FAQs on Property Management and Real Estate
Can I cancel my property management service if I am unhappy?
Yes! Our reputation speaks for itself. If you are not happy with our services cancel us with a 30 day notice. If we are not doing our job you should fire us. Douglas Realty has a laser focus on customer satisfaction and strives to always be better at the end of the day. With 3 decades of experience, you can be assured we are pretty darn good at what we do.
How long should it take for my rental property to rent? When will I get my rent check?
There are many factors that come into play with the time it takes for a property to rent. However, when talking about averages, the typical home that houses a single family should take no longer than 10 days. Our marketing is top notch and produces up to 40 tenant inquiries per day, allowing us to turn down any applicants that are less than perfect. For very expensive homes, like waterfront property, it usually takes a little longer to find a qualified renter. On the other hand, more economically priced rentals sometimes rent same day. Rent checks are electronically distributed to our owners from the 12-15th of the month. This gives the check time to clear all accounts so we can ensure you have your money in a timely, safe fashion. For those who like to keep it old school, we can always send a check snail mail!
What cities do you manage properties in?
Our 3 offices are located in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Port Charlotte Florida. However, we serve multiple cities in close proximity: North Port, Englewood, Port Charlotte, Ft Myers, Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, Alva, and Cape Coral. It’s important to note all of our properties are within a 30 minute drive from our office, which is an important factor when selecting a management company.
How long have you been in business?
We have been in business since 1981 which is simply unheard of in the property management industry. We have not only survived every market change, but have emerged from each scenario better and stronger. We have purchased five competitors over the last several years and continue to grow. Our staff is here to serve our owners.
How many properties do you manage?
We currently manage hundreds and hundreds of properties from our three different locations. Our compartmentalized concept provides a seamless experience for our clients that has allowed for our continued growth. Being the largest property management company in the area hasn’t happened by accident, and serves as a testament to our dedication to a positive client experience.
How much are evictions?
The fact that an owner would ask this question show us they may have had a bad experience with the management of their property. With the proper tenant screening and income verification, this simply should not happen. Despite the fact that we manage hundreds and hundreds of units, we only deal with a handful of evictions a year. Our leases are prepared and individually written for each and every property. Our leases are iron-clad, and in the rare event of an eviction we can usually have them completed for about $450 and in less than 30 days. This innovation alone saves Douglas Realty owners both money and aggravation. We handle the entire process for you.
What do you do if the rent is late?
Rent is due on the first and late by the 3rd. This is not flexible. If the rent is not paid, a 3-day notice is physically posted at the property (no charge for this service). If the rent is not paid within 3 days, a 7-day notice to vacate is posted. Our assistant property managers are amazing at making sure the rent is paid on time. This is an area of expertise you will love as one of our owners!
As a property owner how and when do I receive my rent payment?
The rent checks are deposited immediately upon receipt and given 10 days to clear the bank as required. The rent payments are processed along with your monthly statement (all at no cost to you) and deposited in your account no later than the 15th of the month.
How can I check my account, get statements, or get quick answers to my questions?
Douglas Realty switched to the Propertyware software platform in the middle-end of 2016 and has proven to be a “lifesaver” for our property owners. It allows them to login, view their accounts, check statements, see status of repairs, look at invoices, all real time. There’s even a chat function that allows property owners access to instant communication with our staff. In the era of instant answers and communication, this software has changed the way we interact with our clients and has proven to be “amazing” as our clients have stated. This also allows tenants to set up auto payments and one time online payments has upped the efficiency of collecting rent.
How much are property management fees?
Probably our most asked question, this is best answered in the services section of our site. It’s towards the bottom, under “Management Fees”. Check it out here
I’m currently with another management company and don’t like their service, how would I switch to you?
This seems, surprisingly, to be a huge hangup with property owners. Right off the bat, know that the switch is incredibly easy. We look at the contract with your current company, and advise you how to exit it. As far as the switching process, we handle everything. We oversee transfers of security deposits, copy of leases, keys, etc. In fact, we often agree to manage your property for free until the current tenant moves out (up to 3 months) as a “trial” period with us. It’s our way of showing off our communication skills, getting you situated with the software, and overall showing you what a positive experience we can offer.
