Hi, I've thought of a service that I would like to offer to private landlords. I will place their rental signs at their properties, meet with potential renters to show the property and allow them to fill out rental applications after the showing. Maybe I'd even add an extra service of verifying all information on the rental application. I will then get the information to the landlord to make the final decision after I have gathered all the information

That sounds like a great idea. Good luck with it!

__________________
Mandy
Virtual Administrative Assistance

I'm sure you could corner a local market with this service, and best of luck to you in doing so if that's what you wish to do but it's not exactly a *virtual* service - it sounds more like property management. In any case, let us know how it pans out for you!

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Hello, thanks for your responses. I do understand that it's not a virtual service, but my business also provides concierge services and other services that are not virtual. I haven't added the service yet, but just thinking of it since I've seen a need for it in my area. If I do decide to add this service, I will gladly let you all know how it goes. And again thanks for all you all do here. I have learned a lot here.

Hello and welcome to the forum. I think that's a terrific idea since you're also offering concierge services. The VA field seems limitless, I know it's not but there are lots of options. Of, course I've learned it all here at VAF. This is a great place to be.

Wishing you the best,
Dana

Thank you for the encouragement Dana!

Well I've decided not to add this service, because I have decided that my niche will be in Medical Services.

Tina

Originally Posted by PrestigeVirtualServices

Well I've decided not to add this service, because I have decided that my niche will be in Medical Services. Tina

Okay... so I see the OP is moving in another direction - that's probably a good idea, I really don't see the services she described in her OP as being viable as an "add on" to an already up-and-running VA business. In fact, as others posted, it's really not a VA business at all.

For the sake of someone who might search for "property management" and find this thread one day, I am going to add my 2 cents to this topic....

Property management in many states requires a person who is doing the types of services described in the OP - show properties, executing leases, etc, to be LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS. Seriously.

A flat fee is charged for services which include pretty much ONLY showing and renting out a property, this service should include SCREENING possible tenants. Person who perform this function of showing rental properties need to be licensed RE agents in most states. The same non-discriminatory rules which apply to the code or ethics for RE agents needs to also be heeded by rental property agents.

OR a property manager who also handles the month-to-month responsibilities is paid a percentage of the rent, typically 8-10%.

In the second scenario case the responsibilities of the property manager would include collecting rent, fielding repair calls from clients and ordering repair services, turning over/cleaning units, going to court to evict tenants who are behind on rent, dealing with the requirements of Section 8 or other agencies providing rental subsidies, interviewing, hiring and managing the sub-contractors who do repairs, lawn and snow removal maintenance, arranging for and renewing city rental licenses AND doing all the bookkeeping for properties. Please forgive me if I have forgotten a few of the duties of a property manager.

If you are going to do this type of work you MUST be comfortable interacting with people from a wide variety of economic, social and racial backgrounds. You also need to be VERY aware of possible discriminatory practices when it comes to showing and offering properties to potential tenants.

Property management is really a business in and of itself - I would never consider it to be an additional "service" which can easily be added to the menu. You really need to do a lot of research and business planning to enter the field of property management.

__________________
Susan Davis ~ EcoGreenREVA