WORST Property Manager

Discussion in 'Property Management' started by GeorgeStrathos, 6th Feb, 2018.

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  1. GeorgeStrathos

    GeorgeStrathos Member

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    I hired a Property Manager in Brisbane about 3 months ago, and it has been the WORST experience.

    Never picks up when I call.
    Never responds to emails.
    Constantly have to follow up on maintenance requests.
    Simply rude.

    Is this normal? Are there others out there with the same problem? This is the third PM I’ve hired for this property and the results aren’t getting any better.

    Love to hear your thoughts.
     
  2. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

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    How many maintenance requests have you had in 3 months?
     
  3. GeorgeStrathos

    GeorgeStrathos Member

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    Two so far... Ridiculous I know...
    In saying that, I’m talking in general terms of all PM I’ve hired for this property.
     
  4. Pumpkin

    Pumpkin Well-Known Member

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    No, not normal.
    In fact I can use your descriptions on most of our Owners....
    - Dont read my emails until I send sms
    - Need constant follow ups on maintenance requests
    But they do pickup my calls when I rang, whicjph is very rare.

    Maybe we can swap position...:rolleyes:
     
    Tom Rivera likes this.
  5. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    What's the property like? What basis did you choose the PMs on? What type of maintenance issues were they?

    There's definitely good and bad PMs out there no doubt. Ive met some brilliant and awful ones in my travels.
     
  6. Trainee

    Trainee Well-Known Member

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    Three pms all bad. How long have you had the ip amd have you had a good pm before?
     
  7. Tom Rivera

    Tom Rivera Property Manager Business Member

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    How are you going about selecting your PM's?
     
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  8. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    Sort by low-high fee :p
     
    Tom Rivera likes this.
  9. GapPhantom

    GapPhantom Active Member

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    Its not Ray White Keperra is it? :p
     
  10. Jamie Moore

    Jamie Moore MORTGAGE BROKER - AUSTRALIA WIDE Business Member

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    It's not normal - but there are some terrible ones out there.

    Time to move on!

    Cheers

    Jamie
     
  11. sash

    sash Well-Known Member

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    Sack them and move....no point wasting your time...with idiots like that...
     
    JacM likes this.
  12. GeorgeStrathos

    GeorgeStrathos Member

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    I guess you’re right.

    I’d love to hear the perspective from other investors in my shoes.
     
  13. GapPhantom

    GapPhantom Active Member

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    Moved to Image Property...
    Coming from the incompetent people at Ray White Keperra, it's a fresh and welcome change...

    RWK had 2 tenancies, both leaving me with fights at QCAT for over $5500 per tenancy... Through their direct incompetence, portions of claims were dismissed by lack of process and have cost me losses over $3500...
     
    Tom Rivera likes this.
  14. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    Discuss with a solicitor ?
    Is LL insurance a future strategy ? Its a small price ($300??) for a little security but doesnt mean a bad PM should be tolerated
     
  15. Xenia

    Xenia Well-Known Member

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    Sorry to hear that.
    Not good at all :(
     
  16. MyDarlinghurst

    MyDarlinghurst Well-Known Member

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    It is a two way street though... im not doubting you but when you say all the PM you had for that property it seems u had a few.

    Im the same too in the past where i demanded more from my PM than they could do and got on the bad side of them emailing them with demands and how long tgey will be with maitenance etc then i realised I was going thru a ton of property managers until i decided to work with them and when i emailed I asked THEM for advice .

    Best way is to work in with them and realise your not their only customer.

    After i was banned from two Agents in Wagga i realised it was me that was the problem not the property managers .

    Im not saying you should send them birthday cards or chocolates but im saying treat them with respect and ask their advice rather than give orders and demands in a email .
     
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  17. JDM

    JDM Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately, this is far too common with property management from my experience.

    Sounds like it's time to move on to another company.
     
  18. WestOz

    WestOz Well-Known Member

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    I always roll eyes when I hear people say that.
    Where still in a large cross section of people who aren't tech savy, or interested, particularly those over 50.
    They may provide an email &/or mobile # because they we're asked to, but it doesn't mean they use them, unlike those that don't know how they got anything done without it.
    I feel sorry for the oldies atm who are trying to work out how they use a landline phone (some still with dials like my outlaws) through the NBN NDT.
     
  19. Deborah McGregor

    Deborah McGregor Member

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    Agree it is time to change companies. Advice - don't shop just on % management fee price. It amazes me that for one of the biggest assets a person ever owns, they just think 'get the cheapest agent'... then get surprised when they don't do a good job.

    Ask them about their processes, ask them about their point of difference, ask them how many properties each property manager handles. Your investment property is an investment - and hiring a property manager to care for your property is an important decision.

    Maintenance requests - it is vital that your PM takes care of maintenance quickly and effectively - it keeps you tenant happy (so they stay and keep paying your mortgage!) Ask potential agents about their policy on maintenance. I have some owners who like to be informed of every little thing and to organise it themselves, and I have some who would prefer to leave it up to my agency - either is fine, but you need to decide what you want from your property manager and ensure you ask the right questions to ensure you get it.
     
    Mel Corliss likes this.
  20. Perthguy

    Perthguy Well-Known Member

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    In my experience it is an illusion that pay more will get you a more competent professional. The best leasing agent I have dealt with in Perth has a lowest fees because he has worked out how to keep his overheads low. The most expensive leasing agent I have used in Perth was completely useless and I fired them.

    My mate also selected one of the more expensive property managers for his area in Perth. The PM managed to mis-manage the property so badly that the PM was fired from the agency!

    I have found the less competent professionals tend to overcharge to make up for their lack of competence. Paying more will not get you a better job!

    My electrician and plumber both charge reasonable prices (not most expensive and not cheapest) but are at the low end. I just built and the builder used an expensive electrician and an expensive plumber. They were terrible! I wish they had never been on site at the build. I could have had a quality job done at a low price if I used my trades. A high price does not guarantee quality.

    Competence is a better guarantee of quality. Finding competence is much harder in my experience.
     
    Tranquilo likes this.