Property Management
Expertly Managing Rental Homes Across Central Florida
Maximize your rental property’s performance with our full-service property management solutions. We specialize in expertly marketing, managing, and maintaining your investment properties to ensure optimal return and long-term success.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Your Investment, Expertly Managed. Our full-service property management is designed to maximize returns and minimize stress. Here’s how we handle every aspect of your rental property:
Property Management
We make it easy to boost the performance of your rental homes across Central Florida. As we expertly market, manage, and maintain your properties, we ensure they provide an excellent return on investment. Our efforts also improve the rental experience, reducing tenant turnover across the board.
We provide a complimentary rental analysis of your property to determine competitive market rental rate. We market your properties on all third party websites (i.e. Realtor, Zillow, Hotpads, etc), We handle all maintenance coordination with residents and all collections of deposits and rents. We offer the most comprehensive tenant background screening service in the industry including credit, criminal, rental and eviction background checked along with verification of income and employment information. We employ a fully licensed and leasing staff who are available seven days a week to answer rental inquiries and show properties. Contact us today for more information on our property management services and don’t forget to ask about our “DEDICATED SERVICES”!
PROPERTY ADVERTISING
We utilize proven advertising techniques (including aggressive internet marketing) to ensure that the property is well-exposed to our target market and rented in a timely manner:
Yard signs (For lease on site at the property if permitted)
Property list emailed to targeted tenant referral sources
MLS
Craiglist
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
APPLICANT SCREENING
Streamlined, built in resident screening includes standard background and credit checks along with past rent payment and eviction history. Screens can be completed in minutes – enabling us to place the highest quality residents quickly.
TENANT CRITERIA
Finding good, qualified tenants can be an arduous task but after years of successful experience we have been using a proven set of factors that have served us and, more importantly, our property owners well. They are as follows:
Tenant History (2 years)
Employment History (2 years)
Nationwide Criminal Check for Misdemeanors and Felonies
Nationwide Sexual Predator Check
Income Verification (2 ½ times the monthly rental amount)
Credit History (Overall good, based on a national risk score)
In some instances when a tenant doesn’t totally meet our property management standards, an additional deposit can be substituted if one of the above criteria is not met. Before a prospective tenant is rejected, a member of our professional staff will contact the property owner to make that final decision.
RENT COLLECTION
We handle the collection of deposits and monthly rents from our tenants and provide timely direct deposit of monthly rental proceeds to our property owners.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
We use electronic work-orders to communicate with vendors so we can quickly resolve issues. At your request, we can email you a copy of the work order and relevant information giving you real-time updates.
PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
We ensure your properties are being cared for by all residents through regular property inspections. We pride ourselves on keeping our client’s properties in good working order to protect your investments and promote happy, long-term residents.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Owner statements are securely posted to an online Owners Portal, saving time and paper. These simple statements provide you with a quick snapshot of your property details for the past month. We can also include maintenance invoices and additional reports you request.
Interested in our services? We’re here to help!
INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS
Maximize Your Rental Investment with Smart, Informed Decisions
LANDLORDS | Rent Your Property
Own a rental home, condo, or apartment in Central or South Florida? We make renting easy. With our expansive marketing reach and expert management, your property gets exposure to thousands of qualified renters.
What We Offer: Comprehensive tenant screening, Credit, rental history & criminal background checks, MLS visibility, Rental price optimization, Complete rental process management. Let us help you find the right tenants and keep your investment performing at its best.
Ready to get started?
Contact us to request a free rental analysis.
Whether you're a seasoned investor or renting out your first property, understanding the key factors that influence successful leasing is essential. Below is a breakdown of important topics every landlord should consider.
Types of Rental Properties
Understanding the type of property you own or are investing in can influence pricing, maintenance, and market demand.
Cottage: Typically a small, one-story home—common in New England.
Townhouse: Multi-story attached home (2–3 stories).
Villa: Single-story attached property.
Duplex / Triplex / Quadruplex: Multi-unit buildings with 2, 3, or 4 connected units.
Apartment Complex: Community of 100+ rental units, often managed professionally.
Rental Rate is King
Setting the right rental price is crucial. Overpricing can lead to longer vacancies, which may cost more than earning a few extra dollars monthly.
Example: Asking $1,250 instead of $1,200 and remaining vacant for one month can result in a $100 monthly loss over the year.
Market-rate rents attract more tenants.
Most renters stay 2+ years, giving you room to adjust rent annually.
Always verify local comps and consult rental experts before setting a price.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Furnished homes may bring in higher rent but appeal to a smaller tenant pool. Unless you're renting seasonally, we recommend unfurnished rentals.
If you already have a furnished property:
Consider listing it as both furnished and unfurnished.
Plan for furniture storage costs if renting unfurnished.
Pre-Investment Caution
Don’t rely solely on sales agents' rental estimates—some inflate rates using peak-season comps to close a sale.
Tip: Speak with a rental specialist before investing to ensure accurate income expectations.
