Property Management Blog

If you’ve ever thought about firing your Phoenix property manager, it’s probably for one of these reasons: Terrible or non-existent communication. Abysmal marketing which leads to long vacancies. Poor response to maintenance issues.At Service Star Realty, we work with a lot of rental property owners and investo...

Successful real estate investors are thinking about both the long term and the short term. When you’re working to scale your residential real estate portfolio, you need to focus on smart growth that you’re your financial goals. With established investment goals and a clear strategy for achieving those goals, growing your port...

A rigorous resident screening process can help you avoid difficult tenants, but the way a person appears on paper can often be different from who they become in real life when you’re interacting on a regular basis.Problem renters cause a lot of issues, and it can be hard not to get emotionally involved. They’ll pay late, they...

What should you look for during an inspection?Rental property inspections serve two important functions when it comes to protecting your Phoenix investment property. First, it allows you to keep your property well-maintained. While you’re inspecting, you can look for any deferred maintenance or necessary repairs that your resid...

Phoenix is a unique rental market. While long term leases are typically the best option for investors, this is a tourist-friendly area with a lot of people who come and go for a period of days, weeks, or months. Short term rentals can be a benefit when you’re trying to reach vacationers or business travelers. However, as we’v...

Nothing will set off a dispute between landlords and tenants like misunderstandings over responsibilities and expectations. As a rental property owner, you need to be sure you understand your own role in providing a safe and habitable home. You’ll also need to communicate to your tenants what you expect from them.There’s a ba...

How Has COVID Changed the Eviction Process for Phoenix Landlords?During the last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced property managers to evolve the way they deal with tenant interviews. Thanks to measures like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, property management companies and landlords have had to adjust ...

Phoenix real estate investors, like rental property owners everywhere, want to earn as much as possible in rent. Your property’s rental value impacts your cash flow, your stability, and your long term ROI. However, overpricing a home can lead to a more expensive problem: vacancy. Should you hold out for a higher rent,...

What Expenses Can a Phoenix Landlord Claim on Taxes?As tax time rolls around, it is time to review your deductions and credits. When you invest in a Phoenix rental property, you can enjoy a range of different tax mitigation strategies. Unfortunately, there are also tax consequences that you will have to pay at the end of the year as well....

What Tax Form Do I Need for My Rental Income? | Advice for the Phoenix LandlordAs a Phoenix property management company, our goal is to make managing rental properties as easy as possible. Unfortunately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not always cooperate with that goal. If you are about to file your 2020 taxes, you may receive o...