6 Questions to Answer Before Hiring a Property Manager


an apartment or condo associations, your committee must make some tough decisions. One of the hardest - what asset management the opportunity to choose. And who was put through the paces from the incompetent or untrustworthy manager understands the adverse selection can be.

Take the example of Ohio-based Lakewood Condo Association Condominium Association, who sued their real estate management group on charges of stealing more than $ 830,000 and allowing associations due bills go unpaid. asset management group is charged with, among other things, lying about the association has more than $ 217,000 in CDs at the bank. CDs, according to court documents, were withdrawn in January 2006 and over $ 378,000 in reserves is still missing.

It's hard enough to decide to hire outside firm for asset management. impact on earnings is significant enough that many organizations decide to deal with managing in-house. However, if the task was too much for her to handle associations, there are ways to access to employment outside the company that can help reduce your risk.

Determine your needs:

    What do you expect the management company to handle? choose the parameters of your relationship with the asset manager. What percentage of rented or occupied units do not require you, as a minimum? Will your property manager oversees projects such as remodels or upgrades? Will Head a set annual budget, which will carry an annual examination and report? How do you check the monthly financial reports?
When looking for a manager to ask the following questions:

    company is licensed (if applicable in your country)? What are the security manager is? Get copies of all policies, including those that cover the company's employees? Does the manager has experience managing similar properties? What is the process of collecting the rent and the association fees? Delinquencies? As a manager you charge? Are there any additional fees? If so, for what? Will the manager be proactive in preventing problems, or is it a more passive response process?
Get and check references. Also, make sure the company has a physical location, and to visit. Expect your property manager to be present at board meetings. Work with Manager to establish transparent financial relationship so that the association does not become a victim.

What have your experiences been with asset management?