The 7 Questions You Should Ask Your Property Manager Before Handing Over Your Asset (and What Their Answers Should Tell You)
The Smart Investor’s First Step
Handing your investment property to a management company is a big decision. You’re trusting them with your cash flow, your tenants, and the long-term value of your asset.
The right property manager protects your investment — and your peace of mind.
The wrong one can quietly erode both.
At Marquee Property Management, we’ve seen both sides of the story. We’ve taken over properties from frustrated owners who spent years chasing rent, fighting poor communication, or repairing the same issues again and again. We’ve also helped investors from across the country build steady, reliable income in the South Bend market.
Before you hire anyone — even us — ask these seven questions. They’ll help you uncover how a management company really operates, how they’ll treat your property, and whether they’re equipped to safeguard your investment.
Pro Tip: Don’t just listen to what they say — listen for the systems, confidence, and clarity behind the answer.
The 7 Questions You Should Ask
How do you communicate with owners — and how often?
What a great answer sounds like:
“We send monthly financial statements through an online owner portal, respond to emails within 24 hours, and notify you of all major repairs or tenant issues immediately.”
Why it matters:
Clear, predictable communication prevents surprises. Consistency shows professionalism.
Red flag: “We reach out when there’s a problem.”
What’s your tenant screening process?
What a great answer sounds like:
“Every applicant goes through credit, income, rental history, and background checks using verified screening tools. We follow fair-housing guidelines and use consistent criteria for all applicants.”
Why it matters:
Reliable tenants protect your cash flow and property condition.
Red flag: “We just use our gut or take whoever’s available.”
How do you handle maintenance requests?
What a great answer sounds like:
“We use a 24/7 maintenance portal. Tenants can submit photos and details online, and owners can see real-time updates. We use vetted local vendors and always confirm costs before work begins.”
Why it matters:
A responsive, transparent system keeps tenants happy and expenses under control.
Red flag: “We handle repairs when we get around to them.”
What local regulations or landlord laws do you stay compliant with?
What a great answer sounds like:
“We stay current on Indiana housing laws, South Bend rental registration, and eviction procedures. Our lease agreements are reviewed regularly by local counsel.”
Why it matters:
Compliance mistakes cost investors time and money.
Red flag: “We haven’t had issues so far.”
How do you protect my cash flow and asset value?
What a great answer sounds like:
“We conduct annual rent analyses to keep pricing competitive, schedule preventive maintenance to avoid costly repairs, and provide quarterly performance summaries so you always see your ROI.”
Why it matters:
A proactive manager grows your income — not just collects rent.
Red flag: “We just make sure rent gets paid.”
What technology do you use for owner reporting and tenant management?
What a great answer sounds like:
“We use a cloud-based management platform for accounting, maintenance, and communication. You can log in anytime to view statements, invoices, or work orders.”
Why it matters:
Tech-enabled transparency makes long-distance ownership effortless.
Red flag: “We handle things manually or on paper.”
Can I speak with one of your current owners?
What a great answer sounds like:
“Absolutely. We encourage prospective clients to speak directly with current investors to hear their experiences.”
Why it matters:
Confidence and transparency are the hallmarks of a trustworthy management partner.
Red flag: Hesitation, defensiveness, or refusal.
Whether you own one property or a portfolio, these seven questions reveal how well a management company will protect your investment — and your sanity.
At Marquee Property Management, we welcome every one of these questions because we’ve built our business around the right answers:
✅ Transparent communication
✅ Smart, data-driven decisions
✅ Full compliance and accountability
✅ Technology that gives owners real-time insight
Ready to find out how your property can perform under the right management?
Schedule a complimentary portfolio review with our investor relations team.
📍 Marquee Property Management
South Bend, Indiana
🌐 https://marqueepropertyinvestments.com/
✉️ [email protected]
