As I have read on this forum you are better to list your property with a specialist management agency and not a Real Estate. As the two biggest independent management companies in Brisbane are ProRental's and Rental Express, I just thought I would write a review based on the interviews only I had with both companies, and point out some good and bad points for each from my observations only.
Note I spoke with the Operations Manager of Rental Express (who doesn't usually deal face to face with clients) as a few of his staff were on holidays. In saying that he was very informative and he certainly knew his stuff, also owning rental property himself. The fact that he had to fill in as some of his staff were away during the busiest 2 weeks of the year for rental properties, shows a small lack of discipline within. But to his credit HE filled in, and after I questioned him, he said he had just had a meeting in which the company decided that no or little staff can take holidays during Jan anymore, the busiest month. That would also explain why it took them 1 and half days for them to ring me back after my first inquiry. ProRentals only took 3 hours.
ProRentals seemed to be a little bit more organized and professional selling their business to me. But it may have just been the way that the information was presented. There were some small thing's that made Pro Rentals stand out a little bit above Rental Express. One small thing they had was a piece of paper they give to the tenant listing the dates when rent has to be paid, the amount, and a column with a space to write their B-pay receipt number. It was just a small thing that impressed me. Anything that makes it easier for a tenant to pay rent on time has to be good. Rental Express may do this as well, but it wasn't mentioned to me.
The Rental Express guy also told me that they have found that some repair men are starting to charge a travel fee to pick up keys of agents to fix problems (I think he only mentioned this because my property is in Morningside, ProRentals office is in Toowong, can be up to a 45min drive in peak hour.) When I asked ProRentals about this, I was told that none of their repair men charge a travel fee, as so much business is created for them from Pro Rentals. Which shows they have good business relationships with repair men, who also charge below the standard rate.
More Info...
FEES- Pro Rentals:
Management Fee - 8% + GST
Letting Fee - 1 weeks rent + GST
Lease Renewal - Half a weeks Rent + GST
Monthly ostage and petties - $5 + GST
FEES - Rental Express
Management Fee - 9% + GST
Letting Fee - 1 weeks rent + GST
Lease Renewal - $77
Advertising Fee - $55
Just one last thing, Pro Rentals already have a clause filled out in there PAMD20a Appointment Of Agent form that states if I end up listing with another agent after signing with them, there is no fee or obligations for me to release them and list with another agent if the other agent finds a better tenant.
ProRentals had a the slight edge for me, but as I said before it way have just been the way the information was presented to me.
My best bet will be to give keys to both agents and go with the one who gets the best tenants with the highest rent in the shortest time. Easy done.
Anyone who has had good or bad experiences or can add to what I have said would be great.
Hope this has helped. I would recommend having an interview with both parties before making YOUR decision.
Note I spoke with the Operations Manager of Rental Express (who doesn't usually deal face to face with clients) as a few of his staff were on holidays. In saying that he was very informative and he certainly knew his stuff, also owning rental property himself. The fact that he had to fill in as some of his staff were away during the busiest 2 weeks of the year for rental properties, shows a small lack of discipline within. But to his credit HE filled in, and after I questioned him, he said he had just had a meeting in which the company decided that no or little staff can take holidays during Jan anymore, the busiest month. That would also explain why it took them 1 and half days for them to ring me back after my first inquiry. ProRentals only took 3 hours.
ProRentals seemed to be a little bit more organized and professional selling their business to me. But it may have just been the way that the information was presented. There were some small thing's that made Pro Rentals stand out a little bit above Rental Express. One small thing they had was a piece of paper they give to the tenant listing the dates when rent has to be paid, the amount, and a column with a space to write their B-pay receipt number. It was just a small thing that impressed me. Anything that makes it easier for a tenant to pay rent on time has to be good. Rental Express may do this as well, but it wasn't mentioned to me.
The Rental Express guy also told me that they have found that some repair men are starting to charge a travel fee to pick up keys of agents to fix problems (I think he only mentioned this because my property is in Morningside, ProRentals office is in Toowong, can be up to a 45min drive in peak hour.) When I asked ProRentals about this, I was told that none of their repair men charge a travel fee, as so much business is created for them from Pro Rentals. Which shows they have good business relationships with repair men, who also charge below the standard rate.
More Info...
FEES- Pro Rentals:
Management Fee - 8% + GST
Letting Fee - 1 weeks rent + GST
Lease Renewal - Half a weeks Rent + GST
Monthly ostage and petties - $5 + GST
FEES - Rental Express
Management Fee - 9% + GST
Letting Fee - 1 weeks rent + GST
Lease Renewal - $77
Advertising Fee - $55
Just one last thing, Pro Rentals already have a clause filled out in there PAMD20a Appointment Of Agent form that states if I end up listing with another agent after signing with them, there is no fee or obligations for me to release them and list with another agent if the other agent finds a better tenant.
ProRentals had a the slight edge for me, but as I said before it way have just been the way the information was presented to me.
My best bet will be to give keys to both agents and go with the one who gets the best tenants with the highest rent in the shortest time. Easy done.
Anyone who has had good or bad experiences or can add to what I have said would be great.
Hope this has helped. I would recommend having an interview with both parties before making YOUR decision.