Looking for an amazing property manager in the Chicago area!

Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 23 votes

Out of state investor looking for multi-family units in Chicago suburbs, just looking for an amazing property manager! Using REI Nation for my property in TN and they've been awesome. Is there anyone like that out there...?

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Douglas SkipworthBusiness Member

Rental Property Investor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

If you're looking for amazing property management in Chicago, look no further than @Mark Ainley!

Investor's Guide to Memphis Real Estate

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Tom Shallcross
Rental Property Investor · Chicago · Member since 2018 · 613 posts · 1k+ votes
3y
I'll be the first of several on this upcoming thread to tell you to reach out to @Mark Ainley.
2 Reply
Paul De Luca
Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
I also recommend @Mark Ainley
2 Reply
John Warren
Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
@Elbert O. in the suburbs, it would be @Mark Ainley and GC Realty all day long. They have a great footprint in the burbs, and they have good processes to get the job done.
1 Reply
Jake FugmanBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 256 posts · 250 votes
3y
@Jason Marcordes and @Mark Ainley will take good care of you
The Axon Group4.981 Reviews
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Douglas SkipworthBusiness Member
Rental Property Investor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
If you're looking for amazing property management in Chicago, look no further than @Mark Ainley!
Investor's Guide to Memphis Real Estate
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Jason MarcordesPro Member
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 154 posts · 91 votes
3y
Thanks @Jake Fugman (not sure why it's not letting me tag you!)

Hi @Elbert O.. We manage in the Chicagoland area and would be happy to hop on a call to see if we're a good fit. @Eriel Davis will reach out. Thank you!
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Elbert O.Pro Member
OP
Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 23 votes
3y
Quote from @Jason Marcordes:

Thanks @Jake Fugman (not sure why it's not letting me tag you!)

Hi @Elbert O.. We manage in the Chicagoland area and would be happy to hop on a call to see if we're a good fit. @Eriel Davis will reach out. Thank you!
Thank you, she has reached out, will chat with her
1 Reply
Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
3y
@Elbert O.

Even if someone gives you a referral, what meets their expectations, may not meet yours.

In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.

It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so the price is the only differentiator.

So, the first question they usually ask a PMC is about fees - instead of asking about services and HOW those services are executed.

EXAMPLE: PMC states they will handle tenant screening – what does that specifically mean? What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.? You’d be shocked by how little actual screening many PMC’s do!

This also leads owners to ASSUME simpler is better when it comes to management contracts.

The reality is the opposite - if it's not in writing then the PMC doesn't have to provide the service or can charge extra for it!

We have a 14-page management contract to which we've added our real experiences over the years, with the intent of protecting both us AND the landlord. Beyond the Monthly Management, Placement & Maintenance fees, all other fees in our contract are IF EVENT -> THEN fees.

We don’t know any PMCs to recommend in the area mentioned, but since selecting the wrong PMC is usually more harmful than selecting a bad tenant, you might want to read our series about “How to Screen a PMC Better than a Tenant”:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3094/91877-how-to-screen-a-pmc-better-than-a-tenant-part-1-services-and-processes

We recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

P.S. If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general. Take ownership of your mistake and learn to do the proper due diligence recommended above😊

Please send us feedback via email, as we do not use the DM feature here.

[email protected]248-209-6824
Logical Property Management4.9460 Reviews
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Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
Moderator
Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Hey @Elbert O. - Which Chicago suburb is your property in? That will play a crucial role on who the best propety manager would be. I know like others have mentioned @Mark Ainley is on the northside along with @Jason Marcordes. If you are on the southside consider reaching out to @Jared Kott. Lastly if you are in the far NW burbs consider connecting with @Joe Mueller.
[email protected]
Quality Builders4.966 Reviews
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Elbert O.Pro Member
OP
Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 23 votes
3y
Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Hey @Elbert O. - Which Chicago suburb is your property in? That will play a crucial role on who the best propety manager would be. I know like others have mentioned @Mark Ainley is on the northside along with @Jason Marcordes. If you are on the southside consider reaching out to @Jared Kott. Lastly if you are in the far NW burbs consider connecting with @Joe Mueller.
Highwood. But am also potentially looking for La Grange, Highland Park, possibly Elmwood Park
2 Reply
Elbert O.Pro Member
OP
Member since 2022 · 32 posts · 23 votes
3y
Quote from @Drew Sygit:

@Elbert O.

Even if someone gives you a referral, what meets their expectations, may not meet yours.

In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.

It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so the price is the only differentiator.

So, the first question they usually ask a PMC is about fees - instead of asking about services and HOW those services are executed.

EXAMPLE: PMC states they will handle tenant screening – what does that specifically mean? What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.? You’d be shocked by how little actual screening many PMC’s do!

This also leads owners to ASSUME simpler is better when it comes to management contracts.

The reality is the opposite - if it's not in writing then the PMC doesn't have to provide the service or can charge extra for it!

We have a 14-page management contract to which we've added our real experiences over the years, with the intent of protecting both us AND the landlord. Beyond the Monthly Management, Placement & Maintenance fees, all other fees in our contract are IF EVENT -> THEN fees.

We don’t know any PMCs to recommend in the area mentioned, but since selecting the wrong PMC is usually more harmful than selecting a bad tenant, you might want to read our series about “How to Screen a PMC Better than a Tenant”:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3094/91877-how-to-screen-a-pmc-better-than-a-tenant-part-1-services-and-processes

We recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

P.S. If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general. Take ownership of your mistake and learn to do the proper due diligence recommended above😊

Please send us feedback via email, as we do not use the DM feature here.

thanks, will give it a read!
0 Reply
Jason MarcordesPro Member
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 154 posts · 91 votes
3y
Quote from @Elbert O.:

Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Hey @Elbert O. - Which Chicago suburb is your property in? That will play a crucial role on who the best propety manager would be. I know like others have mentioned @Mark Ainley is on the northside along with @Jason Marcordes. If you are on the southside consider reaching out to @Jared Kott. Lastly if you are in the far NW burbs consider connecting with @Joe Mueller.
Highwood. But am also potentially looking for La Grange, Highland Park, possibly Elmwood Park

If you are not familiar, Highwood has an amazing pumpkin festival every year & every year they try to break the world record for the most jack-o-laterns (...random fact of the day). It's a very nice community but too far north for us. However, if Eriel has been in touch, she will refer you to a trusted property management company in that area. We do manage in La Grange so if you end up going that route, please keep us in mind.
2 Reply
Eric Workman
Investor · Plainfield, IL · Member since 2015 · 5 posts · 3 votes
3y
no one better than @Mark Ainley.
2 Reply

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