Owner Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What are the various services that you offer to your clients?

  A: We offer a number of real estate related services to our clients. Our base services include property management, buying and selling real estate, and investing in real estate.
  
  To further break-down and define property management, we do everything for our clients to save them both time and money. The following services are included in our management package:

  • Tenant Locator:
    Professional advertising, showings, application and screening process, writing lease agreements, and a complete move-in checklist and inspection.
  • Maintenance Management:
    We deliver instantaneous homeowner updates, facilitate and synchronize all vendor and tenant meetings, review and scrutinize all estimates, as well as systematically track and document all maintenance history.
    (We have experience working with numerous home warranty companies and strongly endorse the purchase of American Home Shield Home Warranty. https://www.ahs.com)
  • Tenant Day-to-Day Activity:
    We handle all phone calls, text messages, & emails (Including 2am emergency phone calls) We frequently work with HOAs on behalf of the homeowners and lessees to certify your property is 100% compliant.
  • Property Inspections:
    We will complete an exhaustive move-in inspection (hundreds of photos supplemented by a comprehensive report). We will also complete a detailed move-out inspection (also hundreds of photos supplemented by a comprehensive report). Lastly, we will arrange for intermittent in-lease property inspections.
  • Lease Renewals:
    We do not charge for lease renewals!! We begin to inquire and discuss the tenant’s intentions to either renew or vacate early on, determined to have the lowest vacancy rate achievable.

• Q: What experience does your company owner have in managing rentals?

  A: Matt Bonnes has managed hundreds of properties, as well as portfolios valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Skyline Real Estate & Property Management is founded on delivering a high level of customer service to our clients, tenants, and anybody else we work with. We will confidently lead you through each tenancy successfully, offering you our experience and industry expertise. Established on Matt’s industry understanding and experience, Skyline Real Estate & Property Management has developed a proprietary in-depth and meticulous process map, as well as sets of specifications to guarantee your property is professionally and effectively managed on a day-to-day basis.

• Q: How do you determine rent amount?

  A: We complete property specific research to provide you with the greatest detail and an expert comparative market analysis.
  
  Normally, following our consultation at your property we will send you other properties which are comparable to yours and give you our recommendation on the listing price. These are properties that may be on the market now, or ones that were recently on the market. As the homeowner, you will have the final input on how much we will list your property for. Although there are numerous conditional considerations which go into our recommendation, we will continue to communicate at a high-level during your entire listing period. At a minimum of twice every week we will send our clients a thorough update on their listing, including information on interested parties.

• Q: Are you currently an active real estate investor in your market?

  A: Yes!!
  
  We are extremely active in the investment market and tremendously up to date with properties presently on the market, which are considered to be high yield and high return investments. While we are unable to acquire each property that comes across our desk, we consistently pass our discoveries onto our clients. The property list we build comprises of properties which have previously been analyzed by us and are recommended for our investors to. We work with several lenders who are calculated, and investment oriented. We would be delighted to introduce our clients to any of our preferred lenders at any time!

• Q: Under what conditions can I cancel my management contract?

  A: You can terminate your agreement with Skyline Real Estate & Property Management at any time!!
  
  If you are unhappy with us we want to do what we can to resolve those concerns. We appreciate that occasionally professional relationships just do not work, and we are not engrossed in forcing those interactions. If you request to cancel our arrangement, we will do so. We would merely require a 30 day notice and would make the changeover as smooth as possible.

• Q: Can I cancel my contract without a fee if I am unhappy?

  A: Yes!!
  
  There will unconditionally be no financial consequences if you terminate your agreement with us. If you are unhappy with the services being delivered, we are content to work with you toward an amicable dissolution of the contract.

• Q: What are the management fees and/or pricing options when the property is being rented?

  A: If you are not collecting rent, we are not collecting a management fee. Simple.
  
  When your property is on the market and there is not a tenant in place, we will not have earned our fee. There is no fee for us to promote your property! All of our work is completed in advance, all in an effort to earn our fee.

• Q: What miscellaneous fees could I be charged for the management of my property?

  A: WE DO NOT CHARGE ANY SUPPLEMENTARY FEES!!
  
  Our charges are exceptionally straight-forward and simplistic, and we DO NOT charge any of the insignificant fees as other establishments.

  • Set Up Fees:
    Various other businesses will charge you a preliminary setup fee, which may supplement the costs for them to build your promotional materials and begin to cultivate a channel of prospective applicants for your property.
    
    **Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does not charge this additional fee.
    
    We will instead work hard to immediately syndicate your property to over 60 distinctive third-party websites.
  • Professional Photography & Marketing Package:
    As the homeowner, if you request to have advertising photos beyond the capability of a cell phone, which is the device most agents use for their marketing photos, you will need to finance those supplementary expenditures.
    
    Skyline Real Estate & Property Management uses only premier technology as a competitive advantage on every one of our residential rental listings. We operate Matterport 3D Virtual Tour technology & 4K still shots for the finest HD resolution feasible. We will also develop online marketing videos, all in an effort to appeal to the most qualified lessees imaginable, as fast as possible, for the highest acceptable market rent achievable.
    
