What is the difference between a property manager in Perth, and a real estate agent?

Believe it or not, property management and real estate are very much separate professions. Oftentimes, we see clients get confused and lump them together. While there are some areas of overlap and both deal with your Perth home, the similarities are small.

 

What is a real estate agent?

The role of a real estate agent is to arrange the buying, selling or leasing of property for their owners. This involves promoting properties through listing services, advertisements, open houses, online portals and other digital marketing methods. A real estate agent will also act as an intermediary in negotiation between buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.

They also provide advice on market conditions, prices, mortgages, relevant laws and appraising property values. They ensure a smooth transfer of property, with everyone’s rights protected, and achieving satisfaction.

 

What is a property manager?

Unlike real estate agents, a property manager does not help with the buying or selling of property. Their responsibility is to lease and maintain a property, ensuring tenants are satisfied with the condition of the dwelling they are living in.

They work for the property owner, and are also focused on looking after the needs of their tenants. Their responsibilities entail keeping regular maintenance and repairs in check. A well-maintained house is crucial for attracting and retaining happy, considerate tenants as well as protecting the property’s resale value.

Property managers also find new tenants, provide advice about the rent levels and guide you on how the property can be improved to attract the best tenants in the market.

 

So what’s the difference?

Property management is often mixed up with real estate due to the fact they require similar knowledge. Through both roles, you will need to know how the property market is performing, and what makes a property attractive to prospects. The main difference between the two industries is that real estate sales is transactional, while property management is contractual. A property manager and owner will enter into a contract, where a percentage of rent collected is paid to the property manager in exchange for their services.

Some real estate agencies in Perth offer property management as another service. Another important note is that the property management industry is task driven, requiring more administration and a variety of experience. While the real estate sales market tends to be sales oriented, and driven in a less administrative environment.

 

Whether you own one home, multiple properties or a building complex, our dedicated staff at ProProperty Group will ensure your properties are well maintained and stress-free for you. Chat to our property management team in Perth today.