How to Choose a Property Management Company

How to Choose the Best Management Company- Some Things to Think About!


Income properties can be a lucrative investment, but it can be a full time job managing them.  Nobody wants to get a call at 2 AM from an angry tenant whose air conditioner went out on a sweltering July night.  Most owners would prefer to have a buffer between themselves and their tenants.  

With the myriad of property management and tenant placement companies out there, how do you know which one to choose?  You want your tenant with the broken air conditioner to be happy, and that means getting someone out there ASAP to get it fixed.  You want someone who will screen prospective tenants, conduct background checks, show your property, and take care of routine maintenance.  But there’s more to it than just that.

When you start your search for the right property management company, one of the most important things to look for is good communication.  You want your property manager to be easy to get ahold of by phone and email, and to respond to your messages in a timely manner.  And good communication also means good listening. 

Another important aspect to consider is advertising.  You want your property to be advertised as effectively as possible to ensure that any and all prospective tenants are seeing the ads.  Effective advertising prevents your property from sitting vacant and lonely for months on end. You do not want to be just a number to a property management company. If there are 150+ listings, what number is your property? Just think about that...

Some other essentials to look for in a management company include someone who provides monthly statements, conducts quarterly inspections, can be reached 24/7 for maintenance issues and emergencies, and has experience with section 8... Hey, wait a minute!  We do all of that! 


If you would like a free analysis of your property, give us a call at 952-960-0930 or visit us at www.citiesrentals.com

Inexpensive Ways to Update your Home

Here's a few cheap and simple ways to refresh your home!

* Rotating your existing decor items will help breathe new life into rooms without spending a penny.

* Create a focal point in a room. It can be a cherished family heirloom or simply a collection of candles.

* A fresh coat of paint can instantly refresh any room.

* Add a new custom lock or door knob to your front door.

* Unused pieces of fabric can easily be made into window treatments or a new shower curtain.

* Install dimmers in the living room or dining room to create mood lighting.

*Update boring lampshades by taping the shade with painter's tape in a fun pattern, spray painting it, then removing tape.

*Use colorful accent pieces, such as throw blankets or pillows.

*Blackboards and bulletin boards are great for kids' rooms, laundry rooms and in the kitchen.

*Decorate according your interests! If you like music, hang your favorite  vintage album covers on the walls.

*Decorate a window ledge in the kitchen with small potted herbs.  They smell great too!

*Give bathrooms a fresh look with humidity-loving plants like bamboo.

*Use fruit to add color when decorating. Citrus fruits in a hurricane vase can instantly brighten up a room.

*To bring a little nature indoors, decorate with jade or aloe, which are pretty and easy to care for.

*For an instant update to cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom, change out boring old hardware for shiny new hardware.

*Hang mirrors opposite windows in small spaces to make them feel brighter and more cheerful.

*Changing window treatments can take a room from dark to light and airy.