Professional Long Beach property management is something we recommend for all rental property owners and investors. It’s especially critical for out-of-state and non-local landlords. If you own a home here in the Long Beach rental market but you don’t live nearby, you need a local expert to seamlessly handle the leasing, management, and maintenance of that home. You need a reliable contact for tenants and a qualified team of professionals who stay up to date on the constantly shifting laws and requirements.

Here’s what to look for when you’re choosing a property management partner for your investment property.

Strong Leasing, Marketing, and Tenant Screening Platforms

Having a vacant rental home when you live far away is incredibly stressful. Not only are you not receiving regular rental income, you also have to worry about damage, vandalism, and the potential for theft and trespassing.

You need a local leasing and Long Beach property management professional to get your home rented right away because when you aren’t in town, you can’t be at your property every time a prospective tenant wants to see it.

With a local management team, you won’t have to worry about long vacancies or property damage. Professionals will be checking on your property, showing it to prospective renters, and thoroughly screening applications within the confines of California’s strict fair housing laws.

Technology Helps Communication between Property Managers and Owners

As an out-of-state owner, it’s essential that you work with a Long Beach property management company that invests in technology. You’ll need access to any available information pertaining to your property, including lease documents, maintenance invoices, accounting statements, and inspection reports.

Ask about an online platform that will help you stay informed. You want to be able to follow your financial performance and run reports. Good technology will also ensure your property is managed transparently and with accountability. You can stay up to date wherever you happen to be.

Benefits of Established Property Management Systems

An experienced management team will already have a process in place for everything you need as a non-local rental property owner. You’ll have access to unique tools and resources that protect your property and serve your tenants.

Look for a local property manager in Long Beach that has experience working with investors from outside of the area. You’re looking for professionals who have seen and done it all and learned from earlier mistakes. An out-of-state investor needs to know there’s a system in place for tenant screening, rent collection, security deposits, maintenance, tenant disputes, late rent, pets, and lease enforcement.

Preventative Maintenance and Property Inspections

To protect the condition of your property and allow it to grow in value, the home must be well-maintained. You cannot tolerate any deferred maintenance, and you need to know your property managers will be responsive when tenants call with a repair that’s needed.

Non-local property owners will need a management team that goes beyond simply responding to maintenance requests. You need a property manager who will take a preventative approach to maintenance and keep your repairs cost-effective. Small problems should never be ignored, because they only turn into larger and more expensive problems.

Look for a management company that schedules annual HVAC inspections, gutter cleanings, landscaping, and plumbing check-ups. Make sure your property managers drive by the property once in a while to do a property inspection and get inside at least once a year to make sure everything is in order.

If you can’t get to your rental property within an hour during heavy traffic, you should probably consider a Long Beach property management company that’s more accessible than you are. You’ll find higher income, lower costs, and less frustration when you’re trying to manage your rental home from afar. If you’d like to learn more about what we can do for you, please contact our expert team at HCM Property Management.