FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
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Why should I hire TMG to be my property management company?
What geographical areas does TMG do business in?
We are licensed to do business in Oregon and Washington. Currently, we primarily manage properties in Southwest Washington and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. We also manage properties in Kennewick, Washington and Salem/Albany, Oregon. If you have a property outside of these areas, please contact us.
What types of properties does TMG manage?
- Single family homes (houses, condominiums, townhomes, and plexes);
- Multifamily communities (apartments); and
- Homeowner Associations (HOA), which are managed through our company, Association Management Services NW | AMS.
What accreditations does TMG hold?
Accredited Management Organization (AMO)
TMG has been awarded the Accredited Management Organization (AMO) designation by the Institute of Real Estate Management. We are one of only 537 companies worldwide to receive this accreditation which holds each company to a set of high standards for business operations. TMG offers experience and expertise far above many other property management companies.
Certified Property Manager (CPM)
When you hire our firm to manage your property, you are hiring a dedicated real estate management team directed by TMG President and founder, Carmen Villarma. Carmen holds the Certified Property Manager certification required by any company that has been awarded the AMO accreditation. Only individuals who have completed extensive course study and have met strict experience requirements hold the CPM designation. Requirements include fiscal and operations management as well as a strict code of professional ethics.
Association Management Services NW | AMS, our community association management company, holds the following accreditations:
Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC)
We are the only AAMC in Southwest Washington, and one of only three in the Portland metro area. We are the ONLY management company that has both the AMO and AAMC designations in Oregon and Washington. The AAMC accreditation is the only recognition awarded to companies that specialize in community association management. It demonstrates our company’s commitment to providing the unique and diverse services community associations need. It ensures that our staff has the skills, experience, and integrity to help communities succeed.
Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)
Carmen Villarma holds the PCAM designation. This is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management. To achieve this accreditation, you must be an experienced manager who demonstrates advanced skills and knowledge to be recognized as one of the best and most experienced managers in the nation.
(CMCA)
Our community managers hold the CMCA designation administered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). The CMCA program ensures that our HOA managers have the knowledge, experience, and integrity to provide the best possible service to your association. When your manager holds the CMCA certification, they have made an investment in management as a career and profession.
Is TMG licensed?
Yes. Carmen Villarma is TMG’s designated broker in both Washington and Oregon. In addition, all of our Property Managers hold the required Washington State Real Estate Broker’s License in Washington as well as the required Oregon Property Managers License.
How long has The Management Group been in business?
The Management Group (TMG) has been in business since 1985. TMG has been professionally managing properties in the state of Washington since its founding in 1985. In 2000, we expanded our service area to include Oregon as well. We currently manage over 3,500 rental units and nearly 200 Community Associations in SW Washington and the Portland Metro Area. TMG employs 130+ full-time employees, including our Relocation Consultants, Property Managers, Site Managers, Community Managers, Maintenance Personnel, Accounting and Administrative staff.
How do you keep the property occupied?Customer service is the most important factor in keeping the property occupied. The onsite management team is the face of the property; being available to the tenant for questions, receiving packages, ensuring maintenance requests are performed timely, maintaining the grounds, hallways, clubhouse, and parking areas, helping them navigate the area if they have recently relocated, and so much more. When a current tenant gives notice, the apartment is put on the market after determining the market rent and potential lease terms. Typically 3-5 days are allowed for turnover services. The onsite manager or leasing agent would begin contacting prior inquires letting them know an apartment will be available, various on online listing services (including a Craigslist posting) will be generated, and TMG’s corporate Relocation Team will be notified. How long are tenant’s leases?In order to manage the number of potential vacancies, lease expirations are staggered to ensure that only a manageable number expire in any given month. Typically, lease terms are offered at a range of 6-18-months. The property may have a limited number of month-to-month tenants who pay an additional amount in lieu of signing a lease.
How do you assess rents?The first step is to tour the property – the grounds, and, if possible, the interior of each floor plan. Once we have created a property fact sheet, we will perform a market survey of comparable properties in the area. We will consider factors such as utility bill-backs, amenities, location, and condition. We will then use current market data to calculate the market rents for the property.
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When can I expect to receive monthly proceeds?
What kinds of reports can I expect to receive?
- Budget comparisons
- Income statements
- 12-month trailing reports
- Balance sheets
- Delinquency reports
- Lease expirations
- Custom reports for lenders
What kind of training does the onsite management team receive?
If the management team is new to TMG, they will receive one-on-one training with TMG’s training staff. This includes learning human resource skills if they will be supervising others, property operation, administrative training, customer service, leasing training, and technical training.
All TMG management teams receive regular training on property operations, Fair Housing, landlord-tenant law and customer service.
How do you screen onsite managers?
How do you hire an onsite management team?
What if the property needs major maintenance or improvements?
Who does the property maintenance?
The onsite management team responds to the day-to-day maintenance requests, in addition to regularly scheduled ground and building maintenance. Contracts such as landscaping, janitorial, gutter and roof cleaning are put out for bid, included in the budget, and scheduled throughout the year.