**How to** **Successfully** # Rent and Manage an Investment Rental Home Property Management is tougher than ever, Especially Since 2020. Whether renting Your Own Home or Selecting the Best Property Management Company, the Stakes Have Never Been Higher, and an Amazing Manager is Worth Their Weight in Gold. Scroll to Bottom for Full Details ## [Steps to Successful Property Management](https://movezen360.com/web-stories/how-to-rent-my-own-home/) [![View a short presentation with tips on how to rent your own home from A to Z]()](https://movezen360.com/web-stories/how-to-rent-my-own-home/) The year 2020 was a game-changer for rental property management. For both private DIY landlords or decade-old property management companies with stellar reviews, managing a rental home and renters requires more expensive technology, time, patience, and hard work than it ever has before by a long shot. [View a Sample Lease](https://movezen.rentals/r/lease-downloads) Family Owned. Founded in Wilmington North Carolina, since 2006 1000+ 5 Star Reviews Across 7 Diverse Locations. A Testament To Consistency 94% Of Our Owners Own Less Than 2 Properties. Most Are Mom & Pop Accidental Landlords Goldilocks Large Enough to Deliver Leading-Edge PropTech, Small Enough to Deliver the Best Customer Service Effort Vacancy Calculation Is a Questionable Statistic in Most Management Company Advertising, but the Best Measure of Our Commitment to Fast Leasing Is the Consistent Effort Displayed in Every Listing We Present. INC 5000 MoveZen is a Proud Recipent of the 2024 INC 5000 List of the Nations Top Companies, by INC Magazine Since 2020 We’ve Sent 80 Cents of Every Dollar Collected to Our Owners, Proving the Benefits of a Resident Satisfaction Model Win-Win We’ve Donated Over $40k (Typically During Matching Pledges) to Mostly Local Charities, on Your Behalf Since 2020 We’ve Evicted Under 1% of Our Residents. In Light of So Much Negative Press Around That Time, This Is One of Our Proudest Achievements. #### 3 Years Ago, Did Your Property Manager Lay Out Future Challenges and Exactly How the Rental Industry Was About to Evolve, While Investing Heavily in Preparing for Those Changes? We were proud to see that most of the innovative strategies we outlined in 2023-2024, and have since expertly rolled out, showed up all over this [2026 Appfolio Renter Preference Report](https://na2.hubs.ly/H060lYk0), including the crucial need to keep turnovers to the bare minimum, and betting on your known winners (great tenants in place). This shows that our company is on the leading edge of property management innovation and market forecasting. Appfolio is the largest single-family property management software provider in the US. ![]() ## Shooting Straight on Investor and Property Management, & What It Takes to Ensure the Landlord Experience is Personally Rewarding and Profitable This business was hard when we started almost 20 years ago and had to help owners navigate the pain and devastation many were dealing with in 2008. Yet it’s somehow harder now in a post-2020 landscape that we call the “modern rental market.” Management charges rarely make up more than 12% of your total income, but poor performance when it comes to listing presentation, fast follow-up, reducing resident turnover, repair expenses, preserving home value, and proper pricing almost guarantees that your investment will be a stressful and unprofitable endeavor.  The stakes are high, and results are not easy. [Rents in our area have been falling for over 2 years, and many are not aware but it’s well documented.](https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/rental-report-october/) ### The Stakes are Higher, and Great Results are Harder than Ever Before in Rental Management This is not the time to take advantage of the gig economy or hire a cheap manager.  That’s similar to skimping on an attorney if you are innocent and face serious criminal charges, or very sick and need the best medicine. If a company is pushing their cheap price they are not focused on overall performance because they have to cut corners.  ### Anyone Can Manage a Rental, But Few Can Get Industry-Leading Results, and That Matters With the upheaval in the real estate industry, newcomers are picking up property management and tend to offer great prices and promises while doing a couple of things well, but this is a surprisingly complex and challenging business these days that requires costly high-tech tools as well as deeply researched and tested strategies combined with care and focus. [Read More](https://movezen360.com/property-management-profitability-in-the-modern-rental-market/) [](https://movezen360.com/property-management-profitability-in-the-modern-rental-market/) #### [Understanding the Changes in Rentals Since 2020](https://movezen360.com/property-management-profitability-in-the-modern-rental-market/) [](https://movezen360.com/property-management/#guarantees) #### [The MoveZen Guarantees](https://movezen360.com/property-management/#guarantees) [](https://movezen360.com/property-management-service-options/) #### [Property Management Service Options to Choose From](https://movezen360.com/property-management-service-options/) [](https://movezen360.com/housing-services-menu/) #### [Custom Home Management & Other Housing Services](https://movezen360.com/housing-services-menu/) [](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) #### [Getting