Property
Management Services and Fees
We are a progressive, proactive property management company.
We are not just a mail drop for your rent check.
We know you have choices when it comes to who manages your
rental property and we know many owners have small margins of
error (if any). Small fees such as renewals, inspections,
vendor markups, maintenance overrides, excessive vacancy time,
under-pricing, poor advertising and poor maintenance can cost
an owner hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars a year.
You will find our services far outweigh our fees. We are also
confident our services, fees and dedication to your property
will out compete the competition. Please print out the
Comparison Chart to help
you compare Regent Realty Services to other property management
companies.
Following are
brief descriptions of our standard services and fees. This is
not an all-inclusive list.
If your management needs include something not listed here,
please contact us for a custom management program.
Market analysis - An accurate and thorough
market analysis is one of the biggest steps in making and keeping
your rental property as profitable as possible. We go to great
lengths to get as much information as we can. We locate
comparable properties that are currently available or have
leased in the last 18 months. We drive by those leased and will
do walk thrus on those currently available. Some companies do
not physically view comparable properties causing gross errors
in under pricing (loss of income) or over pricing, causing a
property to be on the market longer than necessary with the
price eventually being lowered anyway (again, loss of income).
Recommendations - With an accurate market analysis
and knowledge of comparables, we will recommend an informed
opinion of rental rate. We will also make objective
recommendations about things that may be needed to help bring
the property condition up to full market value.
There are many little, relatively inexpensive things that can
often be done to a property to make it more attractive and lease
more quickly to prospective renters.
Attract qualified tenants - We will advertise
your property extensively on the Internet, in the Dallas Morning
News, The Observer, applicable neighborhood papers, flyers put
up at nearby businesses, signs in yards and the Multiple
Listing Service. We also have a database of Realtors we
fax updated lists of available properties to.
These Realtors do not specialize in property management but we
have found them to be an excellent source of referrals.
We also offer a free rental service to tenants. Our in-house
leasing "machine" runs 24/7 generating 850+ calls/emails per
month handled by 3 licensed, professional leasing agents. When
you list your property with Regent, there is no lag time bringing
your property online waiting for advertising. Our in-house
agents search their customer database and can often get your
property exposure the same day you list with us.
We do not place ads, put your property in the Multiple Listing
System and wait for someone else to lease your property, we
aggressively pursue qualified tenants.
In an effort to maximize your property's
exposure, showings and get it leased as quickly as possible,
we offer cooperating Broker's a commission of 50% of the first
month's rent if they bring us a qualified tenant.
Some companies charge a 50% lease fee and offer as low as 25%
of the first month's rent to cooperating agents. When an agent
has to split that with the Broker, there is very little incentive
for an agent to show your property. Consequently your property
may sit on the market longer. When broken down, that 25% savings
represents one week of income from your occupied property.
If offering a 50% lease fee gets you a tenant 2 weeks sooner,
our lease fee, although more, just saved you money.
To help cooperating agents "sell" their prospect on your property,
when an agent calls to ask about or schedule a showing of your
property, we fax that agent an info. sheet (MLS is great, but
limited in description space). The info. sheet is designed to
not only inform the prospect about your property, but the agent
as well. If that prospect is not interested, the next call to
the agent may be someone perfect for your property. We find the
info. sheet helps the agent make a professional, smooth, well
informed presentation of your property. Being easy to contact,
work with, helpful and giving good compensation to cooperating
agents, we effectively multiply the agents willing, and wanting,
to show your property.
Show your property - All properties leased
through us will be shown 7 days a week by licensed Realtors
familiar with the Texas leasing laws. We track all showings and
get opinions from people that have seen your property in order
to make any necessary adjustments quickly. We will submit a
progress report to you as often as you like.
We begin marketing and showing occupied properties during the
last 30 days of occupancy, after receiving 30 days notice from
the current tenant. 30 day notices must be received in our office
by the 1st of the month. Your property will be fully on the
market and we will be trying to find you a new tenant by the 2nd.
