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Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Our family real estate business was founded in 1928 by John and Rita Tourtelot, grandparents of the current owner, Bill Tourtelot. In 2009 Tourtelot Brothers Real Estate Residential Sales, Relocation Services and Commercial Sales divisions were merged with the largest real estate company in the world. The Tourtelot Property Management and Leasing Division remained as a separate Tourtelot family business owned and guided by Bill Tourtelot, President, and Managed by Broker Debra Ogle. Please see our company history under About Us “A Family Tradition Since 1928.” Most of our agents-property managers have been with the company for many years. Please see more information on the pages “Meet Our Team.”
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Q: Are you licensed?
A: Yes, we are licensed by the Florida Real Estate Commission, Department of Professional Regulation. We are also members of the Pinellas Realtor Organization, My Florida Regional MLS, and the National Association of Residential Property Managers. These regulating State agencies and Associations require continuing education, testing and dues, to maintain professional levels of career excellence.
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Q: Can I reach you after hours?
A: Yes, we can be reached after hours. We are available for appointments and showings, urgent situations and emergencies during afterhours and weekends. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm, and we are available on weekends by appointment.
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Q: Can you put the money directly into my account?
A: Yes, we offer Direct Deposit for our landlords. This service is fast, convenient, and Free!
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Q: Do I get to see the lease or sign it?
A: Yes, we will provide a sample copy of the Legal Lease Agreement. For our Property Management landlords, the Legal Lease Agreement is sent to the landlord after signing by the tenant, and us as the agent. For our Lease Only landlords, the Legal Lease Agreement is sent to the Landlord for signature after the tenant signs the document.
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Q: How and when do I get my check & statement and how often?
A: We provide a Cash Flow Statement of income and expense, each month for our landlords. The statements and owners’ distributions are processed TIMELY on two cycles per month - the second full week of the month, and the third full week of the month. Of course, this will depend on the tenants’ timely payment of the rent. Your statement can be sent either to the online web site portal, emailed, or US postal mailed. We also offer DIRECT DEPOSIT if you want the distribution funds to be sent via ACH to your bank checking account. We also provide a year-end summary statement for your taxes.
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Q: How is rent collection handled?
A: Rents are due on the 1st, with 3 grace days, and late on the 4th. We act promptly when rent is not paid, serving a Three Day Notice if necessary. Follow up communications with tenant and/or landlord are expedited. If required and approved by the landlord, the eviction process is coordinated by us through an attorney.
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Q: How long of a lease do you sign?
A: We recommend an annual, 12 months’ lease agreement. This will give the agent and the landlord time to evaluate the tenant’s payment record, and the tenant’s treatment/condition of the property.
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Q: How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?
A: We normally collect a security deposit equal to or greater than one month’s rent. This can vary depending on the landlord’s preference and/or the tenant’s credit report.
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Q: How soon can you start managing my property?
A: We can start after the initial property inspection is done and the Listing documents are completed. Vacant property needs to be in rent ready condition.
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Q: What type of properties do you manage?
A: Annual, unfurnished single family homes, townhomes, condominiums, villas, duplexes, apartments.
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Q: Who holds the tenant security deposit?
A: As mandated by the Florida Landlord-Tenant law, the tenants’ security deposit is held in an escrow account in a Florida bank. This account is maintained by us as the agent. This is a separate security deposit non-interest bearing escrow account, following the Florida Real Estate Commission requirements.
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Q: Am I required to make my property available to Section 8?
A: As a landlord, it is your choice if you want to participate in the HUD Section 8 Program or not. If you are interested in this program, there is a document package for you to complete. The prospective tenant will preview the property, and if they want to lease it, then the property manager will request for Section 8 to schedule their required property inspection by their Inspector. Normally Section 8 pays the major portion of the rent, and the tenant pays a smaller or no portion of the rent, depending on the tenant’s monthly income. From the start of the program, it can take Section 8 approximately 30 to 45 days to process the documents and send the rent to the property management company.
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Q: Do you sell real estate too?
A: We specialize in Property Management and Leasing services – it’s our exclusive business! Unlike other property management firms, our property managers and leasing agents don’t sell real estate – they are true full-time specialists in property management and leasing services. HOWEVER, if a landlord wants to sell or buy, the owner of our company, Bill Tourtelot, will personally handle the listing and sale of their property or if someone wants to buy he will help. He is a full time Realtor, has over 40 years’ experience, and specializes in helping sellers through his Custom Marketing Plans to sell their property for the highest price (usually 10% to 20% higher than others) in the shortest time. For Buyers, he creates a Custom Search Plan to find the property that best matches the Buyer’s needs at the best (lowest) price. He is one of the most outstanding Realtors in this area, and our owners have been delighted with his results! Please see Bill Tourtelot’s exceptional reviews in the below link to our owners’ testimonial letters. If you are interested in talking with Bill about the sale your property, please contact our Broker Debra Ogle.
