HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGER

Investing in real estate can be a very lucrative endeavor, but it is also one that requires a lot of effort. Especially if you have bought a property with the intent of renting it, you should be prepared to provide a number of services for your tenant. From finding tenants, collecting rent, building maintenance and everything in between, collecting income from a rental property is not a passive exercise.

As such, many investors choose to work with a rental property manager so they can collect a regular income without being overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks associated with managing the property. If you’re wondering how to choose the right rental property manager, you’ve come to the right place. The following tips will help you find the ideal manager that will help you maintain a profitable portfolio of rental properties.

Experience

First things first, you want to get a sense of a property manager’s experience before you hire them. Ideally, you are looking for an individual with experience managing similar types of properties. Do they manage single family homes, apartments, or commercial properties and what type of property are you intending to rent? Obviously, you want to find a good match between your property and your manager. In addition, you probably want to have an idea of how many properties a potential manager currently oversees. Not only do you want to know that your manager has adequate time to devote to your property, but also that they are active in the business.

Referrals and References

As you would likely do before hiring any professional, speak to colleagues, friends, and family about their experiences with property managers. Referrals are a great place to start when making a shortlist of potential candidates. Still, once you start meeting with property managers, also ask for references from current and/or past clients. You want to get a sense of their experience and skills from people who understand the property owner’s perspective.

Also, be prepared with a list of questions

• How do you find tenants?
• Describe your tenant screening process?
• How many people are on your staff?
• How do you handle building maintenance? Do you have in-house staff or is maintenance contracted?
• Are your maintenance staff/contractors properly insured?
• What are your fees?
• How will you add value to my operation?
• Sign a Contract

Finally, once you have chosen a property manager that meets your needs and budget, always be sure to sign a written agreement that includes the term and cost of management as well as the services that are included. In order to ensure effective management, you want your expectations clearly outlined in writing.

Derrick is a Memphis native specializing in locating, purchasing, renovating and managing single-family and multi-unit properties and possesses over 12 years of experience in real estate investing and property management in the Memphis and Nashville markets… Learn More…… www.memphisbuyandhold.com