landlord property management

The Pitfalls of DIY Landlord Property Management

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So you want to be a landlord – and a real estate manager. 

Sure, income properties remain as a winning investment. But if you already have one or three, perhaps you’re trying to manage the property yourself. But are you really ready for DIY property management?

A landlord property management company knows the ins and outs of how to handle operations at an income property and can take a load off your shoulders and even save you money.

Here are some problems you might run into if you try to go it alone…

A Missing or Inadequate Lease Agreement

Do you know everything that should go into a residential lease agreement? You can be sure that a property management company does. 

You may have a “good feeling” and a handshake agreement with a tenant, but it can burn you down the road. A lease is a legally binding agreement that outlines the monthly rental rate, conditions that need to be followed, how the deposit is handled and more. (And by the way, make sure you get that security deposit.)

Without one, you don’t have much of a leg to stand on if the tenant decides to cause you trouble down the road. 

Long Vacancies

When a tenant decides to leave, they can do so with little or no notice (another reason to have a lease agreement.) In any case, you might not have the time or expertise to attract a quality tenant, meaning the property might be vacant for months, eating your profits. 

A landlord property management company can help you properly prepare and advertise the home, which can cut down on how long the home stays empty. They also know how to adjust the rental rates according to the local rental market. 

Dealing With Repairs

Referring back to that lease agreement – make sure you outline who is responsible for any damage to the property from neglect and whether they can renovate the home in any way. 

Regardless of who is financially responsible, you may find yourself getting calls to check on a noisy fridge or a leaky faucet every week. And you may or may not have the skills to fix it. 

A property management company usually has a list of bonded contractors they can turn to that can handle maintenance and repairs on your behalf. And it might be cheaper than doing the job yourself, especially if you botch it or ignore regulations. 

Less Time For Everything Else

If you think you’re saving some money by avoiding hiring a landlord property management company, think again. It can end up costing you more than money – it can take up your time. From responding to complaints to making trips to pick up late rent checks, your family and personal time can take a hit. 

Hire a Landlord Property Management Company

Having an experienced landlord property management company on your side can save you time and money, while also helping you avoid legal pitfalls from an improper lease or not following local regulations. 

Find out more about how you can avoid DIY property management problems by contacting us today! 

questions to ask a property manager

5 Questions to Ask a Property Manager Before Hiring

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Over 2,600 new renters enter the property market in the U.S every day. This high demand for rental accommodation makes property investment an attractive option.

However, managing your tenants and properties takes a lot of time and effort. Property management companies take the stress off your hands. Knowing what questions to ask a property manager will help you hire the right one for your investments.

Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of a property manager – and what to ask before you hire one.

Why Hire a Property Manager?

A good property manager builds great relationships with your tenants to ensure they stay longer and pay rent on time. They’ll also negotiate supplier contracts for cost efficiencies, and save you weeks of time each year handling tenant queries.

However, some property managers perform better than others. Keep reading to find out how to find the best one for your properties.

Vital Questions to Ask a Property Manager to Find the Right One

You’ll naturally ask questions of any service provider about their fee structure, rates, and contract terms. Those are quantifiable things that are easy to compare between providers.

To find the right property manager for you, however, it’s important to dig deeper. Ask these questions to find out if they’re The One.

1. What Type of Tenants Have You Previously Managed?

If you’re investing in luxury condos, your typical tenants may differ from student-centric accommodation. They’ll have different needs and lifestyles.

A good property management company will have relevant experience with your preferred tenant type.

2. How Will You Ensure a Positive Cash Flow?

Property managers ensure your tenants pay their rent on time. They also keep an eye on other finances – such as your garbage disposal and utilities contracts – to see where you can make savings.

A proactive manager will identify areas for improvement, investment, and savings to keep your cash flow predictable.

3. Will You Help Me Keep Units Occupied?

Ask about the experience and the contact book of your property manager. They should be able to build great relationships with tenants to identify those who plan to move out well before they leave.

They’ll draw on their experience and market knowledge to fill units like this ahead of time, meaning they’re never left empty.

