It doesn’t take long for an owner who is self-managing their property in the Phoenix metro area to realize how much work goes into being a landlord. After all, owning an investment property means you have to screen tenants, collect rent, perform property inspections, and more. And without any help, you quickly find that you have little or no time to enjoy the revenue your rental property generates.
If you’re ready to take a load off, but don’t want to give up your rental property, it’s time to find a property management company near you. Here are a few of the best ways to find a nearby property manager so you can take back your life today.
How to Find a Property Management Company Near Me
1. Talk to Those You Know and Trust
It’s not surprising that many businesses rely on positive word of mouth marketing to establish a strong reputation. This is especially true when the competition is high. People love to share their experiences with businesses. And interactions with property management companies are no different.
If you are just starting the search for a property management company near you, seek out these people first:
- Family
- Friends
- Accountants
- Real estate investors
- Property owners
- Colleagues
- Contractors
- Real estate attorneys
- Meetup group attendees
The people you know and trust will give you honest opinions about property management companies they’ve worked with. Whether positive or negative, the insight you gain can help narrow your search. Just remember to take the advice you receive with a grain of salt. You must do your own research too, as the experiences of others will not necessarily be the same for you.
2. Take to the Internet
In business, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as their family and friends. That’s why taking your search online after talking to those you trust is such a good idea. There are plenty of online reviews that will help you decide whether a property management company is worth considering.
Here are the best places to look online for a reputable Phoenix metro area property management company:
- Review Websites: it’s likely you’re familiar with websites such as Yelp, Angie’s List, Redfin, and Zillow. What you may not know is that you can find out basic information about local property management companies on them. Plus, you can read real-life reviews from people who have used those companies.
- Testimonial Websites: another great website to look at is Glassdoor.com. Here, you’ll find testimonials of both current and past employees of property management companies. This is important because a company treats its customers only as good as its employees. This is information you’ll want to consider when looking for a nearby property manager.
- Property Management Websites: all property management companies worth looking into will have an official website. This website will have the services they provide. In addition, there will be customer testimonials and contact information. It should also have tenant and property owner portals. If you’re really lucky, you’ll even see the vacant rental properties the company is advertising.
In the end, a property management company will seek to make your life easier. It will offer the services you need. It will have people on hand to answer your questions. And of course, its managers will care for your tenants so that they want to sign lease renewals.
3. Look into Online Ads
Besides performing a simple Google search for local property management companies, you should also look at online advertisements. Online ads will show you exactly how a property management company promotes vacant rentals.
Good vacancy ads will showcase the best parts of your rental property for tenants to see. For example, it will have high-quality photographs and descriptive and convincing details. Also, it will include transparent contact information. Even better, if you use a company such as Brewer & Stratton, your advertisement will include a 3D virtual tour of your property, which is very appealing to potential tenants.
A tenant’s ability to see what you have to offer and get in touch if interested will make or break your success as a landlord. The better your rental property is advertised, the higher your chances of placing a high-quality tenant.
4. Talk to Existing Tenants
A great way to find out whether a property management company is worth considering is to talk to existing residents. The property manager you choose will have a lot of contact with your tenants. The better that relationship is, the more likely your tenants will want to stay.
36% of Phoenix metro area households are renter-occupied. And experts agree that this number will likely continue to rise. Because of this, chances are high you know someone that leases a rental and has contact with a property management company you’re interested in.
When you talk to existing tenants, it’s a good idea to ask them questions such as:
- How do you pay rent each month?
- What happens when you have a maintenance or repair request?
- Have you ever had direct contact with the property owner?
- What is your property manager like?
- How easy is it to communicate with their staff?
- How often is the property inspected?
- Do you feel the rent rate is fair?
- Would you renew your lease?
Tenants are going to tell it like it is when it comes to their experiences with their property manager. And since the satisfaction of your residents is what helps you generate revenue, it’s important the property management company you hire strive for superior customer service.
5. Drive by Nearby Properties
If you can’t get in touch with existing tenants, there’s always the option of driving by nearby rentals you know are managed by a property management company you’re considering.
Smart property owners know they need to maintain the property’s curb appeal 24/7. People interested in a rental are going to form a first impression the moment they pull up to your property. If the curb appeal is less than stellar, it will be difficult to convince prospective tenants that the inside is worth it.
When you drive by a rental property, be on the lookout for things such as:
- Trash in the yard
- A rundown, dirty exterior
- Broken roof shingles
- Overgrown landscaping
If you see any of these things, the property manager is likely not performing routine inspections. At the very least, the property manager is not holding those tenants responsible for the home they are living in.
In the end, you don’t want to risk leasing your property to tenants that aren’t held to high expectations by the property manager. You also want to make sure the lease agreement clearly outlines your expectations and what will happen if tenants fail to meet those expectations.
Are you in need of a reputable property management company near you? If so, contact us today and see how we can help you earn the passive income you’ve always desired.
At Brewer & Stratton, we never want you to worry about handling the day-to-day operations that come with your investment property. With our full-service property management approach, everything is done for you. From professional advertising, tenant screening, and annual recordkeeping to 24/7 maintenance and repairs, we’ve got you covered. Throw in some exceptional customer service your tenants are sure to love, and you’ll see in no time that we are the #1 property management company in the Phoenix metro area.