How To Choose The Best Property Management Companies

By Francis Riggs


Owning residential or commercial properties for rent or lease is perhaps one of the biggest investments you will make in life. They hence need to be handled as professionally as possible. Managing the investment can be challenging especially if you do not have the experience and knowledge. The most likely thing you will do is selecting suitable property management companies. The following are factors you should consider before selecting a service provider.

With many prospective managers in the industry, selecting the right one can be challenging. There are a number of factors you may want to consider. First on the list is selecting prospective ones, which can be done by either asking for word of mouth referrals or searching in online channels. If you know of other property owners who enjoy the services of their management company, ask them to provide referrals.

If you fail to get credible referrals, searching in online channels would be a more appropriate approach. Most of these companies have websites which are used to market their services. Through a simple online search, you are likely to get a lot of information about that specific company. Ensure you read their portfolio, check the range of properties they are currently managing and what past clients think of their services.

Nothing beats experience in the industry. You want to be sure that the service provider has successfully managed similar properties below. Not just any property manager would be suitable for your investment. Ensure you check the portfolio of that company, and if possible visit some properties under their watch so you get a gist of their service quality. The numbers of years they have been in the industry can also determine how established the company is.

Reputation in the industry speaks volumes. Knowing what other people think of similar services provided will give you an idea of what to expect. If you ask for referrals, established managers should not be scared of giving out names. Randomly select a number of names, call them and ask about their opinions about that company. If a considerable number are not happy with their services, that should be reason enough for you to look for another company.

Another important consideration is the mechanisms and methodologies they use in attracting and screening prospective tenants. Established managers are expected to have suitable advertising strategies and understand ways of reaching out to target tenants. This is an aspect that requires serious discussions with them as you aim to understand how they will ensure your property is occupied with the right type of tenants.

You will be paying for these services hence the need to know how much it will cost you. Get to know their charges and preferred billing mechanism. Ask for quotes from at least three prospective companies so you can evaluate them. Remember to put more emphasis on the quality of services rather than the cost.

The task of selecting a property manager needs to be done carefully. Ensure you understand your current needs, how this manager will be of help and the qualities that build up the best manager. Asking for word of mouth referrals will start you off on the right foot.




About the Author: