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Monday, August 24, 2009

Determining Property Management Fees For Your Property

By Layla Vanderbilt

When a property investor decides to hire a management company to manage their properties, they interview many companies before they decide whom to hire. Among the things they compare are the real estate management fees the company charges. The investor must decide whether they want to pay monthly percentages or flat fees for the management company?s services.

The lowest management fee may not always be the best choice. Higher fees usually translate into more services. Also, management companies with lower fees may have extra charges for necessary services like as advertising. Investors need to know if the management company charges a fee for showing property to a potential client. Some management companies also charge leasing fees in addition to their management fee. Investors need to read contracts closely to know exactly what is included in the real estate management fee.

A property management company charges a real estate management fee based on the percentaage of income collected with a monthly base fee. A fee will vary according to the type and size of the property; for example, a fee for a single family home could be a flat rate while a large property might cost 6 percent of its value. Larger properties usually command a lower percentage rate (i.e., 2 percent) than a single family home that may be quoted up to10 percent. One negotiates fees on a per property basis and one considers many factors including condition, location and size of the property, etc. Management companies consider leasing to be an auxiliary service; it and other auxiliary service fees are separate and in addition to the management fee. The contract also needs to explain how and when the fee is collected. Do they bill the investor or do they deduct it from his account? Do they bill on a monthly or quarterly basis?

An investor needs to inquire about the what services are charged over and above the monthly payment. They should determine if evictions are an extra fee. The contract should state how and when the fee is collected. Will the investor be billed or is it deducted from your account? Is payment expected on a monthly or quarterly basis?

A management company performs many services for the investor. The company takes care of the daily activities of renting the property, collecting rents, accounting and monthly statements, hires contractors for services such as cleaning, hires groundskeepers and maintenance workers as well as supervises any work. The investor pays the real estate management fees for peace of mind. When an investor has interviewed several companies and found the fees are close in range with a few exceptions, he should then decide to further investigate each company?s contracts and references. By comparing all the services and getting good referrals, an investor can make an informed choice.

Interviewing the management company to determine the real estate management fee they charge is only the first step to hiring a reliable company. Many things outside the monthly fee determine the final cost an investor sill pay the management company. How well the company communicates with the investor and tenants, how they handle problems, their attention to detail in the leasing process and their ability to maintain the property in good condition all determine an investor?s final costs on each property.

Hiring a good management company helps an investor rent his property faster and provide preventive maintenance before problems become major repairs and expenses. The investor should look at more than the initial monthly fees when determining how much it will actually cost them if they go with the cheapest company. An investor needs to be sure the company will actually help him avoid those expensive repairs and expenses as well as keep the property in good condition in order to make it attractive to prospective clients. - 23159

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