The recent real estate "crisis" has caused a number of beneficial effects on the property management industry. There has never been a better time to consider starting a property management business than right now.
1. Houses are not selling, therefore homeowners that need to move and/or investors are forced to rent their units out; thus increasing the rental property supply chain.
2. Houses are foreclosing by homeowners and being bought by investors that in turn rent the property out. This increases the amount of supply as well.
3. The homeowners that were foreclosed upon will now be renters. Thus increasing the rental pool and increasing demand.
Property
The above items create a perfect storm for the Property Management Business Industry. The purpose of my article is to present and discuss the 6 categories that are paramount in developing your property management business plan:
1. Executive Summary
2. General Company Description
3. Description of Services
4. Marketing Plan
5. Operational Plan
6. Budget
1. Executive Summary - Include everything that you would cover in a five-minute interview. Who are the owners, what is their experience in this industry? Explain the fundamentals of your business. What do you think the future holds for your business and your industry? Make it enthusiastic, professional, complete, and concise.
2. General Company Description - This includes your mission, vision and company commitments, Who is your target market (higher/lower end residential, multi-family, commercial), what price range of properties will you target, what area(s) will you target, who are the prospective tenants and what's the future of your industry? Form of ownership, what factors will make the company succeed? What strengths do you personally bring to the business? Long term: What are your plans for the future of your business? Growth? If so, at what rate and how will you achieve it?
3. Description of Services - Describe in depth your property management service structure. What will you perform on a monthly basis for your property owners? What will be your monthly fee structure? What additional services will you offer such as evictions, project management, maintenance and what will your fee structure and profit center look like?
Much of your service offering will be developed by performing a complete competitive analysis. Your offering needs to be correctly place in the marketplace to make yourself unique. You should know your competitions monthly fee structure, how many properties they manage, number of managers, etc.
4. Marketing Plan - Bottom line: Your plan for how to attract clients. How will you get your company and offer in front of your prospective property owners. How will you utilize the following: (website, SEO (search engine optimization) plan, online marketing, signs, advertisements, associations, relationships, networking, direct mail campaigns, signs, yellow pages, calling for rent by owners, etc.)
By the way, there are methods that are much more effective than others for a start up real estate management company. Be sure to do your proper research before you unnecessarily spend money.
5. Operational Plan - Explain the daily operation of your business; (its location, equipment, people, processes, and surrounding environment.) If you are starting out opening your own prop mgt business, you will want to spend the majority of your free time in marketing techniques.
6. Budget and Financials - Includes your start up expenses, capital expenses and expected monthly recurring expenses. If you are starting out a your business with 0 properties as I did, you will want to start with a minimal budget in mind. Keep your costs as low as possible. What is your expected income based on your predicted growth rate?
Conclusion: Properly developing your property management business plan is the key to your success. Starting a property management business can be very rewarding, however not having the right direction and foresight from the beginning can blind you and your business. Remember; "Failing to properly plan is properly planning to fail."
Developing Your Property Management Business Plan - How to Start a Property Management Company
Patrick Rogers is the owner of Rents2Riches, a Property Management Business Coaching Company that is dedicated to the phenomenal development and growth of the Property Management Industry. Patrick also develops marketing products that help existing and startup Property Managers get more clients and learn the tips and tricks in operating a Property Management Business.
Patrick offers his own personal property management business plan free for download at PropertyManagementBusinessPlan.com.