Advantages of Hiring a Property Manager
If our recent article titled, "Becoming Your Own Property Manager" did not convince you that you can take on this endeavor yourself, and you are leaning towards hiring a property
manager, then we have some things for you to consider.
Marine Property Management, Inc. in Stafford,Virginia, has been managing properties for over 6 years and offers this advice to homeowners who may be trying to make this important decision.
“The number one reason to hire a property manager is so that you don’t have to deal with the stress of being a landlord,” says Laura Gambrino. “Plain and simple, you have someone who will field all of the calls from your tenant and will take care of any issues they may have at the home. This is particularly beneficial for military families that do not reside in the same state as their rental property.”
Not only does a property manager take care of those “inconvenient” calls, but they are professionals when it comes to the process of marketing and renting your home as well.
“We are well versed in the Landlord/Tenant laws, so you can rest assured that we will take the necessary steps to screen potential tenants for your home while following state and federal guidelines,” states Laura. “We have also built a strong base for advertising and marketing the homes we manage, minimizing the time that your home will sit vacant.”
Homeowners are naturally emotional about their home, which can make it difficult to price your home competitively. An experienced property manager has their finger on the pulse of the rental market in your particular neighborhood.
“Property managers are well acquainted with the neighborhoods they manage, which allows them to advise a homeowner on an appropriate rental price that will attract potential tenants.” shares Laura. “We can also share useful tips, such as having a “no pet” policy will eliminate 75% of your particular target market. A lot of homeowners may not want pets in their home, but when they hear the statistics, it can help them to make an informed decision and to understand why it may take longer to rent their home.”
When it comes to repairs on the rental property, a property manager that has established themselves in your community will likely have a network of qualified contractors that are reliable and trustworthy.
“We always know who we can rely on when we receive the late night calls from a tenant that the sink is clogged, and we know the work will be done professionally and on a timely basis.” assures Laura.
The military lifestyle is one of quick transitions, which as a landlord this can have a whole new meaning. The process of marketing your home, screening tenants, and taking care of the property in between tenants has the potential to happen on a regular basis. Having a reliable property manager can take the stress out of owning a rental property.
For some, the decision of whether or not to hire a property manager is an easy one. For those that wonder if it is advantageous enough to incur the monthly fee, Marine Property Management offers this final piece of advice; “the piece of mind that you experience from hiring a property manager, that will take care of your home and your tenant as if it were there own, is priceless.”
