Property Management Recommendations in Huntsville, AL
Walnut Creek, CA · Member since 2015 · 33 posts · 15 votes
Property Management Recommendations in Huntsville, AL
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6yRemember: cheaper doesn't mean you'll make more money.
You can start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers. These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics. It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start. Regardless of how you find them, try to interview at least three managers
1. Ask how many units they manage and how much experience they have. If it's a larger organization, feel free to inquire about their different staff qualifications.
2. Review their management agreement. Make sure it explicitly explains the process for termination if you are unhappy with their services, but especially if they violate the terms of your agreement.
3. Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers. It may sound nice to pay a 5% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no add-on fees. Fees should be clearly stated, easy to understand, and justifiable. If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee. Don't be afraid to negotiate!
4. Review their lease agreement and addenda. Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.
5. Don't just read the lease! Ask the manager to explain their process for dealing with maintenance, late rent, evictions, turnover, etc. If they are professional, they can explain this quickly and easily. If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that it is enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff.
6. Ask to speak with some of their current owners and current/former tenants. You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp. Just remember: most negative reviews are written by problematic tenants. The fact they are complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.
7. Look at their marketing strategy. Are they doing everything they can to expose properties to the widest possible market? Are their listings detailed with good quality photos? Can they prove how long it takes to rent a vacant property?
This isn't inclusive but should give you a good start. If you have specific questions about property management, I'll be happy to help!
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
10 Replies
- Huntsville, AL · Member since 2015 · 34 posts · 27 votes6yNorth Star Property Management has served me well. I have been living in Huntsville for four years and currently hold 3 properties there. North Star is a smaller Management Company allowing them to provide a higher level of attention. Best of luck!
- Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes6y
Remember: cheaper doesn't mean you'll make more money.
You can start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers. These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics. It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start. Regardless of how you find them, try to interview at least three managers
1. Ask how many units they manage and how much experience they have. If it's a larger organization, feel free to inquire about their different staff qualifications.
2. Review their management agreement. Make sure it explicitly explains the process for termination if you are unhappy with their services, but especially if they violate the terms of your agreement.
3. Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers. It may sound nice to pay a 5% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no add-on fees. Fees should be clearly stated, easy to understand, and justifiable. If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee. Don't be afraid to negotiate!
4. Review their lease agreement and addenda. Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.
5. Don't just read the lease! Ask the manager to explain their process for dealing with maintenance, late rent, evictions, turnover, etc. If they are professional, they can explain this quickly and easily. If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that it is enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff.
6. Ask to speak with some of their current owners and current/former tenants. You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp. Just remember: most negative reviews are written by problematic tenants. The fact they are complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.
7. Look at their marketing strategy. Are they doing everything they can to expose properties to the widest possible market? Are their listings detailed with good quality photos? Can they prove how long it takes to rent a vacant property?
This isn't inclusive but should give you a good start. If you have specific questions about property management, I'll be happy to help!
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews - Property Manager · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2017 · 302 posts · 246 votes6y
Happy to talk with you! I'm a realtor and property manager in Huntsville, AL. My company has experience with multis and SFHs.
- Rental Property Investor · Fremont, CA · Member since 2016 · 298 posts · 222 votes6y
Congrats on your first rental investment!
I am a fellow huntsville investor from Bay area and have couple of SFR and a quad. I am currently using RCPM and have been happy with them. I really love Huntsville!
We have a bay area Huntsville investor group and I would be happy to add you to that group and you will get many recommendations from there as well. PM me and I can give you more info.
-Gorden
- Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2015 · 66 posts · 45 votes6y
@Brett Hennessy I'd be interested in hearing more about North Star. I'm in Huntsville area, but haven't heard of them. What made you select them and have you been pleased with their services?
Shawn
- Lender · Santa Rosa, CA · Member since 2017 · 283 posts · 255 votes6y
@Dennis Cobos where is your property (zip code)? You have a great start here above. One other thing I would do is mystery shop the PM’s with email and phone call response to a listing similar to yours. That will tell you a lot.
@Zachary C. At Astro Property is very hands on with a high level of performance. I have management in house but Zach was very responsive when I looked at 3rd party and I’ve heard very good things.
- Huntsville, AL · Member since 2015 · 34 posts · 27 votes6y
@shawn costley I have been pleased with their services. George Lensch was an agent for me first. He did such a great job that I went with his company's property management too.
- Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote3y
Quote from @Gorden Lopes:
Congrats on your first rental investment!
I am a fellow huntsville investor from Bay area and have couple of SFR and a quad. I am currently using RCPM and have been happy with them. I really love Huntsville!
We have a bay area Huntsville investor group and I would be happy to add you to that group and you will get many recommendations from there as well. PM me and I can give you more info.
-Gorden
I realize this is an old thread, but I'm just getting started.. - Do you still use RCPM and are you still happy with them? Thanks!
- Member since 2022 · 6 posts · 1 vote3y
Quote from @Brett Hennessy:
North Star Property Management has served me well. I have been living in Huntsville for four years and currently hold 3 properties there. North Star is a smaller Management Company allowing them to provide a higher level of attention. Best of luck!Hey, I've been researching PM's here in HSV, and I wondered if you still used North Star Property Management and if so, do you still like them? Thanks, E
- Member since 2018 · 1 post · 1 vote3y
I’m also an investor in the Huntsville, AL. I realize this thread is old and looking to see if people still recommend the above mentioned property management companies. Specifically I’d like to know how they handle non paying tenants, evictions (how many months do they allow tenants to carry balances and not pay before going to evictions). Do they go through collections to recover funds? Do they have their own in house maintenance to do repair and are they reasonably priced?
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