4. Do You Keep Up-To-Date with Housing Regulations?

Ask about the ongoing professional education your property manager takes. Do they read trade magazines? Attend networking events? Study for qualifications?

Awareness of housing and building regulations is essential to making sure you’re operating your rental business within the law at all times.

5. How Do You Prefer to Communicate and Deliver Reports?

Your rental property investment is a business: your property manager needs to understand the implications of this. Ask if they produce monthly reports and hold regular meetings with landlords.

Find out, too, if they have a communication policy: can you only call or email them? What about if you want to visit your property? A good manager will be happy to communicate in the way you prefer.

Speak to an Expert Property Manager Today

Knowing what questions to ask a property manager makes it tempting to send off a list of questions in an email to lots of possible suppliers. This isn’t going to deliver reliable results, though. Email makes it easy to claim anything to secure a contract – meaning replies could be insincere. 

You need to speak to your property manager on the phone at least – and ideally in person – to make sure they’re the right fit for you. Contact our expert team today to arrange an appointment – they’re guaranteed to answer any questions you may have about managing your properties!

how to be a property manager

How To Be A Property Manager Successfully

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Approximately 34% of American adults rent the home or apartment they live in. With more people renting than at any other time in the past 50 years, investors are starting to look for rental properties to buy. Most investors don’t have the time or experience needed to manage their own properties.

This why they typically hire professionals to manage their properties. If you are interested in how to be a property manager, then you need to get ready for some hard work. While managing various properties can be time-consuming, it is worth the effort considering how lucrative this job can be.

The following are some of the things you should consider when trying to become a successful property manager.

Getting Familiar With The Properties You Manage

When trying to become a successful property manager, you need to work on getting to the know the ins and outs of the properties you have been tasked with overseeing. The more a person knows about the inside and outside of a property, the easier they will find it to maintain it.

A familiarity with the vital systems a property has is also a great way to catch repair issues early on. Staying one step ahead of these problems is essential when trying to keep clients happy.

If a new property manager ignores the need for this in-depth property knowledge, it can lead to a variety of mistakes being made. The last thing you want is to upset a new client with poor service. This is why you need to invest time and effort into familiarizing yourself with properties you have been hired to manage.

Work On Being Available and Dependable

One of the main reasons why property owners hire a management firm is to save time and money. A property owner needs to find a property manager who can help them whenever they have a problem at one of their homes or apartments.

Having success as a property manager will require you to work on being dependable. If you tell a client you are going to do something, you need to follow through.

If you get a reputation for being unreliable, you will have a hard time landing new clients. The key to keeping tenants happy is under-promising and over-delivering on a consistent basis.

Put the Right Team in Place

As your property management business starts to grow, you will find handling all of the work on your own impossible. Instead of letting important tasks fall through the cracks, you need to outsource some of these responsibilities to a third-party.

Working with a larger and more experienced property management firm is a great way to ensure tasks are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

Learning How to Be a Property Manager Takes Time

Instead of getting in a hurry, you need to realize that learning how to be a property manager is not an overnight process. While you will have to spend a lot of time learning the ropes of property management, it will be worth it in the long run.

Are you looking to outsource parts of your property management business? If, contact us now to find out how we can help.

hiring a property manager

5 Ways Hiring a Property Manager Can Save You Money

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Fun Fact: Over 10% of all housing in America is vacant all year round. That’s an alarming statistic when you consider that many of these properties don’t have to be.

If you’re in the situation where you want to rent your property but you don’t the best way to do it then worry no more. We’re going to tell you why hiring a property manager will be the best decision you’ve made in years.

1. Less Time Vacant

It goes without saying that no one living in your property equals no income from rent or other payments. The longer your property sits vacant the more money you are losing. This applies to both property upkeep and lost income.

One of the most efficient ways to combat this is to consider hiring a property manager. Established property management services have the tools in place to ensure your property gets exposed to a larger market. This can dramatically reduce the time it takes to secure a new tenant, saving you a lot of money.

2. A Higher Class of Tenant

With that said, you don’t want just anyone living in your property. If you get stuck with a bad tenant then there are ways to get rid of them, but why go through all that hassle?

