We at Chesapeake Property Management are looking for a good property manager to add to our team. Our inventory of actively managed investment properties is growing and, in order to keep up our high level of service, we are looking to add someone as soon as possible. Perhaps you know someone who can join our team?
What makes a good property manager?
Here is what we think makes a great property manager:
Very detail oriented -
In order to protect you and your property, our property managers need to be able to follow our systems from start to finish, without cutting any corners. Each task in our system was added to protect you and your property and we don't want to skip a step.
We do very detailed walk-through videos, lots of detailed record keeping and documentation, follow-up on hundreds of repair invoices, check insurances and rental licenses and more. Every day is different and our property managers need to be very organized and detail oriented in order to keep track of the hundreds of phone calls, emails, and tasks that come across their desk on a daily basis.
>> See Chesapeake Property Managers Describe a Typical Day
Excellent communication skills -
We want our landlords and tenants to be kept in the loop as much as possible and we communicate with them via email and verbally constantly.
- Therefore, our property managers need to be able to communicate consistently and effectively using a variety of mediums.
- Also, our property managers can't just be "pleasers," i.e. saying only what our customers might want to hear, instead of what they need to hear. Our property managers need to be thorough and direct in their communication so that we can solve the problem quickly and efficiently.
>> See Landlords: Why Forward Invoices and Notices to Your Property Manager
Problem solver -
?This is a biggie. We do not want property managers who just push paper and relay messages. Anyone can do that. We want problem solvers who are able to connect the dots. They need to figure out what is being said and fill in the gaps.
For example, an HVAC contractor tells us what he or she discovered at a house and what the recommended repair is. Does this make sense? Based on our experience, does this sound like a complete and accurate assessment of the problem? Or is something missing and we need to fill in the gaps? Perhaps we need to ask more questions or call in a second opinion. Our property managers are excellent problem solvers and we really rely on their integrity and expertise every day.
>> See How A Good Property Management Company Can Save You Money
Experience working with contractors -
Our property managers have worked with contractors before in a variety of industries. They understand that these contractors are usually sub-contractors, not employees. They are out on the road, up on ladders, on roofs, and working in the field while someone else in the office manages the work orders. We need to understand the time constraints and needs of these contractors in order for them to give us their best.
>> See Who Is Doing the Repairs on Your Rental Property
Relationship Oriented -
This business is all about relationships and building trust. Relationships with the landlords, the tenants, the contractors, the neighbors, the HOA presidents and everyone else we come in contact with. We are people helping people and we can never forget that.
We need to conduct ourselves with the utmost integrity at all times and do our best to solve the problem in the most empathetic and direct way possible.
Other companies take an adversarial approach and just want to check things off of their list; we disagree on this philosophy. Our goal is win/win, knowing that will not be accomplished at all times but it is a goal. Win/lose deteriorates quickly into lawsuits, threats and unpleasantness that can cost clients a lot of money and hassle. Yes, our philosophy takes a lot more time but it is worth it.
>> See Who Can You Trust in Property Management?
Integrity and honesty -
Our reputation is everything to us and we want team members that share our same values of integrity and honesty. We do not cut corners. We are not the cheapest company in town. Our clients expect the best and so do we.
>> See Before You Hire a Property Management Company Ask 17 Questions!
We want the best properties, the best landlords and the best tenants. In order to do that, we need the best team. We pay our team members well so that they can give the best service possible to our client base. Other property management companies charge lower fees to the landlords and, thus, often have a lot of turn over among the staff. We do not; our staff stays with us and our clients are the beneficiaries of this longevity. So we are looking for team members with the highest integrity and the utmost honesty who want a career, not just a job.
>> See How Chesapeake Property Management Came To Be
Empathy -
Most of our clients are first time landlords and have heard horror stories about tenants not paying the rent and trashing their home. Our job is to give our clients peace of mind. Peace of mind in knowing that we are here, have been here for 17 years, we are not going anywhere, and that we understand their concerns. We want our clients to move on with their lives - relocate to the new city, take the new job, go for the new relationship - and know that we will manage the home professionally and competently in their absence.
So, for our new team member, it helps if someone has been a landlord themselves. Or has relocated across the country. Or has been in a service industry before. We need new team members to understand how scary this process can be and, therefore, we always start with empathy.
We never want to lose the human touch. Many large companies have approached us about buying our company, but no, we will always be local, always be hands on and always have higher standards. That is who we are and how we want to run our business.
We thank you for supporting us in our business. If you know anyone who wants to help people solve their property management challenges, please have them contact us. We need help and rely on you, our trusted clients, to help us find the best people possible.
Thank you.