    THIS IS A STANDARD FEATURE EXTENDED TO ALL OF OUR CLIENTS, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
  • Vacancy Management Fees:
    Several firms will charge you a fee while your property is on the market and there are no renters in place. Customarily property management companies will charge somewhere between $150-$250 per month, until they place a tenant.
    
    **Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does not charge this extra fee.
  • Maintenance Management Fees:
    The majority of property management companies will augment maintenance management fees into their agreement with you. The standard charge is an additional 10%, payable directly to the property management company.
    
    **Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does not charge this extra fee.
  • Late Rent Fees:
    Typically, if a tenant pays rent late, there is a fee related to the late rent payment. There are certain establishments who will retain the entire late-payment charge, and as the homeowner you will nevertheless collect the disbursement late, without monetary subsidy.
    
    Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will pass on 100% of all late fees to the homeowner.

• Q: Do I have to sell my property with you if I want to list it?

  A: Absolutely not.
  Whereas we do strive for excellence, we do not require any homeowner to sell their property with us if they decide to list on the open marketplace. In our day to day environment we believe in earning your business and expect nothing to be handed to us. If you want to work with us outright we would be thrilled to work for you.
  
  If you decide you would like to examine the competition to see what they have to propose, we would not hold it against you, though would still like to have a chance to earn your continued business.

• Q: Do you offer direct deposit for your owners?

  A: Yes! This is by far and large the easiest way to keep you informed and up-to-date immediately, through automated electronic financial transfers. You will receive an email notification each month when the funds are sent to your bank account.

• Q: How do you collect rent from tenants?

  A: We offer every resident we work with several options to pay their rent, including direct deposit, cashier’s check, money order, or cash. We strongly urge all residents to pay via direct deposit.

• Q: Do you conduct property inspections and, if you do, what charge is associated with them?

  A: Yes, and they are FREE (built-in) with your management package!!
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management conducts exceptionally meticulous property inspections. Typically, a move-in and move-out inspection would involve hundreds of pictures and an in-depth property inspection report. Once the key-trade has occurred, our brokerage will arrange periodic checkups for both the interior and exterior of the property. While in-lease inspections are not intrusive but instead precautionary, we will take as a minimum one picture of each room in the property. Through the inspection we will look at the general condition of the property, all appliances, as well as any sign of water damage where plumbing is present, possible invasive water damage from an external cause, along with other preventative maintenance measures.
  
  Following each assessment, as the homeowner you should anticipate an email containing a property inspection report, along with all pictures.

• Q: What steps do you take to market properties?

  A: We take every step imaginable to publicize your property in the brightest light, on numerous platforms.
  
  While your property is on the market, Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will send consistent updates (at least twice each week), we will examine the overall market interest, prospects, and any suggested adjustments.
  
  Advertising Photos:
  We will assist with skilled staging suggestions to make your photos stand out. We will utilize our 4K HD camera to deliver the sharpest pictures. Beyond taking average still frames, we will produce a Matterport 3D tour of your property, which will also generate a comprehensive floorplan. Exploiting a Matterport 3D virtual tour accurately allows each potential applicant to fundamentally engross themselves with your listing, from the ease of their laptop, cell phone, or while using interactive virtual reality goggles. We also use drone aerial video and photography to enrich the listing. Lastly, we will also manufacture a custom introduction video to further engage an audience on websites such as Zillow, and various forms of social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Linked In, Next-door Neighbor’s App, and others. Online Syndication:
  We will syndicate your property to over 60 distinctive websites, to augment your listing’s exposure, including the MLS (we are licensed brokers).

• Q: How long are your properties typically vacant?

  A: With our hard-hitting marketing tactics, we typically fill any vacancies within 7-21 days. There are two significant factors to consider when filling a vacancy.
  

  • Is the house priced right? We will assist you with appropriately pricing your property!! Our job is to guarantee you are as well-informed as possible on the immediate market and we will provide you our qualified advice on where to list, though you still have the final say.
  • How well does the house show? We will offer you our expert staging guidance and recommendations, to make sure you leave an exceptional and lasting impression on anybody who pulls up to your property.

• Q: Which strategies do you use to fill vacant units quickly, without sacrificing tenant quality?

  A: This is a great topic and should be an essential element of selecting the right property management company. In our market, many Realtors have landlord clients, and they will hurriedly place a tenant for the property and satisfy your vacancy, and they get to have final authorization of the applicants. (Realtors characteristically won’t do much more outside placing your tenant for you, and turn over property management service obligations back to the homeowners.). Many other property management companies also have the final approval of the applicants.
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does a lot of work in the beginning to appeal to high quality tenants at the highest probable rent the market will allow. We will break down all applications that come in and review in systematic and exhaustive detail with you and offer you our skilled recommendation to either accept or decline, however again, this decision is yours to make. We will be working with both you and the tenants for a minimum of 12 months and would like to place the most qualified tenants possible. We are not interested in placing a tenant to merely fulfill a marketing statistic.

• Q: What are your income and screening requirements for applicants?

  A: Our application process is exceptionally detailed. We will complete a full credit check, background check, eviction history check, income verification, and residential rental history verification. While we do not offer a one-size fits all attitude to property management services, there are usual standards which we follow and apply to our recommendation to the homeowners.

