Why Do I Need A Property Manager?

Every so often, I meet with a potential client that understands the need for an agent or property manager to list their home for rent, but despite the fact that they are moving, or are currently living, far away, they think they can do without a property manager.  I usually try to explain some of the advantages of having a property manager and let them come to their own conclusion. If they decide to manage the property themselves, I hope they don't learn a hard lesson, and wish them well. 
This post is a story about an owner that made a good choice, when it came to the management of his property. It was years ago I that I took on the management of a new property.  It had been a referral from an agent from another local company, that didn't have a property management department and we had worked together in the past.  I had managed it for several years, when the owner's decided they needed to sell the house, the other agent listed it and it sold pretty quickly.

The new owner lived in California and was in the military. He wasn't sure if he wanted to keep me as his property manager, and while he was in town for the closing, we got together and he decided to continue with me, and signed my agreement.  The house was pretty old, built in the 1950s, but appeared to be in great shape.  The tenants that had been there for several years stayed for another year or so and then decided to move. 

I listed the property for rent again and that was when things started going less than smoothly. The house was broken into one night, one of the neighbors noticed a broken window and called me, since my number was on the sign. It was late, but I called the police and my husband and I went over to the house to secure it.  I called the owner to let him know and he was really grateful that I was on my way there, despite the late hour. 

A week or so later, I was showing the house and it was raining outside so I left my shoes on the front porch.  While walking around, I noticed the floor was really warm in a certain area and realized there must be a leak under the floor.  I checked the water meter, after making sure there was no water running, and it appeared that there was a leak.  I let the owner know and advised him that we needed someone to come out and detect the leak.  He was really anxious being so far away, and was getting ready to be deployed, but I assured him that I would be there to help. 

There was a leak and there was an issue with tree roots under the house and it turned into a really huge deal.  The floor needed to be jack hammered up, as did sections of the walls (that were poured cement) to replace the pipes.  A huge tree needed to be removed and new flooring, drywall and paint needed to be taken cafe of.  It was a mess but it all got taken care of.  I was able to get it re-rented before the work was even complete, and the owner was really happy he had decided to keep me as the property manager.