is fluid with the move-in process, so use a management software that can do both to consolidate information and speed up the leasing process. MAINTENANCE One of the biggest challenges we can face is oversee- ing, coordinating, and maintaining the level of mainte- nance required to properly fulfill the properties. From emergency calls to routine maintenance, there is a con- stant flow of work needing to be done. Renovations and unit turnovers are another piece to the puzzle, so using the right network of vendors and maintenance person- nel is important. Thinking through the workflow of a new maintenance request all the way to work completed can be a big task requiring multiple touch points with team members and vendors. The easier it is for your vendors to track their assigned tasks the better, along with friend- ly follow ups that can be automated or done through software. We generally pay our vendors weekly, so they are paid timely and keep our work as a high priority. One may consider outsourcing or bringing the maintenance division to some extent in-house. There can be pros and cons to both, but either way this piece takes up a lot of managements time. VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS/REMOTE TEAM MEMBERS There has been a constant need for affordable labor especially with the rise in minimum wage and currently the unemployment has caused some disruption to the labor market. We utilize team members that are remote both within and outside the United States. This gives us flexibility and most of the time we can train someone just was well for a much lower cost than people here in the United States. Freelancers, virtual assistants, and other third-party companies can allow property managers to have a lot of leverage and higher customer service for operations. VAs can also be a great option for small busi- nesses who need help but cannot afford what the labor market is demanding for stateside personnel. •
on vacation or is unavailable then others can interact with the mailboxes. We also like to use Voxer as a walk- ie-talkie style app that allows for texting, videos, voice notes among the team so we know to respond depend- ing on urgency. LEASING When it comes to leasing there are those who allow self-showings, where tenants utilize a system to let themselves view the properties with lockboxes that allow for custom codes for set time periods. Others may still do showings where a representative from the compa- ny tours the unit explaining the benefits, features, and amenities of the property. It may be wise to use both, although right now we are showing properties in-per- son. This technology has been helpful through the COVID environment allowing tenants to show themselves into the properties without contact with another individual. The best way to get activity from your marketing efforts is focusing on the online platforms. As real estate agents and brokers we have access to the listing service where most properties are bought, sold, and leased. We also utilize platforms like Zillow, Trulia, HotPads, etc. to ensure we are getting as much activity as possible. Aside from the lead generation is the automatic follow up with potential renters and making sure a system is in place to show them promptly to try and convert the unit. We rec- ommend using a platform that can run applications and
Jeremy Kloter, A Marine Corps Veteran turned Broker, was raised in the Tampa Bay Area. Jeremy is the Founder of Out Fast Property Management, a top Tampa Bay property management company that manages residential properties and apartment complexes. His other business ventures include being the Co-Founder in a real estate investment fund (506B, Reg. D), a real estate brokerage, and a property management company.
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