Your property manager offers not only convenience, but also cost stabilization and a link to finding creative ways to save money without sacrificing quality of service.
“A qualified property manager should be able to distinguish the needs of both the tenants and landlord to protect the asset — whether it’s office, industrial, retail or multi-family,” says Eliot Kijewski, SIOR, senior vice president at CRESCO.
Another benefit of having a professional property manager is that he or she serves as a singular point of contact for both the tenant and landlord, which allows the property owner to invest his or her time elsewhere.
“Our property management philosophy is to think like an owner to maximize asset value,” says Judy L. Simon, CPM, assistant vice president at Continental Realty.
Smart Business spoke with Kijewski and Simon about how to best utilize property management.
What services does a property manager typically provide?
Traditionally, a property manager’s duties fall under the categories of building operations, financial management and tenant relations. He or she helps keep costs consistent, using his or her contacts to shop out needed services, whether it’s snow removal, landscaping or cleaning services, to get the best price per square foot. The manager uses those same contacts to reach out to contractors and have them bid for tenant improvement work.
At the same time, the manager is a liaison between the tenant and landlord. Many tenants decide to move because poorly managed building issues interfere with their daily operations. An experienced property manager stops potential issues from becoming large problems, which helps with tenant retention. The property manager may be working for the landlord, but he or she must maintain a good relationship with the tenants.
Property owners should have at least 50,000 square feet of space for property management to be cost-effective. Then, you can tailor the services you want your property manager to deliver.
Beyond hiring contractors and dealing with tenants, how else can the property manager assist?
A quality property manager will help maximize how your dollars are spent by providing cost savings without losing quality. For example, a manager can help you decide where, or if, you should offer an extra service or two to make the property more attractive to tenants, such as move-in assistance or security. The manager also can find savings through energy management or sustainability programs, which benefit both the landlord and tenants.
He or she can help establish contracts with vendors, whether that’s purchasing carpet, salt, landscaping material, etc., as well as assist with capital budgeting. For instance, beyond getting three quotes for a roof repair, the manager can help you decide if you want a total replacement, patching, or to replace different sections each year, in which case you can allocate funds for each stage of the project rather than write one large check.
Does a property manager have a role in lease negotiations?
Not really, although property managers can assist with lease administration and reporting. However, it’s important to remember if a property is not managed well, it drives off prospective tenants. If they pull into a parking lot full of chuckholes that hasn’t recently been seal coated or stripped, they will assume their space is going to get the same poor attention.
The saying goes: The first impression is the only impression you get. Your property manager helps with that first impression. The manager may not have a direct impact on pricing and lease negotiations, but many times the property manager will hear about expansion/renewal needs during routine tenant visits. Their experience with and understanding of the building will also help you during negotiations. ●
Eliot Kijewski, SIOR, is a senior vice president at CRESCO. Reach him at (216) 525-1487 or [email protected].
Judy L. Simon, CPM, is an assistant vice president at Continental Realty. Reach her at (216) 454-2546 or [email protected].
CRESCO and Continental Realty have joined to offer full-service property management in the Cleveland market.
Insights Real Estate is brought to you by CRESCO
