Owner FAQs

We can start the process of managing your property immediately. Contact us so we can find out more about you and your property. We want to make sure it is a good match and we meet all your management expectations. All paperwork can be completed electronically and the process will begin rather quickly.

Setting the price for a property will determine how quickly it gets rented. If a rental is overpriced, oftentimes it will not get rented. Therefore, we analyze the market to help price your home according to the current market.

In order to understand the market we run a full analysis to determine the most economical and profitable rental rate that can be charged prior to placing a property on the market. If a property sits on the market for more than two weeks without it being rented, we look into the possibility that the rent may be too high. We then consider lowering the rent on the property so that it will not sit vacant.

We have motivated and highly qualified leasing agents, who are all licensed realtors.

The "For Rent" signs are normally placed on a rental property thirty (30) days prior to the property availability date. This will allow for potential tenants to see the property as they "drive by." If we have a new property, the sign is placed on the date the unit first comes under our management. If the property needs updates or renovations the sign will be placed when it is ready for showing. (Signs may be restricted by the Neighborhood and unfortunately there is no way around this).

Once a prospective resident has been shown a property and expressed the desire to lease it, a rental application must be submitted through our online applicant procedures. There will also be a nonrefundable application fee. Once the application is completed, approved, and the security deposit is in hand by certified funds we will then take the home off the market.

Century 21 Accent Homes is committed to the Equal Housing Opportunity Laws, and we do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Handicap, Familial Status, National Origin or Age.

One of the more important aspects of a successful rental property is finding the right tenant for a property. As applicants apply for a house we want to look at the full picture and every applicant as thoroughly as possible. We look at an applicant's past behavior and hope that it will help us assume their future behavior. An applicant must have demonstrated in the past that they have a history of being a good, responsible tenant while also meeting financial criteria.

We will also pull a credit check and review the results looking at various things from income, rental history, credit, employment, family size, pets, and any other stipulations that need to be reviewed in order to make a good and accurate decision on the BEST applicant for the rental. It is not always the first tenant that is the best one. Our goal is to ultimately pick a tenant with the best fit for the home.

Tenant Employment and Income Verifications: An applicant must earn at least 3 to 4 times the monthly rent to qualify for a rental. Therefore, we verify job title, job status, salary and prospects for continued employment.

Eviction and Criminal Reports: We will pull a background check that has access to public records. These records will be able to tell us whether or not an applicant has ever been evicted. We perform this level of scrutiny that most other property management companies do not perform.

Landlord Verifications: If an applicant has had past landlords we will contact them to verify rental history and ask detailed questions concerning the past of the applicant. We gather the information and then enter it into the application for record. The owner will be allowed to view this information.

A security deposit is required. The amount and payment requirements are stated in the rental listing and lease. Century 21 Accent Homes no longer offers a security deposit replacement program or a monthly fee in place of a security deposit.

We coordinate showings for prospective tenants, including self-guided access for eligible vacant homes through our lockbox system. Showing arrangements depend on occupancy, property access, and preparation needs. Leasing time varies by property and market conditions.

Some companies offer no after-hours support. Others will put a couple of staff members on call for the weekend or after hours. Another group of companies will use 3rd party vendors, who may be very little help and only receive your message.

What we do: Here at Century 21 Accent Homes, we use a service that is specially trained in handling maintenance calls. We want to handle an emergency immediately and our service can differentiate between a routine call and an emergency.

We market rental properties through the Northern Virginia MLS and rental listing websites, using professional photography and property-specific pricing. We also work with real estate agents who bring prospective tenants.

Our 21-Day Lease Guarantee is included with Gold Plan management: if we do not secure an approved tenant within 21 days of going live at a mutually agreed rent, we credit two months of management fees. The guarantee applies when Accent Homes screens and places the tenant under our standard process, subject to the written terms.

A lot of managers will wait until the following month to pay their owners.

What we do: Rent is processed on the 9th of every month that is collected. It will then depend on how quickly your bank will deposit the funds, typically it is around 1-3 business days.

The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) is a vital group to be a part of. Learning the best practices from industry leaders, and the ability to learn from others techniques that are benefiting their clients.

Our broker, Tom Sklopan Sr, is not only a member of NARPM, but he also teaches a real estate class to help potential real estate agents get their licenses. His 50+ years of experience in the industry allows him to teach the class and know everything there is to know. If you are looking for a company with experience and expertise, look no further than Century 21 Accent Homes.

Century 21 Accent Homes is a family-owned property management company serving Northern Virginia since 1972. Our team coordinates leasing, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance, and owner reporting. Ask us how communication and responsibilities would work for your rental property.

It is important to see what the company specializes in. Specifically, if a company specializes in apartment complexes, HOAs, or other Multifamily units, a single-family home may not be in their expertise. What is important to note here is that even though they may be a property management company, they may not be able to manage your property.

Tenants can apply using our tenant application on our website!