  • For income requirements we look for tenants to make approximately three times more than the monthly rent. We do conduct a full analysis of their financial standing based on monthly bills listed within their credit report to help us determine their debt to income ratio.
  • With credit history, which is a thorough look into one’s financial past is normally revealing of what their financial future may look like. While a credit score isn’t the exclusive piece of information we look at, we will conclude our final recommendation based on a thorough and complete review and examination of their credit reports, including the number of open accounts, payment history, judgements, bankruptcies, short sales, and foreclosures.

• Q: What control do I have over the tenant lease agreement?

  A: As the property owner, you have the complete and final say in everything we do for you. We work for you, not the other way around. Once you accept an application, we will construct the lease agreement for your property, then send to you for your final review. If we need to supplement or incorporate additional information into the lease, this will be the time to do that. Once you give our offices the final authorization on your lease agreement, we will then send the lease out for signatures and countersign on your behalf.
  
  The lease agreement will be between Skyline Real Estate & Property Management. This safeguards you, the homeowner legally. Should there be any discrepancy concerning damages related to the security deposit and we end up in litigation, we will be named in the lawsuit instead of you.

• Q: Do you mark-up maintenance and repairs?

  A: This is a crucial and significant issue you need to openly examine with any property management company you are interviewing.
  
  To answer the question, no, Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does not tack on supplementary fees to any maintenance invoices. Effectively and efficiently managing your maintenance requests is part of our customary property management service package we offer to our clients. We work with a number of third party vendors who have no other professional affiliation with us outside of us sending them maintenance requests. Once the vendors accept the request, they will schedule a time to look at the problem directly with the tenants, and shortly afterward the vendor will contact the property owner to review the matter at hand and the expenses associated with the maintenance issue.
  
  Maintenance problems and the time a landlord theoretically need to spend on maintenance in particular could be one reason why you are considering hiring a property management company. The third-party vendors we work with are recommended because of their skill & capability, understanding of our procedures, and to save our clients’ money. We do not make any money with the vendors who we recommend to our clients, but instead continue to be a concrete source of maintenance leads for them. As long as they continue to handle the requests with a high level of success, we will continue to work with them. Any rebates they would extend to us for being a steady customer are distributed directly onto our clients.
  
  We also strongly recommend each of our clients to contemplate working with American Home Shield. Our office is exceptionally acquainted with home warranty systems, which would possibly pad any maintenance expenses you may face throughout the course of any given tenancy. Please follow this link to answer many FAQ about home warranties! https://www.ahs.com/faqs/

• Q: How often will I get updates on my portfolio?

  A: While your property is on the market, you will receive an update at a minimum of twice each week. We offer high levels of communication for our clients during both the listing period and throughout the course of your tenancy. You will receive all copies of inspection photos and reports, notification by phone call, text message, and email concerning all maintenance requests in real time. As your rent is paid monthly, you will receive an email notification of payment. We will send you financial reports consistently, and you will also have access to all important files by using the owner portal. You may also always contact us at any time and we will be happy to provide you complete access to any information you need.

• Q: What steps have you taken to cut costs so that you can pass savings on to your owners?

  A: We have taken every measure imaginable to cut all expenses. We have implemented a precise structure to instill productivity, elevate communication with both homeowners and tenants. We have made key connections with vendors and contractors in many different trades and have developed those relationships for when you may need them. Our backend office is extremely organized and highly efficient, allowing our operation to run impeccably and focus on customer service.
  
  With our systems and procedures in place we have positioned ourselves to better serve you, at the most aggressive price in the industry. While you may be saving on cost, our high-level approach to customer service, real estate marketing capabilities, and ability to serve both you and your tenant are not sacrificed.

• Q: What types of properties do you manage?

  A: We normally work with independently owned condo units, townhouses, single family homes, or small buildings 15 units or less.

• Q: Can you explain the federal fair housing laws to me?

  A: We are very well versed in real estate law, including federal fair housing laws. Our office will handle the bulk of the issues that would come up concerning federal fair housing laws. This includes our actual marketing materials, who we show the property to, and the basis of which we recommend for our clients to either accept or decline any applications. If any homeowner has any particular question when it comes to fair housing laws, we would be pleased to review your question with you, and if we cannot answer any question to the degree you are looking, we are happy to refer you to some real estate attorneys for further consultation.

• Q: How wide of a geographic area does your company cover?

  A: We cover from Downtown Chicago, to the Western & North West Suburbs.

  • ~DuPage County
  • Kendall County
  • Cook County
  • McHenry County
  • Lake County
  • Kane County

• Q: Could you provide a few references to me?

  A: Upon email request, we are happy to deliver references.

• Q: Do you work with out-of-state & international owners?

  A: Yes, we frequently work with homeowners who are not local to the area, in different states, and in different areas of the world. Since there are many ways to connect and sign documents electronically, we are able to simplify the process for you. Since we conduct reliable property inspections and you are able to view the property’s condition in real time, review any and all maintenance requests with our office and the contractors, we make it hassle-free for you.
  
  It is practically impossible to successfully manage a rental property from out of state. Most will not have the number of contractors required for assorted issues, who you can trust, to work on the property without price gauging you. We are happy to swiftly deliver numerous estimates for any work order, if necessary, as well as assist with our professional opinion. As your property management company, we will commit to saving you both time and money. We will accomplish this objective by completing the undertaking of organizing all meetings between the contractors and the tenants to deliver proper estimates for all homeowners to evaluate.
  
