[capecodkev]

But your manager is not taking on any additional clients so that does not help for those of us who do not have her representing us.

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by capecodkev

But your manager is not taking on any additional clients so that does not help for those of us who do not have her representing us.

I do not intend to "rub it in" that we have a great property manager who is currently operating at capacity. I sent you a pm to address that issue and then verified with my manager that things are changing all the time and that she has openings very often. And I can't believe that there are not other good managers out there.

I wrote this reply because I believe there are serious misconceptions about how practical it can be to hire a home watch service as a substitute for a competent property manager.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

Since our other home is out of state, I know we could not manage our place with the service we provide strictly with a home watch company. Home watch is not there to welcome and orient guests, or take care of things which might need attention during a guest's stay. They don't do the cleaning, the quality of which can be very poor unless you know you can depend on the cleaners AND it is carefully supervised. They don't do the taxes, advertising or contracting with prospective tenants. They generally do not arrange for needed repairs and services from a list of companies they know are honest and reliable. And they are not there to admit them when work needs to be done. They don't screen guests to make sure the numbers staying are accurate. And if you have a manager who charges reasonable fees like ours, the difference between those costs and the costs for home watch are quite small.

So when we had a property manager from a know company here, and came to our home six weeks after the renters left, our patio door was wide open no not broken into just left open, mold growing in food left on the counter,showers had dirty footprints in them, carpet stained, and $1800 in damage. The answer for all of this is. Guess we forgot to check the house before we gave back the deposit...right...I use the villages4rent..I talk to each person myself, and yes there have been people I have turned down just didn't like the vibe...we have had wonderful people stay at our home, and yes my home watch person greets them goes over the house, helps them with problems while they are there, checks them out, and has the house cleaned...at least when I come down I know my home is well cared for and it's not about taking the first person who calls just to get the money, after all this my home, and sometimes companies forget that

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by asianthree

So when we had a property manager from a know company here, and came to our home six weeks after the renters left, our patio door was wide open no not broken into just left open, mold growing in food left on the counter,showers had dirty footprints in them, carpet stained, and $1800 in damage. The answer for all of this is. Guess we forgot to check the house before we gave back the deposit...right...I use the villages4rent..I talk to each person myself, and yes there have been people I have turned down just didn't like the vibe...we have had wonderful people stay at our home, and yes my home watch person greets them goes over the house, helps them with problems while they are there, checks them out, and has the house cleaned...at least when I come down I know my home is well cared for and it's not about taking the first person who calls just to get the money, after all this my home, and sometimes companies forget that

Sounds to me like you've got one EXCEPTIONAL home watch person!! Is she Redwitch?

[BettyCrocked]

Do it yourself and hire a homewatcher. I spoke with a couple of the recommended managers and without even seeing the home told me the most they would rent mine out for in peak months is $3400. I'm already booked up at $4000/month for those months handling it myself. So I would have been paying someone 10% to rent it out for $600 less.

[twiceis]

Villages4rent and u can do it yourself!

[crummybuttons]

Call Realty Executives. They do it all for me and I sleep better at night. Worth every penny.

Originally Posted by mdmurrell

Hello Everyone,
We are closing on a Whispering Pines home in the Peidmont Village on May 3rd and planning on leasing the property as much as possible. I interviewed TV's Real Estate Property Management and was shocked at the charges (20% plus outlandish hidden fees). After interviewing another firm (15% short term lease of 3 months or less; 10% on long term lease of 6 months or more) I am wondering whether it is possible to do this myself or find someone who is competent locally? Any suggestions are most welcome!

[doubled]

I am a new owner and an out of state. Any good templates for contracts? We plan to rent on our own.

[Bonanza]

I have been a Realtor for 30 years and to charge 20% is outrageous, particularly when you said that there were additional fees, which there often are. My company's standard fee was the equivalent of one month's rental amount (per annum).

Just as a point of information, in Florida, there is a luxury tax on rentals if the rental isn't at least six months. Many owners will make up a lease for six months and one day, which is perfectly legal, but if you plan to have multi rentals per year, be careful. All you need is one angry neighbor who turns you in.