Austin Property Management Blog

What Every First-Time Renter Should Know

Grant Williams - Monday, February 23, 2026

Becoming a first-time renter is exciting, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. Before signing a lease, it’s important to understand your finances, what’s included in the rental agreement, and which questions to ask your landlord. Knowing what to look for and how to prepare for your first rental can help you avoid costly mistakes and feel more confident throughout the rental process. Today, we’ll review some of the most important things every first-time renter should know.

How to Financially Prepare for Your First Rental

Moving into your first rental property is an exciting time. However, what you might not realize is that it takes a lot of preparation. One of the first things you’ll want to do before looking for your first rental property is look at your finances. Can you afford to pay rent every month and still cover your basic necessities, like food and utilities?

When you start your search for a rental, you may or may not have to pay application fees. This is the first expense to account for. That said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $50 to apply for pr...

Seasonal Maintenance Checklist for Austin Rental Homes

Grant Williams - Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Keeping your rental properties well-maintained throughout the year is one of the most essential parts of being a successful landlord in Austin. Unpredictable weather can happen anywhere, and each season brings its own challenges that can impact the comfort and safety of your tenants. However, by following a seasonal maintenance checklist, you can stay ahead of repairs, protect your investment, and avoid emergency issues. Read along as we review some of the most important seasonal maintenance tasks to tackle from here on out.

Why Seasonal Maintenance Matters for Austin Landlords

Seasonal maintenance is crucial for any home, especially in places like Austin, TX, where the weather can be unpredictable. Between spring storms, intense summer heat, and winter freezes, each season brings its own set of challenges for rental properties.

As a landlord or apartment management company in Austin, staying on top of seasonal maintenance tasks helps preve...

When to Refinance Your Austin Rental Property

Grant Williams - Monday, February 9, 2026

Refinancing your Austin rental property can be a great way to lower your monthly payments, increase cash flow, or access equity you’ve built over time. However, it’s not something you should jump into without understanding how the process works–or whether it’ll actually benefit your investment. Today, we’ll review what it means to refinance, when you may consider it, and how the process works.

What Does It Mean to Refinance a Rental Property?

Refinancing a rental property involves replacing your current mortgage with a new loan–usually one with better terms, a lower interest rate, or a higher loan amount. When you refinance, your new mortgage pays off the balance of your old one, and you start making payments on the new loan under new terms.

Investors may decide to refinance for many reasons, mainly to reduce monthly payments or switch from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate loan. Refinancing can also allow you to access your equity to fund renovations or buy additional properties. If you work with an

Top Exit Strategies for Rental Property Investors

Grant Williams - Monday, February 2, 2026

All investors know that going into a real estate deal with a good plan is crucial. However, what some people forget is that knowing how you’ll eventually exit that investment is just as significant. Whether you’re holding a long-term rental, looking to sell and cash out, or want to refinance, having a clear exit strategy can help you navigate the process with ease. Today, we’ll go over the importance of exit strategies and which ones might make sense for your investment.

What Is an Exit Strategy in Real Estate Investing?

An exit strategy in real estate is a plan for how you’ll eventually cash out or move on from a property investment. Essentially, it involves looking at a method and timeline for selling, refinancing, or otherwise exiting the deal to gain profits or reduce losses.

Having a clear exit strategy for your investment can help you make smarter decisions in terms of financing and renovations from the start. This is especially true for investors in fast-growing areas like Austin, where

Stone Oak Resident Update | February 2026

Grant Williams - Friday, January 30, 2026

Cold Weather Awareness

The cold weather arrived recently with a strong front, freezing rain, and sleet. We’re still in the dead of winter so not out of the woods. We may get another freeze before the spring so make sure to keep the tips in our previous post handy. Here is a link to that post that discusses freeze preparation and some info on fireplaces.

Stone Oak Client Update | February 2026

Grant Williams - Friday, January 30, 2026

Austin Market Data and Leasing Strategies

We have a brief Austin market update based on what we are seeing in real time across leasing activity.

