As a Sacramento area property manager for the past 16+ years, I have owned and worked for several companies, both large and small. I have always enjoyed the multi-faceted nature of our industry. A property management company is more than just a Landlord's "rent-collector". Over time, I have assumed many roles for our clients, financial adviser, strategist, mediator, sounding board.
The most important role we can play in our client's business lives is their trusted ally, their friend. I have worked for companies that did not share this view of their clients, often referring to their clients in the most negative of terms, and cautioning against "getting involved". To some, a client is just a means to an end, or in this case a fee. I never quite understood how someone could ridicule the very legs on which they stand.
Perhaps the business takes it's toll on some people, or they become resentful of their time committed to the many duties that make up their day. Whatever the cause, I think it is sad when we forget the most important aspect of our relationship with our clients.
When a client thinks of you as more than just a "stuffed shirt" or someone working for a fee, the business is the better for it. Decisions become easier to make for the client when he/she has absolute faith in your abilities, and knows full well that you would never intentionally lead them astray.
Even when times are tough, a client that counts you among their friends will be far less likely to dissolve that business relationship, whereas a client that is nothing more than an account # to a company will have little reservations about canceling services to save a few dollars.
To those who advise against "getting involved" with their clients, I say why not? As long as you can represent your clients best interests in a professional way, and your relationship does not compromise your ethical standards, why can't your clients become your friends?
Investors Choice Property Management (ICPM) manages 100 single-family units with the care and diligence our Landlord clients deserve, in a manner that has them referring their friends, co-workers and family members. With over 16 years professional property management experience, our business is 95% word-of-mouth referral, we do NO Sales, and pay among the highest referral fees in the industry for management accounts. Visit our website at www.investorschoicepm.com today for more details, and find out what we mean when we say:
“Experience Property Management the Way it Should Be.”
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