Security Deposits & Prepaid Rent
Tenant/landlord laws vary by county. These laws govern:
How deposits are held
Notices about funds
Claim procedures for damages
Recommendations:
Take dated photos or video before move-in.
Move-in money should be paid via cleared funds (money order, certified check, etc.).
Security deposits protect against damage—don’t substitute them with prepaid rent unless necessary.
Move-in funds often include: First month’s rent, Security deposit (usually equal to one month’s rent), Optional: Last month’s rent (prepaid).
If negotiating, prioritize collecting the full security deposit over the last month’s rent.
Prorated Rent Options
When tenants move in mid-month, landlords have options:
Start rent on move-in day and keep the same monthly date.
Charge prorated rent for the first partial month; collect full rent starting the next 1st.
Collect full first-month rent and prorate the second month.
Collect prorated first month + full second month upfront (common if moving in late in the month).
Credit & Rental History
Always screen applicants thoroughly:
Rental history is most important—check for prior evictions and landlord judgments.
Look at credit history for red flags like collections from landlords or apartment communities.
Some blemishes, like medical bills or minor collections, may be explainable.
Renting to the wrong person can lead to costly evictions and income loss.
Pets & Pet Policies
Many tenants have pets. Being a pet-friendly can widen your pool of applicants.
Larger dogs are often cleaner and better behaved than small ones.
Meet the pet - this is common in apartment communities
Some breeds may be restricted by city laws or insurance policies.
Collect an additional pet deposit to offset potential damage.
HOA & Condo Association Rules
If your property is in an HOA or condo community, be aware of approval timelines (1 day to 30+ days), separate applications/fees, common area deposits, and potential rental restrictions (e.g., tenant limits, pet bans for renters).
Tip: Always check HOA rules before purchasing or leasing a property governed by one.
Lease Options (Rent-to-Own)
Note: "We currently do not offer lease-to-own services."
A lease option allows tenants to rent with the option to buy. Components include a pre-agreed purchase price, rent credit portion, and a separate option deposit.
Avoid Over-Improving
Renters typically don’t pay more for upgraded finishes. Focus on cleanliness, functionality, and neutrality. A fresh coat of paint and clean flooring usually suffices.
INFORMATION FOR RENTERS
Helpful Insights to Make Renting Easier
Whether you’re moving across town or relocating to Florida for the first time, being prepared and informed can make the rental process smoother and less stressful. Here's everything you need to know before signing your next lease.
When to Start Your Search
The ideal time to begin searching is 4 to 6 weeks before your move-in date. This allows time for finding the right property, HOA/Condo approvals (up to 30 days), and giving your current landlord proper notice.
Note: Most landlords prefer tenants who can move in sooner. If two applicants are equal, the one with the earlier move-in date is often chosen.
Homeowners & Condominium Associations (HOAs)
Some properties require additional approval from HOAs or Condo Associations, which may include:
A separate application and fee.
A refundable common area security deposit.
Restrictions on pets, vehicles, or move-in dates.
Tip: In many cases, landlords will pay the HOA deposit to make things easier for renters.
Move-In Money
Move-in costs vary but usually include:
First month’s rent
Security deposit (often equal to one month’s rent)
Possibly last month’s rent (more common with private owners)
Private Owners vs. Apartment Communities: Private owners may be more negotiable, while apartment communities often have specials but less flexibility. Always use cleared funds (money order, cashier’s check) for move-in payments.
Prorated Rents
If you move in mid-month (e.g., the 10th), rent can be handled in a few ways:
Rent is due on the 10th monthly.
Pay prorated rent the first month, then pay on the 1st going forward.
Pay full rent upfront, then prorate the second month.
Pay prorated rent and full second month’s rent at move-in.
Negotiating Rent
Negotiation is more likely with private owners (homes, condos, townhomes) and less likely with apartment complexes. Market conditions (high vs. low inventory) also play a significant role.
Warning: Rental markets shift quickly. If you like a property, don’t assume it’ll wait.
Credit & Rental History
Your credit and rental history are crucial.
Rental history is most important. Address any judgments or collections from previous landlords.
Some landlords accept larger deposits for lower credit scores.
Don’t hesitate to ask for options if denied—some places won’t offer alternatives unless you ask.
Medical debt and life circumstances can often be explained.
Lease Options (Rent-to-Own)
Some rentals may offer the option to purchase later. A lease option includes a defined purchase price, a portion of rent applied to the purchase, and a separate option deposit.
Note: Our company does not currently offer rent-to-own arrangements.
Walkthroughs
Always take photos or video on move-in day to document the property’s condition. This protects your security deposit during move-out.
Temporary Housing
If you need short-term housing, be aware that rent is typically higher and may be subject to seasonal taxes. If it's due to construction delays, ask about leases with flexible exit clauses or 30-day notice options.
Online Rental Searches
We offer a free online search tool for renters and buyers, connecting to multiple listing services (MLS) for accurate data. However, rental listings move fast. For the latest availability, we recommend speaking directly with one of our rental specialists.
Master International Realty Group®
Dedicated to providing exceptional real estate solutions.
By Appointment Only
contact us
Phone: +1.321.222.1323
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