Property Management in Spain

Whether a newcomer to property investment in Spain, or an experienced semi-residential property owner, you will have seen advertisements for plenty of private companies and individuals offering a property management service of some description. But who needs it?

The services offered by property management companies vary widely. Some specialize in finding you holiday and longer term tenants, while others concentrate solely on the care of you and your property. More unusually, certain companies are able to offer not only this but also a full after-sales service to your property purchase, assisting you in getting your property up and running after completion and beyond.

Mana?a, mana?a

One of the obvious benefits in working with a property management company is overcoming the language barrier that can hit when you start trying to arrange for things to be done in Spain. A prime example is organizing a telephone line - no mean feat even if you're bilingual. But also, things tend not to happen overnight in Spain and you can find yourself waiting in for this plumber and that electrician and wasting your valuable holiday time. You've worked hard to earn your holiday - why waste it when you're here?

Low cost airline - late night arrival?

So, you got a bargain on the flights - but you're arriving at midnight! It seems a great idea until something goes wrong. The water heater has been turned off for weeks, your villa or apartment is freezing cold (or unbearably hot) and no-one has arranged for the air con gas to be replenished. You need new lightbulbs so that you can see what you're doing and, of course, there's no milk for your morning coffee! On a more serious note, perhaps there have been unwanted guests in the property - insect or rodent, or even human.

A good and reputable property management company will thoroughly check your apartment once a week and provide you with a detailed report advising if any work needs to be carried out. Not only will they check that the apartment is clean and secure, but they are also trained to look for signs of damp, infestation and minor construction problems. If work is required, they will provide you with quotations and upon your approval, arrange for the work to be carried out under their supervision. You will arrive in your perfect property ready to enjoy your holiday.

Making life easier for you

Airport pickups, welcome packs or grocery shopping are also available from most companies as well as cleaning, laundry and ironing services. As a minimum, your property management company should be able to check that your apartment is clean and the beds are freshly made prior to your visit.

Generate an income

Those wanting to generate an income from their property can also benefit hugely from a reputable company's network of holiday and longer term rental customers. Not only can they market and maintain the property for you, but they can also vet customers and ensure that the apartment is looked after with due care and attention by those using it.

It also takes a lot of the stress away when you invite friends or family to use your property in your absence. Someone is available 24/7 to meet and greet them, make sure they have a key, show them how to use your appliances and advise them on where to go in the local area.

It's all in the extras

More dynamic property management companies go a whole lot further offering services that make themselves indispensable to you in a very short time: -Post construction cleans, marble polishing, lock changes and snag lists * Handymen services, plumbers and electricians * Furnishing and d?cor advice, supervised deliveries * Bookings for car hire, hotel accommodation, golf tee times, flights * Grocery shopping, welcome packs and fresh flowers * Limousine and minibus hire * Yacht and private plane charters * Restaurant bookings * Babysitting, cot and high chair hire * Occasional bed hire * Video/DVD hire * Event management and organization (parties, weddings, conferences) * Secretarial, administrative, translation and office services * Advice on schooling, local classes, medical care, church services, tourist information, excursions * Recommendations for legal, financial, mortgage, snagging and tax advisors

Peace of Mind

So who needs it? Everybody with a property in Spain!

Property management provides private individuals and company property owners with complete peace of mind while they are not in Spain.

Remember, there's always someone on the end of the phone... just in case.

Susan Pedalino is Masters Degree qualified in Intercultural Communication and teaching English as a foreign language. Susan regularly writes for www.eyeonspain.com, the Spanish off plan property forums website and www.eyeonworldwide, the overseas property forums website.

Rental Property Management Key in Costa del Sol

Once you've taken the leap and purchased a villa or apartment in Spain's beautiful Costa del Sol, you face another crucial decision: finding a company to look after your property when you are away. Whether your villa is in Fuengirola or Marbella, you need to ensure that the rental property management company you select will provide you with the service, maintenance, and oversight that give you peace of mind.

The right rental property management company gives owners of Costal del Sol property who are interested in letting their villa or apartment the confidence of knowing that they can gain the financial rewards of short- or long-term rentals while protecting their assets. If you are looking for a rental property management company to oversee your villa or apartment in Fuengirola or Marbella, here are some tips to find a good fit:

Property inventory - A reputable rental property management company will go through the property with you, taking a thorough property inventory and using that as the basis for checking the apartment or villa after guests have departed.

