Choosing a Surfside Beach property management company is an important decision, whether you’re a new landlord or a real estate investor from out-of-state who is moving into the local rental market. The right property manager will help you earn more and spend less on your investment. You’ll find you have a lot more time and peace of mind. There won’t be any worries about bad tenants, long vacancies, or deferred maintenance.
The wrong management company, however, can be a disaster. We always recommend that property owners take their time when you’re choosing a local property management expert. We recommend you take a look at experience, reputation, and capacity.
In Surfside Beach, you’ll likely find that when choosing a property manager, it doesn’t get better than the team at J & P Unlimited.
But even if we’re not the right partner for you, here’s how to choose a property manager who can help you succeed.
Surfside Beach: Local Management is Essential
Always look for local expertise first.
Surfside Beach is a unique rental market, especially from a property management and investment perspective:
This is a tourist-driven economy. With its pristine beaches and family-friendly attractions, Surfside Beach attracts a steady stream of vacationers during the spring and summer months. This makes it a hotbed for vacation homes and short-term real estate investments. But, if you’re renting out a property in the long-term, you’ll need a management partner who does more than turn over vacation rentals between guests.
A property manager with local expertise in Surfside Beach will have invaluable insights into:
- Seasonal rental patterns
- Vacation vs. long-term rental strategies
- Local contractor and maintenance networks
- Municipal codes and HOA rules
Ask potential managers how many properties they currently manage in Surfside Beach or nearby areas like Myrtle Beach or Murrells Inlet. Do they specialize in beachfront homes, suburban rentals, or both? The more local your property manager’s experience, the better they’ll be at maximizing your property’s value.
Investigate Reputation and Referrals
One of the best ways to understand how a company works is by talking to people who have actually worked with them. Ask for referrals or references when you’re seeking Surfside Beach property management. Talk to owners who love their management companies. Talk to owners who have had to change management companies, and find out why.
It’s easier than ever to research a service provider ahead of time. At J & P Unlimited, we have a strong online presence, and we make our reviews and testimonials transparent. We publish our rates. All of this tells you that we’re a reputable local partner.
Spend some time online, reading reviews and exploring a company’s website. This is a good way to understand how they work and what they prioritize. If you can easily understand the services they provide and the values they hold as a company, you’re in a better position than if they don’t have a website at all. Do they fight back with angry words and insults when someone leaves a bad review for them? You’re looking for professionalism and accountability. You want a company that cares about their owners, residents, and community.
Surfside Beach Property Managers and Technology
Some owners prefer to work with large companies and others want the personal attention that’s found in a small property management firm. When you’re looking for the right management team, make sure they have the capacity to serve you and your properties as well as their other clients. A lot of small businesses are easily overwhelmed, and it may take you weeks to get a phone call or an email returned. Some of the larger companies might not give you the customized property management that you feel you need.
You want the right size. You also want the right infrastructure. Ask about processes, systems, technology.
Technology and good communication is important in a property manager. Find out if online rental payments are available, what kind of accounting software they have, and whether they communicate daily, weekly, monthly, or only when something’s wrong. You need to know that your communication style will match your property manager’s.
Ask to See a Sample Management Agreement
Before making any decisions and certainly before signing anything, carefully review the property management agreement. Look for:
- Term length and termination clause. How hard will it be to end the relationship?
- Detailed description of services. You want to know what you’re paying for and where the scope of services starts and stops.
- Fee structure and payment terms. More on that in a moment.
- Owner responsibilities. Will a maintenance reserve be required? Do you want to approve every minor repair?
- Liability limitations. Check for insurance, especially liability coverage.
Have a legal professional review it if you have any concerns. This contract will govern your relationship, and it’s critical that it protects your interests.
A word about property management fees: there’s no one way to do it. But, when you’re looking at one company versus another, make sure you’re making the right comparisons. A company that charges almost nothing will likely deliver almost nothing.
Fees vary significantly depending on the services offered and the type of rental property you own. When considering which company you will choose for Surfside Beach property management, consider the common fee types that you will likely encounter.
- Monthly management fees. These are typically 8–12% of the monthly rent collected.
- Leasing or tenant placement fee. Often equal to one month’s rent or a percentage thereof.
- Maintenance markups. Some management companies charge a fee on top of vendor invoices.
- Setup or onboarding fee. You might find a property manager who charges a one-time fee for establishing your property in their system.
- Renewal fees: Charged when a tenant renews a lease.
At J & P Unlimited, you can find our fees on our website, and we’re always happy to talk about the nuances that might impact what we charge to lease, manage, and maintain your investment. Always get a written breakdown of all fees and understand which are fixed and which are performance-based.
Let’s talk about your Surfside Beach property management choice. Contact us at J & P Unlimited. We manage investment properties in Longs, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Socastee and the surrounding areas.
