People often confuse the terms “property management” with “property maintenance.” However, as property management professionals, we recognize that there are significant differences between the two.
Here is a good breakdown to help you understand the difference and how it can impact your decision-making process regarding real estate strategies.
Property Maintenance
Think “maintain” residential property: lawn cutting, snow removal, general repairs, clearing clogged drains, routine servicing of major appliances like HVAC or water heaters, etc.
Property maintenance is ensuring that everything is physically taken care of. This can be done by the homeowners themselves, a handyman, various vendors (such as landscapers and plumbers), or a building superintendent, often referred to as a “super”.
A “super” is the primary caretaker of a residential building, responsible for overseeing general maintenance, repairs, and ensuring the building’s upkeep and safety.
Property Management
Think “range of real estate services”: a comprehensive and overarching service that encompasses property maintenance and so much more.
Here at Real Property Management All-Star, we are a licensed real estate brokerage firm with over two decades of experience. That essentially means we help our clients with a variety of real estate services such as:
- Helping real estate investors find qualified tenants for their properties
- Managing properties (day-to-day operations) with tenants residing in them
- Adhering to city & state requirements
- Coordinating and using cost-effective contractors for all maintenance needs
- Tracking all rents collected and expenses
- Collecting and dispersing rent monies- Assisting clients with real estate purchases (owner occupied and/or investment)
- Listing a real estate for sale
Property maintenance personnel, can do maintenance. But can’t legally collect rent or show properties on behalf of property owners. And generally are not up to speed with city and state requirements (that are ever changing).
At Real Property Management All-Star, we keep up with city & state requirements AND can show properties & collect rent on behalf of property owners.
We also have a list of professional companies and contractors that we’ve worked with for many years that are reputable maintenance personnel. We coordinate the service, confirm the work is done correctly & in a timely manner and manage/account for the related billing/expenses.
The difference between Property Maintenance and Property Management is significant. We hope this information clarifies it for you.
We relieve real estate investors of the stressors associated with managing their properties.
If you’re looking for a reputable, knowledgeable, property management company to handle your property, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will be glad to help you.
– Real Property Management All-Star
Want to read more? Check out The Art of Landlord-Tenant Communication.