FAQs

FAQs

FAQs acorn Property Management

How much does Acorn charge for their management services?

The charge for our property management services is negotiable and is based on the gross monthly rent collected. If your property is vacant, and you’re not getting rent, then Acorn isn’t getting paid either! Property managers actually perform more duties during a vacancy than when the unit is occupied. However, we won’t charge you when you’re receiving zero rent!

For the property management fee, Acorn will advertise the property, show the unit to prospective applicants, screen applicants, enter into an Acorn rental agreement, perform monthly rent collection, coordinate maintenance when needed, take care of all tenant issues including notices if necessary, and send you a monthly accounting statement with a check for rental proceeds or an electronic automatic deposit (ACH).

How will Acorn advertise my property?

WHAT IS RENTLY?

You may notice a Rently link on some of our property listings. In short, Rently is a tool we use that allows potential tenants to view properties on their own time. With this tool you can simply register online, sign up for a time to view the property, obtain the access code for that day and time, and send feedback after you check out the home. Not only does this allow for more viewings for the owner, it also gives the potential tenant more options and flexibility based on their scheduling needs.


Once a person is pre-qualified using the App on their Smartphone, they are then given a lock box code that is good for 1 hour and they can tour at their leisure. Boxes are available 7 days a week from 8 am to 7 pm. Because we are a small office, this allows for weekend and evening showings too...when most folks are looking. We've had a lot of positive feedback about the convenience factor, and now more than ever, folks appreciate the contactless viewing of a vacancy. Once they are done touring, the App walks them through locking up and then they have to complete a questionnaire. The questions are both specific to the unit & amenities as well as notifying management of any issues.


Potentials who are given access codes are prescreened for the following: legal name must match on government issued photo ID and a federally insured bank account and/or secure credit card. They must enter their SSN, birthdate, bank account info. and upload a selfie. The App checks for any landlord debt, evictions, verifies that their income meets our requirements as well as their credit score. Once the information is entered, multi-layered points of security are performed; credit card authentication, credential verification, and artificial intelligence to ensure a secure showing.


WHY SHOULD OWNERS LOVE RENTLY?

Allows more renters the opportunity to view your property

Everyone viewing your property will be registered and receive a one-time access code specific to your home, ensuring a safe and secure interaction

A post-showing survey will provide managers with real time feedback and analytics on your property

Multiple points of security including credit card authentication, credential verification, and artificial intelligence ensure a secure showing


WHY SHOULD TENANTS LOVE RENTLY?

You can view the property when it works best for your schedule

A post-showing survey makes it easy to give feedback and get started on the next step in the process

Makes it easy to view a property multiple times if necessary

It only costs $0.99 to register and view as many properties as you want


In addition to Rently, Acorn's property management software application, AppFolio, blasts the vacant unit listings to over 30 of the most popular for-rent websites. In combination, Acorn maintains a subscription to Zillow and posts all vacant properties here too.


Between the use of Rently, AppFolio, and Zillow, Acorn has your properties marketed to the best potential tenants out there!


How much rent can I get for my property?

The quick-and-easy answer to this is: as much as the market will bear. Setting the rent is a collaborative effort between you the owner and us the property managers. Factors to consider when setting the rent are extensive. Some of these factors include: the time of year, the size and location of the property, any special features the unit may have, and the current rental market.

Should I allow pets?

85% of tenants say they have pets, while only 25% of landlords say they allow them. What does this tell us? Tenants bring pets into rental properties. We can use this to our advantage. Allowing pets and securing increased security deposits up front dramatically increases the pool of qualified renters, which translates to filling vacancies sooner and saving you money. Tenants with pets often stay longer, as other property available to them is limited. Establishing a “pet-friendly” rental can even expand our referral network from satisfied tenants who have pets. We believe the best way to protect your investment is to allow pets while collecting additional security deposits up front and charging tenants increased rent each month.

Do I have to accept Section 8?

The Housing Choice Act of 2013, otherwise known as the “Section 8 Bill,” became effective on July 1, 2014. This law includes federal rent subsidies and other local, state, and federal assistance (including Section 8) under the state’s source of income protections. Although no landlord will be forced to accept Section 8 under this law, no landlord will be able to refuse to rent to someone solely because their income is a Section 8 voucher. What this means to Oregon landlords is that you do not have to change who you rent to. You are not required to change your screening criteria, including your income threshold required to rent your properties. If you would not have rented to someone who did not meet your screening criteria before this law goes into effect, chances are you will not have to rent to them now. How you view their Section 8 voucher as income is the real difference here. And there are some distinct benefits to the Section 8 program. You receive a portion of the month’s rent as guaranteed income. There is also another set of eyes on your property. Section 8 helps monitor who is there and can help enforce penalties for bad behavior. If the Housing Authority sees a problem with the property that could result in damage, they let you know. And finally, one of the best benefits to Oregon landlords is the Housing Choice Landlord Guarantee Program. This is a fund for landlords who sustain damages to their rental properties by Section 8 tenants after July 1, 2014. Landlords may make a claim to be reimbursed for the cost of damages from this fund as long as the damages exceeded normal wear and tear, the landlord obtains a court judgment for the damages, and the cost of damages was more than $500 and less than $5,000. (Landlords may still pursue tenants for damages over $5,000 – they just can’t recover that additional money from the guarantee fund.)

What happens if the tenants don’t pay their rent?

No matter how well your tenants are screened, sometimes the unexpected happens. Roommates move out and the remaining tenants can’t cover the whole rent. Someone loses a job. Someone gets a major illness. Some just don’t pay.

With Acorn Property Management, you can rest easy that we take immediate and effective action to enforce payment. We serve the Non-Payment Notices and stay in close contact with the tenants.

What do I have to worry about?

Nothing! Advertising, screening your tenants, executing rental agreements, monthly rent collection, routine inspections and maintenance, damage repairs, service of notices, move-out inspections, final accounting and security deposit refunds. The list goes on and on. We’ve got you covered.
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