Started, or How to Switch Management Companies](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) [](https://movezen360.com/rental-owner-faq-by-state/) #### [FAQ | Frequently Asked Property Management Questions](https://movezen360.com/rental-owner-faq-by-state/) [](https://movezen360.com/apartments/) #### [Own a Multi-Family or Apartment Rental Community?](https://movezen360.com/apartments/) [](https://movezen360.com/a-look-back-ahead-with-movezen-property-management-past-current-annual-updates/) #### [Our Extensive Annual Update & Market Forecasts](https://movezen360.com/a-look-back-ahead-with-movezen-property-management-past-current-annual-updates/) [](https://movezen360.com/about-the-movezen-management-team/) #### [Meet The MoveZen Team](https://movezen360.com/about-the-movezen-management-team/) [](https://movezen360.com/rental-investor-tookit/) #### [Rental Investor Resources Toolkit](https://movezen360.com/rental-investor-tookit/) ## Contact Us to Kick Off an Onboard Discussion and Line Up a Cost Estimate for Our Industry-Leading Service #### We Guarantee Our Work and Transparency ##### No Hidden Fees Guarantee If it’s not on your management agreement or directly approved, non-maintenance charges will not show up on your statement ##### Satisfaction Guarantee We allow you to cancel the relationship for just 50% of remaining management charges (set by lease term) ##### Vacant Cancel Guarantee If you sign up and decide renting isn’t working out before the home is leased, you can cancel for just $350 (or $450 if 3D scanned) ##### Tenant Placement Guarantee If your resident doesn’t finish their lease term we refund prorated charges for lost time ##### Maintenance Limit Guarantee Maintenance is complex, especially in emergencies but we use limits, personalize policy, & almost never bill without approval ##### Eviction Guarantee We will handle evictions for residents that we placed for no charge, or contribute $1,000 toward an attorney should that be necessary ##### Prorate Guarantee We prorate charges fairly, based on income, including partial payments so that you get paid first ##### Low Renter Charge Guarantee We don’t gouge renters at the expense of making your home less desirable. We have some of the lowest renter charges ##### No Markups & Junk Guarantee We don’t markup any 3rd party charges. We don’t have offboard fees after your term is up or other brazen tolls ##### 30-Day Lease Guarantee If we haven’t secured a lease within our quoted rent range within 30 days, your first month’s management is free [Get More Details](https://movezen360.com/meet-movezen-a-people-centered-property-management-approach/#guarantees) #### All the Things We Don’t Charge For - 3D Tours, Professional Presentations No charge for photos and 3D scans and we frequently reshoot due to weather etc. Spend a year with us and the photos are included for free. Especially since 2020 quality of presentation has a major effect on rental rate, speed of leasing, and above all resident quality - Showmojo Showing Scheduler We utilize state of the art lockboxes & scheduling that renters absolutely love, and respond to [(see more)](https://hello.showmojo.com/features/) - Basic Repair & Maintenance Oversight We do offer renovation management services, as well as complete some duties in house if you approve an estimate in advance, but we never upcharge on standard repairs & maintenance - Annual Inspections We never charge for up to two annual inspections, and frequently inspect more often at our discretion with no added charges [(see more)](https://movezen360.com/landlords-property-managers-can-make-rental-property-inspections/) - Financial Reporting, Annual & Monthly We provide 1099’s and monthly statements for no charge - Additional Marketing Charges We’ve never required an owner to pay additional marketing charges ![a landlord ponders her satisfaction with the movezen property management guaranteed system]() #### What We Do Charge For Prior to 2020, we had almost no additional charges besides our standard management costs. Since then the cost of hiring committed and caring staff has literally doubled. Rather than raising basic costs we finally implemented fair, industry-standard charges for a large amount of services we had been absorbing free for years. We are a bit on the high side for lease renewals and that’s because we are aligning your incentives with ours. Keeping high-quality residents in place long-term isn’t easy or cheap, but it is a huge win-win. We invest heavily in that process, so we charge a bit more than average. [See Details](https://hubs.ly/Q031c21W0) #### 3D Wall-to-Wall Virtual Rental Tours #### MoveZen is the only property management company in our area that consistently Offers 3D wall-to-wall virtual tours, but wait, there’s more. [Learn More ](https://movezen360.com/property-management-technology-edge/) #### Amazing Partners & Affiliates - ![MoveZen Property Management Inc Magazine's Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America 2024]() - ![Best Property Management Company Propertymanagement.com MoveZen Property Management]() - ![Expertise Best Property Management Companies]() - ![MoveZen Property Management NARPM National Association of Residential Managers Member Company]() - [ ![BBB Better Business Bureau Best Property Management Company