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Owner Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: How do I list my property with Southern Charm Realty & Retreats?

    A: Once you have looked over our information regarding property management, call us at (704) 340-2022 or email todd@hillco-realty.com. We will then set up an appointment at your earliest convenience to view the property and complete an initial inspection. We will not charge a commission until your property is rented.

    We provide industry-leading marketing within all price points to procure the optimal tenant for your property. We can walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
  • Q: Am I required to make my property available to Section 8?

    A: No, you are not required to accept section 8 vouchers. If this is something that is of interest to you, please feel free to ask.
  • Q: Are you licensed?

    A: Yes! We have a great team of licensed realtors, and are dedicated to each of our owner clients.
  • Q: Can I reach you after hours?

    A: Yes. Our office hours are from 10-6, but you can always reach me by email in emergency situations.
  • Q: Can you put the money directly into my account?

    A: We can deposit your funds directly into your account or send out a check by mail if you prefer.
  • Q: Do I get to see the lease or sign it?

    A: Yes! We can still continue with the screening process if needed, and handle the lease contracts as normal.
  • Q: Do you sell real estate too?

    A: Yes! We are happy to discuss any opportunity you may have to buy, sell, or invest. We have an entire team committed to meeting the needs of our clients.
  • Q: How and when do I get my checks?

    A: We will collect rents from tenants at the beginning of the month and then our accounting department prepares monthly statements and handles any issues. Then we typically send out owner draws no later than the 15th of the same month the rent is collected. We recommend that you stay on track to submit the upcoming mortgage payment for the property instead of the current month’s payment in order to ensure your rental income is available before your mortgage is due. We can deposit your funds directly into your account or send out a check by mail if you prefer.
  • Q: How is rent collection handled?

    A: We provide a convenient online portal for tenants to submit payments before the 5th of each month.
  • Q: How long of a lease do you sign?

    A: We generally sign a 1 year lease. This allows for inspections of properties prior to renewal, and the opportunity to make a rent adjustment when it is warranted.
  • Q: How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?

    A: Once the application for a tenant has been approved and the lease is signed, the deposit amount will be equivalent to the first month’s rent. The amount is collected and safely held in our broker’s trust account until the move out is complete and full inspection is done on the property. Once any damages are assessed, the full deposit will be refunded to the tenant, deducting for any needed repairs.
  • Q: How soon can you start managing my property?

    A: We can start whenever you are ready! Just call us at 704-340-2022 to set up an appointment to meet at our conveniently located Cornelius office. If you are an out of town owner, we can do everything over the phone and online.
  • Q: What type of properties do you manage?

    A: We manage single family homes, townhomes, and condos from Uptown Charlotte to Lake Norman...and everywhere in between.
  • Q: What type of reports do I get and how often?

    A: You will receive a monthly Owner Statement. That will give you an update of the accounting associated with your properties. We can also send more detailed reporting upon request for accounting, and you will receive a yearly 1099 for tax purposes.
  • Q: Who holds the tenant security deposit?

    A: We hold the tenant security deposits in a company trust account, dedicated specifically for deposits only.
  • Q: What are the property management fees associated with renting my property?

    A: We typically charge 50% of the first month’s rent to procure a tenant and 10% on the gross rents collected each month thereafter, depending on the property. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
  • Q: How will my property be marketed in order to find the optimal tenant?

    A: Our marketing resources and techniques are very effective in procuring the best tenant for your property. We will place a ‘For Rent’ sign at your property to generate local traffic leads. Some of our online platforms used are our website at www.HillcoandAssociates.com and the Carolinas Multiple Listing Service. The listing will also be syndicated to the most popular home sites online such as Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com and many more!
  • Q: If I already have a tenant available to rent my property, can you still handle the details?

    A: Absolutely! If you provide us with the contact information, we can still lead them through a screening process and handle all the paperwork necessary.
  • Q: If necessary, how do you handle an eviction process?

    A: Monthly rent payments will be considered late after the 5th of each month. A 5% late fee is incurred and a ‘Pay or Quit’ notice will be issued, sent by mail and posted at the property itself, as well as by email to all tenants listed on the account. We will be in contact with the tenant and work out any payment arrangements if necessary.

    If the tenant fails to respond and we have not received payment by the end of the month, we will contact our attorneys to handle the eviction process. These steps include court appearances and a sheriff lockout if necessary, and normally takes about 4-6 weeks for the entire process. Any costs incurred are deducted from the tenant’s security deposit.
  • Q: Am I notified before repairs are made to my property?

    A: We do notify you with any repairs made over $300 in total. However, we do take service calls from tenants and take care of any repair under this amount right away. Any emergency repairs will also be handled without owner authorization. Any cosmetic repairs to be made to the home will always require authorization and total costs be approved by the homeowner.
  • Q: Who do I contact with questions regarding my statement?

    A: You will be assigned an online login and password to view itemized details of your statement online. You will also be able to submit an email or contact to our office and we will respond in a timely manner.