Austin Property Management Recommendations?

[Arjun K.]

My current property manager is well priced, but it is not working out. There are too many dropped balls, unreturned txt/emails... I feel like I need to ask a question 3 times sometimes to get an answer. And the PM is not proactive, which has resulted in higher vacancies and other complications.

So my question to you folks is: who do you folks recommend for Austin property management? Someone preferably on lower-end of pricing spectrum.

[S Crossland]

Check the Austin NARPM (Nat Assc of Res Prop Managers) Chapter website for a roster of property managers. I know both Greg at Recar and Lisa at Merit. Both are good, experienced property managers and are listed on the member roster there. http://austin.narpm.org/

It's short sighted to shop on fees. The real question is, "what is the total cost of using a professional property managers?" You have to add the cost of inexperience and mistakes into the equation. How do you find the most inexperienced and mistake-prone property managers? Look for the ones with the lowest fees.

It's much cheaper to "pay more" for a better property manager who will save you money through competent execution of the myriad duties required, and who knows how to anticipate and prevent problems rather than react to them.

It seems counter-intuitive, but that's how it actually works. You really do get what you pay for.

Good luck,
Steve