Bardell Real Estate Logo
Rental Move-In Checklist

Rental Move-In Checklist

Rental Move-In Checklist

Rental Move-In Checklist sign
Any relocation process can get a bit overwhelming at times, however, a step in your rental move-in process that shouldn’t be overlooked is filling out a checklist detailing the condition of your rental property. Not only do you need to make certain that the rental is handed to you in a habitable condition, but if there are any serious faults in the property violating health and safety codes, you are able to withhold making your rent payment until repairs are made by the landlord. While some repairs are up to the landlord to take care of, some may also be the responsibility of the tenant, thus making it important to review your lease for those details.
 
 
A rental move-in checklist will ultimately make the move-out process and security deposit return easier. Here are ten things that should be on your checklist:
 
Take photos of any noticeable damages or pests, and document the condition of the unit
 
Is the smoke detector working?
 
Are the provided appliances working?
 
▢ Do the toilets flush?
 
Do the faucets work, is the water pressure good, and do the drains properly drain?
 
Do all door and window locks work?
 
Can all windows open and close properly?
 
Do heating/air systems work?
 
Check power outlets
 
Check your internet or WIFI signal throughout the unit.
 
 
Interested in renting a home in Central Florida? Learn more about renting through our brokerage, Bardell Real Estate, and our tenant services click here or contact us to speak with a Central Florida property manager.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

[formlift id=”36911″]
Dear Homebuyers: Learn About Your Down payment

Dear Homebuyers: Learn About Your Down payment

Dear homebuyers: Please stop thinking you need 20% down payment

NEW YORK – Feb. 18, 2019 – First-time buyer surveys consistently show the top hurdle to homeownership is saving up for the down payment. But potential home shoppers may be misunderstanding the amount of money they really need to buy a home.

“Paying 20 percent down is, quite frankly, a myth,” Karen Hoskins, vice president at NeighborWorks, told HouseLogic. “Most buyers pay only 5 percent to 10 percent down – some even pay zero.”Several assistance programs can help buyers with down payment concerns break into homeownership. For example, 69 percent of about 2,500 homebuying programs tracked by Down payment Resource offer down payment assistance. The average amount of assistance from these programs tops $11,000.

HouseLogic offers several places where buyers can search for down payment assistance, including through national government programs. The Federal Housing Administration offers loans to first-time buyers with down payments as low as 3.5 percent. Programs like the USDA Rural Development Loans and VA Home Loans offer eligible buyers zero-down payment loans. Mortgage financing giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer eligible buyers loans where they can put down as little as 3 percent of the purchase price.

When buyers put down less than 20 percent, they pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) each month to protect the lender’s interest, though the PMI can often be cancelled once they build up 20 percent equity in the property. Many state and local homebuying programs offer assistance programs too. There are many different forms of assistance, such as forgivable loans and grants (gifts for some or all of the down payment and closing costs) to soft mortgages (down payment assistance loans that are deferred for some period of time based on the program’s requirements).

Mortgage brokers should also be able to supply buyers with information about programs in their area and help determine eligibility.

SOURCE: © 2019 Florida Realtors®

Tired of the Cold Weather? Time to Relocate to Sunny Florida!

Tired of the Cold Weather? Time to Relocate to Sunny Florida!

Are you tired of shoveling snow? Tired of freezing every time you step outside and having to wear several layers just to keep warm? Here is a simple solution; relocate to Florida! Florida is home to beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches, thrilling theme parks and most importantly, lovely, affordable, and high quality real estate.

Homes in Florida are mostly constructed of concrete, and beautifully landscaped with palm trees as far as the eye can see. No matter which area of the Sunshine State you decide to relocate to, you are never more than an hour away from the warm, sandy east or west coast beaches.

If you want to try it out for a year or so before buying a home and committing to the area, we have long term rental available as well! 

Us here at Bardell are “Your Disney Area Specialists” and we particularly know the area of central Florida like the back of our hands. Anne and Steve Silcock, the owners of our business have relocated to central Florida themselves. Though the U.K will always be in their hearts, they can’t get enough of the warm sunny weather,
and the vast amount of entertainment in the area for themselves and their children. Come live where other people vacation!

If you are considering relocating to the Sunshine State, please contact our office today to get professional advice on the area and let our agents help you find your dream home! We would be honored to help you!

Click here to conduct a property search in your area of interest to see what is for sale!

It Can Definitely be More Affordable to Buy Than Rent!

It Can Definitely be More Affordable to Buy Than Rent!

According to ATTOM Data Solutions, in about 66% of the country, it is more affordable to buy a home than to rent one. Data collectors took the median price of a three bedroom rental home and compared it to the median mortgage price of a three bedroom home in over 500 counties nationwide. Over the past year, interest rates have been especially low and that is a key factor in the affordability of owning a home. Also according to this report, rents have rose rapidly over the last year up to 27% in certain areas.

Click Here to view an interactive map of the United States and compare rental and ownership prices in different counties that may interest you across the nation.

Here at Bardell, we do specialize in both sales and long term rental. If you would like to find out more about which option would be right for you, contact our office today, we will be honored to help you!!

 

Trulia and Zillow Prove Less Effective Than Realtors

Trulia and Zillow Prove Less Effective Than Realtors

A study reveals that popular online listing services such as Trulia and Zillow clearly lacks the same accuracy as broker-owned websites.

A study, funded by technology-powered broker Redfin Realty, shows Trulia and Zillow as less effective and reliable as your local realtor. The study was conducted by the independent real estate industry research analyst known as The WAV Group, over 6,000 listings in 33 zip codes, across 11 U.S.markets were analyzed for their accuracy in website listings.

Get accurate information from a Realtor.It quickly revealed that popular online listing services such as Trulia and Zillow clearly lacked the same accuracy as broker-owned websites. It appeared that this was mainly due to the fact that licensed real estate agents have direct, live access to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), while Trulia and Zillow do not.

Based upon the study, it was concluded that local real estate brokerage sites display 100 percent of agent-listed homes for sale in comparison to the 80 percent seen on the national sites. Real estate brokerage sites were reported to show newly listed homes for sale 7-9 days earlier than their national counterparts like Trulia and Zillow. Also, approximately 36 percent of listings seen on national portals are no longer for sale.

Your local real estate broker can use the MLS-based service, where listings are updated in real time, usually every 15 to 30 minutes, as opposed to the less reliable and delayed data found on other national sites. For those interested in buying or selling investment homes, vacation homes, and more in the Orlando area, consider Bardell Real Estate for the most accurate and up to date listing information.