can enjoy balloon artists, face painting, fun characters, jump houses and all kinds of exciting fall activities. Named one of Denver’s top 5 Halloween activities for families, this is the perfect place to get spooked before Halloween!

Miller Farms Fall Harvest Festival (Through Mid-November)

If you’re all booked up in October, consider checking out Miller Farms’ Fall Harvest Festival! The event is open through mid-November, and they offer a wide variety of activities for kids and adults. You’ll have the chance to harvest vegetables like peppers and carrots, take a tractor ride or hayride, navigate a corn maze, pick pumpkins, view a collection of antique tractors and more. On the weekends, you and your family can chow down on scrumptious treats and visit the farm’s very own chile roaster! Trust us: Miller Farms is one of the best fall festivals in the Denver area, and it can’t be missed. If you’ve never been, now is the time to check it out!

The entry fee is a bit steep at $25 per person for everyone 11 years and up, but you can easily spend a full day here! For kids between the ages of 5-10, the cost is only $15. Children under the age of 5 get in for free. Are you coming with a group of 10 or more people? In this case, you only have to pay $20 per person.

Partner with All County Denver Metro for Expert Property Management Services

All County Denver Metro Property Management is here to give property owners confidence in the quality of their tenants and the security of their property through knowledgeable and trustworthy property management services. From managing tenant relationships to pricing rent to lease enforcement, we look forward to working with you to see how your investment can be a long-term, stress-free asset. For a complimentary quote or information about fall festivals in the Denver area, call us today at (720) 575-6100.

The market is always changing, but there are some additional factors to keep in mind when setting your rental price in 2022. The pandemic might have started two years ago, but many industries are still feeling the ramifications of it today (in fact, we will be feeling them for a long time). The rental industry is no exception.

From 2020 to 2021, out-of-state rental applications increased by 42% due to a rise in remote work and high housing costs. COVID-19 may also have prompted many city residents to move to less crowded areas. By January of this year, the occupancy rate of rentals in the U.S. reached a record high of 98%. With demand so high, supply has dropped and prices have surged.

At All County Denver Metro, we’ve noticed that properties have been sitting on the market for longer periods. Property owners are frustrated, and they aren’t sure how to proceed in our current climate. A lot of major changes have occurred over a short span of time, so this is understandable. Here’s how you should re-think rental pricing in 2022 and beyond.

Rental Pricing in 2022: Learning How to Re-Evaluate Your Expectations

The Pricing Boom is Coming to a Close

Due to increased building costs and labor shortages, new units weren’t constructed as quickly during the pandemic. This contributed to a lack of supply in the industry, and as a result, rent prices went up 14% from 2020-2021. A number of landlords took advantage of this time period and raised rent prices dramatically. However, a shifting economy has impacted tenants’ ability to keep up with these rent hikes. The housing market slowdown has caused rental properties to sit on the market for longer, but few property owners have accepted that the pricing boom is ending.

Affordability is Shifting for Tenants

Although rent prices have gone up, most applicants’ incomes have only increased by about 6%. Inflation continues to be a problem, and Americans are weary after financial losses due to COVID-19. It shouldn’t be surprising that properties are sitting on the market, given the current situation. Rent hikes are coming at the worst possible time, and tenants simply can’t afford them. It’s time for property owners to recognize this and shift their perspective. In the future, landlords will need to meet tenants where they’re at if they want to keep units occupied.

Your Property May Not Be Worth What You Think

Landlords have gotten used to inflated rent costs, and this has altered their beliefs about the value of their properties. Rental pricing in 2022 is another story. If your property is sitting on the market, you need to ask yourself some hard questions. Is your property really worth as much as you think it is? Is it maintained and inspected regularly? Have you upgraded the appliances and fixtures? Is it located in attractive area near lots of shops, entertainment venues and restaurants? What about the neighborhood; is it safe and welcoming for tenants? If your rental property is lacking in any way, that needs to be reflected in the price moving forward.

Partner with All County Denver Metro for Expert Property Management Services

Things are changing fast. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that landlords adjust their strategies concerning rental pricing in 2022. We can help you adjust to the times. All County Denver Metro Property Management is here to give property owners confidence in the quality of their tenants and the security of their property through knowledgeable and trustworthy property management services. From managing tenant relationships to pricing rent to lease enforcement, we look forward to working with you to see how your investment can be a long-term, stress-free asset. For a complimentary quote or information about rental pricing in 2022, call us today at (720) 575-6100.