Hybrid manager/maintenance person position

[Ed O.]

So, I'm needing to bring someone on board in a capacity that does the following:
1. Deals with tenants and occasionally collects rents
2. Oversees some infrequent major repairs
3. Occasionally completes lease renewals
4. Can handle and complete light repairs and do general handyman type work.
5. Can go to a home and assess needed repairs / send me a picture of work that needs to be considered.

There's probably not enough work here to bring on two separate people for this situation.

Also, based on the fairly minimal repair requests I field every month, usually between 3-6, hiring a manager doesn't make a lot of sense, as I'd expect that expense to come in around 900-1200 per month.

Has anyone tried going this route and has it worked out well for you? I'm looking for someone in the STL metro area and would also welcome and appreciate any referrals.

I'm essentially trying to get the best of both worlds, someone to handle light management duties and light repair duties.

Any pitfalls I should look out for?

Thanks

[Peter Giardini]

Ed,

Congratulations on building your business to the point where this step is required.

The biggest issue you will experience with someone taking on these tasks will be ensuring that they know what their job is, what processes and procedures you want them to follow (you do have processes and procedures... right?), their level of responsibility and authority and the biggest one is can they be trusted (have they been trained) to deal with your tenants in a way that you and your interests are always represented in the most positive light.

There is a book out titled The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber that addresses the issue of expanding a business from just the original founder and doing it successfully. You are at that point in your businesss I hope you will get this book and read it. Great stuff.

Best of luck!

Pete