Again, minimal lag time getting your property online and we do
not withhold your property from MLS to give in-house agents
"first shot" at leasing it.
Having good tenant relations, aggressive marketing and using
electronic keyboxes, often we can have your property leased and
a new tenant ready to move in the day after the old tenant moves
out. Exceptions to this would be extensive repairs or
complete paints.
Evaluate tenants - Once a prospective tenant is
located, we do a thorough background check and report to you to
discuss whether or not to rent to them. Our background check
will include, but not be limited to, rental, credit, employment
and criminal histories. We use an outside agency to run a
credit, eviction and criminal history check. We call current
and previous landlords and current and previous employers
ourselves. We are trained to ask questions and look for
inconsistencies that may indicate problem tenants.
Deposits - Our recommended property deposit amount
is equal to a month's rent. It is a deposit and is not used as
the last month's rent. Pet deposit recommendations, if applicable,
are $400 per dog and $400 per cat. As owner, you reserve the right
to decline having pets in your property or require more/less
deposit money.
Lease and other documents - Once a tenant has been
accepted, they meet in person with one of our representatives,
in our office, and go over the promulgated Texas lease and other
pertinent documents. The lease and other documents are
thoroughly explained before signing. A summary page is also
drawn up and signed by both tenant and representative to help
prevent future misunderstandings. All documents are in
triplicate with one copy going to the tenant, one going to you
and one staying in our file.
Move-in inspections - We will do a complete
inspection of your property before a new tenant moves in (the
day of move-in with tenant present when possible). The
inspection is documented on a check sheet the tenant and
representative sign to show agreement and acceptance of the
properties' condition upon move-in. We also take photographs
with a date stamped camera to further document condition.
The pictures are kept with the file. If you would like copies
of the check sheet, pictures or a video tape they are free of
charge.
Maintain good tenant relations - As a business it
is often easier for us to be objective, courteous and
professional when dealing with tenants, especially during a
dispute.
Collect rents and other fees (including late fees)
- Rents and other applicable charges are due in our office by
9:00 a.m. the fourth day of each month. Late charges begin accruing on the
fourth. When necessary, we will handle all eviction proceedings
as agent on your behalf. Rent checks are normally sent or ACH'd into your
account the same day they are received by us so you get your rent check or ACH
transfer before some companies even start charging late fees.
If rent has not been received by 9:00am on the 4th, we make a reminder call to
the tenant notifying them that rent was not received and late fees are now due.
If rent has not been received by 9:00am on the 5th and we haven't been able to
contact the tenant, we make a second reminder call.
If rent has not been recieved by 9:00am on the 6th and we haven't been able to
contact the tenant, we will contact you to let you know the tenant is late and
to discuss options.
Of course we will walk through the process with you and make recommendations
based on experience. However, you will always be in charge of the decision you
would like us to follow through with. We will not evict your tenant without
first discussing it with you.
Maintenance - We do not require up front money
from you for a maintenance escrow fund. We will arrange
maintenance and supervise the upkeep and repairs of buildings,
grounds, equipment, etc. as needed.
Maintenance needs are handled the same day when possible. We
are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for emergency
maintenance.
You will be notified of any repair exceeding $150 if it is not
an emergency. We do not believe in or have a "preferred vendor"
program and we make no money from our vendors or off of their
work. You will receive the original invoice with the exact
amount we paid the vendor.
There are no mark-ups or overrides and we do not keep a
percentage of the bill from the vendor. The only loyalty we
have to our vendors is quality work at good prices. Those are
the vendors we prefer. Our vendors know we are always looking
and if we can get quality work for less, we will. All of our
vendors are professional in appearance and are given a policy
and procedure manual explaining the way we want them to
represent us.
6 month inspections - Very important.
We physically walk through the property (not just a drive-by).
