Location has nothing to do with the application nor the quality of execution of the property management processes that a PM or an office undertakes in the managing of one property or with multiple properties. So I believe you could look after a wider range of areas that a PM office does as long as you could apply the same processes and bring the same knowledge and insight. PM offices are generally people who have a limited focus in the areas that they deal with because that is the way the REA franchise system is established. Our thinking is bound by the old REA retail network. Now I am not advocating a PM in Double Bay look after a Parramatta property, nor a Frankston PM look after a Point Cook property. But you can't tell (well you can, but I'd disagree
)me a PM with the processes, knowledge and systems, cannot look after a Port Melbourne property but also an East Malvern property or even a Brighton property.
There isn't a surprise event in property management. X happens, then the PM does a, b and c. We hear stories all the time on SS on what the issues are. Yes there are surprises and delights in customer service, but as a landlord I want the basics to be delivered flawlessly and you can leave the s & d.
I would also challenge whether the agent would be advising the tenant about public transport, supermarket locations etc. I can almost guarantee the tenant would not need and have more than enough information than the PM. As a landlord or a prospective tenant I would not value that at all. I would value that the person managing my property is (preferably) a landlord and was a tenant.
As for testimonials, well anyone can find one or two people who really like them and write a nice fluffy letter, with great words but that won't help you if they aren't doing the basics or they cannot demonstrate what it is that they do, that provides you a value proposition for their rental commission. How do they manage their tenants, How and who does their tenant checks. How many properties does each PM manage? Do I have one point of contact or will I be speaking to many people in the rental department? What happens when the rent is late? What network of maintenance people do they have? When are statements sent? There are many others....
Dragonlady makes a point about the water scenario. Would you expect a PM to do that to all properties that are in the area in the same scenario? Why is it that it was done to this one? That is unsustainable for a PM to do that for all issues. Ok, that might be a one-off, but that is not what the PM is paid for imo. In that scenario, if you were to have sent out a plumber, the cost is passed onto the tenant not the landlord in anycase.
