If you’re one of those who were lucky enough to acquire vast properties but have no idea how to manage them or make the most out of your investments, then chances are you are also one of those who need to hire a property management company. If you’ve got a lot on your plate but not enough time to clear it, then you should start scouting around for the best within your means.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that owning and managing several properties is easy. Unfortunately, almost half of property owners today are not aware of what it really takes to be able to manage the properties they own. For one, you have to be knowledgeable and updated on tenant/landlord laws, a complete ignorance of which can result in facing more lawsuits and paying more fines than you care to deal with. Second, you also need to take the time to visit each property and check its conditions. This is fine if your properties are within close proximity but if they are located at a distance then you may find yourself spending more time traveling than actually managing them.
You will also need to be able to do repairs and maintenance for each property if you plan to be able to rent them or sell them for a good price. You need to at least have a basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, carpentry and landscaping unless you want to spend a fortune outsourcing services. More importantly, however, you need to be able to deal with all kinds of tenants, difficult or otherwise. You need to be able to screen your tenants effectively because it is going to be a potential problem with your profits when you have to replace tenants constantly.
Hiring a property manager can take care of all these potential problems. Property management companies are able to screen tenants and make sure you get only tenants that pay on time, won’t damage your property extensively and rent on a long-term basis. They will be experienced enough to sort through applications to pick out the problem tenants, the ones who can potentially victimize you with scams aimed at property owners. They will also take care of collecting the rent, caring and maintaining your property and even responding to various tenant complaints if any.
But the best thing about hiring property management companies or managers is the fact that they are able to perform three crucial tasks that will contribute significantly to better tenant acquisition and retention and they are improving and preparing the property for rent, determining the best rental rates and deciding how best to market your property. A property management company worth their weight in gold will be able to ensure longer tenant rentals and less tenant dissatisfaction.
By Jessie Burns
Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.
The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.
- Tenant placement
- Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
- Regular property inspections
- Accounting and landlord bill payment
- Monthly financial reporting
- Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
- Collections
- Evictions
- We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
- 24 hour emergency phone service
- Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible
Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!