Plenty of things can go wrong with your Kona investment property—especially if it's left unattended. As an expert in
Kona property management, we know that regular property inspections are crucial to maintaining a profitable real estate investment portfolio—even in paradise!
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- How often should you inspect your rental properties?
- What kinds of inspections should you do?
If you don't live on the Big Island, it can be a challenge to keep up with inspections for your investment properties throughout the year. With regular inspections, you can stay on top of repairs and
routine maintenance, so your property remains in excellent condition.
We're here to help! Let's walk through the types of inspections every rental property needs—and how the right
Kona property management company can take care of your investment portfolio—even
when you don't live on the Big Island!
Inspect Before Tenants Move In
The Move-In Inspection is critical for documenting the condition of your investment property before your new tenants move in. This is your opportunity to make sure everything is ready for your new residents following a thorough Make-Ready Process.
- Use a checklist as you walk through your Kona rental home.
- Document the condition of everything inside the house and around the exterior of the property.
- Make sure your inspection checklist includes the move-in condition of:
- Floors throughout every room of the house
- Walls and ceilings
- All appliances
- Doors, windows, and window coverings
- All faucets in the bathroom and kitchen
- Grout and tile
- Ceiling fans, light fixtures, and all electrical outlets
- Doors and locks
- Landscaping, decks, outdoor furniture, the lanai (if you have one), and the pool.
Make sure you also inspect the attic, garage, and garage door. Leave no nook or cranny out of your investment property inspection! Your Move-In Inspection documentation helps hold your tenants accountable for any damage that happens while they live in your property.
Inspect While Tenants Occupy Your Property
No news isn't always good news when it comes to keeping your Kona investment property in excellent condition! Sometimes tenants forget to let you know that there's an issue. They also might not realize there's a problem before it's too late.
Mid-Lease Inspections help you help your tenants take good care of your properties! However, it's critical to
follow the law when entering your rental property while you have tenants.
- Make sure you provide plenty of notice before an inspection that requires you to enter your property.
- Schedule inspections while tenants are home. This allows you to check in with them and make sure they're enjoying your property.
- Use these inspection times as an opportunity to perform seasonal maintenance.
A drive-by inspection is also an excellent way to keep an eye on how your tenants maintain your property. These can be an unannounced, quick visual that doesn't require notice to your tenants. You won't set foot on the property or in the house, but a drive-by inspection can give you a snapshot impression of the state of your property.
Mid-lease Inspections usually begin about three months after a new tenant moves into your investment property. Putting these on the inspection schedule with your tenants every six months helps you stay up-to-date on the condition of your property. If you don't live here on the Big Island,
Kona property management can help you stay on top of these inspections!
Inspect When Tenants Move Out
When a tenant decides to move out of your rental property, it's time for another inspection. Go back to your Move-In Inspection Checklist as the reference for the condition of your investment property before your residents arrived.
- Walk through your property and document the current condition of every item on the original Move-In Checklist.
- If anything shows more damage than normal wear-and-tear, work with your tenants to cover the cost of repairs.
- The tenant's security deposit is available for you to use for the cost of repairs that don't qualify as normal wear-and-tear.
Minor wear is normal after a renter lives in your property. This can include things like:
- Worn spots on the carpet
- Loose cabinet handles
- A wobbly ceiling fan
- Faded window coverings from direct sunlight
Your tenants are not responsible for acceptable wear-and-tear. If you're not sure what qualifies as normal wear-and-tear or how to use a tenant's security deposit to cover repair costs for significant damage, an experienced Kona
property management company can guide you through the details.
Inspections Help Maintain Your Properties—and Peace of Mind!
Regular property inspections help keep your properties safe! They also help you catch small problems before they require significant—and expensive—repairs. There's no need to worry about the condition of your investment properties when you have a Kona property
company to guide you. Whether it's inspections or the Make-Ready Process, Hawaiian Dream Properties has you covered!
Hawaiian Dream Properties understands the importance of the Make-Ready Process when it comes to your Kona investment portfolio. Whether you have a short-term or a long-term rental on the Big Island, the Make-Ready Process is a crucial component of prepping your property for its next stay.
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