5 Things To Ask When Searching For A Property Manager

Whether you own one property or dozens of rentals, hiring a property management company can help you take the headache out of your real estate investment. Between advertising your home, vetting tenants, accepting deposits, and handling emergency phone calls, the proper management firm makes owning a property more manageable than ever. While there are numerous rental management companies to work with in the greater Boston area, they are not all created equal. There are several questions you should ask before signing a contract with a property manager, detailed below. 

What are the qualifications for professional property management?

In most states, individuals can get specialty licenses that prove they are skilled and trustworthy enough to manage rental properties. Although Massachusetts does not require specific licenses for property managers, it’s better to work with CJL as we have taken that extra step. CJL holds an Unrestricted Construction Supervisor's License and Broker's License.

How much will they nickel-and-dime me?

Property management fees vary by company, but it’s best to avoid firms that charge fees over 10% of the monthly revenues. You will also want to consider any itemized charges for services versus flat monthly rates. 

Though other firms may be cheaper upfront, they often nickel-and-dime you for services, making them far more expensive than they first appear. At CJL, we are upfront about our fees, have our own maintenance crew, and never nickel-and-dime you, period. 

What is appropriate availability?

If you interview a property management company with hundreds of rentals, it may be cause for concern. With so many listings, they might not have enough attention for your property, leading to angry tenants and high turnover. Many agencies simply take the keys and have multiple people working on your listing. 

At CJL, we do things differently. We have one dedicated agent working on your property, ensuring that any questions you have are answered promptly.  Our entire team works together to find the ideal tenant (or tenants) to rent your home. Moreover, our agents always give 110% to our listings, never competing with each other. We simply want you to have the very best tenant for your property! 

Can they provide references from clients?

Any property management company that has been in business for a significant amount of time should have plenty of references to share with you. These references may be current or past property owners, real estate brokers, or tenants. If they don’t have references, be wary. CJL has over one hundred positive Google reviews and counting. 

Is there anything else I should know before hiring this person as my property manager?

Some additional factors to consider include how they find and screen tenants for your property. At CJL, we run detailed background checks and verify employment history. Others are not as stringent, which puts you and your property at risk. Moreover, proper marketing helps ensures that you get top dollar for your investment. 
Contact us today to learn more about property management services in the greater Boston area.