How do you choose your partner in life or work? It’s not for the glossy surface, but for what really counts. How does that partner help you grow toward your goals and work with you so that you can make a difference in the world? When you choose to pursue property investment as an income stream, you need a partner who really understands how the property management business works.

You may live far away from your properties, or you may have many different properties – so many that you can’t possibly be aware of what’s going on at all of those properties at one time. When you’re looking for property management for your rental properties, you need to think about what attributes you need in your property management partner, so that you find a company that you can trust.

Rental property managementFind a Property Management Company With a Solid Reputation 

When you’re trusting a company to look after your properties and your tenants, you need to look for a property management company with a solid reputation. If your properties are cared-for and your tenants are happy, you and your property management company both win. Word of mouth will spread, and you won’t lack in tenants. You’ll also make the neighbors happy, since your properties will look good.

Look for a Property Management Company With Experience 

A property management company can be a huge asset to your business. An experienced company knows the local market and knows how to find tenants, shift pricing, and market your business. Your Seattle property management company should be experienced in marketing to the right audience and in providing excellent property maintenance.

Seek a Company That Has Strong Business Practices 

You want to work with a company that manages properties like you would manage them yourself, only better. When you’re looking for a property management company, ask questions about that company’s business processes. How does it look for tenants? What is its process when a property becomes vacant? How does it manage overdue bills or evictions?

You want a company that can find you the best tenants for your properties. According to Rent.com, you need “a tenant that will take care of your property as if it is their own, and that will pay the rent on time, providing you with an ongoing income stream.”

A company that can find you the right tenants using its strong business practices and that has plenty of experience practicing and refining these practices is a company that you can work with to manage your properties.

Examine How the Company Maintains Its Properties 

You invested in Seattle rentals as a source of income; you’re not only interested in your tenants, you’re also interested in keeping your assets running smoothly. Without properties that are well-maintained, your source of income will decline, and you’ll be left with a source of bills instead.

According to the Pires Group, “as an owner or manager, the building or commercial property under your care is a reflection of your business and the people who live or work in it.” Ask prospective property management companies for examples of their properties and look at ones that they haven’t mentioned as well. Inquire about their repair and maintenance routines and how they check up on these to make sure that your properties are in good order.

At Lori Gill and Associates, we’re proud to work on behalf of property owners from around the city and around the world. When you’re looking for property management in Seattle, turn to us for the experience you need. Contact us today.