Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 312 posts · 156 votes
Our PM has gone MIA, so we need a new one. Blueprint called me through Bigger Pockets referral finder program. If you have experience with them handling your rentals I'd appreciate your thoughts (here in the forum or a call, whichever you prefer). Thanks.
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
3w
It's really unfortunate you're going through this:(
Hopefully, you can learn from this and screen your next PMC better:)
We’re a Property Management Company (PMC) in Metro Detroit ONLY, with 25+ years of experience, and we’ve seen owners make the same mistakes, over & over again when looking to hire a PMC – which drives us nuts!.
In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make is ASSUMING all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.
So, owners mistakenly think price is the only differentiator – and look for a PMC like they’d shop for groceries☹
We encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others by reading posts here on BiggerPockets from owners that picked a PMC solely by price and regretted it.
We recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.
Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (), etc.
Even if someone gives you a referral, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that just because a PMC met their expectations, they’ll meet your expectations. We all have our own expectations and what works for someone else, may not work for you.
If you’re new to all of this, it's often a case of not doing enough research, as you don't know what you don't know!
So, ask more questions!
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!
A well written management contract should clearly spell out what is expected of both the PMC and the owner, to PROTECT both and avoid misunderstandings. Why do you think purchase contracts are so long and have such small print?
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😊
Here’s some articles we’ve contributed to BiggerPockets about screening a PMC BETTER than you would a tenant!
Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 312 posts · 156 votes
3w
@Drew Sygit,we did screen our current PMC. In fact we've been with them for over 5 years. Whatever they're going through is not something that we could have avoided through screening.
Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 546 posts · 316 votes
3w
No firsthand experience with Blueprint, but I’d be interested to hear from owners currently using them too. With your current PM going MIA, I’d especially want to know what their communication looks like after onboarding—not just while they’re trying to earn the business.
Real Estate Broker · Member since 2024 · 129 posts · 60 votes
2w
@Bryan Hartlen Sorry you’re dealing with a MIA PM. That’s the nightmare for OOS.
I run PM in Birmingham. We’ve been in business for 7+ years. Happy to compare notes on response times, maintenance, and owner reporting if useful. Shoot me a DM with door count and areas.
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