About Us
We are Realtors® that specialize in providing Leasing and Property Management Services. Since Dean & Associates Inc was founded in 2014, we have never had an Eviction. It is our goal to provide excellent service at the most competitive rates. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have a 5 Star rating with Google Reviews. You can verify our Real Estate Brokerage License with the Alabama Real Estate Commission. We are authorized by Surevestor to offer Landlord Protection Insurance.
Service Area
Our Service Area is Shelby County. Vacant properties must be in “Broom Clean” condition. All properties must be estimated by Zillow to lease for at least $1500 per month. As of the fourth quarter of 2024 it is the Broker’s opinion and observation that properties are renting for approximately 10% below the Zillow Rent Zestimate®.
Current Rental Market Conditions
There is currently an oversupply of Single Family Home Rentals in Shelby County that rent for between $1500 and $3000 per month. Rental Customers have more properties to select from and seem to be taking more time to make their selection. According to our records it now takes 40 to 50 viewings to get a property leased. Properties that are listed approximately 10% below the current Zillow Rent Zestimate® are receiving about 20 showings per month.
Leasing Service
Leasing Service includes: (1) Advertising, (2) Property Showings, (3) Tenant Screening and (4) Lease Execution.
The charges for Leasing Service are deducted from the initial funds brought by the Tenant when the lease is executed. There are no charges if the property does not lease.
Advertising – We will photograph your property and list it to the Internet Listing Service (ILS) which includes but is not limited to Zillow, Rently®, Hotpads, Trulia, etc.
Property Showings – The majority of rental properties on the market today are available for instant access via Hanging Lockboxes. The Leasing charge for Hanging Lockbox Service is 50% of the first month’s rent and is available for properties that list between $1500 to $3000 per month. After the Rental Customer registers and their identity has been verified, they will be given an access code to a hanging lockbox whereby they can enter the property at their own convenience 7 days a week during business hours. Customers prefer this method because they do not have to schedule with a Realtor®. Without question, this is the quickest way to find a Tenant.
Tenant Screening:
- We verify the Applicant’s Identity with the DMV, the IRS and through a Knowledge-based Authentication (KBA) Questionnaire from the Credit Bureau.
- We pull background reports and screen for evictions, property damage filings, felonies for violent crimes, drug trafficking, sex offenders, etc.
- We verify the Applicant’s Credit Score, Rent to Income Ratio and Debt to Income Ratio.
- We collect the previous two years of IRS Tax Transcripts.
- We collect three months of Bank Statements and the most recent PayStub.
- We scan Bank Statements and Pay Stubs for fraud with the most up to date fraud detection software available.
- We verify the Applicant’s current employment and income compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Lease Execution:
- We use Attorney vetted Leases.
- Leases are signed by both parties online via DocuSign.
- The Tenant delivers the initial funds in the form of Cashier’s Checks.
Management Service
Monthly Property Management Service is optional. If you are willing to set up Direct Payments with your Tenant and order an occasional repair, you can save yourself a lot of money.
If you do want Monthly Management it costs $99 per month and features include:
- Rent Collection and Transfer of Rent to Owner
- Credit Bureau Reporting
- Monthly and Annual Accounting Services
- Annual 1099 Service
- Move In Report
- Move Out Report
- Annual Inspection Reports
- Holding and Returning the Tenant’s Security Deposit
- Ordering Repairs and Maintenance Services