As a real estate investor, you don’t have to be in the location of your property. Real estate enables you to own and effectively handle properties in areas you are not physically present. In this blog, we will be showing you top tips to manage your properties remotely.

At Land Republic, we love to see the rise of successful real estate investors. Our website has a blog section dedicated for resources tailored to groom smart real estate investors. When managing your properties remotely, you can make use of the top property management software for a seamless flow.

Pros and Cons of Remote Property Management

Knowing the pros and cons of managing properties remotely equips you to make the best choices. This section will highlight the pros and cons of managing your property remotely so that you can create a faultless system. We shall be starting with the pros before showing you the cons.

Pros of Remote Property Management

There are several benefits of managing your property remotely. These benefits range from flexibility to increased productivity and environmental benefits. Come along as we discuss these advantages in details.

1. Increased Productivity

Managing your properties remotely gives you time to manage several properties at once. It enables you to manage multiple properties from a centralized location. Hence, improving your efficiency as an investor.

‍2. Flexibility

Managing your properties remotely enables you to work at your convenience while doing things promptly. It gives you a healthy work-life balance and reduces stress.

‍3. 24/7 Oversight

Managing properties remotely keeps you abreast of situations happening at the property. It also equips you to respond promptly at any time of the day.

‍4. Data-Driven Decisions

Property management relies heavily on data. Managing properties remotely gives you access to the collection and analysis of relevant data. Several remote monitoring systems help you analyze energy usage, maintenance requests, occupancy rates and financial performance. 

Collating and reviewing these data helps you make informed decisions and allows owners to identify areas needing development. Access to data enables you to prioritize and schedule repairs effectively. 

‍5. Sustainability and Environmental Benefits

Managing your property remotely helps conserve energy and reduce the wastage of resources. Remote property management also helps reduce carbon footprints and increase your efficiency as a property owner.

Cons of Remote Property Management

Some of the disadvantages of remote property management include:

1. Limited Physical Oversight

Some aspects of property management are best evaluated physically. Managing your property remotely restricts your ability to access the property’s physical conditions. You are also limited in conducting inspections and maintaining the quality of the property.

2. Communication Challenges

Communicating with tenants and service providers could be difficult when done remotely. This difficulty could lead to delays and misunderstandings.

3. Technology Disturbance

Relying on technology implies enduring technical issues like network disruptions and software glitches. Consequently, these could affect crucial property management tasks.

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Top Tips to Manage Your Property Remotely

Now that you are aware of the pros and cons of managing property remotely, let's walk you through the top tips for remote property management. 

1. Have an On-ground Representative

You should have a physical representative who can handle on-ground businesses. Even if they never need to do so, introduce the representative to your tenants and caretakers. Doing this will make potential clients trust you and believe in the credibility of your property.

2. Set up Digital Payments

One of the most difficult tasks when managing properties remotely is the reception of rents from tenants.  These rents need to be paid promptly and consistently for the smooth run of the business. As a smart investor, you can simplify this task by using digital payment strategies. Some of these platforms can be automated and they help eliminate the hassles of paperwork.

3. Establish Clear Communication Channels

Communication is an important part of any business, especially since you will be running the business remotely. Before the commencement of the remote contract, have a strong communication framework. Create structures that make every party in the business aware of the available communication channels and the conversations that should be directed to different people. Your communication channel strategy should include communications with tenants, yourself and your property managers.

4. Set Strict Lease and Rent Terms

Your structures are very important when you will be managing properties remotely. Set clear lease and rent terms that can help you track your income and financial returns. Also, highlight the rules and expectations of your tenants. These rules could include expected payment dates, duration of notice before exit of the property and maintenance expectations. The lease and rent terms could also contain the dos and don'ts of the property.

5. Understand the Local Market

Real estate is local. To maximize the real estate industry, you should understand the local market. Do not allow distance to get in the way of being up-to-date with local real estate information. Be familiar with the real estate prices in the community and the activities of your competitors. This will enable you to remain competitive while charging the highest rent possible.

6. Create a Smooth Move-In Process

Right from the get-go, it is important to have a workable structure that guides potential tenants on the system of acquisition of the property. The system should detail the processes from the visit to the apartment, to payment and moving into the property. Ideally, there should be somebody to guide tenants on how to go about it, but a detailed document can do the job as well. 

Ensure the procedure addresses and takes care of leftover luggage by previous tenants. Also, include how intending tenants should communicate parts of the properties that require repairs. Doing this will show you are intentional and how present you are despite being far away.

7. Check in on Your Tenants Frequently

Landlords pay frequent visits to their tenants to address concerns and monitor how they are settling into the property. You might be unable to do this because of distance. However, you could get creative by checking up on them via technology. Build a cordial rapport with them and make them comfortable about discussing updates with you. Having a cordial landlord-tenant relationship will enable them to trust you and could cause them to elongate the contract.

8. Use a Trusted Property Management  Company

When starting the remote management journey, it is advisable to employ the services of a property management company. Property management is their area of specialty and you can be sure they will give you the best services. Additionally, they could help get clients who won't stress you or destroy your property. Furthermore, they will help you navigate the process of managing your property remotely till you get a hang of doing it yourself.

Some of the benefits of using a property management company include:

• Assistance in Managing the Value of Your Home: In real estate, the importance of preventive maintenance cannot be overemphasized. Property management companies will pay regular visits to the property and can easily spot little issues before they become great challenges. Since their loyalty is to you, first of all, they will be on standby to notify you of tenant habits that could cause damage to your property.
•  They Handle Legal Issues Efficiently: Property management companies have their legal teams who handle legal challenges when they arise. Consequently, they will be aware of legal regulations and could help you stay away from actions that will breed legal crises.
• Ensure the Prompt Collection of Rents: Tenants sometimes delay the payment of rent because of the absence of landlords. When you use a property management company, they will enforce the prompt payments of rent and won't hesitate to turn out defaulting tenants. Hence, bringing order to your income as a remote property owner.

Conclusion

You do not have to cancel out the possibility of investing in real estate because you are far from the location of your property. These days, there are several ways you can stay on top of the situation without your physical presence.

Sometimes, prospecting real estate investors have questions about how and where to start their real estate journey. If you ask us, we will direct you to the beginner's best guide to real estate investment. Our top 20 real estate questions contain the answers to your questions and could make it easier to settle into real estate investment.

You don’t have to walk the real estate journey alone. Land Republic is committed to making it easier for you to become a property owner. We have several resources for you and testimonials of people who have been helped by Land Republic. Contact us today via +2348122222283 and support@landrepublic.co.