Converse, TX is a great place to manage a rental property, but it can be disastrous if you don’t have all of your ducks in a row when it comes to maintenance. Owning a single unit property usually means the renter will take on some general maintenance such as lawn care, but the repairs and emergency issues still fall on you.
That’s why you want to make sure you have a reliable maintenance crew and a list of specialized workers on speed dial for things like plumbing and electrical problems. Vetting these workers takes a lot of time and involves some trial and error that could cost you money and your reputation if you’re unable to rally a team quickly. After you read through these general tips, you may decide a property manager is the solution to gathering well-vetted, reliable maintenance workers.
Just Because You Can Fix It Doesn’t Mean You Should
Whether you’re starting on your journey in Converse property management or a seasoned veteran, you may feel the urge to “Do It Yourself” when it comes to maintenance; don’t give in to that urge! Plenty of single property landlords attempt this year after year and risk their fixes on the cheap turning into nightmare situations.
The most important thing to remember when you manage a property in Converse, or anywhere, is that you’re in charge of maintaining someone else’s home. Your tenants are paying you to keep a roof over their head and provide a certain level of quality of life. Taking chances with your own home is one thing but quite another to shirk your responsibilities when it comes to someone else’s safe space.
DIY repairs and maintenance also don’t make sense when it comes to your long-term expenses. Often a DIY repair is temporary and could end up damaging your property even more down the road. Hiring a professional to assess the situation and repair, maintain, or replace is not only in your tenants’ best interest but yours as well.
Handling small things around the property is feasible, especially if you’re the handy sort, but you have to decide if you’re willing to risk your overall investment just to save a few bucks now. Most likely you’ll end up paying through the nose later on or worse, cause irreparable damage.
Make a List
To avoid the temptation of DIY, you’ll want to put together a list of workers and maintenance teams that can handle all of the common issues of property management in Converse, TX. Below is a list to give you an idea of the workers you’ll want to have on your speed dial or in your employ:
General Maintenance Worker: This person or team of people can handle the day to day maintenance and quick fixes. They tend to have light experience and training in painting, grouting, construction, replacing items like air vents, clearing out gutters, and general plumbing and electrical work.
Electrician: You will want an educated electrician for tricky electrical repairs as well as inspections
Plumber: A highly trained professional should also handle a burst pipe or flooding basement. They can also inspect the property for ongoing leaks that could cause mold.
Pest Control: You’ll want an exterminator to come through regularly to keep your home free from pests. It’s less costly to pay for regular extermination than to lose renters.
H-VAC Specialist: Often it’s best to have a regular inspection done on this as well as heating and air-conditioning systems can be complicated
Contractor: Having a working relationship with a contractor can be extremely beneficial if you’re hoping to renovate or if you receive an accommodation request from a tenant with disabilities. A good contractor will be able to build ramps and lower countertops as well as change things back if need be after the renter leaves.
Building professional relationships with these workers can take a lot of time but are well worth the effort as you continue your journey in property management.
Vetting for the Best
Once you have your list ready and your expectations set, it’s time to interview your applicants. According to rentprep.com, this can be difficult for some property managers because maintenance workers don’t have typical resumes. Some key points to cover would be:
1) Do they live near the property? Being nearby when an emergency occurs can save you time and money in preventing damages
2) What is their skill level in the problem areas of your home? Is the basement prone to flooding? You’ll want a maintenance worker who understands general plumbing
3) Are they friendly and work well with people? These workers will be coming into people’s homes, often when the resident is home. If they present well to the resident and are willing to answer questions, your tenant will feel more at ease with having them in their home.
4) Are they able to work alone or do they have a crew of subcontractors? Know upfront who all you may be hiring and schedule to meet with the crew to get a feel for them as well.
5) Do they understand/can they work with your maintenance request system? Maintenance requests are handled electronically, and over the phone, so you’ll want to have someone who knows how to retrieve these requests and prioritize them correctly.
You should, of course, be conducting thorough background checks as well as gathering professional references from other clients. Remember, your tenants are trusting you with their family and possessions. It would be criminal of you to allow someone in the property you didn’t trust yourself.
A Property Management Team Has You Covered
Property maintenance in Converse, TX or anywhere in the country is the largest hassle and the most significant expense of owning an investment rental. However, a property management team like Real Property Management, Campanas can take the prep work, the vetting, and establishing relationships off of your shoulders with our highly trained and hand-picked maintenance crew. Real Property Management has over twenty-five years of experience in managing properties, so we know how to hire qualified maintenance professionals for the best price.
Because of our national presence and local experts, we can employ the besthttps://www.rpmcampanas.com/maximize-rental-property-investment of the best at a lower cost because we can offer consistent work across multiple sites. Our reputation and tenure in the field have allowed them to establish beneficial business relationships with maintenance workers and specialists who will maintain your property at the highest standard.
So, if you are interested in having your property managed by Real Property Management Campanas, have more questions, or want to speak to one of our team members, then contact us online or call us directly at (210) 314-1039 today!
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