Choosing a Property Management Company and Its Maintenance Services Policy, Part 1

There are many tests in the process of choosing a property management company in Alpharetta, one of…

There are many tests in the process of choosing a property management company in Alpharetta, one of which is its maintenance services policy.

There are basically two policy types with a variety of hybrids in between. A common policy is having an in-house maintenance operation. The stated intent of such policy is to control costs by having a salaried maintenance staff. On the surface this makes sense, but when you look at it closer, maybe not. In such a program there is an inherent need to make the operation profitable. Even though the original intent may have been to provide a good economic solution for the property owner, that virtuous intent can become quickly overshadowed by an insatiable pursuit of profitability. In such cases, maintenance work often finds a way to self-generate.

For example, I acquired an investor a few years ago who owned a duplex. He was jumping ship with a professional property manager because in over a year of service, he had never received a single rent proceeds check. Maintenance services consumed 100% of his rent payments every month. He was frustrated, and rightfully so. This landlord was helping pay the wages for that management company’s in-house maintenance staff.

One hybrid of this policy is to have an in-house maintenance staff handle some or most of the handyman-type work, while independently contracting for specialized services. While this approaches a better solution, the same potential fault resides in the policy. We will explore another service option in my next BLOG.

Our Services

Our Guarantee

3 Options Realty is committed to providing Georgia's best property management services. But in the unlikely event that a landlord…
Read More
Eviction Protection

A dream tenant on move-in day can turn into an eviction case six months later. Missed rent, damage to your property,…
Read More
Property Management

Are you struggling to maintain multiple rental properties? Have you recently purchased your first real estate investment, but are feeling overwhelmed…
Read More
The 3 Options Realty Difference

Most property management companies are designed around the departmental organizational structure. 3 Options Realty is much different and there are…
Read More