Why Hire a Property Management Company for Your Seattle Area Home or Business?
If you have a vacant property in the Seattle area—whether it’s residential or commercial—you may be wondering how to maintain that property while you’re not in it. And you may be wondering how to go about finding the right tenant to occupy that space—either temporarily or for the long haul. Should you take that task on yourself, or should you hire a professional property management service?
Doing nothing simply isn’t an option. A property that isn’t constantly maintained can quickly lose value. So should you do it yourself, or hire a professional service? Here are a few questions to consider.
Do you have the time to devote to property maintenance? It’s easy to underestimate the amount of time required to keep up a property. While many of us maintain our own homes, it’s hard to maintain two homes (assuming you’ve moved). And if you’ve moved out of the area, it can be extremely time-consuming—or even impossible.
Do you have the necessary skills to maintain the property? Residential properties may be a little easier to maintain than commercial properties. But some maintenance (even for a residential property) may require skills you simply don’t have. And if you’re responsible for a commercial property there are separate laws and industry standards you’ll have to adhere to.
What about finding, screening, and selecting tenants? Do you have the expertise and the time to market your property? Do you have the ability to do background checks and screen potential tenants? Are you equipped with the legal forms and knowledge you’ll need to set up a lease that protects you and your property?
Are you prepared for the on-going duties of being a landlord? If you’re maintaining a commercial property, are you prepared to deal with city and government agencies on issues such as fire suppression system testing, backflow testing, elevator inspections and other certifications that are required to keep your building in compliance with local codes? And even if you’re dealing with a residential property, are you prepared to handle repairs, complaints, and requests for improvements? And how will you deal with making sure your tenant pays the lease on time?
If none of these things trouble you, there’s a good chance that you’re a good candidate to manage your own property. But if any of them make you nervous (or tired just thinking about them!) you may want to consider having a professional management service handle this for you.
If you have additional questions about the services a
professional property management service provides, we’d love to try to answer them.
Shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.