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They make us the HEROS....Who is on your "management" team?

By
Property Manager with Gibson Management Group, Ltd.

With my summer move-in/move-outs a week or so away, I'm alerting the vendors and service personnel on my management team about my upcoming needs for their services

1)  I have a Class B LICENSED contractor that I use for painting, repairs, blinds - almost everything that does not involve pulling an electric or gas line permit * then he has brothers/cousins/in-law who can do the work.

2)  I have an EXCELLENT carpet cleaning business - family owned, come when I call and I provide their card with my move-out instruction letter.

3)  I have a GOOD, professional cleaning firm * local although they are a national franchise.  Since I charge a 20% service charge of any charges taken from departing tenants' deposits, I encourage them to have carpets and rental home cleaned professionally so that I don't have to an charge them the actual cost PLUS my 20%.

4) I have a GREAT HVAC firm * owners moved from a house this weekend and new residents are moving in next week.  Owners noticed no cooling in upstairs unit before departure and let me know via e-mail.  They were confused as units were just serviced.  When I called THEIR service firm, they could not schedule an appt before new tenants move in so I took a key to my HVAC firm who got to the home within 2 hours, found the condensor was shot and e-mail repair options to owner before the end of the day.  AC will be up and running for new resident move-in....I'm the HERO.

5)  I have a WONDERFUL lawn care firm - I can call or e-mail and get a property mowed and SPIFFED up within a few days....they will mulch, mow and remove tree/storm debris.

I am always amazed that when people want to start their own PM firms, they don't think of the property service providers when accummulating items on their To DO list....I think they are the MOST IMPORTANT part of the process and a THANK YOU every so often is also important.

 

Who is on your team?

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  

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Comments(4)

Brian Kreick
Willinger Real Estate - Wenatchee, WA

Do you charge the owner 20% on top of any repairs for the property as well?

Jun 06, 2008 04:25 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

NO - actual cost of repairs only EXCEPT if the item is deducted from the tenant's deposit and then I charge TENANT 20%....it's in my lease.

Jun 06, 2008 09:13 AM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

Vendors are important, but most important is picking good tenants.  Without a good paying tenant, we cannot pay the good vendors.

Jun 07, 2008 05:27 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I don't disagree; however, in my high-end area - if the property is not maintained AT FIRST SIGHT, good tenants don't even look at them.

I've had Realtors call me who have showed one of my vacant units wanting to know if the owner has just left the property * it looks so good.  In actuality, when owners are vacating, I ALWAYS offer to have homes cleaned and carpets cleaned professionally * within 90 days of renting this is a tax deduction * so that my STANDARD of care is established from day one of the lease.....and it takes a "to do" item off their list.  Just get me the keys and I'll get it "rent ready"!

In property presentations, I often refer to "yellow page" management....owners who don't know any different and go to the vendor with the BIGGEST ad in the Yellow Pages....these are often the most expensive vendors with the poorest service - they only think of clients as using them 1X....I want a RELATIONSHIP with vendors so that they appreciate the business I give them and service my properties, clients and tenants.

Every quarter or so when I pay vendor bills, I provide the PROMAS vendor payment details sheet from the beginning of the year so that they will SEE how much $$$ I have paid them and appreciate it.

 

Jun 08, 2008 12:26 AM