Kent Property Management

Kent, WA

Kent, Washington, is a lively city in King County, part of the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area. With a population of 136,588 (based on the 2020 census), it’s the sixth-largest city in Washington and the fourth-largest in the greater Seattle area.

The city’s history dates back to the 1850s when settlers established the area along the White River. Originally called “White River” and later “Titusville,” the city was renamed Kent in 1889 after a hops-growing region in England. Kent became an official city on May 28, 1890, with just 793 residents, making it the second-oldest city in King County after Seattle.

Kent is divided into three main areas:

• West Hill: A mix of homes and businesses.
• The Valley: Known for its industrial and commercial spaces, with parks along the Green River.
• East Hill: Mostly residential with some retail spaces.

Kent has a strong and diverse economy. It’s home to over 4,500 businesses and provides about 78,000 jobs. The city’s industries have evolved over time, from farming and hops production to aerospace and high-tech companies. Today, Kent is a major hub for manufacturing and distribution.

Residents enjoy many amenities, including established neighborhoods, award-winning parks, and good schools. Kent Station, in the city center, is a community hub with an ice rink, event spaces, and public transportation options. Kent’s location near Seattle, Tacoma, and SeaTac International Airport, along with its beautiful views of Mount Rainier and nearby mountain ranges, makes it a great place to live and work.

Buying Investment Property in Kent, WA

Kent, WA, is an excellent option for real estate investors. Located just 19 miles south of Seattle, Kent offers a more affordable housing market compared to Seattle while still providing easy access to the city. Kent features a variety of property types, including single-family homes, apartments, and multi-unit buildings, making it a great fit for investors with different goals.

The housing market in Kent includes everything from starter homes to larger multi-family properties, giving investors options for rental income, house flipping, or new development projects. With home prices in Kent typically lower than in Seattle, it’s easier to enter the market and begin building your portfolio.

As the Seattle metropolitan area continues to grow, demand for housing in nearby cities like Kent is on the rise, leading to potential increases in property value. With its strong local economy, diverse community, and excellent location near major transportation hubs, Kent is a top choice for real estate investment.

Managing Rental Property in Kent, WA

Whether you live in Kent or a bit farther away, having a professional property management company can make your rental property business much easier. If you decide to manage your rentals yourself, be sure to familiarize yourself with Washington’s Landlord-Tenant Law (Chapter 59.18 RCW) to understand your responsibilities and rights. Joining the Rental Association of Puget Sound can also be a great way to learn tips from experienced landlords and get support.

On the other hand, hiring a professional Kent property manager can save you time and stress by handling everything, from marketing and tenant screening to rent collection and property maintenance. This allows you to focus on other priorities while still reaping the benefits of your investment. A good property manager ensures your rentals are filled quickly and managed professionally so that you can start earning a profit without the hassle. Want to know more? Call us at 425-658-1920 for a free consultation!

Why Choose SJA Property Management in Kent, WA

We are the go-to choice for real estate property management in the area. Here are just a few reasons why our clients choose us:

• Our Track Record of Success: We are a homegrown company, having gained local knowledge and expertise managing hundreds of homes and tenants in the Kent and the Puget Sound region. We consistently provide the best possible results to our owners over the long term.
• Team-based service: We invest in our people so that they can provide our owners with an excellent experience. We hire quality employees who work within a cohesive management team, each bringing their area of expertise, enabling us to provide more consistent results over the long term. Our owners are assigned a dedicated point of contact, making communication clear and straightforward.
• Safeguarding our clients and their property: We are “all in” on protecting our clients and their assets. We work diligently to ensure that each of our properties is taken care of from both a maintenance and a risk perspective. We have excellent ongoing and preventative maintenance processes, and our routine property evaluations lead the industry in their scope and effectiveness.

Marketing Strategies for Rental Properties

At SJA Property Management, we use a wide range of marketing strategies to attract the best tenants for your Kent rental property. We use online sites, professional photos, and virtual tours to make your property stand out. Here a few ways we market your property:

• Online Listing Optimization: We make your property listings easy to find on top rental sites. Our team writes detailed descriptions of your property and highlights all amenities. We syndicate property listings across all major rental websites.
• Professional Photography Services: Our photography services highlight your home’s best features.
• Virtual Tour Implementation: We also offer virtual tours to let potential tenants explore your property online. This makes it easy for them to see your rental without leaving their homes.

Tenant Screening and Placement Strategies

With our detailed tenant screening process, we make sure only the best tenants live in your properties. Here are just a few ways that we screen tenants before placing them in a rental property:

• Background Check: We check each applicant’s identity, credit history, and criminal records. This helps us find and avoid potential problems.
• Income Verification Standards: We focus on financial stability when picking tenants. We check their income and job status to make sure they can pay rent on time.
• Rental History Assessment: Looking at a tenant’s past is key in our tenant screening Kent strategy. We examine their rental history for signs of good tenancy and timely payments. We also check their relationships with past rental property managers.

Rent Collection and Financial Management

At SJA Property Management, we make rent collection and financial management simple and stress-free for both property owners and tenants. We offer tenants a convenient online payment platform, the SJA Tenant Portal, where they can easily pay rent and fees. This ensures secure transactions and allows us to provide timely disbursements to property owners.

For financial management, we offer detailed reports that help property owners keep track of income and expenses effortlessly. Each month, we send accounting statements with comprehensive transaction records and invoices, and we deposit disbursements directly into owners’ bank accounts. To simplify tax preparation, we also provide year-end tax-specific statements.

Our goal is to take the complexity out of property management while maximizing your profits through our dedicated services.

Legal Compliance and Property Regulations

At SJA Property Management, we make sure your property follows all applicable laws and housing regulations. Our team stays updated on federal, state, and local rules, including fair housing laws, so your property always meets the requirements.

We know that landlord-tenant laws can change often, especially at the city or state level. That’s why we keep an eye on these changes and update lease agreements and management practices as needed.

Maintenance and Repair

At SJA Property Management, we work hard to keep your property in great shape with our maintenance and repair services. We take care of repair issues quickly, any time of the day or night, so you don’t have to worry. Our team also does regular property checks to find and fix small problems before they become big, expensive ones.

We have a trusted group of contractors who do quality work at fair prices, so all maintenance and repairs get done fast and right. When you trust us to care for your property, you can relax knowing it’s in good hands.

Frequently Asked Questions for Kent Property Management