Skip to Content

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Southwest Michigan Property Manager

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Southwest Michigan Property Manager

Property managers are responsible for the day-to-day tasks of managing your home, placing a tenant, and collecting rent. The details take a lot of time. You want to work with a company that also understands and embraces your investment goals and helps you earn more ROI on your rental property.

Before you choose a management company, there are a number of things you should discuss. Today, we’re helping you start the process by providing the first five questions you should ask any property manager before you sign a management contract.

What Kind of Experience Do You Have?

A property manager’s experience will ensure he or she knows how to handle anything that comes up with your property or your tenants. A good management company will have spent some time on tenant screening, rent collection, property inspections, and pricing rental homes. Years of experience are great, but what you really want to ask is how their experience has made them better property managers. Usually, it takes a few mistakes to gain experience. Find out what kind of mistakes were made and what was learned. You also want to make sure the management company has experience in the types of properties you own. Don’t hire a commercial property management expert if you only have single-family homes to manage.

What is Your Leasing Process?

You’re looking for specifics. Don’t be satisfied with a company that says they market your home, screen your tenants, and get the lease signed. Find out where they market your property and what kind of pictures they include with the listing. Ask if they show the property in person or if prospective tenants use a self-showing program. Find out what their standard rental criteria is, and what they do to document the condition of your home before a tenant moves in. Ask how they determine the rental price and how long your home will be vacant before a qualified tenant is placed.

How do You Handle Maintenance?

Good property managers in Southwest Michigan will have a process for routine maintenance and emergency maintenance. Ask how tenants are instructed to report repair issues and whether the company has in-house vendors or uses outside professionals. You’ll want to make sure all vendors and contractors are licensed and insured. Be sure to discuss preventative maintenance and whether inspections are conducted during the tenancy to check for maintenance issues.

When and How is Rent Collected and Paid?

Typically, rent is due on the first of the month. Ask the management company if tenants can pay rent online, and what the process is when rent is late. Don’t be afraid to discuss eviction, grace periods, and late fees. You’ll want to know if the late fee is paid to you or to the management company when a tenant falls behind. It’s also important to know when you get paid. Ask about accounting statements and how you’ll be able to track the income and expenses associated with your property.

How Will We Communicate?

How Will We Communicate?Any time there’s a problem between a property manager and an owner, it usually goes back to poor communication. Find out how your property manager communicates. With all the technology available in the industry, you should have an online portal where you can follow the progress of your property. You should also be able to reach your property managers when you have a question or need help. Make sure the lines of communication are open, and choose a management company that’s accessible and willing to help.

We’d love to tell you more about our services and share some additional ideas about how to interview potential management companies. Please contact us at Real Property Management Southwest Michigan.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details