Zillow Rental Checklist: Fill & Download for Free

Great question, let’s look at both parts taking the first ‘how do i buy my first rental property’ and look at the steps involved in purchasingSearch (finding the range of properties available, using property search portals like Rightmove or Zillow)Research (looking at the detail of available properties in depth so you can assess which are right for you)Offer & Negotiation (placing your offer at a level that works for you based on your research)Conveyancing/legals/financing (once your offer is accepted all of the next phases of purchase to get the property sale over the line)These would be the common stages of buying an investment propertyFrom there management and refurbishment may also need to be considered if you are not doing it yourself.The next part of your question on ‘How do I choose a rental property’ is a little harder to define as there isn’t one thing to look for in a rental property.It’s personal choice based on your own goals. What suits one investor won’t always work for another investor.So if you’re clear on your outcome then you can set targets for rental yield, income, capital growth, tenant profile, location and othersWe see this breaking down to a property investment checklist of 7 key criteria which we breakdown in full hereThe Property Investment ChecklistHope that helps

Buying a home is a big commitment, and searching for that home can be a big headache. In a market where mortgage rates are fluctuating and consumer confidence is still shaky, finding your new pad is tough. Here are a few house hunting websites that can help you narrow your search, so you don't have to settle.Realtor.comRealtor has listings updated every 15 minutes from more than 900 multiple listing services across the country. This makes the more than 4 million listings some of the most up-to-date information available, and their market summaries provide insight to neighborhoods, as well. As the official site of the National Association of Realtors, rest assured that this is a credible place to start your search.Homefinder.comThis site breaks down its listings by category, from broker listings to rentals, new construction, foreclosures and classifieds, which is helpful for homebuyers uncertain of the type of listing they want to pursue. With resources on their blog, several guides available, and professionals available to chat, Homes for Sale, Rentals and Foreclosures walks you through the process of buying a home step-by-step.Trulia.comTrulia is a truly a user-friendly site, with capabilities to view listings in photo, list, and even map formats. Their tagline is "get the inside scoop," and here users can do just that with school reviews, price trends, crime reports and even reviews from local residents. They've recently added a "Find an Agent" feature, and you can do it all on the mobile app as well.Homes.comHomes .com provides an easy way to search for the basics: homes for sale, places for rent, recently sold home values, and a directory of local professionals to help in your search. Demographic information for neighborhoods is displayed in graphs and easy to understand, making this a great place to browse in your search.Realestate.comThis site has some of the most in-depth demographic information and market analysis for neighborhoods, displaying information as specific as average commute time, weather risk broken down by type of occurrence, even sortable nearby amenities and a detailed inventory of market trends. Listings can be sorted by all kinds of criteria, and you can even get a free home value estimator report.Forsalebyowner.comThis site is pretty self-explanatory — here you can find listings of homes that are being sold sans real estate agent. Here you can search homes on the market, list your own home for sale, and even find plenty of resources for both buyers and sellers: guides, checklists and important information to make sure you don't forget anything if you decide to sell or buy a home on your own.Zillow.comOften used by homeowners to check their property's value, Zillow boasts more than 100 million listings (with Google Earth views), not just those that are for sale. Their Zestimates, their estimated market value, give insight into a home's worth using publicly available data, and users can ask questions and participate in advice forums in their online community. By using these house hunting websites, you can save yourself quite a bit of time and energy in your home buying adventure. It can be a long journey, but if you arm yourself with the right resources, sealing the deal on your new home can more easily become a reality.

