What to Look For In a Property Management Company

Dustin Edwards • December 8, 2023

A few factors come into play when looking for a property management company. After all, not everyone’s situation merits the same services. For example, an investor with a multifamily home dwelling may require a more involved company. At the same time, a first-time landlord may only need a property management company to fill their vacancy. 


Each case may require different services. Below are a few elements to consider when looking for a property management company.


Company Reputation

Although a company can claim to be the perfect fit for your needs, be sure you know their reputation. If something looks too good to be true, it may be. A good property management company should be able to provide references and testimonials from the properties they manage. Clients who are happy with their services offer a great insight into how well a property management company does its job. It's also important to know if the company is local. This can help resolve issues that may arise in a much quicker fashion.


While this is a great start, it's essential to verify the authenticity of the testimonials. It's best practice to take a bit of time and research the company yourself. This can help you to confirm the reviews from clients. Visiting their social media pages and websites also allows for determining a couple of factors. You can learn their specialty, such as condos,
luxury apartments, multi-family homes, or single-family homes. It also provides an excellent opportunity to read the reviews left by the community they manage. This can be a greater determining factor when choosing the right property management company for yourself.


Hours of Availability

This may be a “no-brainer” for some. Nevertheless, you must understand the hours your property management company needs to be available. Managing emergency maintenance can be challenging, significantly, when you’ve expanded your portfolio. Frequently, when you need them the most is when companies are typically closed. Consider an accidental puncture of a water pipe in the evening, which will require immediate attention. If unchecked, severe water leaks can cause thousands of dollars in damages.


Knowing the property management’s availability hours can help you know when you’ll be required to be reachable. Some full-service
property management companies have up to 24 hours of availability in case of emergencies.


Services Offered

Not everyone needs a full-service package to fit their property’s needs. That being said, the more services a property management company offers, the more choices you have. Once again, this is dependent on your personal needs and portfolio. Some services a property management company can provide include:


  • Security Deposit Disposition
  • Collections and Eviction Coordination
  • Repair Requests and management
  • Year-end Owner Tax Statements
  • Statements Forwarded to Owners Regularly
  • Rent Collection
  • Client and Tenant Support


While only some clients may need every service provided, the more options a client provides, the better their experience can be.


Cost and Value

A property management company should never be viewed as a cost. Instead, it should be viewed as an investment. If at any point you realize the services provided no longer hold value to you, it may be time to upgrade your services or hire a new property management company. 


A property management company should allow you to invest your time in relaxing with friends and family. Alternatively, it is a service that allows you to invest your time in expanding your real estate portfolio.


You should receive high-quality and efficient services based on competitive pricing and maximizing your return on investment (ROI). They should provide effective management tenant approval and proficiently navigate local laws.


If you require a new property management company or are unhappy with your current one, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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By Dustin Edwards June 6, 2025
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By Dustin Edwards May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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