Thoughts on "virtual management" ?

[Kevin Liu]

Hey BP community,

What are your thoughts on the up and coming term - virtual property management? 

Airbnb and Uber have paved the way for automated self serving platforms, but could it work in real estate? The concept that a software platform could find you a tenant, collect monthly rent, and dispatch maintenance vendors all sounds simple, but I am looking to get more opinions on the matter. 

Listings are posted on websites, screening reports can be sent over email, leases can be signed online, rent gets collected via ACH, and a quick google search of local handyman in the area... I can see this tech-enabled rental ecosystem start to pick up steam in the near future. Thoughts? 

[Simon W.]

Virtual PM would not work

Majority of the States require licenses to manage properties.

Collecting rent on behalf requires you to be licensed - work around is paying it directly to the owner

Maintenance is the most difficult part. Googling a local handyman is just bad practice.