Seeking Specific and Detailed PM advice from BP users

[Andrew Valdez]

Virginia;Military

Background Story

I bought a duplex in November 2016 in Virginia but after I bought the property I hired a PM because I had to move to Mississippi for 9months and I had nobody in VA to overlook the property and collect rent

I inherited 1 tenant and my PM acquired the other side.

Predicament (because I'm nervous) & Questions

Predicament I want to get rid of my PM because I want to have the stress of being a Landlord with small quantity of Units so when I acquire more units in future and hire a PM I will know everything there is to know or at least enough to not get toyed around and taken advantage of.

Ive read Brandon Turners Book, For dummies book, Virginia Landlord and Tenant Act which were beneficial. I'm picking up what they are putting down but i'm not 100% sure how to convert all that information into the most effective system. 

How do you BP users effectively do the following with specifics

• Collecting Rent 
• Maintenance Calls
• Advice on which Websites used for background checks and possibly electronic deposit website.
• Or any website that helps a alot with this subject
• Effectively building up vendors ( Which vendors are best to have on deck and have telephone #)
  • plummer
  • hvac
  • misc repair man
  • What am I forgetting

I'm seeking specific websites that any BP users may use that works for them so I can take that into consideration when I continue with my research

Seeking Advice that maybe any book didnt cover that I might get side swiped with. 

Seeking any Lessons Learned when started Managing Personal Property

DO's and DONT'S

[Christine Kankowski]

Well... I could write a novel for you here.  The contractors names and numbers are just something you will have to build through trial and error.  If you find someone good, pay them quickly and they will come work for you again. You ccan search online what the average price is for a repair - IE- thermocouple for water heater. etc

I think Cozy is a good website for basic PM stuff.  We use Appfolio, but that does not work unless you have enough units to make it worthwhile.  IT is a software system that tracks maintenance, leases, rents due (allows tenants to pay online-I think Cozy does this part)

Make sure you do a thorough move in inspection with pictures, video, etc. so there is no dispute as tot he condition of the yard, toilets, hole in wall, stain in garage, etc.   If you have enough documentation, it will be easier when the tenant move out. remember it could be years from now. You nor the tenant may remember how that damage got there, but with pictures, your will know if it was there when he moved in.  It solves a lot of problems.

Will you be able to be around to do the move out inspections? show the property when the tenant moves ouT? handle the fix-up between tenants?   This maybe included with your current proeprty mgmt, but could cost quite a bit if that is all you are hiring them for at the end of the lease. 

Best of luck!  Lots to learn, but you can do it