Managing Your Rental Property from Afar

It is becoming increasingly common for property owners to live far away from their rental units. Whether you couldn't sell your home and needed to relocate, or if you are taking advantage of low prices in other markets to build your investment portfolio, you need a partner you can trust to ensure you get the best return and your property is consistently managed. Here is what you need to consider when managing your rental property from afar:

Do I Really Need A “Property Manager?

Many new property owners underestimate what it means to manage a rental property. They believe if a family member or friend lives close by and can collect the rent and call a plumber when needed, everything is covered. The truth is, property management is a complex business where small mistakes can result in large losses. Anything less than attentive, proactive attention across all aspects of management will result in a lower return on your investment. Marketing, leasing, maintenance, collections, evictions, accounting, inspections and legal compliance all require active consideration. The right, professional manager will pay for themselves in shorter vacancy times, proactive maintenance and responsive attention to the details.

How Can I Get The Best Return?

In the rental business, you have one stream of income—rent. On the other side, you have a long line of expenses every owner has to deal with: marketing, maintenance, repairs, materials, replaced appliances, code violations, collections, evictions, etc. And, although every landlord doesn't think it will happen to them, if you stay in the rental property management business you will experience these unforeseen expenses. Just like your other investments, your real estate asset will perform better with a professional property manager who is working for your best interest. A professional manager helps you proactively avoid and minimize vacancies, manage the property condition and help you avoid costly mistakes.

How Can I Know What Is Happening With My Rental Property?

It’s so much easier to rest easy when you can see what is happening with your rental unit online around the clock. With a professional Property Management company, you'll have 24/7 access to photographs, leases, rents, inspection details, maintenance activity and comprehensive financial reports—for a single property or a whole portfolio. Professional management not only means you have a small army of specialists attending to every aspect of your investment, it also means you have complete, transparent access to everything that is happening with your property, whether you are right here in town, or halfway around the globe.

To make your property profitable, you need much more than drive-by “management” from a friend or relative. And, you need more than a small discount company that has limited resources, knowledge or experience to avoid costly vacancies and missed details. ALH|Podland Rental Homes Property Management offers an affordable, comprehensive solution to help you get a better return, wherever in the world you may be.

Rental homes can be a profitable endeavor, but it’s important to know how to handle them correctly. If you’re looking for help managing your rental homes in Atlanta or the surrounding area, contact us. We can help you avoid these serious mistakes. ALH|Podland Rental Homes Property Management has been managing real estate investments since 2008. We offer a full array of property management services. 

Marina Shlomov, a managing partner at ALH|Podland Realty & Rental Homes Property Management is the author of many articles on Landlording, Property Management, and Real Estate Investing. A residential builder in the state of Georgia since 1999, Marina is an investor herself. Her property management company is intended “For Investors” and “By Investors” for a simple reason – she knows what investors’ goals are and she works hard to reach their goals. In her spare time, Marina likes to spend time with her family, friends, garden, read and travel. Check her out at www.alhpodland.com. You can find Marina’s articles and comments at @rentalhomesatl on Twitter, on Facebook, Google+, Blogger. and YouTube, Bigger Pockets and REI CLub and LinkedIn.