Questions and researching property management in Phoenix

[Ryan Moore]

Before making an upcoming purchase, I wanted to research some property management companies here in Phoenix.  What are the good questions to ask these companies? I already assume to ask about referrals, and cost, but I want to make sure I'm finding all cost that are associated with the managing.  I've read about those hidden fees.  Also, I want to make sure I have a clear understanding of what they do and do not do.

[Dana Dunford]

@Ryan Moore - Here's a great post from BP on the Questions to ask a PM. I would focus on operational questions over their own personal real estate investments, as many PMs don't invest themselves. I'd also get at least 3 referrals from folks who have properties under their management (but aren't friends with the PM).

The biggest questions that stand out to me are:

• Number of evictions they've had in the past two years (follow up - % of total properties under Mgmt) ... It should be close or at zero
• Maintenance ... My hesitation is when they're buddy-buddy with the maintenance guys and take a cut of every service call (vendor preferred contract) and when they charge you a % for every maintenance request (they always seem to find new maintenance needed)