Hiring a property manager can ensure that you only get the type of people that you want living in your property. This is ensured through a process of rigorous tenant screening conducted by the property management company.

This won’t just save you money from common problems with nightmare tenants, such as unpaid bills either. It will also give you some much-needed peace of mind.

3. No Nonsense Approach to Rent Collection

On the subject of bad tenants, if you’re already stuck with one, or one slipped through the net then don’t worry. Hiring a property manager takes the hassle out of difficult situations like rent collection.

If you’ve been in the situation of listening to ridiculous excuses why rent can’t be paid before then you know how hard it can be. Hiring a property manager can remove this grueling task. This is achieved by adopting a tighter rent collection policy, ensuring payment is on-time, every time.

4. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

There really is no end to the list of things a competent property management company can do. We’ve mentioned how hiring a property manager can help with rent collection, but that’s just the start. A property manager can also:

  • Handle repairs and contractors
  • Field phone calls on your behalf
  • Liaise with tenants (including handling evictions)
  • Renew leases
  • Collect Rend

And much, much more. You’re not going to understand the true power of a property management company until you get in touch. However, it’s needless to say that you will have more time for yourself with the property manager handling all the small stuff.

5. The Law of the Land

As with many things, the law associated with property ownership and renting can be a minefield. If you don’t know the rules and regulations to the letter then you can find yourself in hot water.

This is where hiring a property manager really helps. Sure, they can take care of all the stuff we’ve mentioned before. But the real power of a good property management company comes from their industry knowledge.

A professional property management company knows all the applicable laws. Because of this, they’ll be certain that you’re always obeying them.

Even if you do fall foul of an unavoidable lawsuit, the property manager will be fighting in your corner. With a property manager and their real estate attorney contacts, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re always on the right side of the law.

Hiring a Property Manager is a Win for Everyone

Now that you realize the benefits innate with hiring a property manager, what are you waiting for? Don’t let your property go vacant or your rent uncollected for a day longer. Get in touch with a professional property manager today and save yourself a fortune.

Are you in the market for a professional property manager? Get in touch with us today and see how we can help you. Also, if you’re looking for more great property management advice then why not check out our blog?

real estate questions

Important Real Estate Questions Asked By Buyers

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Are you in the market for a house?

While every person and house is different, there are some things that don’t change. For instance, every prospective buyer will always have questions about the home buying process.

We’ve got the most common real estate questions asked by buyers so you can be prepared with the answers you need to close the deal.

Let’s get started!

Financial Real Estate Questions

Money is an important part of life and a major part of every real estate transaction. Many of the questions buyers have will have to do with the financial aspects of the undertaking.

Some of the financial real estate answers that buyers will want may include:

Does the House Have a Mortgage?

An interested buyer is going to want to know what kind of financial debt is associated with the house. This may include questions about the current mortgage or whether there are any liens on the property.

They’ll also want to know what kind of restrictions are on the property for building, changing, or developing as they wish. No one wants to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for their dream project only to learn they can’t build what they want on the land they’ve just paid for.

What Are the Property Taxes?

Another of the expenses that most buyers are curious about before signing on the dotted line is the amount of property taxes. No one wants to be shocked when the property tax bill comes in and it is a lot higher than expected.

What About Commissions, Inspections, Fees?

Before entering negotiations or putting an offer in on the house, a buyer will want to know all the expenses associated with buying this property. These include the commissions, inspections fees, and other expenses they’ll have to shell out before moving in.

Inspector Gadget

Almost every buyer will have some questions about the state of the house they are considering. While they can walk through it a hundred times themselves, there is some information you just can’t determine by simply attending an open house.

Lights, Camera, Action: What’s up with Electrical Matters?

Most buyers will want to know more about the electrical system in the house. Inquiries about when it was installed, any problems, repairs, or issues are to be expected.

They will most likely want to see the fuse box or circuit breaker for a better idea of what they’re dealing with. Most people will inquire about the details of a house inspection and if one hasn’t been done, will either negotiate that into the terms or get one themselves before closing.

Have Any Repairs or Upgrades Been Done to the House?

They’ll want to know when repairs and replacements were done on the house. The roof, plumbing, basement and everything in between.

