A property manager is a professional who performs all, or nearly all, of the tasks that relate to renting out your property to tenants. A property manager will advertise and show your property, screen and interview applicants, prepare the lease or rental agreement, collect rent and fees every month, and ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of your property. Many property managers will also take care of the more unpleasant tasks of renting, such as pursuing evictions or negotiating rent raises.

The most obvious advantage of hiring a property manager is that you are free from the daily and monthly tasks required of a landlord. If you’re too busy or simply don’t want to take care of the myriad responsibilities — much less field midnight calls from tenants about burst pipes — hiring a property manager may be right for you. A property manager may also be in your best interests if you live far from your rental property, which makes if difficult to show the property, interview tenants, perform inspections and upkeep, or carry out any of the other tasks that require a physical presence.

If you depend on every cent of the rent that you receive from month to month, hiring a property manager may not be right for you. A typical property management company will often charge between 5 and 10 percent of your monthly rental revenue, so this is a clear disadvantage if you don’t have the revenue to spare. Additionally, if you prefer to be hands-on with your investment, you may not want to hand the reins to someone else; in this case, you’ll be more comfortable without a property manager.

If you decide to hire a property manager, perform thorough research before signing any contract. An ideal property manager will have good working relationships with both the property owners and their tenants and be extremely accessible. Conduct online research; there are many websites that host reviews of property management agencies, both from the tenants’ and the owners’ perspectives. When meeting with a potential property manager, bring a list of questions you’d like answered in full. Ask that they discuss their fees and what services are not provided in the management contract.

by Kate Savage, Demand Media

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!

• Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.