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Spotlight on Baldwin Park

Spotlight on Baldwin Park

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WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT LIVING IN….

Spotlight on Baldwin Park

Winner of Neighborhood Awards from the National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and more.

History

Where is Baldwin Park? If you’re an O-Town old timer, you’ll remember that Orlando was once home to a Naval Training Center. In 1998, it was decommissioned and the City Beautiful was—as one observer wrote—“left with a one thousand acre hole in its heart.” Developers stepped in with a vision, and what was once a traffic obstruction became a spectacular urban enclave, two miles from downtown.

Today

Today, Baldwin Park is a trendy neighborhood, a planned walkable town of about 18,000 residents, primarily young professionals and young families. It boasts 15 different housing styles that include cottages, bungalows, manor homes, and mixed-use buildings with rental units, which means there’s a style to suit all tastes and needs. The energy is definitely urban and upbeat, with what some describe as a “London feel” to it. It’s an active community, and on any given day you’ll find people walking dogs, pushing strollers, wandering in and out of shops, and enjoying the outdoors along the preserved waterfronts of two lakes….and everyone looks so happy!

Kids

For the kids, there are A+ rated schools and a spectacular playground at Lake Baldwin Park, which also offers boat rentals (no gas engines) and picnic areas.

Ecology

Ecology was no afterthought to the developers of the town—they partnered with the Audubon Society to recreate the area’s natural habitat with native plantings, and created an island rookery for local birds to nest.

Culture & Community

Cultural opportunities abound. You’re only minutes away from downtown, with its museums, gardens, theaters and music venues, but you don’t need to leave the neighborhood to find an exciting nightlife of pubs, clubs, sports bars, and great restaurants—some of which are dog-friendly.

Got a yen for sushi? Check out @Seito Sushi

A longing for Lebanese? Look to @Meza

Interested in Italian? For pizza, pasta and more, there’s @La Bella Luna

Got a flair for All-American fare? Hit up @Provisions & Buzz or @Osprey Tavern

Ever have coffee in a cone? You will at @Cafe 906

Considering Craft Cocktails? Head to @The Nest

Whatever your gustatory whim, you’ll find it in, or very near, Baldwin Park. Watch our website for available rentals.

 

Make Rental Property Maintenance Less Stressful | Property Management

How To Make Rental Property Maintenance Less Stressful

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If you’re an owner taking care of your own property management in the Orlando area, you’ve probably already learned how much demand on your time and budget rental property maintenance can be. Especially if you own multiple investment properties, maintenance and repairs can eat into your time and sanity very quickly. Planning in advance, before any new need arises, you can get those worries under control.

  • Have a request system – Create a request system that works for you. Maybe you want tenants to make requests by phone at your business office, or to send an email or fill out a form on your website. Whatever works, as long as everyone knows how to make requests properly, and that way you won’t respond to sticky notes on the face of their rent checks.
  • Have vendor contracts in place – It’s important to realize that when you’re doing your own property management and hiring vendors to do maintenance and repairs, you’re essentially acting as a general contractor, and you can benefit by taking some cues from the way general contractors deal with their subs. Make contacts and keep a preferred vendor list, and ask for volume and loyalty discounts. 
  • Track service calls & vendors – Keep detailed records of service calls, including issues and solutions, costs, turn-around time, and any other key information that may help you fine-tune your budget and vendor list in future. 
  • Follow up with resident & share feedback with the vendor – Vendors don’t tend to get a lot of feedback from end-users, so if your tenant has something great to say about one of your vendors, be sure to pass it along. It’s another way to build stronger relationships and loyalty across the board.

Consider Professional Property Management in Orlando

One advantage of working with a professional property management firm is that they should have maintenance professionals on staff, and volume contracts with any outside vendors they use. At Belmont Management Group, we have trained maintenance staff that is familiar with our high standards and expectations, and 24/7 coverage, in case an emergency arises. Call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how working with professional property management can help you earn more while spending less time stressing about your investment property.

Tenant Screening Questions | Orlando Property Management Company

Tenant Screening Questions To Ask Before You Show A Vacancy

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Showing vacancies to prospective tenants can be a huge time investment for owners of rental properties. By establishing a set of pre-qualifying questions, publishing them on your website, and consistently asking them of every prospective tenant, you can cut down the amount of time you spend on prospects that will never pan out. By publishing these questions and regularly asking them, you add a layer of protection against allegations of discrimination, right up front.

  • Move-In Date – You know how long you’re willing to hold a vacancy for the right tenant. Maybe it’s two weeks, or maybe as much as a month. Whatever it is, don’t agree to show your property to people who want to move after that time period, and asking a prospect’s move-date up front also allows you to screen out people who need to move before your property will be ready.
  • How Many Occupants Will There Be? – This is one that can generate discrimination complaints if you don’t have a strict policy in place, and you can demonstrate that you follow it. For many rental property owners, two people per bedroom is a maximum they’re comfortable with. Whatever your maximum, per room and per unit, set it, publish it, and stick to it!
  • How Long Of A Lease Do You Want? Most property owners hope to see longer leases, as opposed to shorter ones, though in certain market conditions, signing leases that are too long can be a negative. Make sure your prospects’ expectations are a match for your best interest.
  • Do You Have Pets? – Knowing how many and what type of pets a prospect has up front allows you to offer lease terms that factor having those pets as residents.
  • Do You Know Your Approximate Credit Score? – Not every prospect will know their exact FICO score, but they should at least have an idea of their score range. If you have a hard minimum score, tell them what it is and that it’s non-negotiable before you set an appointment. 
  • Have you viewed the property online/driven by? – It’s amazing how many people will call for a viewing of a place they’ve never driven by or taken a virtual tour of. It’s a simple way to spare everyone’s time, if it’s not a match.

Professional Rental Property Management: The Ultimate Time-Saver

Whether your rental properties are in Winter Park or Orlando, or spread out in between, working with a rental property manager will help free up a great deal of your time. Belmont Management Group provides tenant screening and showing along with maintenance and repairs, inspections, collections, and even evictions. Call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Steps to Handle an Eviction Process in Florida | Orlando Property Management Advice

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Florida’s eviction process for nonpaying tenants is relatively standard. As a general disclaimer however, please keep in mind that your individual process may vary depending upon your tenant lease. Our Orlando property management team has outlined the most important points. Read more

How to Rent Your Home in an Orlando HOA – Advice from a Professional Community Manager

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When purchasing a rental property within a community or homeowner association, your responsibilities are no longer limited to just the home itself. As a community member, you’ll be expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the association and pay either a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee. Benefits of having a property within an HOA include having access to recreational amenities, community events, and external maintenance services. Read more

Where to Buy Your Rental Home: A Guide to Investing in Orlando from a Professional Property Manager

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As an Orlando Property Management company, we know that location is the foundation for success when purchasing a new rental home in the Orlando area. While we’ll explore additional investment strategies in future posts, today’s emphasis is on the harmonious relationship between your property’s location and your real rate of return. Read more

How to Find the Best Tenants for your Orlando Rental Home

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At Belmont Management Group, we believe the tenant screening process to be one of the most important rental management procedures we have available, and we are both thorough and vigilant prior placing tenants in our Central Florida homes. Read more