7 More Things to ask a Property Manager
(and how Jimmy Mack Vacations compares)

Real estate p
roperty management is a specialized business. Making the right choice is important for you to
protect your investment. To assist you in your decision, we’ve laid out 7 key questions. To be able to
manage your investment successfully, a
property management company should be able to answer "YES" to
most of them:


1. Do they personally invest in residential real estate?

If the people you are putting your trust in don’t know every aspect of residential real estate investing from
personal experience, how can they effectively manage your property? Don’t let somebody test their theories
with your money and your future. This has to be the first question you ask any potential property manager.
If they aren’t in the game themselves, they can’t possibly understand your needs and concerns.

Jimmy Mack Vacations – yes, we own vacation rental property.


2. Will they market your property effectively?  

While the promise of ‘free’ or ‘cut-rate’ marketing may sound inviting, it should be a red flag for the serious
investor. If the free marketing is a one-line ad in the Sunday paper, expect to get what you paid for. It could
easily cost you a mortgage payment or two while your home sits empty. Great marketing creates more phone
calls… more phone calls lead to more prospective guests and better choices… which produces the best
possible guests in the shortest possible time. That’s real property management.

Jimmy Mack Vacations – Internet marketing, search engine optimization, keyword analysis, referral source
analysis, organic, local and paid advertising strategies, Google, Yahoo, MSN and Bing target marketing
strategies.  You found us, right?


3. Does the company have individual experts accountable for your property?  Do you know everything about
the Grand Traverse Region or Leelanau, or Antrim county?

The area is just too big for one person to be the expert.  Make sure the property management company you
choose has experts who know the
communities and neighborhoods where your investments are located.
When combined with effective marketing, this local knowledge is a powerful 1-2 sales punch to get your
property occupied.

Jimmy Mack Vacations – yes.  Staff members live, work and play in various communities in our marketplace.


4. Will they be able to coach you with your real estate investment strategy?

Every thriving real estate investor can learn something from somebody else.  Again, we don't have all the
answers, but we have some of them.  Having the right real estate team can make all the difference. Buying
the right home in the right neighborhood at the right time could double or triple your investment returns;
choose a
property management company is a big step.

Jimmy Mack Vacations – we also watch the rental marketplace with an investor’s eye.  We can share our
own personal experience as well as the experience of other owners to really educate and share with you the
truth.


5. Do they use an action-based fee model?  

wise investment choices and maintain their property, pay the same even though their propertiesWith an
action-based model, you pay only for the resources required to manage your property and the company can
focus on quality properties with With an action-based model, you pay only for the resources required to
manage your property and the company can focus on quality properties with better returns.
better returns.


Jimmy Mack Vacations – accountability and property ratings are a foundation of our business model.  We
charge more for lesser quality properties and their owners.  
Properties in need of maintenance or care
require more of our time answering phone calls from guests, arranging for repairs, updating this or that, take
more of our time.  We charge more for this service.  As a result, if you are a responsible, caring owner, you
will not be charged for the extra work caused by other owners.


6. Do they use battle-tested contracts and agreements?

Many property management companies still use the standard MLS agreements. As a serious investor, your
main concern must be to protect your assets and cash flow. Standard MLS agreements are designed to
protect agents and brokers, not investors. Make sure your management company uses agreements that are
specific to investors and have a long track record of standing up in court.

Jimmy Mack Vacations – the agreements and terms in place for guests in your properties are very well
worded, provide strong terms and language that benefits you the owner.  In fact, these documents don’t
even create a landlord-tenant relationship with our guests.  This provides the utmost in owner protection.


7. Couldn’t I do it myself?

In a perfect world you wouldn't need to hire a property management company.  But the world of real estate
investing is far from perfect. Problems and pitfalls are everywhere; there are expensive mistakes to be
made.  How much does two weeks with your property standing empty cost you?  How about an eviction?  
What if your agreements aren’t enforceable?  Poor or inexperienced
property management can literally cost
you thousands of dollars a year.  Quality, professional and accountable
property management doesn't cost...
it pays!

Jimmy Mack Vacations – how much time does the average working professional or executive have to
devote to this activity?  Even with a lot of time, the leverage gained by spreading marketing expenses and
man-hours over many
properties allows us to obtain a lower cost of operations.  The experience we have
gained over many years, many different
properties and many different owners, allows us to generate more
cash-flow than what most owners can do on their own.  Are we perfect?  No.  Is there a chance someone
could do really well by themselves?  Certainly.  Let us know if you’re one of them…we might want to put you
on our payroll!


Property Management Reports for Owners:

10 Things to Ask a Property Manager

7 More Things to Ask a Property Manager

Should You Hire A Property Manager? (yes, no or maybe)

7 Things Owners Should Know About Property Management

The Jimmy Mack Difference

Owner FAQ
Property Management Reports - Jimmy Mack Vacations  
Vacation Rentals  --  Homes - Condos - Cottages - Cabins  
7 Things to Ask a Property Manager
Jimmy Mack Vacation Rentals Traverse City
231-715-1167     info@JimmyMackVacations.com
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