All Forum Posts by: Ben M.

@Ben M. - What services do you need your PM company for?

Is your unit occupied or vacant?

Is it ready to rent / sell or does it need any construction management/turnover rehab?

Is the PM paid whether it’s rented or not? (Especially if it’s vacant now?)

Are there any fees to terminating the agreement early or selling with your own real estate agent? (One PM agreement I looked at said the owner HAD to list with the PM if selling for a commission of 6%, and that the agreement auto renewed for a whole year every October (whenever it was signed).

If the property is vacant, I feel like the right local agent with vendor / construction worker connections can help you get the house ready to sell. Not all agents will do any construction management (getting you bids, checking the work was done). Agents offer different services. Hungry agents don’t mind helping you coordinate a paint job on your dime so they can have a listing that looks great.

I PM several properties myself and it’s mainly about having a team of vendors in place like a landscaping crew, a handyman, etc.

Read your PM Agreement to verify they have this in writing. If they don't, you can probably push back and force them to stay involved.

As a Property Manager, I understand their concern. It's not just that they want to keep the commission from the sale (although that may play a role). When you list the property for sale with another agent/office, your PM is not stuck doing a lot of the work on behalf of your REALTOR. They have to schedule showings, inspections, appraisal, etc. It can be a real pain and a lot of work for your PM.

The ideal solution is to take over management and let your REALTOR deal with the tenants directly.

@Ben M. 

They can not force you to use them, but a lot of management companies will have in their management agreements several different types of clauses; If you sell to the tenant, they get xxx$ amount if they purchase, or they will sell your home for xxxamount. Or if you use someone else to sell the property, their management agreement ends. I would read your management agreement and see what it states specifically. Other than that, they cant force you to sell with them unless you signed on an agreement to do so.

As a side note, they can also give you a notice, per outlined in your agreement to cancel your management services. I will say its never fun to be on the other end and have to deal with the tenant and realtors who try and barge in to show, people show up at your door at all hours, and the rude ones who make an appointment and never show up!!! Its is always best to get the house vacant, do your clean up and sell the property, unless its set up and perfect as an investment property.

@Ben M. Yes, it is common, they want to handle the sale and collect the comission.