Property management

[erictarleton]

Hi all/anyone

We have just bought on the Villages (can't get used to calling it "TV") and as we will not be using year round, have decided to rent out when we are not there. We are looking for someone to manage the property in terms of cleaning and maintaining the property and checking the property after guests have left, we would do the advertising and renting ourselves!

If anyone could point us in the right direction we would be very grateful

Eric and Heidi

[kfierle]

Congratulations on your purchase! Like you, I am not able to use my home in TV year round and rent it out myself. I use Redwitch, who is a member of this board to take care of my place when I am not there. You can contact her by sending her a private message through this site. Here is her website so you are able to see all the things she will do for you: **********************************************

Again, welcome and I know you will enjoy it here. :welcome:

[l2ridehd]

I also use Redwitch and she is very good, but not a management company. I would use her for what your trying to do. If you want a management company, I would recommend Vilas Hinkle.

[quill]

Do not know anything about her other than my Realtor gave me her name, she used to be a Realtor here at The Villages and went into her own business. I talked to her and she seemed very nice. Asked for a package of info and it arrived a few days later. I was trying to decide about renting out, she gave me a good feeling talking to her. And seems to have a good program, without the exceptionally high fees of others. Also has people that can help you out fit the house. Her name is Jane Hall at 352-638-3870. Good luck, I am not an expert in anything, but you asked and this might be a good solution.

[ijusluvit]

Do not know anything about her other than my Realtor gave me her name, she used to be a Realtor here at The Villages and went into her own business. I talked to her and she seemed very nice. Asked for a package of info and it arrived a few days later. I was trying to decide about renting out, she gave me a good feeling talking to her. And seems to have a good program, without the exceptionally high fees of others. Also has people that can help you out fit the house. Her name is Jane Hall at 352-638-3870. Good luck, I am not an expert in anything, but you asked and this might be a good solution.

Jane Hall is a partner in JD Management, a very efficient full-service property management company. We rent our home for the bulk of the year and must rely on others to take good care of things. We contract out services like landscaping and pest control, and JD Management takes care of the rest. They are the third company we've used, including the Villages Property Management, and JD is by far the best. They charge a straight commission and handle every detail quickly, personally and in gracious, friendly fashion. Their website:
thevillagesforrentbyowner.com is also very good, including excellent video tours of all properties. Since we just can't manage all of the details ourselves, JD Management has been an excellent solution.

[walkr]

We have used Dee Parson of Let Dee Do It 4 U for the past two years as our caretaker. (A word of caution - A "property manager" must be a licensed real estate agent. They would handle everything including receiving calls from prospective renters, sending the renters a lease, and collecting payments. A "caretaker" takes care of everything related to the property and the renters except inquiries, booking, the lease and payment. We had a property manager at first but we quit using him when we found out about this requirement - He wasn't a real estate agent.)

Our caretaker checks our renters in and out and makes herself available to them and to us 24/7. She does all the cleaning and light maintenance. (She just rehung a shelf that needed drywall anchors.) She has handled problems such as linoleum repair, golf cart tire repair and battery replacement, replacement of a window pane (under warranty) and refrigerator repairs quickly and effectively. She has gone out of her way to help our renters including taking one couple to Wal-mart to get food after they got lost when arriving at 11 o'clock at night. She has also made recommendations to our renters for restaurants, activities, etc.

Dee also does our weeding for us which has been a huge help. Before we started using her, we tried doing the weeding when we were there and found that it would take us days to pull all the weeds from the shrub beds.

We handle the advertising, lease, collection of the rents and payment of the 9% "transient rental" tax.

We believe Dee's rates are fair. In fact, she apologizes when she charges extra for something she does that's not within her normal scope of duties. (Half the time I don't think she does charge us extra for those things. I have to watch so that she doesn't short herself. In fact, I gave her a raise because she wasn't charging enough for cleaning.)

We think she is great, but more importantly, our renters think she is great. They are thankful to have someone on call and on-site.

walkr

[Chestnutz]

We must give a standing ovation and recommendation for Dee (Redwitch) who is our 'caretaker' too. The one thing that was a big worry when we purchased was how to have someone keep and eye out for things, and assist with the renters. We are so thankful we found Dee! As walkr mentioned above, Dee too has gone above and beyond, even rescuing one of our renters who somehow got lost coming back from St. Timothy's and ending up in Leesburg! She is a great help with the contractors when we needed repairs and makes sure the job is done right. We have peace of mind knowing she is available. One of our renters appreciated her assistance during their stay so much, that they too are using Dee as a caretaker now that they purchased their own home. (Or you could say , they loved her some much that they bought a home themselves JUST so she could watch it for them too! )

[Pturner]

Yes, Dee and Redwitch are one and the same. She is caretaker for our home as well. I agree with every single thing walkr and Chestnutz said. Consider this another standing ovation and highest recommendation!