Rents in Austin continue to trend downward, and in the current environment we are seeing pricing decisions play a much larger role in overall performance. Aggressive increases and starting out at a higher price are often leading to longer vacancy periods, and more lost income.

For this reason, we are recommending a more conservative pricing approach across the board. For tenants in good standing, our default recommendation at renewal is a 0% increase, and for vacant properties, pricing competitively has proven to be the most effective way to reduce days on market and stabilize cash flow.

This is a market-specific, data-driven approach designed to protect owner's income. It is not a long-term pricing shift or a blanket concession. Owners always retain final approval; our role is to share what we are seeing and implement your direction efficiently.

If you currently have a vacant property, an upcoming lease renewal, or a pending offer that has not yet been accepted, we encourage you to take this information into consideration when evaluating pricing decisions.

Please see the most recent

Move-Out Cleaning Tips to Get Your Security Deposit Back

Grant Williams - Friday, January 23, 2026

Planning on moving out and want to do everything you can to get your security deposit back? Thoroughly cleaning your rental unit can sometimes make or break it. Today, we’re reviewing why move-out cleaning matters, tips for which areas to focus on, and mistakes to avoid during your cleaning process.

Why Move-Out Cleaning Matters for Your Security Deposit

We get it—cleaning might be the last thing on your mind while moving your belongings out of a rental home. However, taking the time to clean your rental unit before turning in your keys is an essential part of the process. This is especially true if you want to get your security deposit back.

Your Austin property manager or landlord should clearly state all move-in and move-out expectations in your lease agreement. That said, most landlords and property managers expect you to leave your rental in the condition you found it, which should be c...

Do You Have to Winterize a Rental Property in Texas?

Grant Williams - Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Even though Austin winters are typically mild, landlords and property managers shouldn’t overlook the importance of preparing properties for colder weather. Sudden cold snaps, like Winter Storm Uri, have shown that Texas homes can be vulnerable to winter without proper precautions. That said, knowing how to winterize a rental property can help you prevent damage, protect your tenants, and ensure your property stays in good condition. Read along to learn why it’s essential to winterize a property, even in Austin, Texas.

What Does It Mean to Winterize a Rental Property?

Winterizing a rental property is an essential maintenance task for landlords and property managers, especially in cold or snowy areas of the US. Even though winters in Texas are milder, Austin area property management companies still recommend taking precautions to protect your investment.

That said, winterizing involves preparing the property to withstan...

Top Amenities Renters Want in Austin Apartments

Grant Williams - Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Having the right amenities can make or break a renter’s decision–especially in a competitive rental market like Austin, TX. With several options to choose from, renters today are looking for features that make a property convenient, safe, and comfortable. That said, whether you manage a single unit or an entire apartment complex, knowing what amenities renters want in Austin can set you apart from the competition. Read along as we review the importance of amenities and some of the top features renters look for these days.

What Are Rental Property Amenities?

Rental property amenities are the extra features or services included in a lease agreement that go beyond the basic necessities of a living space. While essentials like heating, plumbing, and basic appliances are expected, amenities go above and beyond to make the rental experience more appealing.

Amenities in a rental may include things like in-unit laundry, walk-in closets, community pools, fitness centers, or pet-friendly spaces.

In a city like A...

How to Make Your Rentals More Energy Efficient

Grant Williams - Friday, January 2, 2026

It’s no surprise that energy costs are on the rise, and that becoming more energy-efficient is on the minds of many, including landlords, tenants, and homeowners alike. After all, who doesn’t want to save money on bills while also helping the environment? Luckily, there are several upgrades, both big and small, that can make a difference. So, read along as we discuss easy ways to make your rentals more energy-efficient.

What Makes a Home Energy Efficient?

A home is considered energy efficient when it uses less energy to perform essential daily functions, like heating, cooling, and appliances, without sacrificing comfort. When it comes to rental properties, this means reducing wasted energy while still maintaining a safe and livable environment for tenants.

More and more people are starting to prioritize making their homes energy-efficient. Not only does it help the environment, but it also helps lower bills and cut down on unnecessary expenses. For landlords or homeowners, some upgrades can also increase your home's value–something

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