Maybe you’re planning to rent a home or place it on the market. Whatever the reason, the house or apartment needs a thorough cleaning.It usually isn’t until you’ve taken all of your possessions out of the house that you realize just how worn it is. Dirt has built up in corners and crevasses. Grease and oil splatters in the kitchen become unsightly.Then there is the carpet and tile. Moved furniture has a way of showing just how dirty and worn floors can get.You can make time to thoroughly clean the place, room by room. Or you can hire a professional cleaning service to give the place a much needed in-depth cleanse.Continue reading for tips on how to determine if you need to hire a pro for a move out house cleaning.IT REDUCES THE STRESS OF MOVINGLet’s face it, moving can be a very stressful task. It also requires strategic planning. Most people try to get a move done over the weekend. Add to that, moves generally take place at the end of the lease so you do not have to pay for an additional month.If that is the case for you, there really isn’t much time to get through your move out cleaning list. Many renters are surprised once the last piece of furniture is out.There is no time to steam clean carpet, wash walls or patch a small whole.You will see that it is best to give yourself an extra day so a professional company can come in after you have gotten everything out. They are trained to clean spaces efficiently and quickly.YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO GET YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT BACKBarring any issues with damaged property, you are sure to receive a full return of your deposit if the unit is cleaned.Don’t risk falling prey to a pesky meticulous landlord. Get a move out cleaning checklist and ensure each item is covered.Pay close attention to the kitchen and bathroom. These areas tend to be the most difficult to clean. Always scrub the oven and do a good cleaning of the refrigerator. In the bathroom clean the sink, tub and cabinets.If you go with a professional company, be sure to give them a copy of the checklist and have them sign-off on each item. Because they are in the business of cleaning, they will ensure that every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed.You will recoup the cost when you receive your full deposit back.IT’S A GREAT IDEA FOR THOSE RELOCATING OUT OF THE AREAWhen a move is the result of relocation, you will want to have as much professional help as possible. In addition to checklists for packers, movers and service disconnection, you will also need an apartment cleaning checklist.Sometimes relocation doesn’t leave much time for move out house cleaning. You are lucky if you get everything done to ensure you arrive at your new job at the designated time. By hiring someone to clean for you, you’re freeing up a couple of days you will need to unpack.Get acclimated in your new city without the worry of things not being perfect back at your old place.When the cleaners are done, have them send you a video and pictures of the finished apartment. You can then forward them to your apartment management company so the refund of your deposit can be returned as soon as possible.MOVE OUT HOUSE CLEANING IS A PLUS FOR PROPERTY OWNERSMaintaining rental properties comes with many responsibilities. Requiring a security deposit is supposed to be an incentive for renters to leave properties in pristine condition when they move. Otherwise, you can keep some or all of the deposit to recoup costs.When a tenant moves without cleaning the rental unit the burden falls on the property owner to get the place ready for the next renter. One way to get a quick turnaround is by hiring a professional cleaning service.You can provide them with a standard apartment cleaning checklist. Overtime, they will become familiar with your requirements, and jobs get done quicker.The cleaning is at no extra cost to you, because it is paid for from the security deposit. You can even offer tenants the option of having the unit professionally cleaned for them.INCREASE THE SELL TIME OF YOUR HOMEHave you ever looked on a real estate site like Zillow and saw homes for sale that looked a hot mess. How turned off would you be to tour a home on the market and it is filthy? It happens all the time and can have a negative impact on the home’s value.If you have a home on the market, you may want to consider having a professional cleaning service come in and do a deep cleaning. Declutter by removing as many personal items as possible so the cleaners can do a thorough job.For homeowners that have moved out of the residence, a deep professional cleaning can do wonders for the appeal of the home. A clear clean space shows the buyer the full potential of the home.Professional cleaners are cost-efficient and can possibly add value to the asking price of your home. A buyer touring a dirty cluttered house could come in with a lower bid, whereas a cleaned space could get the asking price or more.Don’t risk under-valuing your home because of dusty ceiling fans and built-up residue on the windows.Have These Move Out Cleaning Tips Helped You?Planning a clean move has many variables. You want your move to be quick, simple and stress-free. Don’t get bogged down by the weight of the decision to move.Deciding between doing move out house cleaning yourself or hiring someone is an easy decision. Choosing the right company may take a little more thought.