MoveZen]()](https://www.google.com/search?q=movezen+property+management+better+business+bureau&oq=movezen+property+management+better+business+bureau&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg8MgYIAhBFGDwyBggDEEUYPNIBCDcxODVqMGoxqAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&sei=ac-YZ6zOCvvSp84P0cf_gAg) - [ ![MoveZen Property Management 2025 Consumer Choice Award Winner]()](https://www.ccaward.com/award-winners/raleigh/best-property-management/movezen-property-management/) - [ ![Raleigh Area Chamber of Commerce MoveZen Partner]()](https://web.raleighchamber.org/Real-EstateResidential-Rentals/MoveZen-Property-Management-RaleighCary-NC-Metro-Homes-for-Rent-23455) - [ ![Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce MoveZen Partner]()](https://directory.charlotteareachamber.com/memberdirectory/Details/movezen-property-management-charlotte-nc-metro-3909882) - [ ![Greenville SC Chamber of Commerce MoveZen Partner]()](https://www.greenvillechamber.org/membership/movezen-property-management-of-greenville-spartanburg/) - ![MoveZen Greensboro NC Chamber of Commerce Member]() - [ ![Cary NC Chamber of Commerce MoveZen Partner]()](https://web.carychamber.com/prod/Real-Estate-Residential-Property-Management/MoveZen-Property-Management-6443) - [ ![SCIWAY MoveZen Partner]()](https://www.sciway.net/reloc/sc-residential-property-management.html) - [ ![Shop Local Raleigh MoveZen Property Management Partner]()](https://shoplocalraleigh.org/businesses/raleigh-1/real-estate-services/movezen-property-management/) - ![Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. Named Chamber of the Year Finalist]() - ![realtor-rental-multiple-listing-service]() - ![fair housing by movezen property management hud icon]() - [ ![MoveZen Property Management Company Google Reviews are the Best]()](https://www.google.com/maps/search/movezen+property+management/@34.6648817,-81.2309981,7z/data=!3m1!4b1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) #### Sign Up For Our Property Management Newsletter ### Important Steps to Rent Your Home Out from A to Z Step by step checklist for getting a home rented, and link to the full property management guide 1 Consider strengths and weaknesses for your home and location and consider special strategies to utilize them.  Is it a college area? If so, you’ll likely handle a lot differently from low income, or a suburb ![rental space]() 2 Get the property in show-ready condition by handling repairs, but also low-cost aesthetic fixes like spray painting rusted AC grates, and other things that really stand out.  A sure way to attract sub-par tenants and repel the rest is to show a home with unrepaired issues 3 Decide whether you’re going to allow pets or not.  Before you decide, know that for most landlords it’s the single best thing you can do to increase your “bottom line” profit over the long term.  [*More on this subject here*](https://movezen360.com/should-you-accept-pets-yes/)  ![rental space]() 4 Set a rental rate that will balance a minor amount of time on market hassle, with monthly rate.  Whether in the form of owner-occupied showings, stress, or vacancy. Most owners fail to properly account for these subtle but real costs, especially vacancy.  Vacant homes are much more costly than most account for. *[We can provide a free rental rate estimate compiled by people, not an algorithm, here](https://movezen360.com/rent-estimate/)* [See The Entire Checklist](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-your-home-from-a-to-z/) [![Landlords must focus on long-term consistent net operating income not rental rate]()](https://movezen360.com/why-the-gambler-and-stock-trader-mentality-obliterates-long-term-returns-for-rental-investors/) #### **Rental Rate Leads Investors Astray** If your home **sits empty for 4 months,** a common occurrence [since the market slowed](https://en.macromicro.me/collections/5/us-price-relative/49740/us-cpi-rent-zillow-rent-yoy), **you instantly lose 32% of your top-line revenue. **Many investors make this decision without considering what their [“net income,”](https://www.loopnet.com/cre-explained/tools/net-operating-income-noi/) or cash in hand will be at the end of 12 months. Pricing is an art, not a science. Focusing on the cash you will have in hand 12 months from now requires us to consider the full equation which includes the quality of the applicant **(high-quality renters have great finances because they are value-seekers who are smart with their money),** the amount of time that the home isn’t producing income, and finally last on our list of priorities is the actual rental rate. Especially since renters move more than ever, professionals understand that holding out for high rates doesn’t pay off over the long term. **Even at a discount an occupied home in 2025 produces a lot of income.** While vacant, or if we select a low-quality resident (typically the ones willing to pay a premium rate), the costs quickly pile up and turn a decent investment into a high-stress money pit. **A lot of rental owners lose dramatically more to vacancy than they could possibly lose to rising inflation, taxes, or insurance. **Keep income flowing all year and costs are almost always manageable. The modern rental market is **highly profitable if handled properly,** and **fraught with massive risk if not.