5 Signs That You’re Talking to the Wrong Seattle Property Management Company
Deciding that you want to enlist the services of a property management company for you Seattle-area property can take a big load off your mind. And as important as that decision is, it’s just the first decision you have to make. Deciding which company you want looking after your residential or commercial property is critical. Hiring the right company will free you from the daily worries of property management. But hiring the wrong company can cost you in aggravation, reputation, and money. How do you know if you’re even talking to the right people?
Here are five telltale signs that you’re dealing with a company that you should avoid.
- First Impressions: If the property manager you interview isn’t polite, courteous and confident when you talk to him, how will he handle himself with tenants? If this person doesn’t treat you with respect and professionalism there’s not much chance he’ll treat tenants any better.
- No references: If the company you’re considering isn’t eager to provide you with current references, there’s probably a reason. People who take pride in their work and are committed to good service are eager to have others tell you about the quality of their work.
- Bad experience: Just because someone has been in business for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean they’re good (although time does have a way of weeding out some of the bad apples). It’s also important to make sure the management company has the kind of experience you’re looking for. It’s one thing to “manage” an empty warehouse. It’s something else to deal with tenants on a regular basis.
- Not enough knowledge: This is similar to the previous concern, but is focused on things like systems for collecting payment and performing regular maintenance. And if your property manager isn’t abreast of current regulations, you could be the one held responsible.
- Lack of conflict resolution skills: It’s not enough to know how to fix a leaky pipe or to make sure the lights stay on. Property management involves people—and that means being able to resolve conflicts to everyone’s satisfaction. If someone tells you he has never had conflicts, he probably hasn’t had to deal with people much. The real question to ask him is how he dealt with conflicts.
There are other signs that you might be talking to the wrong property management company, but if any of these show up—it’s probably a sign for you to look elsewhere!