Building "another PM" company. Could use the professional advice!

Building "another PM" company. Could use the professional advice!

Plains, ID · Member since 2012 · 4 posts · 0 votes

My proposal is quite basic.

I currently own and manage two properties ( 4br/4bth). They are both condos in the same building, not a difficult tasks. I do everything my self, and it takes about 20 hours of work a year to gain a 10% return. I am able to be a hands-on type LL due to my close proximity of the campus.

As I have began to research other proprieties in my condo, I noticed that a minimum of 65% of owners lived out of state. This can be explained very simply, out of state students who have families able to purchase a house wil in turn make a much better investment.

But, a guy living 6 states away doesn't want to deal with the difficulty of managing a property that far away. Usually makes sense to sell, some still rent.

I want to provide a quasi-co/op property management service. I would provide tenants with the amenities that the large corporate groups can afford. Stretching one service among the same place is a win win for everyone.

So I really am just hoping to gain insight into the world of a PM company. Tenants are not difficult to find, our supply of housing has far exceeded demand thanks to a dip in enrollment after the recession. This year the university had the highest enrollment in history with next year projected to be even higher. College students are great, tenants I think.

My Goal is to start very small, only catering to properties that I know very well. The condos in the building could be easily maintained as they are all fairly new. Anyway, this is a ramble and if you have read this far then thank you!

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J ScottPro Member
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Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
14y

What are the laws in your state around property management? In my state, a property manager must hold a brokers license, which requires 3 years of licensing as a real estate agent first.

These types of licensing requirements may not exist in your state, but it's something to look into...

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  • Residential Landlord · Kailua-Kona, HI · Member since 2012 · 111 posts · 15 votes
    14y

    I would like to say power to you if you can pull this off. You should be aware that tenant-wise college students make for a yin-yang situation : they are plentiful which is great easy to install some, etc ... But they can live in horrible conditions because they don't know how to take care of themselves. This is not easy street and if you're aware of that you'll be better prepared.

    2nd concern is what about other property mangers? Are there some that consider this building their territory? They are condos I would think there would be. I don't know how that works but they won't like a new guy muscling in on them... are you dealing with out of state owners that don't have property management? Seems like a better idea if so. Just my 2 cents.

  • Plains, ID · Member since 2012 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    14y

    I can tell you from my experience, trying to even get a hold of a local management company is difficult. When we first purchased these properties I didn't want to deal with it. Made calls around and never heard back. The good ol boy network is strong here, but a property owner could care less about the politics. The management company that I pay HOA fees to, owns about %30 of the condos. They are much more interested in getting their property filled than a other owner who they most likely see as competition.

  • Plains, ID · Member since 2012 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    14y

    I have had pretty good experiences with tenants so far. I put in wood floors and tile all around, there's not much they can break. And they (parents) almost always pay on time

  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    14y

    What are the laws in your state around property management? In my state, a property manager must hold a brokers license, which requires 3 years of licensing as a real estate agent first.

    These types of licensing requirements may not exist in your state, but it's something to look into...

  • Commercial Real Estate Broker · Biloxi, MS · Member since 2011 · 50 posts · 4 votes
    14y

    I do propertty management and here are a couple of tips I hope you can use.

    Always perform a walk-through with the tenant and have them sign off on the condition of the property before you hand over the keys. Cover everything! In poor property management service areas this is commonly overlooked and can separate you as a professinal in your area.

    Always think long term with tenants. Come up with ways to promote longer term leases. IE: Less security deposit for 2 year leases has worked well. Still CYA with condition report signed by tenant.

    If the parents are covering rent I focus on credit. If the occupant is on their own with rent I focus on rental history, criminal background, and employment tenure...Not credit.

    It can lead to longer term net gains by renting at or even just below market rents to have best results in acquiring most qualified tenants. With below market rents you will be in highest demand, less vacancy, less destructive tenants willing to sign longer term leases. One month of vacancy at $1,000 loss to owner, or two months, makes it cost effective to market at $50.00 less than competition. Once you have a lease in place you can re-market at market without as much risk to vacancy.

    In multi-level buildings I like to run specials for single residents top floor, couples middle floor, and I keep familes on bottom floor, if possible. Cuts down on ceiling noise and just sharing the idea will reflect well on potential tenant perception of you as a landlord. Focusing on single tenants also reduces parking issues.

    I always write on leases that tenants will be responsible for the first $20 of repairs. I tell them not to worry about this as we will not charge them if something mechanically goes wrong and isn't due to their neglect. This little statement on their lease helps them realize the importance of trying to trouble-shoot an issue on their own before they contact you. My "Call-Reducer".

    Hope this helps.

    Good Luck!

  • Plains, ID · Member since 2012 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    14y

    Thank you for writing such a through response!

    I have mild experience from renting our properties in my tenure as an undergrad. Most of the tenants were friends or friends of friends. So I will not say I know what I am doing! Haha

  • SFR Investor · CB, IA · Member since 2011 · 91 posts · 42 votes
    14y

    Good luck with your new business. I don't know what I'd do without a good property manager. That 10% a month is a fee I'm more than happy to pay. I have 8 sets of tenants and I've only met 2 of them (known from school). And none of them know my phone number. Money well spent.

  • Northwest, IN · Member since 2012 · 12 posts · 0 votes
    14y
    Originally posted by Andries Butler:

    In multi-level buildings I like to run specials for single residents top floor, couples middle floor, and I keep familes on bottom floor, if possible. Cuts down on ceiling noise and just sharing the idea will reflect well on potential tenant perception of you as a landlord.

    Hey Andries - You have made great suggestions here that I added to my notes. I just wonder about this one I quoted. It makes good sense however in practice it could open oneself up to a Fair Housing Complaint. After studying Fair Housing Laws, I have jotted in my notes that it is a violation to direct people to certain parts of a community, building or floor. How would you protect yourself from this?

  • SFR Investor · IN · Member since 2008 · 137 posts · 24 votes
    14y

    Dave, be careful what you might be getting into. Over and above local laws and ol' boy politics, even in the best of conditions there is a world of difference b/t running 2 properties versus managing, 10, 20, or more. Consider personal longevity, lifestyle, opportunity cost, energy levels, psychological continence, and other intangibles. Further, do you want to be the guy performing midnight repairs and taking frivolous calls? Can you answer your phone for business any time of night and day? Are you prepared to deal with unhappy owners and disgruntled tenants, to whom you might become an object of derision or legal recourse at some point? Are you prepared to hire out the labor, or manage an office assistant? Does this added expense jive with your business pro forma?

    Ah, so cynical, I know. But PM is ungratifying business that never made anyone rich and makes hair prematurely gray. As the self-appointed devil's advocate of this conversation thread, I recommend taking your creative mind, Dave, and applying it to another venture altogether!

    In any case, best wishes along whatever path you choose for yourself!

    Vince

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