  The turnover process is well-organized and comprehensive. While you may not be local to the area, we are your eyes and ears on the property, and we will send you everything we see in real time.

• Q: Is your company privately owned or is it part of a franchise?

  A: We are privately owned. This corporation was founded because of a core belief that there is a superior product to be delivered to the consumer, and we are confident that we are fully capable of delivering that product to you for a fraction of the cost of our competitors.

• Q: What are your leasing fees, and do they include any marketing costs?

  A: We would be happy to share our property management presentation and openly discuss our fees with you. We urge you to contact us to request more information! We will send you a comprehensive digital package (we are also pleased to mail a hardcopy of our presentation to you upon request). On here I will nevertheless guarantee that we are very competitively priced, and produce a much more powerful and aggressive marketing plan than our competitors are capable of.
  
  While your property is on the market, there is no charge, period. We will not get paid until you get paid.

• Q: What are the management fees when the property is being rented?

  A: While there is a tenant in place, we will continue to produce high levels of communication between you and your tenant, and we do so for a nominal monthly fee. While the industry standard is at 10% per month, I will assure you we are lower.

• Q: Are there any fees if I want to change to another property management company?

  A: We do not charge any nominal fees to cancel our contract. If our relationship were to ever get to the point that your intentions were to leave for another brokerage, we would make the separation as stress-free and easy as possible. We understand that not all business relationships are designed to last, and in many circumstances, you need to move on quickly. We would require a 30-day notice to ensure your property has been properly closed out and prepare for turnover.

• Q: What are your pricing options?

  A: Skyline Real Estate & Property Management has a goal to simplify your experience, from producing unparalleled levels of customer service to making the price options simple and straightforward. This is precisely what we have done. There are no tiered price structures and we will not get paid until you have, simple!

• Q: Do you guarantee tenants for any amount of time?

  A: We put our clients in a tremendously strong legal position. We normally advertise for, and appeal to long term tenants who will sign a contract of at least 12 months. We reach out with sufficient time to open the conversation concerning the tenant’s intentions, whether they are planning to renew or vacate at the end of the lease. The majority of our tenants will stay on average for 3-4 years.
  
  While it is impossible to guarantee any tenant for any period of time, your lease agreement would be upheld in court should the tenant choose to break the terms of the agreement.

• Q: When do you begin paying your owners following rent collection?

  A: We arrange all of our leases to have their rent paid on the 1st each month, and the tenants will be allowed a five-day grace period. We will initiate payments to the homeowners on the fifth of the month.
  
  Each time your tenant pays their rent, you will receive an email notification to make you aware of the financial activity with your property.

• Q: Do you work with Home Owner’s Associations?

  A: Yes!! Our company appreciates that each homeowner’s association is distinctive, nonetheless they all customarily have their own paperwork they need completed and returned along with detailed rules that must to be obeyed. We will ensure proper documentation of acknowledgement of all HOA CCRs with your tenants. If there are any violations, usually the HOA will alert us directly and we will review the issues with the tenants, and work with them to resolve the matter moving forward. If there are any fines assessed because of broken rules, the tenants would be held accountable for those charges.

• Q: How long are your properties typically vacant?

  A: If we are given a property that is already vacant, from start to finish we will normally place a tenant anywhere between 7-21 days.
  
  One key topic to consider is when the property is being turned over. When you have a tenant, who gives appropriate notification of intent to vacate, we need to begin the process to locate your next tenant. For the advantage of our homeowners, we initiate the conversation with the tenants well before their lease ends. If we provide ourselves with enough time and notification, we will be able to secure well qualified tenants with little to no vacancy rate. As an added advantage of listing your property promptly is attempting to achieve the highest market rent allowable.

• Q: What percentage of tenants do you need to evict?

  A: We need to evict an exceptionally low number of tenants historically, and characteristically only tenants who we have inherited from homeowners who were managing property themselves. The eviction process is normally straightforward, and the timing is generally based around the court system, since they set the court dates. Once the unlawful detainer action has been filed, we take every action and effort imaginable to work out an agreement with the tenant, to remove them and ultimately re-gain possession of the property. From a homeowner’s perspective, regaining possession of the property should be the number one priority.
  
  In a serious effort to prevent evictions at all costs, we stress the importance of a comprehensive application and screening process. While you never necessarily know who you are working with, conducting a detailed application process on the front end will customarily help one to prevent a pricey and timely eviction process.

• Q: What is your average occupancy length for tenants?

  A: Most tenants will stay on average for 3-4 years.
  
  We advertise each property we work with for a minimum of 12-month tenancy. We usually appeal to higher quality tenants, most of which who do not want to move every 12 months. Most tenants who rent on a month to month basis may not necessarily upkeep the property as much as someone who is willing to commit for several months at a time contractually.

• Q: What percentage of the security deposit is usually refunded to tenants?

  A: Skyline Real Estate & Property Management has a consistent goal of refunding 100% of the security deposit to our tenants, every deal, period.
  
  There is no money to be made with security deposit damages, in fact, there is only liability to be had. By signing the lease agreement for the homeowner, we are shouldering all financial liability between your tenant and your property. We explicitly inform all tenants of expectations of terms to receive a full refund of their security deposit. Like avoiding an eviction with a property, one key to avoiding a tenant who will damage your property includes a lot of due diligence from the beginning, starting with an particularly thorough application process.

