Insights and best practices for property managers

Key considerations when hiring a property manager

If you're trying to find a professional property manager, you'll need to do your research before hiring anyone. Maybe you have your heart set on a property management company because they're the only one that's ever listened to what needs doing in your area. But how do you know if they'd be worth the investment?

Key Takeaways About Professional Property Management

  • Professional property managers require proper licensing and insurance to protect your property investment.
  • Silver Homes emphasizes the importance of both full-time and part-time property management options for different needs.
  • Property managers with extensive experience offer valuable insights from navigating market cycles.
  • Financial proficiency and accurate accounting practices are essential for effective property management.
  • Property management services include comprehensive tenant screening, maintenance coordination, and rent collection.
  • Regular property inspections and maintenance schedules ensure long-term property value preservation.
  • Professional property managers utilize modern property management software and online payment systems for efficiency.

In this blog post, we'll help walk you through some of the most important qualities that prospective property managers should possess, including tenant screening procedures and property management software expertise, so that it won't be difficult for you to make a decision. And no matter which route you go down, getting professional property management support will ensure more financial stability for your company and family.

What You Should Know About Professional Property Management Services Before You Hire:

Part-time vs. Full-time Property Manager Considerations

In the property management industry, there are various levels of property managers with different rental market analysis skills. The most popular is to have full-time property management professionals responsible for leasing and managing properties. Some businesses will only use specialized part-time property managers who aren't available during certain hours of the day. As long as you're clear on whether you're looking for full-time or part-time property management services, the rest is easy to figure out.

Essential Property Manager Experience and Qualifications

The best property managers have been around for 20 years or more, maintaining excellent vacancy rates throughout market cycles. Professional property managers have seen the good times and the bad, and property management professionals have made the right decisions to get them through difficult times. When you're dealing with commercial properties, it's important that your property manager knows what they're doing. A good property manager will come with client references that you can contact. You should also ask about their property management certifications and training in case you need to know what you can expect from them when facing specific situations.

Property Management Licensing Requirements

Licensing laws vary from region to region, but in most cases a candidate must have a real estate license and understand local real estate laws before they can call themselves a property manager. If property managers are not licensed, then property managers won't be able to help you with any legal issues that might crop up. It's a good idea to ask about licensing in your state, so that you know what to expect from your property management professional.

Property Management Insurance Coverage

You'll want a property management company who is willing and able to take care of their clients through proper maintenance coordination and emergency response protocols. The most responsible property management companies will have carry liability insurance for all their representatives. If property management companies don't have insurance coverage, then you'll be responsible for whatever happens if one of their people accidentally damages your property or someone gets hurt on the premises. Take that into account when you're talking with prospective property management companies so that you can find the best fit for your needs.

Financial Management and Accounting Expertise

A full-service property management firm must know about every penny that comes out of your business through sophisticated accounting services and rent collection systems. Property managers will need to know when rent is being paid, when property maintenance is needed and even how much money is coming in each day. The only way property management professionals can do this is by reconciling all the accounts with all their representatives and making sure that everything is accurate.

Do you want to read more content like this? check out our comprehensive property management blog and resources section at our professional property management blog

Important Information about Professional Property Management

  1. Professional property managers typically charge between 8-12% of monthly rent for residential properties as their management fee.
  2. Professional property managers conduct routine property inspections quarterly to ensure property maintenance and tenant compliance.
  3. A comprehensive property manager's basic fee structure includes rent collection, maintenance coordination, tenant screening, and regular property inspections.
  4. An experienced property manager can effectively manage between 30-40 rental properties with proper systems and support staff in place.
  5. Professional property manager insurance should include general liability coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence.
  6. Professional property managers resolve tenant complaints within 24-48 hours through established communication protocols and maintenance networks.
  7. Luxury property managers should have additional certifications in high-end property management and extensive experience with premium properties.
  8. A single property manager can effectively manage up to 50 residential units or 20 commercial properties with proper support systems.
  9. Top-performing property managers maintain tenant retention rates of 80% or higher.
  10. Property management fees typically range from 4-12% of monthly rent, depending on property type and services included.