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When you’re choosing a property management company, we always like to advise potential clients to shop around. We prefer that you’ve talked to other companies before you call us. It takes time to get educated on the process, so if you’ve spoken to other companies before calling us, you have a good sense of how people operate.
This gives the different companies a chance to distinguish themselves. Your rental property is one of the most valuable assets you’ll ever own. It produces income and maintains a certain quality of life for you and your family. So, it’s worth it to take your time and shop around. Make sure you choose a company that meets your values and has the same end goal as you.
How to Choose a Property Management Company
Look for experience and reputation. Google is your friend in this circumstance. Find out what you can about the company. Everyone puts their best foot forward during an interview, but you want to look for any skeletons in the closet. We don’t say this to be negative about our competition, but we do want people to be educated about what they’re getting. Go to the California Bureau of Real Estate’s website. You can look up the license number of the principal and the agent. See if they have any violations. Check the Better Business Bureau, and make sure the company you work with has a website. If there’s not a lot of history on the internet, this could be a cause for concern. A lot of property management companies pop up overnight. If there’s no history and no substance, you’ll pay for that as a property owner. It’s not a position you want to be in.
Property Management Burlingame: Pricing and Services
Price is the least of your concerns when you’re shopping for a management company, so put that in the back of your mind and concentrate on services. At the minimum, you need a property inspection annually. You also want a property management company with written screening criteria so you know how they will screen tenants for credit, income, and references. Make sure the company is properly staffed. Visit the office if you have time, and ask for a brochure. It can be hard to get a property manager on the phone because we’re out in the field a lot, so send an email and see what kind of response you get. There are hundreds of other ways to qualify a management company. We’d be happy to talk more and provide you with a list of questions that the Bureau of Real Estate publishes that can be useful when you’re looking for a Burlingame property management company. Please contact us at Five Star Property Management.