• Q: How many property managers will I interact with (or, will I have an assigned property manager?)

  A: Yes, you will have one particular point of contact! When you sign a contract with Skyline Real Estate & Property Management, the Realtor who you originally signed with will continue to be your direct point of contact as long as they are employed with the brokerage. This person will continue to be your private eyes and ears on the ground and is local to your property. We hope to build long, lasting professional connections with our clients.

• Q: How do your tenants contact you?

  A: Our tenants have numerous ways to contact whoever they need.

  • Email: matt@theskylinebrokers.com
  • Office Phone: (link to office phone number)
  • Cell: 847.796.0441
  • Tenant Portal
  • Contact Us
  • 24/7/365 Emergency Maintenance (Link to EMERGENCY Number)
  • Facebook (Link to Facebook)
  • Instagram (Link to Instagram)
  • Twitter (Link to Twitter)
  • Linked In (Link to Linked In)

• Q: How do your owners contact you?

  A: We are available to our homeowners 24/7/365.

  • Email: matt@theskylinebrokers.com
  • Office Phone (link to office phone number)
  • Cell: 847.796.0441
  • Owner Portal
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook (Link to Facebook)
  • Instagram (Link to Instagram)
  • Twitter (Link to Twitter)
  • Linked In (Link to Linked In)

• Q: Can tenants directly contact the owner?

  A: The fast answer is no.
  
  As your property management company, we are here to take all phone calls, text messages, emails, or any other means of communication from the tenant, on your behalf. As your property managers, we will work in your best interest as well as dependably keep you up-to-date of all activities on your property which would result in any alteration to the property itself or necessitate any financial activity. As the owner of the property it is your absolute right to speak to and/or interact with the lessees. As experts in the field I would still advise against doing so and would be pleased to hold additional conversation around this subject with anybody at their request.

• Q: How quick is your average response time to owners and tenants?

  A: We respect your time and recognize there is a purpose to your call. Our objective is to always have an immediate response to our clients and our residents. We stress to everybody we work with to always leave a message, and for a faster reply send us a text message. Regularly throughout the day we check our voicemails and return all messages as soon as practicable.

• Q: What steps do you take to ensure that I am getting quality tenants?

  A: There is one significant fact which we would like to point out to all of our clients, we are not attracted to filling a vacancy, just to fill a vacancy. Whoever we put into your home will be somebody who we will be working with, as well as you, for at least the following year.
  
  We work hard to locate premier tenants, who are the right people for your property. Before we confirm any showings with a prospective candidate, we take them through a brief but descriptive pre-screening process. If we believe we would be able to approve them based on the pre-screening questions we ask, we will then show them your home. After a showing and meeting the prospective applicants face to face, if they are interested they will apply through our website. The application process is careful. We will evaluate the complete application with you, including their credit history, background checks, eviction history check, substantiation of income, and residential rental history certification. Our brokerage will review each application entirely and summarize the application, conclusively delivering our qualified recommendation to either accept or decline.
  
  As the homeowner, you will have the complete right to examine each application and give your absolute consent, before advancing to the next phase.

• Q: What is your timeline for evictions?

  A: Unfortunately, there is no outright answer, each situation is circumstantial and completely controlled by the court system. The most essential part and easiest way to prevent evicting your tenants is to have a comprehensive and meticulous application process, and make sure as the homeowners you are involved.
  
  As a skilled property management company, we are exceptionally well organized and understand how the eviction process works. The most vital part to the eviction process timeline is how swiftly your property manager performs on the late or no rent. If the property management company delays multiple weeks to even serve your tenant their five-day pay or quick notification, then are you are already three weeks into not having received rent before you are able to file an unlawful detainer action.
  
  Action, or inaction on part of your property management company could cost you upwards of at least one additional month of rent (8% of your total annual cash flow!!).
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management acts swiftly with all late and non-payment of rent, in the very best interest of our clients. From the time we are able to get the unlawful detainer action filed, the process typically takes 90 days. All in all, you would be looking at 90-120 days total.

• Q: What steps are taken to ensure that your website is easy to use for tenants?

  A: We have paid for a manageable website that allows us to accurately screen applicants and showcase our available properties.
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management has invested both time and money into our website, guaranteeing it is totally user friendly and specifically aids with our advertising strategy. We want to ensure each property we list receives the most out-and-out, unsurpassed internet syndication package available. Once we show potential candidates your property, we want their user interface to be simple, permitting them to effectively navigate our website and submit an application. While submitting the application online, the applicants will be prompted to upload detailed requested credentials.
  
  Once a tenant is living in a property we manage, they will utilize the various useful services which our website offers across the Tenant Portal. Each tenant will have a private login exclusive to them. Within the tenant portal residents will be able to sign documents, submit maintenance requests, view the inspection photos from any property inspections, pay rent, and sign their lease agreement.
  
  Homeowners will also have a portal to access, which will allow them to view comprehensive documentation of their property history. They will be able to view and download all maintenance invoices, workorder and maintenance request records, rent payment history, find any filed paperwork, and send messages openly to our team or maintenance vendors working on their property.

• Q: Do you require tenants to have renter’s insurance?