Are There Any Water Issues?

These may include:

  • Are there water pressure issues?
  • Is the house on well water or city?
  • Is it on a septic tank or sewer system?
  • Have there been any leaks, flooding, or situations to cause mold?
  • Are there any water flooding issues in the residence or on the land?

Any issues with standing or flooding water may not be apparent at the time of year the house is being sold. It’s important to have full disclosure into any water issues prior to making the commitment to buy a property.

Ask These Real Estate Questions Before Committing Yourself

Asking the right real estate questions now could save a buyer a great deal of money and headaches a couple of months or years down the road. And as a buyer, you now know the kind of questions you need to ask.

For more information on real estate and property management, keep reading our blogs!

questions to ask property manager

6 Very Important Questions to Ask a Property Manager Before Hiring

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If you own commercial property, you already know how much work and maintenance is involved.

A property manager can help you organize processes, keep a close eye on the building, and manage other important things like processing rent payments.

Before you choose someone to manage your property, read on for six important questions to ask a property manager before you make a final decision.

1. What Kind of Services do You Offer?

Some property managers offer full building maintenance, while others simply help you market your commercial property. Find out exactly what the scope of services is that your potential property manager offers. This will give you a clearer picture of what to expect in the future.

2. Questions to Ask Property Manager: How about Experience?

Like any other profession, experience matters. Find out how long the property manager has been in business and what other clients they serve. The length and quality of experience can give you peace of mind when it comes to reliability and trustworthiness.

3. What About Cancellations?

The cancellation policy is part of many questions to ask property manager. Find out what their policies entail in case you need to find an out for whatever reason. You don’t want to get locked into a contract that you can’t exit later if you absolutely need to.

4. Can I see Your Fees in Advance?

All property managers will charge a fee for their services, but these can vary greatly between companies. Ask about a list of all fees in advance so you can plan ahead for your budget. Some property managers may offer a flat rate of ten percent, while others might charge individual fees for each specific service you require.

5. Am I Able to Sell Whenever I Want to?

There may be a time when you decide you’d like to sell your property. Make sure that your property manager has no restrictions when it comes to the sale of your building. Some companies have a clause where they force you to sell property with them, which is something you should never agree to.

6. How is Rent Collected?

Find out how the monthly rent for your property is collected, whether it’s via direct deposit, check, or online. It’s important that you know exactly when rent is due so you can manage your income effectively. Ask the manager about their payment process and what the rules are on late payments and possible evictions.

Asking the Right Questions Will Give you Peace of Mind

Use these questions to ask property manager to help you get a handle on your next prospective management company. Once you have all the information you need, you’ll be better able to make a solid decision that serves your best interests.

Contact us today for your property management needs, and be sure to visit our blog for helpful information about home renovations, property manager tips, and much more. 

property management company

Getting the Help You Need: The Top Tips for Hiring a Property Management Company

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Do you have a robust real estate portfolio?

Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step. Now it’s time for you to grow and add to your portfolio.

The number of renters in the United States is continuing to increase, so now is the perfect time to expand your business.

If you are thinking of hiring a property management company to help, there are a few things you need to know.

Keep reading to learn five things to look for when picking your business partner.

1. How Many Properties Do They Manage

The first thing to ask a potential management company is how many properties they manage.

A good employee with the right tools can typically manage between 30 and 40 units, so you want to make sure that they are equipped to handle your units.

2. How Often Are Inspections Performed?

Your property needs to be inspected from time to time. Ask your management company how often they will be performing them.

Most companies will be accommodating to your needs. But if you run across one that complains about what your requirements are, then you may need to look for another company to manage your rentals.

3. What Reports Do You Get

A good management company should keep you updated on what is happening with your properties. Ask about the type of reports you get and how often you get them.

Make sure you receive details on any late payments, repairs, and any other relevant information.

4. How Are Tenants Found?

Do you have any particular standards for tenants that you like? Make sure your property manager can hold to your standards.

Ask about tenant screening procedures, so you know that due diligence is being done.

Other companies will send you potential renters so you can sign off before moving someone in.

Whatever the procedures are, make sure that you are comfortable with them or you may run into problems in the future.

