Tips & Tricks

Hidden Costs in Property Management and How to Reduce Them

August 9, 2024

Time spent on leasing agent tasks, travel, communication, and showings impacts your bottom line.

While financial expenditures are often at the forefront of property managers minds, the hidden cost of time is equally significant.

Here are some ideas to boost your efficiency and save you time.

Maximizing Leasing Agent Productivity for Time Management

Leasing agents play a pivotal role in property management, but their time is often stretched thin in the summer and extra availability in the off-seasons.

Tasks such as showing scheduling, property showings, paperwork, and follow-up communication can consume a significant portion of the workday.

Implementing time-saving strategies like automated systems, utilizing on-demand real estate agents for showings (with services like Showdigs) can optimize leasing agent productivity.

Reducing Travel Costs for Showings

Leasing agents often spend considerable time traveling between properties. This time represents a hidden cost in terms of both labor and vehicle expenses.

To mitigate this:

  • Centralize property locations
  • Utilize technology for virtual tours
  • Optimize scheduling to reduce travel distances
  • Implement efficient routing software

By minimizing travel time, property management companies can allocate more resources to revenue-generating activities.

Effective Communication in Property Management: Time-Saving Strategies

Efficient communication is crucial in property management. However, excessive phone calls, emails, and texts can consume valuable time.

Implementing communication tools like property management software with integrated messaging, automated email responses, and clear communication protocols can significantly reduce time spent on communication.

Optimizing Showing Schedules for Maximum Efficiency

Scheduling and conducting property showings is essential for filling vacancies. However, inefficient scheduling can lead to lost time and frustrated potential tenants. To optimize showing schedules:

  • Utilize online scheduling tools
  • Group showings when possible
  • Provide detailed property information upfront
  • Train leasing agents on effective showing techniques

Streamlining the showing process not only boosts leasing agent productivity but also accelerates lease-up times. By optimizing agent schedules and minimizing vacancy periods, property managers can significantly increase revenue and profitability.