A lot of East Bay housing providers ask the same question: “What exactly am I paying for when I hire a property manager?”
It’s a fair concern. Management fees typically range from 8–12% of monthly rent (see our pricing breakdown here), so you deserve to know what you’re getting in return. At Croskey Real Estate, we believe in transparency — here’s exactly what property managers do to protect your income, reduce stress, and keep your rentals compliant.
1. Reducing Vacancy With Tenant Placement & Marketing
Vacancy is the number one income killer. A single month without rent can wipe out 8–10% of your annual return. Professional property managers:
• Advertise your property across Zillow, Apartments.com, MLS, and local listing sites.
• Provide high-quality photos, 3D scans, and video tours to attract serious tenants.
• Screen tenants thoroughly — including credit, background, income verification, and rental history — while staying Fair Housing compliant (HUD guidelines).
• Prepare and execute leases that are California-compliant and tailored to your property.
👉 Learn more about our Lease Only Service.
2. Rent Collection & Enforcement
Collecting rent sounds easy — until it’s late. Property managers:
• Provide secure online payment portals for tenants.
• Send reminders, post notices, and enforce late payment rules.
• Handle Three-Day Notices to Pay or Quit when necessary.
• Maintain systems that improve on-time rent payments, protecting your cash flow.
With Croskey Real Estate, you’ll also get organized monthly and annual reports in your owner dashboard, making it easy to track how your portfolio is performing.
3. Maintenance & Emergency Coordination
When the water heater bursts at midnight, you don’t want that call. Property managers:
• Field maintenance requests 24/7.
• Dispatch pre-vetted vendors and in-house maintenance teams.
• Negotiate fair vendor pricing and prevent delays that inflate costs.
• Track every repair through systems like Property Meld for transparency and accountability.
👉 Learn more about our Maintenance Coordination Service.
4. Inspections, Compliance & Legal Protection
California’s rental laws evolve constantly — from AB 1482 rent caps to AB 2801 security deposit rules. Property managers protect you by:
• Conducting pre-move-in, mid-lease, and move-out inspections with photo documentation.
• Staying compliant with city-specific programs like Pittsburg’s Rental Inspection Program.
• Preparing and serving legally sound notices.
• Coordinating evictions when necessary, while following strict timelines.
Compliance isn’t optional. Mistakes can cost thousands in fines or legal fees.
5. Financial Oversight & Reporting
Finally, property managers provide the financial systems that most DIY landlords lack:
• Monthly income/expense tracking
• Year-end statements to make tax prep easier
• Owner dashboards with live financial data
This ensures your portfolio operates like a business — not a guessing game.
The Real Value of Professional Management
In short, property managers earn their fee by:
✔ Cutting vacancy with faster tenant placement
✔ Collecting and enforcing rent reliably
✔ Handling late-night emergencies & maintenance
✔ Protecting you from legal mistakes
✔ Delivering clear financial reporting
Instead of being tied down by daily tenant calls, you gain predictable income and peace of mind.
If you’re ready to stop trading your time for stress and start running your rentals like a business, schedule a consultation with Croskey Real Estate today.
📞 Call us at (925) 336-3282
👉 Schedule Your Free Consultation