  A: Yes, each tenant is required to present verification of renter’s insurance before they move into any property we manage.

• Q: Do you select my tenant, or do I get to approve them?

  A: Our application is exhaustive and meticulous. Each person over 18 years old would be required to submit an application and be subject to a full credit check, background check, eviction history check, income verification, and residential rental history verification.
  
  Once we show your property to prospective applicants, we will assuredly accept applications to review. After we accept an application, we will complete a breakdown of their application, and based on certain metrics, we will either recommend to accept or decline the application. While the majority of property management companies reserve the complete right to hand-pick your tenant, we work with our homeowners when contemplating which applications to accept or to decline, though the final decision is the homeowner’s.

• Q: What does the application process look like?

  A: Our application process is electronic and simple. Once a potential candidate views a property they like, they need to go onto our website and apply. Our website is user friendly and easy to navigate.
  
  Our application process is in-depth and meticulous, incorporating a full credit check, background check, eviction history, income verification, and residential rental history certification. Once we evaluate the application, we will send the analysis to the homeowners with our expert recommendation, and they will then elect to either accept or decline the applicants.

• Q: Is there a maintenance reserve requirement?

  A: No, Skyline Real Estate & Property Management does not apply a minimum maintenance reserve requirement.
  
  Many property management companies will force homeowners to pay a supplementary minimum reserve for imminent maintenance problems. We will commit to handle each maintenance issue circumstantially to ensure our clients and tenants are both satisfied. As the homeowner, you will be provided the opportunity to review each request candidly with the assigned contractor. Once you speak with the vendor, you will be able to approve the estimate, but if you do not like the quote you received, we will be delighted to search for other estimates to compete.
  
  We do urge all clients to contemplate a home warranty with American Home Shield. Go to www.ahs.com to communicate directly with a salesperson and compare their costs and packages. A full home warranty will allow you the insurance and peace of mind to understand that no matter what maintenance issue comes up, your property is covered for a nominal service charge of $65 per occurrence.

• Q: Who is responsible for yard maintenance?

  A: This solution depends on the property. Characteristically, single family homes will delegate the lawncare and maintenance obligations to the renters, while townhouses and condos will have homeowner’s associations who contract the work to third-party vendors.
  
  Although the majority of single family homes would require the occupant to be accountable for the lawncare, this is not a one-size fits all tactic to property management. As a homeowner, I will always ask you how important your lawn is to you. Would you be distraught if you had to replace the lawn, or would you consider this as a hypothetical risk of doing business? If you never want to worry about replacing your lawn, and have previously exhausted significant sums of money, time, and energy on your property, it may make sense to contract a third-party service to preserve the lawn and guarantee the property is in respectable shape.

• Q: What is your relationship with your maintenance vendors?

  A: We hold a professional relationship with all vendors who we recommend, however there is no financial advantage for our brokerage to work with one vendor over another.
  
  We handle each contractor the same. We work with a sizeable network of contractors who represent different industry trades. We continue to recommend these vendors to our homeowners as long as they keep their prices in-line and the quality of work is high. With each maintenance request we hold a companywide standard to be devoted to ultra-high levels of communication. The instant we receive a maintenance request, which can come to us a number of different ways, we immediately dispatch that request to an available contractor. As the homeowner, you will receive this request in real time, via email.
  
  Once the contractor is at the property, you will have the chance to review the maintenance request, review the estimate and approve the price. If there is ever a quote you receive and would like to compare, we are happy to request other quotes from other contractors on your behalf, and you will have the chance to review and agree on any estimate before the work is started.

• Q: How much advice can you give me to help with growing my property portfolio?

  A: How much time do you have?
  
  If you are serious about developing a residential investment portfolio, I would be motivated to examine the distinctive paths and opportunities you may have. When it comes to investments, I want to assist you in achieving the most aggressive and effective investment strategy imaginable, which suits your economic ambitions and present position. Together we will arrange a consultation to review what your possibilities are, discover more about your goals, and how to make you the maximum yield on your investment.
  
  To schedule a FREE consultation, please contact Matt Bonnes directly at (619) 622-2681, or email m.j.bonnes@gmail.com

• Q: What discounts can I receive on maintenance, etc. if I have you as my property manager?

  A: We do not charge supplementary fees for maintenance management. Compare us to our competition!! On average, property management companies insert an additional fee of up to 10%, or a flat fee of $250 to every invoice.
  
  Maintenance management is entirely inclusive with Skyline Real Estate & Property Management. Our office will manage all maintenance requests, expedite all meetings among the tenants and vendors, and coordinate all work to be completed once the estimate has been approved.
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management has absolutely no secretive fees or charges, simple.

• Q: Do you have a move-in checklist & move-out checklist?

  A: Yes, and as the homeowner you will receive a copy of these checklists and inspection reports in real time!
  
  To ensure your tenancy will run efficiently, we need to lead from the beginning. Once you have formally accepted an application, we will go through our checklist consisting of tasks such as signing the lease, collecting rent and the security deposit, changing utilities, etc. If you are a homeowner preparing your property for rent for the very first time, we will run through an entire “honey do list” with you to make sure you are adequately prepared. Your new tenants will not be approved to get the keys until their entire checklist has been finalized, no exceptions.
  
