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Failing to PLAN is like PLANNING to FAIL!

By
Property Manager with Gibson Management Group, Ltd.

I learned a long time ago to count on Mondays being unique in the property management business.

I don't post my rental listings on Craigslist on Mondays because I am usually too busy handling repair and maintenance requests that my residents ONLY thought about on the WEEKEND and being the end of the month, move-ins and outs are scheduled.

I also have a new client who moved out of his unit yesterday so while I was putting a key box on his vacant property and writing an e-mail for my house cleaners to schedule cleaning ASAP, I received a call from my plumber with an e-mail attachment photo of a leak he found when I sent him to a unit where the tenant reported water on the bath floor.


 


From his iPhone, he sent me a photo of the rusted toilet supply line coupling AND the leak actually coming through the dining room ceiling below.  He fixed the toilet, called me, left the AC on 60 degrees, put the key box lid back on so that I could call my carpet cleaner over to extract the moisture and install fans and a dehumidifier to dry the carpet before the new tenant moves in on Monday.

Tomorrow, I have my first back to back move-out/move-in....I PLAN to never have these EVENTS so close; however, my tenant moved out over the weekend, the home was cleaned today and my carpet cleaner cleaned the carpets right before dealing with the above toilet leak situation.

Tomorrow I will meet my repairman at the newly vacant house, check the need for any repairs, a new refrigerator will be delivered in the morning AND new residents move in in the afternoon.

I don't want these things to happen; however, when they do, I need to have a PLAN in PLACE to deal with them.

 

Posted by

Wallace S. Gibson is a Certified Property Manager with over 50 years of property management experience and expertise.  She maintains a specialized property management business in Central Virginia serving Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna and Louisa counties  

LandlordWhisperer

View our available Charlottesville, Albemarle and Lake Monticello rental homes online with photos and floor plans

"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous

 

Comments(32)

Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Wallace, I can image in your property management business you need to have a Plan and even a Backup Plan in place to handle the expected, and certainly those unexpected events. I can only image that you have to be very well organized too.

Jul 30, 2012 11:32 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

In the "olden days" I would carry a 3-ring binder of contact #s and update it 1x per month.....what a pain!

Jul 30, 2012 11:50 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Monday's are always crazy busy days.  It is like a circus act trying to keep everything moving. 

Jul 30, 2012 12:16 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Wallace, definitely having a plan in place and competent vendors who can be relied on is crucial to success in any business!

Sharon

Jul 30, 2012 02:21 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

...now the FUN part....I posted this blog on my firm's Fb page and on my plumber's page and he LIKED it throughout his FRIENDS!  Better than Angie's List!

Jul 30, 2012 08:28 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Wallace.  It is all fun and games in property management.

Jul 30, 2012 08:30 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Wallace. You must be very busy this summer because the demand for rentals has increased in most parts of the country. It is a stressful job .

Jul 30, 2012 08:58 PM
Tracy Oliva
West USA Realty - Arizona - Fountain Hills, AZ
The Oliva Team Arizona Agents

Wallace, Talk about walking on a  rope, I hope all goes well for you and your tenants, if anyone can get the job you can. good luck  E

Jul 30, 2012 09:20 PM
Keith Lawrence
Christie's International - Mahwah, NJ
ABR, SFR
Good job getting it done quick.
Jul 30, 2012 10:14 PM
Scott Fogleman
New Home Team - Richmond, VA

Wallace, your experience shows in how you handle your properties!

Jul 30, 2012 10:15 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Wallace, it sounds like you have a team in place to overcome any mishaps that may occur. Isn't it great when a plan comes together?

Jul 30, 2012 10:32 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Good morning Wallace - the more properties you're juggling, the more important those systems become. Sounds like you've got yourself a good team with some solid systems!

Jul 30, 2012 10:46 PM
Kathleen "Kathy" Price
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach, Realtors - Millville, NJ
CRS, Broker Associate, Southern NJ

A plan is always the key to success and it sounds like you have one!

Jul 30, 2012 11:15 PM
Dylan Taft
Dylan Taft Broker/Owner Taft Street Realty, Inc. - Woodstock, NY
Ulster County Area Consultant

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!  The 6 P's of....

Thanks for sharing!!

Jul 30, 2012 11:18 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

You are a lady of many talents.....I hope your week gets easier and you can enjoy it and relax a bit!

Jul 30, 2012 11:53 PM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

How great is that.... your plumber can verify to you the leak and you can authorize the repair through smart phones. The times have really changed.

Jul 31, 2012 01:32 AM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

I do not know how you do it.  Dealing with tenants sounds like a nightmare.

Jul 31, 2012 01:42 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Wallace  There is no doubt in my mind you have a plan for those times when unplanned challenges surface

Jul 31, 2012 07:35 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

I am a natural planner and seldom does anything happen where I don't have some plan in place to handle it.

Jul 31, 2012 09:16 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Thanks for sharing your adventures Wallace, sounds like you have a good plan and good people working with you to keep things moving as smoothly as possible.

Aug 10, 2012 02:43 PM