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A Quick Guide to Home Mailboxes
Everyone in the United States gets mail. This means that every one in the United States needs a mailbox. If you are in need of a mailbox, or if you just want to purchase a new mailbox for your home, you may want some information about your options...
Choosing The Right Mortgage For You
This article will help you understand the differences between a variety of mortgage options. There are many different mortgage products offered by the various lending institutions in Canada, so you may not know what features to look for.
As...
Cooking up a Lighting Plan for your Kitchen
Your kitchen, more than any other room in your home, needs a good well thought out lighting plan. Today's kitchens have many more functions than just cooking a meal. For many families it is the most frequently used room in the house. Besides the...
Motion Detector Technology
Motion detectors are in use all around us in both residential and commercial locations. There are many common uses for motion detectors that most people find convenient and helpful in very common, everyday situations, and there will be some new...
Wired. It's More than the Name of a Magazine
Recently I posted a couple of articles on my blog that discussed the new products that were being introduced at February's International Homebuilder's Tradeshow in Orlando, and how they will ultimately change the way new homes are built in the...
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Property Investment – Finding The Right Property Manager
Many property investors will choose to manage their own properties, especially if they live within a short distance. However, for many investors it just may not be feasible to take on the management of their properties if they are spread out between different states and countries. In these cases they may appoint a property manager to take care of the affairs concerning the rental and management of the properties in return for a monthly fee.
The benefits of appointing a property manager can easily outweigh the reasons not to do so. A good manager will always communicate effectively with the owner under all circumstances and the tasks they perform
The tasks and duties of a property manager are wide ranging and will vary depending on the requirements of the property owner. Here is a list of the some of them:
Advertise for and screen (credit checks, contact referees) potential tenants
Collect initial bond/security payment
Collect monthly rents
Arrange any necessary repairs
Periodic property inspections and inventories
Pay workmen, gardeners, council rates and other bills out of incoming rent
Make regular rental payments to the landlord
Contact landlord upon tenants giving notice to vacate property
Liaise with landlord to arrange for repairs over a certain value
Issue relevant notices and letters to tenants
Provide rent and expense statements to landlord
This is just a sample of the duties carried out by a property manager. Ultimately a good property manager is not the one that charges the lowest fees. Most managers in the location where your property is situated will charge similar fees however their ability to manage the property according to your requirements will differ and so it’s necessary to carry out a strict screening process.
The best way to screen a number of property managers is to ask them a
series of pre-defined questions. Some owners prefer to do this in a face to face interview; others are content with perhaps a phone call and emails.
So what questions would you need to ask? There are a few different aspects of property management that need to be looked at and so I’ve categorised some possible questions accordingly.
Fees and Service
What monthly fees do you charge?
How many properties do you manage?
Do you charge letting fees?
How often do you carry out inspections?
Relationship
How often are payments to landlords made?
Under what circumstances do you contact a landlord?
Tenants
How do you find and screen prospective tenants?
How often do you collect rent?
What is the typical notice period?
How do you deal with non-payment of rent?
Maintenance
What action is taken if a tenant was to damage the property?
How do you manage minor and major repairs?
How long have you been dealing with your preferred tradespeople?
These are only sample questions and will differ according to your situation however they do provide an outline of what you may need to ask.
At the end of the day, don’t settle for less than what you expect from a property manager. After all, this is your investment, purchased with your well-earned money, which you are putting in their hands. Do whatever you need to ensure it is in the hands of someone you consider capable and trustworthy.
About the Author: Tim Wright is an international property investor and regular article contributor. He is the author of "Bulgarian Property - The Overseas Buyers' Kit” available at http://www.bulgarianpropertybuyer.co.uk
Source: www.isnare.com
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