  When it comes time to move out, the beginning of this process may start as early as 9 months into the lease. We reach out at least 90 days in advance to your agreement terminating to gain an understanding if the tenants plan on renewing or are going to vacate. If they choose to vacate, we complete a systematic checklist, involving a comprehensive move-out inspection, close out any security deposit issues, and evaluate the overall condition of the premises for the homeowners.

• Q: What market updates and education can you offer?

  A: We have a broad understanding of the real estate marketplace. We work with landlords to provide property management services, sellers and buyers (we are licensed real estate brokers) and are also investment specialists, and we are motivated to work with anybody attracted to constructing a respective investment portfolio.
  
  We want to keep our clients entirely up to date with all real estate related questions. While your property is on the market, we will habitually update you regarding your property and the proximate marketplace. As our affiliation continues to mature, you will find that we consistently send out updates on your property, surrounding market updates, and material for you to employ when you are prepared to invest and develop your residential real estate portfolio.

• Q: How long is a property vacant between tenants?

  A: We have a target to satisfy all vacancies within a 7-21-day timeframe.
  
  We engage in exceedingly aggressive advertising tactics, which will appeal to the utmost of quality residents on the market. From high level marketing photos using a 4K HD digital camera, the integration of user interfaced Matterport 3D virtual tours for each listing, and internet syndication to over 60 of the most influential and valuable house search websites available. While your property is on the market, you will receive dependable updates at least twice each week, describing the total performance based on a series of detailed measurement metrics.

• Q: What is your preferred method of communication?

  A: My preferred method of communication is whatever your favorite method is!!
  
  You hired me, I work for you! While texting is by far and large the speediest way to connect with me, as my client, I will bend to your preference and make sure to be accessible on a steady basis and on any platform you desire.

• Q: What is your personal definition of rent ready?

  A: Turn-key. Rent ready means I can list your property and conduct a move-in inspection without being required to submit several maintenance requests to make the tenant happy.
  
  As your property manager, we will appropriately plan and guide you through the process. The simplest way to explain rent ready to a client is to give your first tenant the property you want to walk back into. If you hung pictures on the walls, then you need to fill the holes and paint the walls before a tenant moves in. Make sure the property is meticulously cleaned, included all appliances, windows, and carpets. Is the lawn professionally cut and impeccable? These are all great things to keep in mind and use as standards when you are turning your property over for the first time.

• Q: What is your personal philosophy on deferred maintenance?

  A: The greatest approach when it comes to maintenance is to attack the issue head on. Deferred maintenance will only lead to complications in the future, which should have been circumvented.
  
  Completing poor work or postponing the work will only make problems worse. For instance, if you were to hire an HVAC technician to annually conduct a preventative maintenance inspection, you would theoretically save the thousands of dollars it may cost to replace the entire system. Outside the cost of the scope of work, the tenant would ultimately be inconvenienced for a number of days. Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will conduct periodic inspections on all properties we manage in an effort to identify unambiguous concerns which may necessitate prompt attention before an issue cultivates and develops into an out of hand ordeal.

• Q: What is the average deposit per property?

  A: Characteristically we will charge a tenant a security deposit the equivalent to one-month’s rent.
  
  While one-month’s rent would suit most instances, we handle each application individually and circumstantially, no two are exactly alike. After we evaluate the complete package we will be capable of defining the suggested security deposit total. The amount of the security deposit will be determined by the credit score and history, and the homeowner will have the final authorization on amount due.
  
  Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will hold all security deposits in our brokerage trust account. We meticulously track each property’s security deposit on an individual ledger attached to each lease, as well as an exhaustive record for all accounts collectively held in our trust account.

• Q: What specific program(s) are in place to increase tenant satisfaction?

  A: Customer service and satisfaction is the motivating influence behind Skyline Real Estate & Property Management. We believe there is a superior product to be distributed and we are the ones who will successfully produce said product.
  
  All-in-all, the majority of clients in the residential real estate market are comfortable with low quality work, whether they are working with property managers, a realtor to assist with a sale or purchase, or somebody who is helping them to develop their investment portfolio. A landlord chooses to hire a property management company to save them time. When a homeowner is required to devote their time to working on problems that could have been prevented, it may be time to consider hiring a different property management company.
  
  We are continuously learning and growing as a business, and endlessly hunting for new technology or services to implement, so we can make each person’s life we work with enhanced.

• Q: What specific program(s) are in place to increase owner communication?

  A: Numerous.
  
  All we do every day is communicate with our clients on a high level. Our organization will adapt to your desired platform for communication, and we will communicate with you frequently. The majority of the time you have a tenant in place, you will only be speaking with us if there is a problem and you are pursuing extra information or an update. We embrace a company standard that it is significantly better to over-communicate than to under-communicate. I would rather have a homeowner or tenant worn-out from me calling, texting, and/or emailing than to have them not hear from me at all. When there are issues with your property, this is the time you MUST hear from us.

• Q: What has been your biggest mistake as an investor or business owner?

  A: The first property I ever flipped, I forced the purchase only because I had the cash, instead of waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
  
  While this is the largest misstep I have made as an investor, I was fortunate to salvage the deal and walk away rather unscathed. Learn your lesson from me, wait for the right property to come!! This has taught me the irreplaceable lesson of patience, which has permitted me to anticipate the right decisions not only for myself, but for all of my clients as well.