** Let’s be conservative and profit through smart management. [(Read about this real-world example comparing the two approaches)](https://movezen360.com/lessons-rental-investors-can-learn-from-the-mother-of-a-movezen-leader/) [Get the Details](https://hubs.ly/Q031HG580) ![21 Tips for Great Rental Listing Photographs]() #### 21 Tips for Great Rental Listing Photographs [Learn More](https://movezen.rentals/21-ways-to-get-your-rental-ready-for-amazing-photos-that-tenants-love/) ![Free Self Property Management Software for Applications, Payments]() #### Free Self Property Management Software for Applications, Payments [Learn More](https://movezen360.com/easy-property-management-software/) ![Self-Managed Landlord Presentation, Marketing & Showing Service]() #### Self-Managed Landlord Presentation, Marketing & Showing Service [Learn More](https://movezen360.com/landlord-assistance-for-diy-property-managers-renting-their-own-home/) #### Read What Customers Just Like You Are Saying About the MoveZen Experience ##### [View MoveZen’s hundreds of ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Google reviews across 7 major locations](https://www.google.com/maps/search/movezen+property+management/@35.7405718,-81.5425188,7z?entry=ttu) - ## Greatly appreciated and HIGHLY recommended!!! June Harris the Marketing Director and Maddie Spicuzza my account manager have been such a pleasure to work with. Maddie has professionally answered all my questions and addressed all my concerns in a very timely manner… ![A top reviewed property manager discusses how to lease a home with a new landlord]() Steven Davey - ## My roommate and I were in a time crunch and Cat did everything she could to help us out! I really appreciate everything Cat has done for us to get us moved in as quickly as possible. Me and my roommate were in a time crunch and Cat did everything she could to help us out! We were able to get the process started and we were approved in a very timely fashion. From there we were able to ask questions and get answers very quickly, which was also helpful, and now we are getting ready to move in! ![A well presented rental townhome is the best way to attract highly qualified renters]() Jacqueline Simpson - ## We’ve had a great experience and are looking forward to the year ahead Highly recommend MoveZen Property Management and Catherine! She was so helpful through the application process for our newly rented townhome and continues to be very responsive to our questions, checking in as we’ve gotten settled, etc. We’ve had a great experience and are looking forward to the year ahead, thanks to Catherine! ![a top property manager secures high quality tenants for their landlord]() Jenna Taylor - ## They take the stress out of being a homeowner. Absolutely, hands down the best customer service and ease with placing a home for rent. Jordan has multiple times assisted me with vetting new tenants and every time she has done a wonderful job. She is efficient, professional, kind, and always willing to answer any questions. I highly recommend MoveZen Property Management and Jordan. They take the stress out of being a homeowner. ![advice-for-nc-landlord]() Gina Kennedy - ## MoveZen respects the customers time and money I highly recommend MoveZen Property Management & Ashlee Malone. I have been working with Ashlee for about a month now and she is GREAT! She’s helpful, responsive and professional. Any and every question I’ve had, thus far, has been addressed timely and with resolution. There’s a lot to be said for one-touch resolutions…it’s a direct reflection that MoveZen respects the customers time and money. Use ASHLEE! ![A leading property manager discusses the rental market]() Susan Carroll ### Our Staff is Proud to Make Shared Sacrifices for Charitable Company Initiatives - Habitat for Humanity - Literacy Council - Hospice & Lifecare - Local not national ASPCA’s - Red Cross - Beagle Rescue - Foodbank #### Mostly Local, & Typically Matched Over the past 5 years, MoveZen has donated tens of thousands of dollars to charity. While we often give to the Red Cross during major disasters, most of our donations are to local, smaller charities in the cities and towns where we operate. Most of our donations are also timed to take advantage of matching pledges by various Fortune 500 companies and other major organizations. [Learn More About Community Initiatives](https://movezen360.com/company/) #### Appfolio, the World Leader in Property Management Software High-tech software rental investors love [Get the Details ](https://movezen360.com/rental-owner-portal/) [![MoveZen-property-management-rental-owner-portal-login]()](https://movezen360.com/rental-owner-portal/) #### 3 Exceptional Management Options. From DIY to Set it & Forget It ##### Full Property Management Service Is About The Same As A Cup Of Starbucks A Day. To View This As A Single Side By Side Image Switch To Desktop View On Your Mobile Phone - Pre-listing Rental Rate Analysis Pre-Marketing Property Report Basic Turnover & Improvements Assistance Professional Photographs High-Tech Matterport 3D Scan Exceptional Marketing Across All Major Rental Sites Oversee Showings & Renter Leads Criminal, Credit & More Application Processing Negotiate Terms & Secure Signed Lease Handle the Move-In Experience Monthly ACH Payments & Financial Reporting Collect Rent & Address Payment Issues Move Tenant Out, Handle Deposit Process Oversee All Maintenance