- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 181
We could use some help. We are new REIN members who bought a duplex in Grande Prairie in July. We took possession mid-August and have yet to find renters.
We are on our second property manager. The first one didn`t even put signs in the windows. Both companies tell us that the market is dead and that they can`t rent our places out so the best way to handle it is to lower the rent.
Investors in the area tell us this isn`t so, that our rent of $1800 (two investors suggested that $1900 was more likely) is reasonable and that there is no shortage of renters.
Last week, we lowered our rent to $1600, which is lower than we want or think is fair. These are great properties, in a terrific neighbourhood (Mission) only 4 years old and immaculate.
We don`t know what to do next. We want to take charge of this, but we live in Edmonton. We want to advertise, but we think that we should raise the rent or at least settle on the rent once and for all (we have changed it down and back more than once). Maybe we should open it up to pets and raise the rent at the same time?
Any tips would help. These are our first properties and they are 100% financed. It`s costly to carry them, and we feel as if we cannot buy more properties until we have this settled. In addition, the management company is charging us $50 a month as long as they are vacant!
Help!
We are on our second property manager. The first one didn`t even put signs in the windows. Both companies tell us that the market is dead and that they can`t rent our places out so the best way to handle it is to lower the rent.
Investors in the area tell us this isn`t so, that our rent of $1800 (two investors suggested that $1900 was more likely) is reasonable and that there is no shortage of renters.
Last week, we lowered our rent to $1600, which is lower than we want or think is fair. These are great properties, in a terrific neighbourhood (Mission) only 4 years old and immaculate.
We don`t know what to do next. We want to take charge of this, but we live in Edmonton. We want to advertise, but we think that we should raise the rent or at least settle on the rent once and for all (we have changed it down and back more than once). Maybe we should open it up to pets and raise the rent at the same time?
Any tips would help. These are our first properties and they are 100% financed. It`s costly to carry them, and we feel as if we cannot buy more properties until we have this settled. In addition, the management company is charging us $50 a month as long as they are vacant!
Help!