• Q: What is your fee for filling new tenants or re-leasing an existing tenant?

  A: I want to be clear, we will certainly not get paid unless you get paid! Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will live by this declaration.
  
  While we place a lot of work on the front end of searching for a new tenant, we will not get paid until after your tenant has actually moved in. Skyline Real Estate & Property Management will charge 50% of the first month’s rent once the tenant has moved in.
  
  When we renew the lease agreement with the resident we will not charge a lease renewal fee, period.

• Q: Do you have any hidden fees?

  A: No
  
  Contrasting many other businesses, we have taken every step imaginable to showcase our services and offer a straight forward price structure which is clear. Our services are all-inclusive and not offered at an upsell or additional charge.

• Q: What is the cost of an average repair bill after moving out? (make rent ready)

  A: Every move-out is circumstantial, no two are exactly the same.
  
  Preceding the tenant actually moving out of the property, our brokerage will promptly initiate the move-out process with the tenants, working toward a successful move-out. We will lead them with setting definite and appropriate expectations on how to properly prepare for the final move-out inspection. We will also review the security deposit refund process, including the time-frame which they should anticipate the report, photos, and any invoices from damage, as well as the balance of their refund.
  
  When we conduct our move-out inspection for your property, we are exceptionally thorough. The standard single-family home inspection will result in a wide-ranging property inspection report, as well as a minimum of 150 photos. We document the “after” condition of the property and will compare each line item on the move-in report with the move-out report. We are specific as we examine your home and accurately document everything, which is in the best interest of each person involved with the lease; including the homeowner, the tenants, and Skyline Real Estate & Property Management.

• Q: What is your repair process like?

  A: Simple, easy, and efficient.
  
  Maintenance and repairs will be the number one reason you hire a property management company, and perhaps the number one reason you may fire a property management company. Maintenance is a concern for the tenants who have to live with whatever the request is before it is fixed, as well as an economic burden on the homeowners. This is particularly an area of concern we will speak to with each homeowner we work with. We want to be on the same page as our clients, resolve any hypothetical questions in advance, and be prepared to work hard to resolve the concern immediately, if and when the initial maintenance request is submitted.
  
  We have written our processes to be adaptable to each situation and property. We offer our clients flexible alternatives for maintenance, as well as our expert advice. Although the third-party contractors we work with are professionals, preferring to work with a home warranty company such as American Home Shield may be the most cost-effective route. There are different plans to select from when working with American Home Shield
  (CLICK HERE TO VISIT AHS.COM)
  
  The third-party vendors offer us ideal pricing, which is distributed straightforwardly onto our clients. All vendors know to review all charges with the homeowners prior to beginning any work and will bill our clients directly. Most vendors will offer a 30-day net payment structure. We will also be content to pay all invoices to each vendor directly from your incoming rent, to streamline the process for you.
  (The homeowner authorization is still required when using this option)
  
  If you know a contractor who you are comfortable with, we are delighted to work with your preferred vendor(s) too!!

• Q: Why should you choose to work with me, instead of someone else?

  A: Choosing to work with the correct property management company, property manager, and their team is an enormous decision. One that if not properly contemplated, may become an economic stress factor as well as quite time consuming.
  
  I am confident in understanding the service proficiencies of Skyline Real Estate & Property Management are unparalleled. We are committed to the success of your property from the minute our primary conversation takes place and are serious with our quest of prosperous and effective property management and real estate services. If our simplistic price structure is not tantalizing enough, we know our services will be tremendously impressive.
  
  In conclusion, we have heart, and a lot of it. We care for our clients and the complete success of each property from both an operational and economic perspective. We care for our residents and want them to be happy, and sincerely feel like they are at home and able to enjoy themselves.

• Q: What do you have to offer that separates you from your competitors?

  A: Alongside Skyline Real Estate & Property Management, one should expect to receive a high-level of customer service for a low price.
  
  We will begin with the best, Matterport: Matterport is the distinct best piece of marketing technology available today. We utilize this technology for 100% of the properties we work with at no added fee. If you are unacquainted with Matterport 3D technology, please click the link below. https://matterport.com/
  
  4K HD Still Photography: Our cameras permit us to develop true professional pictures, which will make your listing stand-out. The mainstream organizations in the competitive market today will simply use still photos taken from their cell phone, which do not stand up to 4K HD cameras.
  
  More services, no hidden fees, offered at a shockingly affordable and reasonable price. There are many businesses who will label themselves as specialists, and offer “professional quality” work, yet there are still yet far too many organizations who have a “turn ‘em and burn ‘em” mentality when it comes to property management. We understand just how vital selecting the right applicant is and will be with you each step along the way, only advocating to accept candidates who are well qualified.
  
  Once your vacancy is filled, you will find yourself relaxing and communicating only with your property manager when you need to, as opposed to your lessees on a regular, day to day, and ongoing basis.

• Q: Can I make the tenants pay the HOA fees?

  A: Contractually you can do anything you want if the tenant agrees to it, nonetheless that does not mean it is the right thing to do.
  
  Just to stop you in your tracks, an HOA can repossess your property quicker than a bank in foreclosure. This and this alone should be plenty for you to make sure you are paying your HOA dues, not your tenant.