Needs - MARKETING ONLY We List, Scan, Photo, & Setup on Our Showing Scheduler. You Do the Rest ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ X X X X X X X X [SELECT MARKETS](https://movezen360.com/landlord-assistance-for-diy-property-managers-renting-their-own-home/) - PLACEMENT ONLY We Market & Lease the Home, You Manage Your Way from There DIY ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ X X X X [GET STARTED](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) POPULAR - FULL SERVICE We Do It All from A to Z, Then Start Over When Needed ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ [GET STARTED](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) [Get a Custom Pricing Quote ](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) #### Ready to Get Your Rental on the MoveZen System? Our ultimate goal is to maximize your bottom line income while minimizing headaches. This starts with our new owner onboard process [GET STARTED ](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/) #### Thinking of Switching Property Management Companies? Don’t let the unpleasant task of working with your current manager to close out your account hold you back, we’ll do it all. Just notify them once in writing, and we’ll do the rest [LEARN MORE ](https://movezen360.com/switching-property-managers-made-easy/) [](https://movezen360.com/faq/) ### Property Management Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How do I start renting my house? 1) Know the latest landlord-tenant laws [renter/tenant rights, landlord rights, and Fair Housing] 2) Decide if you will be renting yourself or hiring a property management company 3) Using real data, determine a sound rental rate for your market 4) Research how you will list your rental property online 5) Inspect the property and perform required maintenance 6) Take premier property photos and list the home 7) Schedule appointments and show the property 8) Secure a legally compliant & fair lease 9) Collect initial move-in payments 10) Oversee pre-move repair requests 11) Oversee move-in day, utility transfer, inevitable new user issues ***[Or, you could just hire us…](https://movezen360.com/how-to-rent-my-home-now/)*** Is renting my home a good idea? Risky? Renting out your home can be a very smart and lucrative decision when done properly. Determining up-front what costs and benefits to renting your home can be expected is crucial. Accurate pricing, knowing state and federal landlord laws, and understanding the future market trends are all pivotal in the success of your rental home. Do you need a real estate license to be a property manager? The exact requirements can vary by state or municipality. Most areas do require a real estate license if you collect rent and deposits on someone else’s behalf. Simply put, your friend that used to work for an apartment complex cannot market your home, lease, or collect rental funds on your behalf unless licensed. Who are the best property management companies near me? Without being partial, that’s really a preference question. However, here is our list of things to be on the lookout for in a great property manager: Communication: Are your questions answer quickly, clearly, and kindly? What do their property manager reviews have to say? Has the rental process been explained clearly and do you agree with it? Are their rental home listings clear and descriptive or rushed? How much do most property management companies charge? Property management company fees vary widely based on the type of service, season, and property management company you choose. Average monthly fees can be around 10% while some companies may charge a flat monthly rate Should I use a property management company for my rental? Being a landlord can be both fun and easy. [*With free property, management software available (Apartments.com) do-it-yourself landlords have never had it easier!*](https://movezen360.com/easy-property-management-software/) However, the largest sacrifice to be a landlord is time, and stress. Advertising your rental home, processing applications, emergency maintenance calls, and the unfortunate eviction can quickly wipe out a huge amount of what you might save by passing on hiring tax-deductible superior property management services. That said, a poor rental management company can cause headaches of their own, so it’s a matter of finding a great one. If you do, they’re worth their weight in gold Should I rent my house or sell it? According to [RocketHomes.Com](https://www.rockethomes.com/blog/home-selling/should-rent-out-first-home),“When you sell a home, that’s the extent of the money you will make on the property. But if you hold it as a rental, you could continue to earn money every month, realize tax advantages and, ideally, see appreciation.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! With the expanding real estate market, now is the perfect time to invest in rental property. The US government has built a system where the easiest and most consistent path to wealth is owning exceptionally managed rental homes Are property management fees tax-deductible? Yes! Property management fees, and even most maintenance items, are tax-deductible as they pertain to your rental property [View the Full 50+ Page FAQ ](https://movezen360.com/rental-owner-faq-by-state/) #### Sign Up For Our Property Management Newsletter