Regular property inspections - Ideally, the company you select should perform a weekly property inspection. The inspections should include a check of all plumbing, making sure all showers, baths, toilets, and other fixtures are in working order. It should also include an inspection of electrical outlets and small appliances, again to ensure that they are in working order.

Outdoor inspections - The rental property management company should inspect lawns, gardens, and the pool for damage and to make sure that sprinkler systems and pool filters are in working order. In addition, the company should regularly inspect for pests and vermin.

Mail pick-up - The company should offer regular mail pick up and a forwarding service.

Property administration - Ideally, the rental property management company will ensure that utility payments, taxes, and other bills are paid in a timely manner. They should also provide you with a monthly report on the status of your property, as well as a line item list of any maintenance issues that need to be addressed.

Cleaning - Prior to guest arrival, the rental property management company should arrange to have your villa or apartment cleaned and prepared for letting. Some companies may, for an extra fee, also offer greeting services to and owner's renters.

When you find the right rental property management company, owning property in Fuengirola or Marbella and be both a personally and financially rewarding experience.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Real Estate Website and Majon's Real Estate directory

Property Management Company - Hiring One

Hiring a property management company is a great idea if you have even a small apartment building. Having someone taking care of all the small details of a rental property means you'll have more time to find the next good investment. Also, trying to do it all yourself is the surest way to make your real estate investment experience a bitter one. To find a good property manager, ask the following questions.

1. Other properties they manage? It's best if they have rental properties that are similar to yours. You can also drive by their other properties to see how they are maintained.

2. The fee? They vary around the country from as low as 4% of gross rents for larger buildings, to as high as 12% for single family homes. Be sure the fee is clearly stated and understood.

3. Extra costs? Are showings extra? Do evictions cost extra (beyond the legal fees)? Any other extras?

4. Who actually handles your property? It's best if one person handles your building all the time, and has some experience. Get their name.

5. How and when is the fee collected? Will you be billed, or will it be deducted from your account directly? Monthly? Quarterly?

6. Type of advertising? Exactly how will they advertise the units and what will it typically cost you?

7. Time and cost to prepare units? What's the typical cleaning fee on a vacancy, and how long will it normally be before it's rented out again?

8. Type of accounting? Which types of reports do they send, and how often? How are accounts set up?

9. Their hours of operation? What are their business hours, and who takes weekend calls?

10. What needs owner approval? What dollar amount needs your authorization, and is this negotiable?

You should ask other questions, based on your particular needs and the particular property. Be sure to ask everything up front, and you'll have fewer misunderstandings, and a good manager. Real estate investing and being a landlord is a lot less stressful with a good property management company.

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.

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Hiring Rental Property Management

Why hire rental property management? Because doing it all yourself is the surest way to make your real estate investment experience a bitter one. You also have more time to find the next deal when there is someone taking care of the details for you. Hire a good property manager, but first ask the following questions.

1. How much is the fee? Fees vary around the country from as low as 4% of gross rents for larger buildings, to as high as 12% for single family homes. Be sure the fee is clearly stated and understood.

2. What other properties do they manage? It is best if they handle rental properties that are similar to yours. It is also helpful to drive by their other properties to see how they are maintained.

3. Who will actually handle your property? It is best if one person handles your building all the time. They should also have some experience. Get their name.

4. What costs extra? Is it extra for showings? Do evictions cost extra (beyond the legal fees)? Any other extras?

5. How is the fee collected and when? Will you be billed, or will it be deducted from your account directly? Monthly? Quarterly?

6. What type of advertising? How do they advertise the units and what does it typically cost you?

7. Cost and time to prepare units? What is the typical cleaning fee on a vacancy, and how long will it normally be before it's rented out again?

8. What needs owner approval? What dollar amount needs your authorization, and is this negotiable?

9. Hours of operation? What are their business hours, and who takes weekend calls?

10. Accounting? What reports do they send? How often? How are accounts set up?

There are probably other questions you'll have as well, based on your particular needs and the particular property. Ask everything up front, and you'll have fewer misunderstandings. With good rental property management, real estate investing is a lot less stressful.

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.

stevengillman@hotmail.com