As a property investor, one of the toughest decisions you’ll face is choosing the right professionals to manage your property.
Their role is an important one.
They’ll be in charge of advertising, conducting inspections, vetting potential tenants and organising maintenance — not to mention ensuring rent is paid in full and on time — so it’s vital that you select the best person for the job.
On the other hand, a poor property manager can damage your relationship with the tenant and swiftly derail your investment, which is why it’s essential that you work with an experienced, qualified property professional property manager.
Thankfully, it’s not that hard to find someone who fits the bill. In fact, it ultimately boils down to two main criteria.
1. They know how to keep you happy
When you hire someone to run a business for you, you expect regular communication and to be kept in the loop at all times.
The same goes for engaging the services of a property manager.
A good property manager will keep you abreast of all the information you need to know about the tenants and the property itself.
They’ll update you when they’ve conducted routine inspections, so you know how well the tenants are looking after your property.
They’ll notify you as soon as possible of any issues, good or bad, which could impact the tenancy and the viability of your investment.
They’ll also display great attention to detail, and be adept at the “little touches” that can make big differences — such as noticing minor maintenance issues and dealing with them before they become big, expensive ones.
In other words, they treat you like their boss, and they aim to keep you happy by managing your property or portfolio professionally.
2. They know how to keep your tenants happy
It’s not enough to simply source and screen potential tenants — a top-of-the-line property manager will also have the skills to hold on to good tenants long-term.
Obviously, there are occasions when tenants will need to move on that can’t be avoided, like relocating for work or buying their own home.
What you don’t want, however, is excellent, responsible tenants giving notice to leave because they’re fed up with a lack of communication, delayed repairs, or unreasonable rental increases.
A skilled property manager will be on top of his or her emails and phone calls, with customer service their highest priority.
They’ll chase up tradesmen and keep the tenants up-to-date with the progress of any repairs or maintenance.
Plus, they’ll make good tenants feel appreciated and valued.
They will also have a solid understanding of the local market, and know when is the right time to bump up the rent, and by how much.
As a landlord, increasing the rent might sound tempting, but if it pushes the property outside the budget of your current awesome tenants, then it’s not a sound strategy.
So many tenants report that they’re unhappy with their landlord, when in fact it’s the property manager who’s at fault, failing to report issues or act on requests.
So, when hunting for the right manager to look after your property, keep these tips in mind:
- Do your research — don’t be tempted to sign up with the same agency who sold you the property simply because that’s the path of least resistance.
- It may seem easier, but they might not offer the best value or service, so shop around.
- Enquire with several agencies, and let them know you’re weighing up your options.
- With any luck, their competitive edge will kick in and you’ll be offered better service to win you over.
- Ask for references and look at reviews — are their previous clients happy with their level of service and results?
- Check out their rental application form so you know exactly which questions are being asked of potential tenants, and how thoroughly they are screened before they’re given the keys to your property.
- If you plan on growing your property portfolio, look for a manager or agency that can grow with you.
- You’ll save a bundle in commissions by keeping your properties with the same agency, not to mention time and hassle.
The bottom line is…
Successful property investment involves more than just choosing the right property.
You must also have the right professionals on your team to help you hold them for the long-term so the magic of compounding can do its wealth creation thing.
