$200 Non-Refundable Application Fee? + PM Recommendations

[Lisa T.]

$200 non-refundable application fee -- This seems very high to me.  I have noticed since my PM implemented this our days on the market have significantly increased.  Coincidence?  What is the typical application fee in the Houston area?  The best I could do it look at individual listings to the general public and $200 is high.  In the other markets we are in it's in the $75-125 range.   I'm also finding their recommended rates seem to be very low when I go out and search online, rentometer, etc.  We can't afford to not be pricing right with the significant double-digit increases in insurance and property taxes, especially in Houston.

We've been with this PM for 5 years and we are seeing a decline in their services so I think it's past time to get out in the market and see what our options are for a new PM.  Do you have a solid PM in the Houston area you could name?  I, of course, would need to do my own due diligence but it's nice to have somewhere to start my research.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to comment/make suggestions.

[Michael Smythe]

Either the PMC is trying to use the application fee as a filter or a profit center.

Would point blank ask them and express your concern about the increasing DOM.

FYI - DOM for rentals is up 26% compared to same time last year:(