Many a property investor has gotten into rentals only to discover the business becomes a real drain on their time. Between taking care of your buildings and taking care of your tenants, you might not end up with much time to enjoy the income coming in!

Hiring a property manager works well for many landlords because managing properties is all they do and so they know all the ins and outs of the job. They know the rules and how to handle the issues.

But how do you find the best property management company for your homes? Let’s take a look at some of the most important criteria you should consider.

Local Expertise

If you own property near where you live, you could start by searching for “property management company near me”. But most likely, you’ve invested elsewhere, which is why finding a firm that knows the local market is so important. You’re relying on them to understand the market to find tenants and set rent appropriately.

A firm that’s been in the market for a while will have a contact list full of handymen and other services ready to drop by a property when a tenant has a problem. They can advise you on what neighborhoods you should consider investing in and whether certain upgrades will matter to your prospective tenants. Even if you live in the area, unless you rent yourself, you might not have a good grasp on that part of the process.

A local expert is also going to understand not just the state laws that govern the landlord-tenant relationship, but also any city codes you need to be aware of.

Flexible Services

The list of potential property management services is quite long, but maybe you don’t want (or want to pay!) for every option. If you’re fairly handy, you might consider handling property maintenance yourself. Maybe you just enjoy the interaction with your tenants and want to manage that part.

Shop around to find a manager that offers different packages so you can get the services you need. For example, McSherry Property Management has one that covers getting your property rented like tenant screening and property inspections.

Easy to Work With

Many factors go into whether a company is the right fit for you, including how they communicate and what kinds of reports they provide. Check out what systems they’re working with to see if they allow tenants to make online payments or whether they provide you with a monthly financial report in addition to your check.

The management agreement should be clear and complete about the services you’re paying for and how much you’re paying. Some might charge a flat percentage of the rent, while others will have fees for each activity completed.

Find the Best Property Management Company for You

Whether you have one property or one hundred, there are many benefits to having an experienced property manager running your rental properties for you. Choosing the best property management company to work with starts with picking someone with solid local expertise. Beyond that, consider carefully whether the company offers the services you need and how well you get on with them.

If you found this article helpful, check out others on our site related to real estate and rental investments.