[barb1191]

Yep.....Add me to the "Dee/Redwitch" satisfied customers; she's fantastic and her charges are more than fair. She sure does aim to please. barb1191

[erictarleton]

Thanks everyone for your helpful input

Eric and Heidi

[another Linda]

wow, Dee has quite a following! Me too. I believe we were one of her first customers (2007 is when we bought). I've got to say that over the past couple of years she has handled all sorts of mini-crises for us (renter who couldn't get her act together to move out, lightening strike, etc) and now landscaping that has had a close encounter with the garbage truck. she is smart and can figure out what to do when the unexpected happens. She knows the plumbers, tile people, carpet cleaners, landscapers, etc that you will need. We have really come to depend on her.

[redwitch]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I do have to say thanks for all the kind words. I'm lucky and have some truly super friends and clients.

BTW, if you decide to go with a property manager, I also highly recommend Vilas Hinkle. She really cares about her clients and does a good job of renting their properties. Like me, she's right there if there's a problem. She's honest, dependable and reliable.

[walkr]

My recommendation: Save the 15%-18% commission fee and handle your rentals yourself. You will have no trouble renting it out in the high season. Then if you hire a caretaker, you have an on-site presence.

walkr

[colleenj]

Another vote for Dee/Redwitch. She has watched over my house since I bought in June 2008 and I can't say enough good about her. She is honest, dependable and able to handle any crisis that arises. If you are looking for piece of mind when you are not there, hire her.

[lesandy]

Thanks so much for all the info in this thread. We are going to start renting out our house in June, and we wanted to know how to go about obtaining someone locally to look after the rental for us. Our house has a pool, so we would also need a pool service. Does Redwitch do that also, or someone else?

[l2ridehd]

Dee takes care of my home that has a pool, but you need to hire a pool service in addition. I use T&D Concrete for mine. But as many many others have stated before, Dee does everything else. I also agree with the person who suggested handling the rental, lease, taxes and payments your self.

[11BB44]

I also use Redwitch and she is very good, but not a management company. I would use her for what your trying to do. If you want a management company, I would recommend Vilas Hinkle.

Does anyone have Vilas Hinkle's e-mail address?

[ijusluvit]

Does anyone have Vilas Hinkle's e-mail address?

I'm glad this old thread popped up again. Almost exactly a year ago I posted a recommendation here of JD Management. I have recently severed my ties with them after a lengthy series of very bad incidents. If you have specific questions send me a PM. I'm currently working on a complaint to the Florida Real Estate Commission.

I looked around for weeks and finally contacted two terrific people, Redwitch and l2ridehd. They led me to Vilas Hinkle, and we are off to a very good start with the rental management of my home.

If she is willing to share her email address I will put it here shortly.

[misfortune13]

thanks for the info
http://freeimagestocks.com/content/20/grey.png

[skyc6]

We, too, are using Redwitch from this site, and she is just wonderful! We can't say enough about her professionalism and care. If you can get her, you are really lucky, and will not be disappointed.

[buckscounty]

Try ralph@trustworthyhomewatch.com, Ralph Hause, very honest and reliable.

[ijusluvit]

Hi all/anyone

We have just bought on the Villages (can't get used to calling it "TV") and as we will not be using year round, have decided to rent out when we are not there. We are looking for someone to manage the property in terms of cleaning and maintaining the property and checking the property after guests have left, we would do the advertising and renting ourselves!

If anyone could point us in the right direction we would be very grateful

Eric and Heidi

Once again I will strongly recommend Vilas Hinkle, at vilashin@me.com. I've had two wonderful years renting my home part time through her service. She is fully licensed, which is the only way renters and owners have protection, in case something isn't quite as advertised. Unlicensed operators are actually renting illegally, even if they pay required county and state taxes. Vilas and her husband Dennis are Villagers who take care of any and all details at a number of properties. They always do it thoroughly with the personal touch. I couldn't be happier!

Send me a private message if you'd like more information.

[Bogie Shooter]

OP was in March 2010!

[Moderator]

3 year old thread.

Closing thread....