Improve Work Order Management

By Layla Vanderbilt

Investors know that managing an investment property is a difficult task. It involves dealing with upkeep, keeping tenants and collecting rent payments. This can turn into more than a full-time job. Appliances breaking at odd hours and having to solve tenant complaints can take up valuable time. The time and money it takes to maintain an investment property can build up, and investors can become weighed down with the task. There is a solution for investors in this situation, and that is to contract a reputable property management company.

An excellent property management company frees the investor?s time and keeps excellent records and maintenance in the property. Hiring a company to manage the property will modernize your business if they present the services you need at an approved upon cost. So, what should you consider if you are interested in hiring a manager for your property?

One important fact you want to know is how much the company fees are. The national average is around 4 percent on the income from a large rental property, while single homes are often over 12 percent. Be aware of the fees charged, the necessary cost schedule and what services are included before you sign an agreement and exchange some cash. Do they deduct their cost from the monthly rent collected? Spend several times finding out how they deal with additional expenses as fine. Will they send invoices to you to be paid and other expenses in their fee?

It's a good idea to hire a reputable property management company, so find out about other properties that they have managed. Ask for the addresses of these properties and see how they are doing. Also, the property management you hire should have experience with the type of investment you own. A manager with experience in single home management may not be a good match for a job with an apartment building.

Good communication is good business, so speak with the person who will actually be dealing with the property. Poor communication early in the business relationship can lead to hassles in the future. Be sure to get references from the company's previous clients. The property management company also deals with advertising, so take a look at their previous advertising work and ask about advertising costs. Costs will differ between newspapers, television and the internet. Ask about a website, and check out its ease of use and if a prospective tenant can apply online.

Other questions to be enquired are of hiring cleaning contractors for preparing vacancies and can the cleaning be done quickly to ensure you are not losing valuable time and money while the place is prepared for tenants?,do they have contractors for repair and landscaping needs?,what are the hours the property management company is available and if they are available after working hours for emergencies?,how close is the management office located to the investment property?.Also their viability of approach.Another aspect that should be kept in mind is their proximity to the investment property to solve the problems as they occur.

Hiring a property management company to oversee your property saves your time wasted on daily problems.The company also allows the owner to find time for other deals which can be passed onto the same company to manage them as well. - 23210

About the Author:

Layla Vanderbilt is the webmaster for a leading property management software review website which connects people with the leading property management tools.