Do you think by just visiting a condo property you can tell if it is self-managed by owners or run by a professional condo management group? If you answered yes, I think you are absolutely right!
A realtor friend was telling me about a series of visits she made to various condominium properties all over town with a potential buyer. She explained how she could tell if a property is self-managed or managed by a professional condo management group almost immediately upon pulling in the parking lot. Now granted, she’s a realtor, so she probably has a level of expertise that most people don’t have, but she said, her clients’ normally have the same ability by the end of a few showings and normally pick the condominiums that have that professional condo management group. Why?
Professional condo management group; the visual difference and why
A professional condo management group makes a definite difference in the aesthetics of your property from a physical aspect. Here’s just few of the differences:
- Daily maintenance – A condo management group will have a team of people who are responsible for the daily look of your property. They make sure the pool and the area around the pool are clean; they make sure grass is cut and bushes/plants are properly trimmed and cared for. They make sure common areas are clean, well-lit and cared for. When utilizing self-management, normally a maintenance person is hired with limited supervision, so, things don’t always get done when then should or how they should-after all, they’re just one person.
- Regular extended maintenance – Does the trim on your condominium property look faded and worn? Were you swarmed by bees at the entrance to your door? These are regular extended maintenance items that a condo management group has scheduled, so they never become a problem. Again, with self-management these things are hired out or that one maintenance guy is still trying to fit it into his schedule. The sad thing is, left undone, items like this can become major expense items. Which brings us to the next item…
- Supervision and identification of capital improvements – Most self-managed properties do not have the expertise nor the people to keep up with reserve funds, capital improvement projects and long range planning. By five years in the property is showing sign of wear that are physical and expensive to repair or replace. Condo management is a full-time job, best handled by a professional condo management group.
But there’s a mental difference too…
Oddly enough, my friend also claims you can tell the difference by talking to the people or sometimes by just observing them. Not just the staff, the tenants too!
In properties that are self-managed, you will hear people openly discussing their unhappiness at how this is being done, or isn’t being done. In fact, in some communities where there is turmoil of neighbor pitted against neighbor, you can literally feel the tension as you encounter these people on the sidewalk. Heaven forbid they get a hold of the realtor’s client and tell them how they really feel. (Yes, that has happened). A professional condo management group is neutral; so, they are the barrier that keeps neighbors happy. Residents have a place to take their concerns regarding maintenance, and they know they will be addressed. Click here for another resource and view on the topic.
Staff at self-managed properties while still friendly, many times don’t have the level of expertise to handle the difficult questions a potential buyer or resident might have. When utilizing a professional condo management group like RISE in Houston, you don’t have this problem; there is always someone there to answer the questions correctly and efficiently.
Make your site visit a positive one by utilizing experts in the condominium management group business like RISE in Houston. See a professional condominium management group can increase the face value of your property, explore RISE by visiting riseamg.com or request a quote by contacting RISE at (713) 936-9200 or [email protected]. Condominium management that increases your value and living experience daily.