5. Figure Out the Fee Structure

Make sure you ask about the fee structure you will be committing to paying.

Fees typically range from 7% to 10%. But you need to know if that fee is from total rental income or potential rental income.

Here are some of the other fees that you could see in an agreement:

  • Vacancy fee
  • Administration fee
  • Set-up fee
  • Leasing fee

Costs can add up, so make sure you can afford to pay them.

6. Ask for Referrals

Before you commit to anything, ask the people you know and the management company for referrals.

Referrals can let you know what it is like to work with a particular company. They will be able to tell you what problems that came up, how well they communicate, and how well they resolved the issues that come up.

Hire a Property Management Company to Help

You don’t have to go at it alone. When you hire a property management company, you’re getting a partner that will help you make your real estate business a success.

The time you save managing your properties can now be spent on activities that will build your business even more.

Are you looking for a management company to help? Contact us to learn how our services can help!

Renovating Your Rental Property

Renovating Your Rental Property – Five Essential Tips

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Your home’s appearance can make the world of difference to people looking for properties. If your decor is too dated, people will look elsewhere. If you’ve had a tenant redecorate and they have pretty unconventional tastes, potential tenants could be turned away by that. Making your home appealing to the masses is a vital part of being a landlord. This short guide offers five tips to ensure that your home looks its very best and that you’re never without a tenant.

1. Fit Some Shiny New Windows

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to marketing your property is how it looks from the outside. Your property could be a palace inside, but if the exterior looks dilapidated, you’ll struggle to find a tenant. Installing new windows not only dramatically increases your curb appeal, but it can also save money in the long run thanks to the insulating properties.

2. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the cheapest ways to remodel your property is by applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls. Decorating in neutral colors makes your property appealing to the widest range of people – let’s face it, electric pink isn’t an enticing choice for your lounge walls. If you’re handy with a paintbrush, you could consider doing this yourself to keep your costs low.

3. Invest in New Flooring

Gone are the days when tenants would look at a plush carpet and see it as a plus point. Hardwood flooring is easier to clean and a lot more durable. Investing in engineered wood flooring is a great choice for landlords looking for flooring on a tight budget. Engineered wood is a great addition to your home as planks don’t buckle, shrink, or expand. It would even go great in your bathroom or front entrance, thanks to its waterproof qualities.

4. Upgrade Your Kitchen and / or Bathroom

Making minor upgrades to your kitchen or your bathroom can have a better return on investment than large scale remodeling. For example, if you replace the doors on your cabinets rather than the entire thing, you create the look and feel of a brand new kitchen but at a fraction of the price.

5. Consider Adding Outdoor Space

If you’ve got room to create a sitting area in your yard, you should definitely consider doing so. Wood composite can provide a cheap alternative to real wood and looks virtually identical. Having space to relax in the garden is a major plus point for potential tenants.

When you’ve finished remodeling your home and it’s ready for tenants, you could benefit from the services of a professional Colorado Springs property management company, such as 719Rent.com. Using a Colorado Springs property management company takes the headache out of being a landlord, and leaves you with more free time to spend as you see fit.

multi-family real estate

5 Critical Tips for Mastering Multi-Family Real Estate Management

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A surprisingly high percentage of people see owning their own business as a desirable goal. How high? For men and women, respectively, it’s around 70% and 60%.

Some view real estate investment and management as the right business opportunity. It lets you stay local and deal with a comparatively small customer base once you have tenants. 

If you’ve never done the work before, though, multi-family real estate management can prove challenging. Keep reading and we’ll give you some key tips for getting started. 

1. Do Your Homework

A real estate investment property isn’t just about how things look now, but how things will likely look in 5, 10, or 15 years. You must consider neighborhood trends. Is the area in decline, gentrifying, or stable.

How much will renovations cost? Can you charge enough in rent that you’ll recoup those losses in a practical timeframe? What will the market bear?

Is the property positioned near useful shopping opportunities or a major local employer?

You must balance all of this information and weigh whether you’ll ultimately gain from the investment or not.

2. Leverage Technology

Like most major industries, real estate benefits from a healthy ecosystem of software. Multi-tenant management software helps keep you organized as you advertise, screen, and sign leases with new tenants.

