Showing posts with label Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Company. Show all posts

Professional Property Management: Functions of the Management Company

Property Management Functions:

» Agency
» Maximizing Occupancy
» Financial Reporting
» Communication
» legal Compliance
» Maintenance Coordination

Property

Agency

Professional Property Management: Functions of the Management Company

The property manager's primary task for successful management is a comprehensive understanding an owner's goals and expectations. As agent or fiduciary for the owner, the property manager makes it an absolute priority to remain loyal to and honest with the owner at all levels of the transaction management process, including property management.

Maximizing Occupancy

Occupancy levels of properties determine their income. The financial implications of vacancies for owners are the number one concern. Therefore, maximizing the occupancy of all properties is the primary goal of any management company. Yet depending on the amount of upside potential of a property versus the cost of obtaining new tenants, the strategy employed for maximizing occupancy may vary considerably from one property to the next. An outstanding manager excels in determining the best course of action, either for retaining existing tenants or finding new tenants. If finding new tenants is the chosen objective, after a careful evaluation of market rents, the manager uses every means of advertising at its disposal to get results: on site post and banner advertising, creative and aggressive custom web campaigns with videos, or newspaper advertising -- with the aid of publicists if necessary and within budget.

Financial Reporting

A key responsibility of the property management company is the preparation of financial reports for the owners. Since financial reports are designed to meet the specific accounting needs of owners, the frequency, format, and detail level of financial reporting required is dictated by the owners. The number of reports issued and timing of reports also varies depending on property ownership structure and the accounting or supervisory needs of owners. State-of-the-art property management software to achieve the most proficient custom financial reporting is a must.

Communication

Owners expect their real estate managers to know more about their properties than anyone else and, more importantly, to communicate that knowledge frequently and in detail. The frequency of communication expected will vary from owner to owner. Different levels of ownership experience, varying property types, conditions, and locations all make for varying degrees and frequency of reporting required. A great management company is expert at working with owners to determine the right amount and frequency of reporting required to achieve expert communication whilst maintaining the highest level of management productivity. Best of all, with the online owner information portal, owners can easily access property information, rent rolls, and property financials anytime.

Legal Compliance

A management company has to be careful to fulfill all legal requirements-federal, state, or local- for managing and operating their property. Key legal issues to be dealt with include Landlord-tenant law, lease negotiation, evictions, and property specific concerns pertaining to various property types (common interest realty associations, multifamily, commercial, office, shopping centers, etc.).

Maintenance Coordination

Time and use take their toll on property. Owners expect their real estate managers to protect their investments by maintaining the physical aspects of the structures and common areas. Because a carefully maintained property keeps residents and tenants happy and preserves the property's appeal, it is also critical to ensuring continued occupancy and, ultimately, cash flow. A good property manager therefore approaches maintenance with the following objectives in mind: achieving optimal functioning of property; reducing operating costs; extending the useful life of equipment; achieving tenant satisfaction; increasing tenant retention; and maximizing property income and value. But the degree of maintenance required, spanning from cosmetic repair and preventive maintenance to corrective or emergency repairs, depends on many factors such as property cash flow, investment horizon, and degree of pride of ownership.

Professional Property Management: Functions of the Management Company

MW Real Estate Group is built upon a long tradition of best commercial real estate brokerage and property management practices as set forth by National Association of Realtors endorsed CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management). Mr. Baschung holds the CCIM and CPM® designations, the culmination of rigorous post-graduate education and verified experience conferred by CCIM and IREM. Under his supervision the company has successfully executed all facets of investment property due diligence, financing, acquisition, management, and disposition.

Developing Your Property Management Business Plan - How to Start a Property Management Company

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:

Developing Your Property Management Business Plan - How to Start a Property Management Company

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.