Most homeowners dismiss the idea of renting out their property. They don’t want the headaches of collecting rent, doing repairs, handling unruly tenants, and other aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship.



There are cases, however, where renting out your home for a short period is a sound decision for residents of Alpharetta. Georgia real estate brokers will tell you that in many situations, the positives outweigh the negatives.

Who should rent out their homes?

For residents of Alpharetta, Georgia, real estate rental can be a good option if you are fuzzy about your selling or moving plans.

Homeowners nearing retirement are a common group who can benefit. They may be unsure where they want to live out their golden years and this allows them to try other areas and other types of living, such as an apartment or an independent living facility, without giving up their home in Alpharetta.

Georgia real estate that is an asset in a divorce or estate settlement may also benefit from short term rentals. For example, a divorce settlement may go more smoothly if neither party is living in a contested house.

Pointers for people renting out their homes

Regardless of your reason for offering your home up for rental, go about it cautiously so you are fully protected.

Gather information on the local rental market. Peruse ads in the newspaper and on the internet to see what Alpharetta, Georgia real estate is renting for. Find as close a match as you can in terms of size, type (single-family, townhouse, condo), amenities, and location.

Calculate your profit margin. Once you know the rent on your Alpharetta, Georgia real estate, run the numbers to see if it makes sense. The rent should cover your mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and expenses of home maintenance.

Damage-proof the house. No matter how carefully you screen the tenants, you always run the risk of damage to your property. Minimize the possibilities of damage with a few simple steps:

• Repaint walls with easy-to-clean semigloss paint



• Seal hardwood floors with two or more coats



• Replace valuable fixtures with inexpensive ones.

Empty your home at least one month before you sell it. Your tenants have no incentive to keep the place clean or treat prospective buyers with courtesy.

Get the help of an experienced broker

Renting Alpharetta, Georgia real estate involves a different set of problems than buying or selling and it pays to have an expert in your corner. Enlist the services of a real estate broker who has worked with rentals before. All of the steps above are much easier with the help of a qualified broker plus they can offer additional services such as tenant screening.