We check the smoke alarm (batteries seem to prefer living in
toys), locks, air filters, etc., confirm the property is being
well maintained and that the lease contract is being honored.
Often times tenants overlook, don’t want to bother us or don’t
care about small maintenance problems (leaks under sinks, loose
tiles indicating water getting into the wall, etc.) that can
turn into major problems. This is a scheduled visit and is not
to catch "bad" tenants, but to help people be better tenants and
discourage abuse of your property. By discovering maintenance
or property abuse problems early, we can often save hundreds, or
thousands, of dollars and get your property back on track more
easily. 6 month inspections are also free of charge.
Renewals - At the end of a lease we will do another
market analysis to help determine the current market rate. With
approval from you we will re-negotiate a new lease with a current
tenant free of charge.
Move-out inspections - When a tenant moves out of
your property we do another thorough inspection with a date
stamped camera to help document and evaluate the deposit to be
returned. These photographs are also kept with the property
file and if you would like copies of the check sheet, pictures
or a video tape they are free of charge.
Accounting - Along with your monthly rent checks or ACH transfer,
we include a computer generated itemized statement showing income and expenses.
At the end of the year we will also send you a 1099 tax form and year end summary
to help you in preparing your tax statement.
The vast majority of our owners have opted for us to ACH their funds vs sending
them a check. Money is transferred directly from our bank account into yours
using a secure network and 4 passwords. The transfer shows in your account
within 48 hours (often 24 hours).
The vast majority of our owners have also opted for online statements vs
mailed statements and invoices. The online statement is the same as the mailed statement.
However, online statements are available 24/7 from any computer with internet access.
The statements are available for future reference, nothing to be lost in the mail and all
invoices are hyper-linked to the statement.
However, if you prefer to receive a paper check, statement and invoices, that is absolutely not a
problem.
Property tax evaluation - We will do a market
analysis on the sale value of your property much like we do on
the lease value. If it appears you are paying more than
necessary in taxes on your property, we will let you know
free of charge. We also offer free information on how you can
petition to lower your taxes yourself at no cost or we can do it
for a fee.
Database about your property - As part of our
market analysis, we take measurements and sketch your property
floor plan. We then have it drawn up on a computer and entered
into our data base with other information regarding your
property. A printed version is added to your file. Of course
you are welcome to a copy (printed, on disk or e-mailed).
This floor plan drawing is helpful not only in some marketing
situations, it is also used to illustrate where and what
problems your property may have and is helpful when getting
bids, etc.
Two things often asked by prospective renters are: "What
remains with the property (stove, fridge, washer, dryer, heaters,
window units, ceiling fans, etc.)?" and "What/where are the
neighborhood schools?" When asked, since this information has
been included with your property info, we can access it with a
click of a mouse. No hesitations, no "I'll have to get back to
you" and no "You'll have to look it up" (translation: I don't
know enough or care enough about you or the property to have
done my homework). A customized information sheet about your
property is available to be faxed to prospective tenants and is
faxed to cooperating agents as a matter of routine.
Such things as remaining ceiling fans, window units, heaters,
fridges, etc. may seem small on the surface. However, to a
tenant that was shown an occupied property, signed a lease,
was not told the fridge didn't stay with the property, and has a
moving truck in the driveway,it's not a small matter at all.
We have also designed this website to be a useful resource for
both owners and tenants. Not only can people learn what to
expect from us but can also access information about schools,
neighborhoods, special events, crime statistics and much more
through our links page.
Fees - What kind of company lets you know what
they charge without making you call and ask?
Management fee is 10% of collected rent plus 50% of collected
late fees.
Leasing fee is 75% of the first month’s rent if we procure the
tenant.
No leasing fee if the owner procures the tenant.
Management fee discount for multiple units.
There are no hidden or additional fees.
Guarantees - We guarantee both satisfaction with our service and the leasing
fee for three months (if we procure a new tenant).
Please tell a friend
about us.
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