What does a property manager do – understanding the role

Table of Contents

Here is a breakdown of what a property manager does and how they can help you to manage your investment property eliminating some of the time and stress that can come with property ownership.

Managing multiple investment properties can be time-consuming, not to mention stressful when things go wrong. The role of a property manager is to take the stress off your hands. From handling renter issues and maintenance to understanding your responsibilities, this blog covers the main roles and reasons why a property manager can make a world of difference in managing an investment property.

Why use a property manager?

With the numerous responsibilities, laws, and regulations applied to property investing, outsourcing the management of your rental property can save you time and hassle compared to managing a property yourself.

What are the costs involved?

A property management fee is approximately 5-7% of the total rent (+GST), a fair price for eliminating many of the stressors that can come with property management.

So how can a property manager help?

FINDING GREAT RENTERS.
Finding the perfect renter is not easy when you are doing it alone, it requires time and effort. Property managers have the contacts and expertise to connect you with the right person for your investment.

With access to systems and software, property managers can obtain information on renters and their rental histories that can provide greater security for property owners, help streamline the process and ensure more stable and reliable occupancy.

MANAGING COMPLAINTS, MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS.
Meeting the demands of renters and delivering on expectations can be overwhelming. Property owners can run into issues if maintenance and repairs aren’t addressed promptly and properly for renters. This is where a property manager can play a crucial role in reducing stress and hassle, by handling problems quickly and efficiently.

A property manager ensures that tradespeople are qualified and insured for the job, without one, the owner is left to handle organising contractors, obtaining quotes, communicating with renters, and arranging property access—tasks that can be both time-consuming and stressful and needs to be met in accordance with the Act.

Additionally, contractors working with property managers understand the need for quick maintenance and are often the most reliable choice for emergency repairs.

Property managers also have systems and processes in place to handle all miscellaneous complaints and avoid unnecessary unpleasant confrontations by addressing everything.

ENSURING YOUR PROPERTY COMPLIES TO EVER-CHANGING RENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
In the ever-evolving world of rental reforms, it can be overwhelming to keep up to date with all the latest requirements. Utilising a property manager can give you the reassurance to know that you are across all the legal requirements and up to date on any changes.

Having a property manager who is well-versed in their state’s tenancy regulations and can clearly explain how they apply to both renters and property owners – is invaluable. It not only helps navigate challenging conversations with renters about their responsibilities but also ensures property owners have a clear understanding of their own rights and obligations.

Rental properties, investment owners, and renters are subject to various laws that can differ by state, and owners need to stay updated on the fine print when renting out their property. Keeping track of these regulations, especially with ongoing changes and new laws, is not easy. Property managers are consistently trained and educated on these changes. For many property owners, hiring a professional to manage the legal aspects is a key reason for choosing a property manager.

RENT COLLECTION AND PROPERTY INSPECTIONS.
One of the important roles of a property manager is ensuring timely rent payments. A property manager can be the first point of contact for renters when issues do arise. With knowledge and expertise in this space property managers can often bring a layer of professionalism that can make a tricky situation easier to navigate than for a property owner alone.

A property manager will also ensure your property is well looked after through routine property inspections and regular reports provided to owners to reassure them throughout each tenancy and also keep professional logs should any insurance claims arise.

PEACE OF MINE.
Engaging a property manager will simplify the process of managing a rental property. From finding reliable renters and handling day-to-day issues to collecting rent and staying on top of regulatory requirements, they have the tools to efficiently manage both the administration and maintenance of your property.

Always available to keep both you and your renters satisfied through regular inspections and prompt issue resolution, a property manager ensures a dependable point of contact.

If you’d like some help keeping on top of all the admin and maintenance of your investment property/properties it may be time to speak with us.

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Nikki Gervasi | Real Estate Agency in Melbourne | Nicole Gervasi Property Group

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Director of Nicole Gervasi

Nicole has led over $1 billion in property transactions, building a future-focused business driven by repeat and referral clients. Known for her strategic mindset and strong national and international network, she has built a reputation for pushing boundaries and delivering results. Passionate about the art of negotiation, Nicole helps clients unlock long-term property growth with confidence and clarity.

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FAQs

There are different ways to value a property, including an agent appraisal, a bank valuation and other automated valuations.

We use many different data points to estimate a value.

We analyse a whole suite including;

  • property type (i.e. house, townhouse, strata title etc)
  • land size and location
  • comparable sales (i.e. similar homes that have sold nearby)
  • market trends, current and historical
  • property characteristics, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, and the size of the property’s footprint.

We also overlay data from government bodies and other sources – pinpointing the value of a home by looking at all of its components – land plus building.

Rather than look at what season to sell it, there are other major factors that drive property values up and down.

  • Supply and demand in the current property market (Your current property market)
  • Location
  • Interest Rates
  • Property features, size 7 type
  • Property & Land potential
  • First impressions and emerging trends: For example, don’t underestimate street appeal, or if there is a policy momentum behind an emerging trend, such as energy efficiency features.
  • The state of the economy

When selling your home, there are various approaches to consider that can help you maximize both the speed of sale and the sale price. One method is selling off-market, where interested buyers and investors are invited to view the property and make an offer before it’s publicly listed for sale. While this approach can be advantageous in some cases, it’s important to also consider the potential downsides before deciding if it’s right for you.

We aim to secure a good tenant for the property as soon as possible. In our experience, a well presented, well priced property will go relatively quickly. Factors such as rental vacancies in the area, property features, owner expectations, condition of the property, presentation and price will all contribute to the time a property is on the market.

We begin by verifying the applicant’s identity through a 100-point ID check and request rental references from their current agents or landlords to assess their history as tenants. Employment checks are conducted to confirm their financial stability and ability to meet rental payments. Additionally, we perform a detailed search to ensure they have no history of payment defaults, tenancy disputes, or property damage.

During our routine inspections we compile a detailed inspection 3D full HD walk through that also includes photographs outlining the condition of the property and note any preventative maintenance that is required and any damages that have occurred. You will receive one of these every six (6) months. We always update our owners on how the tenants have treated/cared for the property throughout their tenancy when it comes to lease renewal. Maintenance that has been addressed at a property will be inspected and we discuss with our tradesman to ensure that all work completed has been completed to a high standard.

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