Property Management Companies in Pittsburgh?

Question

Does anyone have any recommendations on good property management companies in Pittsburgh?  I am not happy with my current property management company and would like to explore my options (assuming that good property management companies actually exist).

Chris Seveney · Answer

@Sandra Andrews

Ha - hey Sandra

If you find one let me know I just fired mine as well as they ended up being awful

Alex Hileman · Answer

Hi Sandra, we are currently working with Susan Gill with C21 Fairways for Property Management. So far, so good.

Drew Sygit · Answer

@Sandra Andrews

Even if someone give 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 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 that we've added our real experiences to 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 any feedback via email, as we do not use the DM feature here.

Travis Sterner · Answer

@Sandra Andrews try Patrick Conley with Berkshire, his team is very comprehensive. I know a couple of the larger management companies, but I would start with him.

Sandra Andrews · Answer

@Chris Seveney Will do!

Sandra Andrews · Answer

@Travis Sterner Shadyside; long-term rentals.

Travis Sterner · Answer

What part of town and type of rentals?

V.G Jason · Answer

Do you guys mind sharing your bad ones? PGH is on my my short list, this would be very helpful.

Kurt Naletko · Answer

Also interested

Property Management Companies in Pittsburgh?

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