Good Reading Material for Property Management

Does anyone know of any good reads for someone looking to start managing property? My partner and myself have managed our own properties for some time now, as well as wholesaling for the last two years. We are looking to start managing property at the end of this year and have all of our ducks in a row as far as entities and business structure. Now, I am looking more for books and guidelines that deal with the owner / management relationship. Does anyone have any input or suggested websites / books for this?
Thanks in advance,
-Matt Jorgensen

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:33AM

Ralph S.

Real Estate Investor

566 posts
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Icon_minipost Aug 31 '09, 04:23 AM

Don't know about OK, but in all the states I have lived in, in order to manage property for others, you need to be licensed, either as a RE agent or a broker.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:33AM

Matthew Jorgensen

Real Estate Investor · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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Icon_minipost Aug 31 '09, 04:31 AM

True, you do have to have a broker, we have one, but she mainly has handled selling properties and doesn't have much experience in property management.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:33AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
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Icon_minipost Sep 01 '09, 01:41 PM

Matt -
You're looking for a website where you can learn about property management, but you're sitting right on top of it. Start in the landlording forum and you'll be in management 101. Then go to the Landlord and Property Management articles and you'll have passed 102.

Seriously, I don't have any suggestions for books, but there isn't another site with the cumulative knowledge that you'll find here. Jump in and read up!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:35AM

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Kirk B

· Select a State

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Icon_minipost Sep 08 '09, 07:48 AM

Some crazy advice ideas if/when you can't find a book:

1)Network with other property management companies/agents that do it
2)Write up a business plan and have a good RE lawyer review it for $. Be specific with your procedures.
3)Talk to your insurance agent and see what he thinks you need for liability insurance.

only book i could find on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Property-Management-Robert-C-Kyle/dp/0793131170/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252450024&sr=1-12

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:38AM

John Smith

Interior Decorator · New York

11 posts
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Icon_minipost Sep 09 '09, 05:24 AM

I get some books hope this will help you.....American Landlord book by McGraw-Hill..&..Cabela's -- Property Management Books

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:39AM

Nathan Gesner

Property Manager · Cody, Wyoming

47 posts
401 Influence
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Icon_minipost Jul 15 '10, 12:22 PM

I'll update this since it's still viable and wasn't necessarily answered. The #1 book you can buy is "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" from NOLO. You'll find a good description and lots of reviews on Amazon. It includes all the basics like how to advertise, screening tenants, Fair Housing law, security deposits, rent disputes, dealing with tenants, etc. It has all the state-specific laws and even tells you which state statute applies so you can research in more detail. The write is also VERY good at pointing out when you should talk to a local attorney or government to ensure you don't accidentally miss out on a local requirement.

The book comes with a CD that includes many of the forms necessary, such as a tenant application, lease agreement or month-to-month, home inspection checklist, etc. They're all in Word format and can be customized to your use. The book even includes various clauses you can add based on the situation.

I'm a PM for 120 units and am reading the latest version of this book right now and am still learning some things I didn't learn elsewhere. I can't recommend this book more!