3 Tech Tools That Make a Landlord’s Life Easier

We love technology, especially when it comes to property management and rental home leasing. It helps us with maintenance, too. If you’re renting out a home in Southwest Washington, you need to adopt the tech that’s going to make your process more automated and efficient. This doesn’t mean there’s no room for the personal touch - property management will always be a relationship business. 

Make your life easier with these three tech tools that we think are absolutely essential. 

1. Smart Locks for Self-Showings

Are you still working overtime in order to arrange schedules and meet tenants at your property? 

You don’t have to show the home in person. We understand the advantages. But, we’ve found that with the right technology, you can reduce your leasing time and avoid extra vacancy costs. 

How? By allowing tenants to see available and vacant properties on their own, without waiting for your schedule to allow for it. 

Self-showing technology has made a big difference in the speed with which applications can be completed. When these tenants complete applications faster, it means we’re more efficient with tenant screening. We get vacancies filled in less time. You should be welcoming prospective tenants to see your property without you. This is one of the tech tools we insist you think about. 

Some of the best tools to facilitate this include: 

• Digital keys
• Smart locks
• Upgraded lockboxes. 

There are even apps that tenants can download onto their phone to get the code that will let them into the property. 

The process is simple and secure: you collect some identifying information from a potential tenant, and then give them access to the property they want to see for a limited amount of time. 

Tenants appreciate this technology because they can see properties at times that are convenient, and they get the place to themselves while they’re looking around. 

2. Online Accounting Software

Access to financial reports and accounting statements should always be easy for you. If it’s not, you might want to invest in some online accounting tools. 

You need to know where your money is and how your property is performing. Otherwise, how do you know where you stand financially?

Tracking the income and expenses associated with your Southwest Washington rental property is a lot easier with good technology. You should have a software system in place that:

• Tracks when rent is received
• Provides accounting reports
• Generates financial statements
• Prepares for tax forms
• Notifies you when rent is late

Financial apps exist for landlords who don’t have a huge portfolio of properties but still like to keep track of their money. 

3. Video Doorbells 

Video doorbells are incredibly popular, especially among single-family homes, condos, and townhouses. When you install the doorbell or make it easy for your tenants to install the doorbell, those residents will feel more secure. They can see who is at the door before they decide to answer it. They can download an app that shows them who is approaching their home even if they’re not there. Delivered packages can be tracked.