Being a property manager is a fun, rewarding job that is also tough, grueling, and fast-paced. You need to be organized, outgoing, dedicated, intelligent, and have excellent customer service to succeed in property management, but even the most talented property manager will make a couple of mistakes along the way, especially when they are first starting out in the rental industry. If you’re new to the business, check out these top mistakes that beginner property managers might make with their rentals.
- Overestimating Demand- There is nothing worse than acquiring a rental property and then having it sit vacant for any amount of time, but if you overestimate the rental demand in a neighborhood before you purchase a home, you might find yourself losing money.
- Not Budgeting Properly- Underestimating what a property’s upkeep will cost is one of the greatest mistakes you can make because you might find your company spending more than what the client was prepared to pay for maintenance.
- Overpricing Rent- Beginner property managers often make the mistake of charging too much for rent. You should always do your research and find out what the market rent, or average rent, for a similar home is in that neighborhood. Don’t start out charging the most you possibly can for rent as this will drive tenants away who can find something similar for less and from someone with more experience in property management.
- Not Evicting Soon Enough- One thing a property manager must excel at is confrontation with tenants. Confrontation doesn’t mean fighting, but you need to enforce the lease. If tenants are late on rent or have violations, make sure to document so that you can start the eviction process as soon as you are legally able.
Being a property manager is tough, and if you find yourself making mistakes and needing to call in a professional partner, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. We are here to help you make the most out of your investment and get the best return possible.
When you’re ready to hire a trusted property manager in Charleston, call Scott Properties at 843-352-8341.