Try out demos of different software packages and find one that suits your work approach. Remember, features don’t mean much if you hate the software and can’t find anything in it. 

3. Tenant Selection

Tenant selection will play a huge role in the successful and enjoyability of your real estate experience. You will need some basic screening factors, such as minimum income and personal recommendations. 

There are some areas you must avoid asking about at all costs because they violate the Fair Housing Act. Some of the topics you can’t ask about include:

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Marital status
  • Sexual orientation
  • Disabilities
  • Kids

You can’t disqualify someone for any of these reasons or even criminal convictions in some states.

4. Use Checklists

Make copious use of checklists. They help you formalize processes and make sure things don’t get missed. A basic move-in inspection checklist and move-out inspection checklist ensures you don’t charge a tenant for problems they didn’t create.

5. Outsource

Unless you have a lot of free time or you’re a licensed contractor, you should develop good outsourcing relationships. At the least, you should have numbers for a reliable electrician, plumber, and contractor.

It’s also quite common for investment real estate owners to outsource lawn care/landscaping duties to a professional service.

Parting Thoughts on Multi-Family Real Estate Management

Multi-family real estate management is a lot of work. You can simplify the process with substantial research, leveraging software and checklists, and outsourcing.

Tenant selection matters a lot because good tenants prove profitable while bad tenants soak up time and resources. Just take care you don’t violate any provisions of the Fair Housing Act while screening potential tenants.

Outland Real Estate specializes in real estate along California’s Central Coast. For assistance locating or purchasing a multi-family property in that region, contact Outland Real Estate today.

residential property manager

Residential Property Manager vs. Real Estate Agent: What’s the Difference?

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The allure of making money from investment realty sounds great in reading. Once you get into the details you begin to realize it’s a whole lot of work! Add distance between you and the rental and now there’s a slew of challenges.

You worked with a real estate agent in getting the property. Now, the residential property manager steps in to make your life a lot easier.

What is the difference in tasks between these two roles? Keep reading, we get into the finer details of what each does. And, what a property manager and realty agent bring your foray with real estate income.

The Role of Your Real Estate Agent

The primary role of a realty agent is facilitating property sales. The individual tasks they take varies with expertise and commitment. 

A real estate agent may do one (or all) of these activities:

  • Researches the current market, trends, and strategies
  • Lists and supports property listings, showings, and promotions
  • Handles inbound and outbound efforts with leads

The real estate agent’s task is complete when the property sells. This means they’re a transactional investment, earning a commission on the sale. 

The Role of Your Residential Property Manager

A property manager undertakes the day-to-day operations of a rental. You remain the landlord but tenants report to the company, instead.

The tasks handled by a manager can include:

  • Finding new tenants or retaining them
  • Dealing with the troublesome tenants
  • Satisfying tenant needs such as fixing items
  • Handling transactions, paperwork, and taxes

There is overlap, too, in which managers may also act as realty agents. This means you can work with them during the home buying or selling. Plus, retain their services for the maintenance so you’re mainly hands-off.

As the Landlord: Which Offers More Value?

The answer to this question depends on your property goals:

  • Getting out or doing a flip
  • Holding for the long-term

The real estate agent is the obvious choice if you intend to sell. They have your best interest in prettying-up the property. And, getting it sold at a high price without it lingering on the market.

The property manager looks for ways to align with your long-term goals. Their success comes from your success. If buying & holding, consider property management companies with your best interests in mind.

Also, consider the value in scaling.

Each time you buy and sell a home you’re looking at realty agent commissions. You’ll have big wins with each sale but who knows the downtime in-between. Or, whether you can keep up with the drive as you age.

Working with a property manager lets you focus on one thing: obtaining more property. That’s the fun part of property investing, right?

Remove the Headaches from Home Ownership

You know that time is money as a property investor. The more time you have fiding, renting, and/or selling properties the better for your bottom line. So, consider working with a residential property manager.

Let us handle day-to-day operations while you sit back, relax, and collect the money. Be sure to learn about our services and how we can help your realty investing portfolio grow.

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