What Qualities Should You Seek in a Property Manager?

You've decided to choose a property manager to manage your rental properties. Congrats! You're on the way to getting the most out of your investments. 

Do you know what to look for in a property manager? Choosing the right company is important. After all, poorly managed properties lose money. If you're not sure what to look for when you're interviewing property management companies, here are a few critical things to consider during your search. 

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A Clean, Functional Website

Don't make a choice based only on a website. Anyone can put together a well-designed website, but it's not necessarily a sign of an excellent company. 

However, a well-designed website is one thing to look for when researching property management companies. 

Look for an easy-to-use website. Check for clear information about the company's services. Are you getting a good first impression? Potential tenants are seeing what you are seeing, look at it from their point of view.

Do they offer online payment for rent? Can tenants schedule maintenance requests online? 

If a property management company's website doesn't work or has only sparse information, keep scrolling. If they aren't investing in a robust website that informs and helps both tenants and landlords work with properties, that company probably going the extra mile for their customers.

Quality Marketing Materials

How is the quality of the company's marketing materials? You want your properties represented with high-quality promotional materials.

Your best property management company has professional quality materials, for both print and digital. Get samples of fliers and listings. If they look like they were printed on a home inkjet printer, the company's commitment to quality isn't up to par. 

Look for property listings online. Search several websites for consistency between listings. Check for professional-quality photos, property details, and clear contact information.  Don't sacrifice promotional quality when choosing the right property management company for you. 

Technology From Start to Finish

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Today's best property management companies invest in technology. They use technology from start to finish with tenants and landlords. Tenants should be able to fill out an application online. They'll also pay rent online and make requests through the property management company's website. 

Landlords should be able to see financial reports in real time. The company's website is a hub for information, requests, and documents.  Property management technology makes the process of renting and managing properties more efficient. Efficiencies help save time and money to give you more bang for your investment buck. 

Positive Reviews and Willing References

We rarely do anything these days without a Google search to check reviews. The same idea applies when researching property management companies.  Ask other landlords in the area about the companies you're considering. If others have worked with these companies, their insight is valuable. 

Don't be afraid to ask the property management company for references. To win your business, they should be willing to let you contact some of their clients to discuss experiences.  Be sure to talk to tenants, too. The best property management companies provide excellent experiences for renters. Renter experience is critical to keeping your properties occupied. 

Thorough in Every Detail

From your first interaction with a potential property management company, you should have a good feeling. Whether you reached out by phone, email, or through a website, a prompt, eager response is a good sign of a professional company. 

Well-documented communication is essential when managing a property. Every conversation or interaction with owners and tenants is important. Each one is an opportunity for your property management company to impress you and your tenants with quality service. 

Everything they do should run like clockwork. Documents should be accurate and on time. Responses to requests from you and your tenants must take place within 24-48 hours. Repair work should happen quickly without requiring multiple follow-ups to get it right. 

As you begin communicating with a property management company, they should always be able to answer your questions or find a solution. Their job is to make you feel confident in their abilities to handle everything about your properties--from tenant screening to day-to-day details. Property management is a detailed business that requires good communication. Settle for nothing less from your property management company.

Choose a Property Management Company That Cares

Your property management company should show you they care about you and your properties. Offering the best management services is the best way to show you we care. 

Raintree Property Management is your best choice for property management in the San Diego area. Our website is a fully-integrated hub for property management. We also produce high-quality marketing materials for each property to minimize downtime between tenants. 

Contact us for a free assessment. We'd love the opportunity to review your property and show you how we can help make the most of your investment. Or, take a few moments and download our free guide to choosing the best property management company in San Diego!

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