Hiring a Commercial Property Manager or Management Company



Finding and hiring dependable management to oversee routine jobs associated with residential real estate investment property requires that you as the owner make a thorough assessment of duties, responsibilities and necessary services you will need.

Management is the point of contact with the tenants that represent your revenue. As a business investor you will want to protect your investment and be represented to your tenants as a caring owner that cares about your property.

It is especially important that a competent well qualified individual or professional management company reflect your standards as the owner as well as protects your property and your reputation. You can choose to hire larger national companies that specialize in managing commercial property, or a local property manager to live on the premises.

When hiring a company make an assessment of their capacity to oversee legal obligations to confirm if the investment is in adherence to the applicable laws of the state or country in which it is located. A manager or company must act as a mediator between renters and owners to communicate and carry out complaints, repairs and maintenance.

Professional property managers should be able to take on the important responsibilities of collecting rent, security deposits and have the ability to manage income and expenditures so that your realty business remains profitable. Not keeping accurate records can result in costly evictions and damage to your property by a disgruntled tenant.

Some investors allow the current tenants to continue to occupy the property and are notified of a change in through point of contact notices to advise them of a change in management; others may purchase an empty building and hire a manager or management company to screen potential tenants.

A property evaluation will be necessary to collect information about the current or future tenants and the operational services. An evaluation will give you a complete picture of the location, the surrounding area as well the amenities that will make your property a lucrative return on your investment

A commercial property investor with many properties to manage will want to hire a manager for one property location to supervise the day to day activities. The investor with many properties, a residential property management company with experience may be a better choice.

Residential managers can perform a variety of duties in person on behalf of the owner such as maintenance and preparing empty units for occupancy. Ongoing repairs and upkeep for units, laundry facilities, trash disposal, secure access and monitoring receive an immediate response when the manager lives on the premises.

Residential property management companies do not provide all of the same services that an on-site manager may perform. Routine tasks not performed are paying property taxes, rental property insurance, property registrations with local municipalities or government entities.

Landscaping and safety issues can be addressed by either residential managers or property management companies. Contact with outside contractors for structural repairs of damages with the owner's authorization. Advertisements for the vacant units, screening of potential tenants, keying or changing the locks, carpet cleaning and painting are responsibilities you as the owner can leave up to the residential property manager can perform on your behalf.

Property managers can prepare monthly reports to their clients. These detailed statements should include paid expenses, deposited funds, and other money transaction.