Vacation Rental Mastery Series
Part 4: Finding the Right Property Manager
Welcome back to our series: Rental Property Investment and Ownership. Today in Part 4, we’ll help you figure out which management company is best for your specific needs. If you missed the first posts, catch up on the rest of our series here.
What Management Company is Right for You?
Choosing the right Property Manager plays a big part in the success of your real estate investment. With so many Property Managers in the 30A area, how can you tell them apart, especially when they claim to offer the same services? Use our insights below to help you find the perfect manager for your 30A vacation rental.
1. Communication
Consistent communication from the initial discussions to even after you welcome guests is a must. If you’re not communicating well with the property management company during your research phase, that’s never a good sign. Communication is crucial to ensure your home-away-from-home is in the right hands.
At Benchmark, you’ll have access to your full Property Management and Owner Relations teams for all of your questions and concerns. Our Guest Relations team is also available to answer any guest-related queries. Your vacation property is our passion!
2. Trust Your Gut
After multiple conversations, you’ll get a gut feeling about the people you’re dealing with. Do you feel comfortable with this person? No matter what they’re offering or how low their fees are, if something feels off, it’s likely not the right decision.
Benchmark is a locally owned and operated family business. Our business is a legacy, and we work hard every day to ensure our owners and guests feel well taken care of. We are here to build a lifetime partnership.
3. Expectations
Beware of companies that over-promise and under-deliver. At Benchmark, we rely on data — not only our internal data, but also data from across the entire Emerald Coast. We use this information to set realistic expectations upfront.
During our initial conversations, we make sure to clearly outline the services we offer. Some companies might attract you with lower management rates, but it’s important to ask about the entire program. What are the maintenance fees? Do they charge for each visit? Are credit card fees added? What fees are the guests charged? All of these factors impact your bottom line.
4. Inventory Alignment
What does the company’s inventory look like? If they manage multiple units in a building or homes in an area, their team will likely be familiar with any standard issues or questions. A large portfolio can lead to better relationships with HOAs and more seamless management.
However, you’ll need to decide if you want your home to be one of many, or if you prefer a company with a diverse selection of homes to attract a wide customer base. We can’t answer that for you, but our inventory across all 30A, Destin, and Panama City Beach speaks for itself.
5. Experience
We’ve been around since 1987, and our team has over 50 years of combined property management experience. Our backgrounds span marketing, customer service, construction, finance, real estate, and legal services. With decades of expertise, we’re here to serve our owners.
If you have any questions or need advice, we’re here to help. Interested in a projection? Reach out to us at listwithus@benchmark30a.com, and we’ll provide one based on our extensive knowledge of the 30A, Destin, and Panama City Beach markets.
Thank you for joining us on this journey as we explain how the vacation rental industry works and what sets Benchmark Management apart!