Owner FAQs

Preparing a home to Rent Ready standards is one of the most important steps an owner can take to protect their investment. A Rent Ready property attracts higher-quality applicants, reduces time on market, supports stronger rental pricing, and helps prevent maintenance issues and resident disputes down the road. It also ensures the home meets our requirements before a resident moves in; creating a smoother leasing process and setting clear expectations from day one. Please click here to read what our requirements consist of.

Security & Access

• Kwikset SmartKey locks installed on all exterior doors
• All exterior locks rekeyed to a single key
• Working garage remotes (if applicable)
• Secure mailbox

Cleaning & Property Condition

• Professional whole-home cleaning
• Receipt required if not conducted by our preferred vendors
• Professional carpet cleaning with stain and odor treatment as needed
• Receipt required if not conducted by our preferred vendors
• Porch, patio, and garage swept out (included as part of professional cleaning)
• No odors present (pet, smoke, mildew, etc.)
• All windows must be in good condition, free of cracks or broken glass, and each must have a fully functional locking mechanism

Personal Belongings

• All personal items removed from the property, including attic, garage, closets, and sheds
• Residents must have access to all areas of the home; owners may not block off any areas

Mechanical Systems & Safety

• All systems must be in good working order
• HVAC system serviced with a new air filter installed
• Water heater fully functional
• Plumbing free of leaks and clogs
• Electrical fixtures operating properly
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be fully functional (smoke detectors under 8 years old; CO detectors under 5 years old)
• Refrigerator water filter replaced (if applicable)
• No safety hazards present, including loose boards, trip hazards, or exposed wiring

Appliances

• All appliances in proper working condition
• Any non-included appliances must be removed prior to move-in
• At minimum, the home must include an oven/range and refrigerator
• Dishwasher and/or microwave must be installed if designated spaces exist
• No empty appliance spaces permitted

Walls, Paint & Interior Finishes

• Paint freshly touched up or fully repainted as needed
• Neutral paint colors recommended
• Walls free of large holes, damage, or excessive wear
• Excessive nail holes properly filled
• Blinds clean, present, and fully functional
• All light bulbs replaced and consistent in color temperature

Flooring

• All flooring types free of damage and excessive wear

Exterior & Landscaping

• Lawn freshly cut and maintained
• Flower beds weeded with fresh mulch or pine straw
• Bushes and trees trimmed away from the home
• Exterior pressure-washed if needed (no algae, mildew, or buildup)

Meeting these Rent Ready standards helps position your property for success by ensuring it is compliant, well-presented, and appealing to prospective residents. Proper preparation can attract stronger applicants and reduce vacancy time.

Please note this checklist outlines baseline requirements to meet legal habitability standards and Grand Realty’s expectations. Additional items may be required depending on the property's condition.

If you have questions or need assistance getting your property rent-ready, our team is happy to help and can coordinate with preferred vendors who offer free quotes. Call us at (850) 512-1185.

Yes, we are a licensed real estate Brokerage.

Yes, we have an emergency after hours service available to you and to your tenants.

Yes, your rent payments will be automatically deposited into the bank account of your choice, and this can be updated at any time in your owner’s portal.

Yes, you will sign the lease electronically and receive a copy in your email once it has been signed by all parties.

Yes! We are a full service real estate brokerage. We would be happy to assist you with selling your properties to qualified buyers or with purchasing other investment properties or even your personal real estate needs. We can also help arrange assistance in other states, connecting you with real estate professionals you can trust to help you outside of our area if you must move due to transferring or personal relocation.

Typically, after tenant funds have cleared, you will receive your rent between the 10th-15th of each month directly deposited into the bank account of your choice.

All rent is collected through a convenient online tenant portal - Rentvine.

12 month lease minimum

Currently, in most cases, an equal deposit to the first month's rent. Eg. $1,600 month rent-$1,600 security deposit

We can have your rental listed within 48 hours of request if your home fits our portfolio requirements and is move-in ready.

We manage single family and multi-family residential properties.

You will receive a signed lease, a move-in inspection complete with 360° photos and video files, a 90 day inspection, a move-out inspection, and any and all financial transactions that have been processed on your property.

All of our security deposits are held in a non-interest bearing client trust account to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

The only management fee charge is 10% of the monthly rent and 50% of first month's rent for resident placement. We don’t get paid unless you get paid!

Our office policy is that all mail carrier issues must be handled directly with the carrier. In the event mail is accidently delivered, that is not addressed to the occupant, we always recommend to not accept the mail or package and write "Return to Sender" on it. Please make sure mail forwarding has been setup for your new address to prevent incorrect deliveries. We manage 100+ rentals in the area and have learned that trying to manage the mail services for all of our owners and tenants is very challenging and creates unwarranted liability for us and unmet expectations. Thank you for your understanding of this office policy.

Contributions can be made directly on your Rentvine Owners Portal. https://help.rentvine.com/how-to-make-a-payment-through-the-portal