@Mike Fiorese Hi Mike! In Baltimore, I used to use HMJ Management, but I had to file a BBB complaint and an Angie's List complaint with him. I also filed with the Attorney Generals Office and the Maryland Real Estate Board commission. Needless to say, I learned my lesson, and he removed all traces of his business from Angie's list. My current management team is Cbrowne. I give them a B+. I have to follow up more than I like, but about 8 times out of 10 they work with me on getting pics of work, trying to get more estimates, extra more complete requests, etc, so I give them a break when they fall through on the 2 out of 10 times. Their accounting software needs to improve, but the accountant DOES send me a personalize email when my deposit is coming. All in all, They aren't perfect, and need more of administrative assistant, but when I open my mouth and ask (squeaky wheel), I usually get what I need from them promptly. And they return calls, etc, and all that jazz. I am going on 2 years with them. They send me good tenants too.
@Nancy Roth I have had good managers, great managers, fair managers, and terrible, shady, theiving managers. I would never tell a new investor to completely write them off unless they have the time and ability to manage a tenant themselves, as well as an easy and close neighborhood. Those are all factors that should be taken into account before saying whether someone should or shouldn't get a property manager. However, there are lessons to be learned, so instead of saying a new investor shouldn't get a manager, why not say they should really educate themselves on how to properly screen a property manager, just as much as you would suggest they research on how to properly screen a tenant. There is a level of skill development that is needed for both, in my opinion. On my site, I have a 15 min video that lists the questions you should/can ask if you are hiring a manager, and you can add your own, but they do tell you whether or not you should go with them or not. In fact, I have a beautifully wonderful manager in Richmond that treats the property as their own, and I have 2 other ones that I can work with in order to not have to drive 45 minutes away per issue (in other case, they're in OH), or take time from work to deal with any issues that may arise or send notices or file in court. However, if you were to write explaining in detail how if they don't get a property manager, how you have successfully done this so we can learn, that can be extremely beneficial to all of us, even myself who is a huge pro-manager investor for many extremely valid reasons.
Lisa
