What should i expect from my property manager: inspections

So, I attended my IP's inspection tonight unannounced to the PM.

There were about 5-6 groups.

The agent's offsider who ran the inspection did nothing but say hello and goodbye to me.

At no stage did he start a conversation with my wife or I, ask if I was interested or making an application. Nada. No name. No phone number. Nothing.

I think this is sub-par.

I was going to shift PM's anyway, but this is a break lease so I'm less motivated to do so until it's sorted.

What do you think?

Furthermore, I walked through and turned all the lights on as I went (it was evening), and feel that they (and I) should have some feedback about how to get it rented out (its a break lease after all).

 

You mustn't have looked sharp enough for the landlord's approval!

 

Appalling.

Should be booking prospective tenants in prior so that their names, numbers and emails are already known. Allow prospective tenants to do this 24 / 7 so that they can do it from their own computer or phone and not rely on staff.

This allows for sms / email reminders so that they remember to come along or get notified if time changes or gets cancelled.

At the door, aside from the greetings, they should either be checked-in if they've booked or book them in if you haven't.

Lights should definitely be on and / or windows open so that the property appears its best.

Conversation should definitely be struck. Even simple things like finding out when they're looking to move, how many are in their family, what they think of the property. Not an interrogation but trying to find out more about them to see if they're suitable for the property and the property is suitable for them.

Sms / e-mail thank you for attending a short time later and attach application form.

On Monday, follow up for feedback to pass onto owner and / or ensure they've put an application in. Or, if they're in, assess applications / call references.

Advise people regardless of whether they've been successful or unsuccessful. Sign up the successful one quickly so they don't get snapped up elsewhere.

The unsuccessful ones, assuming they were ok, might get sms / email about other available properties that might suit their needs.

Needs to be a systematic, repeatable process. The name of the game is to get suitable tenants into properties, is it not?

 

Wow! You should be a pm @D.T. !

 

Not entirely a surprise considering that the PM sent someone else to do their inspection. It is after work hours so they probably don't want to be there either.

 

Not Ok Bran
Did you introduce yourself?

You can change PMs during a lease break, it's no problem, another property manager can handle the lease break situation and this alone will show their worth.

You should have asked "what are the owners like?" This is a common question - I'm not kidding. Tenants screen owners and agencies to verify whether maintenance will be done on time and whether the owner is likely to move back in, and kick them out, in 12 months.

 

I was wearing a shirt and tie, and pulled up in my vintage mercedes

But the other parties were far less awesome

 

No, I didn't. But I will introduce myself to the principal tomorrow.

 

He will most likely still need to give a certain amount of days notice to change agents though.

 

Pants? ? awesome factor: v high

Vintage merc??what about the beep beep barina?

 

All individuals attending our inspections stop to introduce themselves as a courtesy.

We love our inspections by private appointment and Open Inspections as it offers excellent qualitative data on each individual inspecting the property.

Good practice translates to either capturing applicant data via the booking process or via a registration proforma onsite for contact details.

It important to arrive ten minutes pre- inspection to open windows for fresh air, pop the lights on and fans/air conditioning if hot and to really 'work the room' with sensitivity to be present, sell the home and lifestyle features, respond to questions and mentally commence the qualifying process whilst withdrawing and offering people sufficient space to really look around to make an informed decision.

Applicant feedback to date is that they love our half hour inspection opportunities to not feel rushed and having sufficient time to process the strengths and issues of the property. Likewise, it offers a wider window of opportunity to make an inspection if running a little late.

 

@Bran i thought that's normal. Having been to numerous inspection when I was renting and no agent ever ask or talk or say anything about application. Form on table there you go, if you are interested take one. That said, the PM usually get 5-10 people in one go so I guess they don't really care

 

For vacant houses, I walk through the first time and turn on all lights. From then on all I do is flick on and off the main switches - easy.

I always talk to people, how else am I going to assess whether I want to deal with them for 6-12 months, their interest, concerns, etc. Agent should always try to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the inspection to ensure all is in order - for tenanted properties I go through and look for small items such a jewellery, phones and iPads and either hold them myself or put somewhere that I can see the whole inspection. I also turn on the A/C or heater as required.

Applications are processed and contacted whether successful or not within 24 hours, if someone is a good application but missed out I will always refer to another property if I have it that's suitable.

Agent should be updating you after the inspection, either same day or next business day with feedback from tenants so you can judge what's going on with the market in terms of price, presentation etc.

 

Yes I agree that this is certainly well below average. First impressions certainly count! I know of many tenants who - even though they have liked a property, would not apply as they were not happy with the agent that showed them or the service they have received during the process.

When leasing properties myself I often ask prospective tenants if they have viewed many others and how they feel about this property etc- the amount of times I hear " the property was fine however the agent didn't seem to know anything or seem interested at all or the other agents didn't get back to us " is quite concerning!

As a few people have mentioned above, tenants are very aware that they will be applying not only to live in the property however also having to deal with the agent/agency over possibly a long period of time. Good rapport should be built from first contact! . Not good enough.

Jodi

 

It's poor form Bran.

Where is the IP located? You might find a good PM on propertychat that could take over?

Cheers

Jamie

 

It's in an area where I have a couple. I've got two up for rent at the moment, so watching and observing each PM quite closely. One is outperforming the other for sure.

 

Wowsers that is poor... I held an open home on Friday (self manager). Address and time of inspection had to be requested (so I have contact details for people). On the day I introduced myself to everyone and gave them the 101, then ended by asking if they would like an application. It REALLY isn't hard! There are plenty of trick things about being a PM but holding an open should not be one of them!