Port Aransas Texas Property managers

[Louis Barkhuizen]

Good morning all. This post is directed to all STR owners in Port Aransas, Texas to get feedback on property management companies in the area.

I have an STR in Port A that I started in February 2021. I signed up with a very well-known and highly recommended local property management company in Port A. We were off to the races! Bookings were good, after initial delays, - June and July fully booked - August slowed down as expected, and so on. We appear to be on track regarding bookings, however, we finally hit a wall last weekend.

My wife and I went to stay in our STR for a planned regular maintenance weekend - the usual clean, paint patch, etc - no big surprises until I sat on the master bed - big urine stain right there on the bed cover. After inspecting all six beds in the house we discovered that every single bed had urine or some other stain on the bed covers or mattress protectors. The sheets were clean - as they are swapped out after every guest checks out. The bed covers or mattress protectors appear to never have been washed or checked for stains or dirt - disgusting!

I understand that guests tear stuff up - comes with the territory right? I also understand that clean bedding is the holy grail of providing a pleasant and hygienic experience to my guests. I was absolutely mortified - but glad that I found the stains instead of receiving a call, text, or bad review from a guest regarding the same.

I interviewed most of the property managers in Port A, and they all give the same song and dance - "we have inspection policies" or "we have quality control" or "we have the best housekeeping staff", blah, blah, blah. I am going to fire this property manager as this is the last straw in a long line of broken commitments and quality issues. So - I am considering managing the property myself, but this will be somewhat challenging as I live in Austin - a 4-hour drive.

I would appreciate feedback from any STR property owners in Port A on this forum that uses a local property manager. Who would you recommend or NOT recommend for that matter? Also, I am looking at turnoverbnb or properly as platforms to find and schedule local housekeeping crews - any recommendations on local cleaning companies or platforms should I decide to manage the property myself.

I am absolutely appalled that property management companies can provide this pathetic level of service and charge what they do. I don't mind paying them if they provide a quality service but come on man...

Thanks for any replies...all feedback is welcome.

Louis

[Luke Carl]

vacasa or evolve.

almost all of us here self manage

[John Underwood]

No one has a bigger interest in managing your property than you.

That is why you should self manage.

Hire a better Cleaning service.

You can easily manage from your phone.

[Louis Barkhuizen]

Hi Luke, that was quick. Thanks for your feedback. Do you have properties in Port A, I am assuming so but see you are from Florida.

Thanks - Louis

[Tanner Morrill]

1) Typical property management. 2) Have you insisted on triple sheeting? (see youtube) It's the only way to go in my opinion. Most cleaners wash comforters very rarely (even in hotels), so this really helps. 3) Properly app requires photos after every cleaning, which might help. 4) Thank you for sharing your frustration so I can be a better 3rd party manager myself. 

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Louis Barkhuizen, we don't need to own or manage places in Port A. Those problems are endemic to vacation rentals in general.

We live about 7 hours from our lakehouse. We self manage with zero issues. Just get a good cleaning company and handyperson to deal with any issues. You can do it and save that 20-40 percent.

[Isaac Hayes]

Hi Louis, 

That seems like it would be extremely frustrating. Do you think you'd be able to train your current cleaning company to clean the mattress protectors, or are they just generally not a good solution? I'm asking because, if you decide to self manage with this being a four hour drive, you will eat up a considerable amount of time. You could use this time to expand your real estate portfolio and go after more cash flow! How do you value your time here?

[Travis C.]

Ok, I need to follow this thread because I'm thinking if buying a STR in Port A myself!

[Louis Barkhuizen]

Touche @Isaac Hayes - I did not go down this road to become a property manager. I am actually starting to look at acquiring my next property. The plan all along was to get the first one up and running, then repeat, and again. I am learning so many valuable lessons regarding STR property management. It does hurt every month when I see how much the PM takes off the top, AND I still have to keep on top of them.

Thanks for your feedback

[Luke Carl]

"Self Management" is the only way to go in STR.

If you must use 3rd party use a national. Vacasa. Turnkey. Evolve. 

[Louie Riesch]

Hello, chiming in a bit late here, but I am about to close on a STR condo in port A. I do plan to self manage, but since I am a 3.5 hour drive away I am looking for handyman, cleaning service, etc. I've also found a property management company that offers a "home watch" service. This sounds like a promising service as they will meet contractors on site and do general check ins as needed, but not full services property management. Any referrals/recommendations on the above are appreciated.

cheers!

[Louie Riesch]

Hello, chiming in a bit late here, but I am about to close on a STR condo in port A. I do plan to self manage, but since I am a 3.5 hour drive away I am looking for handyman, cleaning service, etc. I've also found a property management company that offers a "home watch" service. This sounds like a promising service as they will meet contractors on site and do general check ins as needed, but not full services property management. Any referrals/recommendations on the above are appreciated.

cheers!

[Rick Palaia]

@Louie Riesch:

How did you go with that maintenance manager you referenced above? I'm planning to self-manage my Port A STR, also from Austin. Need a cleaner and a maintenance person I can trust. Any recommendations?

cheers,

Rick