Get Your Rental Home “Tenant-Ready” (Not Just Clean)

A property can look great and still cause problems once a tenant moves in. The goal is to make sure it’s safe, functional, compliant, and durable.

✅ A tenant-ready home should include:

• HVAC serviced and filters replaced
• Plumbing checked for leaks and water pressure issues
• Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• GFCI outlets in required areas (kitchen, baths, exterior)
• Secure doors and functioning locks
• Appliances tested and documented
• Landscaping trimmed and manageable

Pro Tip: In Central Texas, HVAC performance is a major dealbreaker. A home can sit vacant if the AC isn’t cooling properly or if it looks like it may struggle in summer heat.

Price It Correctly — “High” Isn’t Always Better

New landlords often price their rental based on:

• what a neighbor is charging
• what they want to earn
• a Zillow estimate

But market rent shifts fast in Central Texas, and overpricing can create a chain reaction:

Overpriced rental = longer vacancy = lost income = rushed tenant selection.

A well-priced home often rents faster and attracts higher-quality applicants.

A professional rental analysis considers:

• current demand in your neighborhood
• recent leased comps (not just for-sale comps)
• seasonality in your market
• features that impact rent in Central TX (garage, fenced yard, school zone, pets allowed, etc.)

Know Texas Landlord Requirements Before You Advertise

Texas is considered landlord-friendly, but there are still rules and failing to follow them can get expensive.

Here are a few common issues new landlords run into:

• using a weak lease that doesn’t protect you
• mishandling security deposits
• skipping required repairs or habitability items
• failing to document property condition properly
• incorrect notices for entry, repairs, or lease violations

Even if you don’t manage many homes, treating your rental like a business from day one matters.

The best protection you can have as a landlord is solid documentation and consistent procedures.

Create a “Rental Operations Plan” (So You’re Not Reacting All Year)

Most first-time rental owners don’t plan for what happens after the tenant moves in until the first maintenance call hits.

Consider this your basic landlord checklist:

✅ Maintenance plan

• who handles repairs?
• do you have preferred vendors?
• what qualifies as emergency maintenance?

✅ Rent collection plan

• how will tenants pay?
• what happens if they’re late?
• what are your late fees and timing?

✅ Communication plan

• do tenants call, text, portal-message, email?
• how do you track requests?
• how fast should you respond?

✅ Renewal plan

• how will you handle rent increases?
• how do you set renewals 60–90 days out?
• what is your policy if they don’t renew?

New landlords often underestimate how much time this takes especially if you’re managing alongside a full-time job.

Screen Tenants Like a Professional (Not Like a Roommate Search)

Tenant screening is where many new rental owners get burned.

The goal isn’t “finding someone nice.”
It’s finding someone qualified, consistent, and financially stable.

Professional screening typically includes:

• credit history
• income verification
• landlord history
• eviction and background checks
• pet and occupancy validation

This is also where you protect yourself with fair housing compliance which isn’t optional.

If you don’t have a clear, documented approval process, it becomes easy to accidentally create inconsistent decisions — and that can cause legal issues.

Why Central Texas Rental Owners Choose Professional Management

Many new rental home owners start out self-managing  and that can work sometimes. But Central Texas has a few unique challenges:

• fast market swings
• strong tenant competition
• maintenance needs driven by heat and weather
• high demand and quick turnovers
• growing cities where rent rates and tenant expectations evolve quickly

A local, hands-on property manager can help you:

✅ reduce vacancy
✅ avoid tenant issues
✅ protect your property through inspections and documentation
✅ handle maintenance without chaos
✅ stay compliant
✅ increase long-term returns

At Stetson Property Management, our style is boutique and relationship-driven meaning you’re not just another door in a portfolio. We work closely with owners to help your rental perform like a true investment, not a headache.

Final Thought: Your First Rental Home Can Be Smooth — If You Set It Up Right

If you’re a new rental owner in Central Texas, your best move is to create a strong foundation before the tenant moves in:

• market rent pricing
• correct prep and compliance
• tenant screening
• clear procedures
• maintenance planning

That’s the difference between a rental that feels stressful… and one that feels like a solid investment.

Ready for a quick owner introduction?

Click here to set up a new owner introduction via this link.