Property Care & Rentals Management

Your Sunny New Home

It's a dream come true! A home away from home on the Costa del Sol is a privilege as well as a considerable investment both financially and personally. Organised correctly you are going to love it! When your stay is over, you'll find yourself basking in memories of sunny Spanish beaches and daydreaming of future visits. You don't want to find yourself worrying about your property, wondering if junk mail is piling up in your mailbox! All homes and rental properties need TLC and monitoring. You will find peace of mind if you have a proper management company in place.

Leaving Your Home Alone

It's a simple case of Murphy's Law. Problems can and will inevitably occur, even in the most well-organised of homes. Routine visits and regular maintenance are integral to upkeep and can help avoid unwelcome and potentially expensive surprises. Weather extremes can cause unforeseen consequences and closed properties can be targeted for burglary. The downside of absentee landlordship is that minor issues, such as plumbing leaks or storm damage, can go unnoticed for long periods of time and become big costly problems.

Find a Reputable Company

Trust. The solution is to work with an established and reputable local company specialised in professional property management. Accept no substitutes! When you give them the keys to your property, you must clearly understand and have in writing their commitment and schedule of services. Regular twice monthly inspection visits should identify any problems with the property and its contents. The routine nature of these visits should include opening the windows and airing out the property, monitoring cleanliness and décor and checking that the utilities and appliances are in full working order.

Regular Reports

Know when they go and expect feedback. Timely communications detailing inspection visits should be forthright. In the case of a problem, a written summary, photos and recommended solutions are key. Preferably this correspondence should be instantly available to you via the web or email.

Easy On-Line Management

Keep it simple. Managing your property from your own home or, indeed, from anywhere in the world should be effortless. Look for a company that facilitates immediate communication and allows you to request services on-line, plan your holiday visits, and pay bills by credit card or direct debit.

When services are required for maintenance work, like gardening or pool cleaning, approve quotations beforehand.

Time-Consuming Troubleshooting

BBB. Better Businesses are Bilingual! Find a company that will effectively resolve any time-consuming issues with local authorities or utility companies. Ensure they will be your secure 'key holder' and, upon request, will accompany tradesmen when they have to gain access. In addition, expect them to provide visiting guests with keys upon arrival and have, at very least, a 24-hour key safe in case of an emergency.

Carefree Visist to YOur Holiday Home

Surely your idea of a relaxing holiday does not include spending time with repair men. Who wants to wait for deliveries, when you could be sitting on the beach?

As an overseas property owner, you and your guests will want to maximize your holiday enjoyment. Effective property management will organise everything ensuring a stress free arrival and pleasant stay. It is like arriving at a luxury hotel! The property will be immaculate, the beds with fresh linen, hot water ready and air-conditioning or heating switched on.

Ideally additional on-line services should be readily available: a welcome pack with flowers, fresh milk, wine, chopped wood for the fire or even a chauffeured airport pick up. During your visit local knowledge should be readily available to save you time and frustrations. Whether looking for a babysitter or a local restaurant recommendation, a quad rental company or horse-back riding in the hills, your property manager should be just a phone call away.

Renting Out Your Property

Know as you go. If you only intend using your holiday home a few weeks of the year, renting is a good way to cover some of the costs of ownership, while enjoying long-term capital growth. Before making the leap, think about how often you will use your holiday home. Do you want to visit at certain times of the year, such as Christmas or school holidays? Or can you be flexible about your dates and come off-peak when you may have no bookings? The answers to these questions will determine whether you will be renting to holiday makers, seasonal or long-term tenants. Keep in mind your investment and how much of the costs you wish to recoup through rentals.

Finding the Right Help

A qualified expert in rentals may help you to better answer these questions and assist you in making informed decisions that will greatly benefit you in the short and long run. Invaluable advice about the market, rental prices and cost effective furnishings can only be of benefit. Most agents say that properties in areas of high demand, such as golf courses or beachside, give the best returns. Experienced lettings agents can also help to identify which property options are best from a rental viewpoint.

Managing Rentals for You

Details make all the difference. Your property manager should prepare a detailed inventory and a guest manual for your visitors. Expect them to market your property through their website and to undertake regular advertising. They should handle the client bookings and queries, receive and remit payment, and provide a welcoming service to 'meet and greet' holidaymakers on arrival.

For long term lettings, your liaison should check references, ensure a legally binding, up-to date rental contract is signed and be available to the renters 24/7 to resolve any issues that may arise during their stay.

The advice and guidance provided in these pages has been contributed by HomeCareontheWeb, who have been established for over four years with offices covering the Coast from Benalmádena to Sotogrande. The company focuses its efforts on providing prestige on-line property services to discerning homeowners through its web-based management, rentals and sales divisions.

HomeCareontheWeb looks after homeowners' properties, markets and manages long-term and holiday rentals and assists potential home owners in locating and purchasing a property. They are there for you throughout the entire buying process, including re-location advice and furnishing packs. As an off-plan purchaser you can receive regular on-line progress reports on the building of your new property via their professional full pre-completion inspection service.

Homecareontheweb Provides:

HomeCareontheWeb provides a free advice service, so if you need any help or assistance you can contact them on 952 839 595.

Call into one of their offices along the Coast, or visit their website: www.homecareontheweb.com.