Investing
Tenant screening without the legal exposure
Written criteria, applied the same way every time, is the single best protection a landlord has.
Realtor.com News & Insights
For landlords
Owning rental property in Charlotte
Let's be plain about what we are and aren't: MetroVillage is not a property management company. We don't collect rent or handle day-to-day repairs. What we do is the part that decides your return — price it to the market, put it in front of the right people, screen consistently, and connect you with a renter who fits.
Talk with us
Step by step
The process, simplified
- 01
Price to the market
We pull real leased comparables in your submarket, not asking prices, and set a rent that limits vacancy.
- 02
Prepare the unit
Clean, safe, functional and photographed well. Presentation drives both rent and tenant quality.
- 03
Market and show
MLS, rental portals and our own audience, with showings handled for you.
- 04
Screen consistently
The same written criteria applied to every applicant — income, credit, rental history and background.
- 05
Lease and move-in
A lease that covers the real situations, plus a documented move-in condition report. From the day the keys turn, the tenancy is yours to run — or your chosen manager's.
What to expect
No surprises
Vacancy
Budget for a few weeks of vacancy and turnover cost between tenancies each cycle.
Maintenance
A common rule of thumb is setting aside roughly 1% of property value per year for upkeep.
Compliance
Deposits, notices and repairs are governed by North Carolina statute. Process protects you.
Reporting
Clean records through the year make tax time straightforward and your returns defensible.
Ask these
Top 12 questions landlords should ask
Bring this list to any agent, including us. Clear answers are the whole point.
- 01What rent will my property actually command right now?
- 02Should I self-manage or hire professional management?
- 03How do I screen tenants fairly and stay fair-housing compliant?
- 04What should be in my lease that most templates leave out?
- 05How much should I hold back for maintenance and vacancy?
- 06What are my repair obligations under North Carolina law?
- 07How do I handle security deposits and the required accounting?
- 08What is the correct process if a tenant stops paying?
- 09How do notice periods and lease terminations work here?
- 10What insurance should I carry on a rental property?
- 11How do I track expenses for tax time and depreciation?
- 12When does it make more sense to sell than to keep renting?
Resource center
Made for landlords
Net proceeds worksheet
Estimate what you'll walk away with after payoff, commissions and closing costs.
North Carolina disclosure forms
The state forms every seller signs, explained in plain language.
NC Landlord–Tenant basics
Deposits, notice periods, repairs and the rules that keep you out of trouble.
Rental pricing & market rent report
What comparable units are actually leasing for in your submarket right now.
Tenant screening standards
A consistent, fair-housing-compliant screening process you can apply every time.
Latest headlines
Reading for landlords
Real estate reporting and practical guidance, curated for Charlotte.
Local
Charlotte neighborhoods to watch this year
Where new transit, schools and small business growth are quietly reshaping demand.
Realtor.com News & Insights