What does full-service property management include?
It covers every step between “vacant” and “paid.” We manage single-family homes, town homes and condos in St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties. Our services include ongoing communication, marketing and advertising, tenant screening and selection, full-service leasing, rent collection, regular inspections, maintenance, evictions and accounting. We aim to be a professional, affordable partner to both owners and tenants. See where we work and the published fees.
How do you keep owners informed?
Your secure online account shows property activity: vacancies, leasing, maintenance, inspections and financial reports. You can check it 24 hours a day from anywhere. Our staff are also there to answer questions and work with you on the best return. Learn more on the owner resources page.
How do you market a vacant rental?
Each vacant day costs you money, so we advertise on high-traffic rental and classified websites and put up a professional “For Rent” yard sign to catch drive-by prospects. We say we spend thousands of dollars every month advertising our vacancies. Our leasing agents answer inquiries promptly and show your home well. Before we advertise, we advise you on two things:
- The monthly rent. We set a competitive rate from a comprehensive analysis of property condition, upgrades, location, access to transportation and area rental rates. See market rent.
- Getting the home ready. We recommend how to make it rent ready so it rents faster to a high-quality tenant.
How do you screen tenants?
We check credit, criminal background, the sex offender registry (where allowed by law), employment, and residency or rental history for every application. Our screening follows all applicable laws, including Fair Housing and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. When we find a qualified tenant, we schedule lease signing and a move-in assessment. Details are on our tenant screening guide.
What does leasing include?
Your leasing agent manages lease signing using our professionally prepared lease and makes sure every contract is executed correctly. We collect rents, deposits and fees under local legal and financial rules and record them in your account. We give the tenant education at lease signing. The agent and tenant then walk the home to document its condition, which helps assess any change at move-out. See move-in inspection.
How do you collect rent?
We collect rent every month and deposit it into your account promptly. Our process is professional but tough, and it follows a systematic schedule. Tenants have several ways to pay and incentives to pay on time. We treat each tenant respectfully and fairly, because a good relationship supports on-time payment and better care of your home. Read more on rent collection in Southern Maryland.
What inspections do you do?
We inspect inside and out to confirm tenants follow the lease and to check condition. Offices typically do move-in, periodic and move-out inspections. Photos and notes show what maintenance is needed so small problems do not grow. Periodic inspections cost $199 each. The Silver plan includes a mid-year inspection, and Gold and Platinum are on a quarterly schedule. See the rental property evaluation guide.
How is maintenance handled?
Timely repairs protect your return. We use an extensive network of contractors, vendors and in-house staff, plus exclusive partnerships with national and local vendors. We save you time and money and see that repairs are done professionally.
How are evictions handled?
Even with careful placement, a tenant may need to be evicted. Our staff know Maryland state and local landlord and tenant law. If a tenant does not pay on time or breaches the lease, we start the proper legal steps in the fastest possible time frame to minimize your costs and get the home leased again. Ask us about eviction protection: for owners who choose that plan, the local office pays for the eviction if one becomes necessary. See Southern Maryland evictions.
Real Property Management Gold is not a licensed insurance broker. Please refer to the insurance policy for coverage information.
How does accounting work?
We use a centralized accounting system with itemized statements and tax documents, so your financial information stays in one place. Each owner gets a password-protected online account for financial reports at any time.
Next step
Contact Real Property Management Gold to learn more at Contact us, or call (301) 392-2172.
Frequently asked questions
What does a property manager do for a rental home?
We keep you informed, market vacancies, screen tenants, handle the lease and move-in, collect rent, inspect the home, coordinate repairs, handle evictions when needed and keep the books. You see all of it in your online account.
How do you screen tenants?
Every application is checked for credit, criminal background, the sex offender registry where the law allows, employment and residency or rental history. Our screening follows applicable laws, including Fair Housing and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
What happens when a tenant does not pay?
We take steps to collect, and if the tenant breaches the lease, we start the proper legal steps in the fastest possible time frame to limit your costs. Ask us about eviction protection, which some plans include.
What kinds of homes do you manage?
We manage single-family homes, town homes and condos in St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert Counties. Our Areas We Serve pages list the towns we cover.
How much does it cost?
Tenant placement is 6.9% of the 1-year lease total, charged once after move-in. Monthly management is 8.9% for Silver, 10.9% for Gold and 12.9% for Platinum. The fees page explains each plan.
