WCMJ #13: Evolving Property Management: Must-Know Insights from NARPM 2024

Don’t have the time to read? You can listen to this audio version of this week’s newsletter.

IN THE NEWS

Charleston-area home sales dip in March, but shortage of listings is easing

In March, home sales in the Charleston region dropped by nearly 7 percent, attributed to rising homeownership costs. Median home prices rose 2.6 percent to $413,556 last month. Matt O’Neill, CEO of Charleston-based Matt O’Neill Real Estate, anticipates a rebound with pending April home closings totaling $38 million, up from $23 million in 2023. Despite elevated borrowing costs, demand remains high, with new-construction homes accounting for 43.5 percent of sales.

 PAUL'S MARKET PHILOSOPHY

Key Insights from the NARPM 2024 Broker/Owner Conference

Greetings from Amelia Island in Florida, where I've just wrapped up an enriching week at the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) 2024 Broker/Owner Conference. With about 400 top industry leaders in attendance, we delved deep into the current trends, challenges, and innovations shaping residential property management.

Key Takeaways from the Conference:

1. Enhanced Services for Residents and Owners: It’s evident that the market is shifting towards providing more comprehensive service packages. For residents, this includes benefits like air filter delivery, credit monitoring, and rental insurance. On the owner's side, services are becoming more holistic, including annual checks on critical home systems and bundled owner liability policies. Property management companies are leveraging their bulk buying power to offer these at reduced costs, enhancing value for both owners and tenants.

2. The Crackdown on Junk Fees: The conference highlighted a growing concern across industries about the scrutiny of so-called "junk fees." Much like airlines and ticket vendors, property management companies are being advised to ensure that every fee charged is directly tied to a tangible service. This transparency is crucial as we navigate increasing regulatory attention on fee structures, ensuring that fees are justified and beneficial to clients.

3. Regulations on Lead-Based Paint: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a significant announcement impacting properties built pre-1978. Property managers are now held to the same standards as contractors concerning lead-based paint, facing strict regulations and severe penalties for non-compliance. The EPA's stringent requirements, including comprehensive tenant notifications and hefty fines (up to $46,000 per day for violations), underscore the importance of diligence in property management practices.

4. Shifts in Property Management and Real Estate Agent Collaboration: A fascinating development is the emerging business models that integrate real estate agents with property management following the NAR Settlement announcement. These newer business models allow real estate agents to engage more directly in property management, sharing revenue while the brokerage handles the day-to-day management tasks. I spoke with a couple of people directly on this, it’ll be interesting to see if this model proves successful. This approach has already seen success in expanding some PM portfolios significantly, highlighting a potential shift in the industry where operational efficiency meets sales-driven strategies.

Looking Ahead:

The insights shared at the NARPM conference are invaluable as we strategize for the future. Most importantly: adapting to new regulations, enhancing service offerings, and exploring collaborative business models, the landscape of property management continues to evolve.

What are your thoughts on these developments? Are you noticing similar trends in your area, or do you have different experiences with property management? I'm eager to hear your feedback and discuss how these trends might impact our industry collectively.

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For those interested in more detailed information on the EPA regulations discussed, please refer to the provided links (if you manage yourself, I’d highly recommend reading these):

Exclusive Preview: Be the First to Access Charleston's Real Estate Deals

We are developing a special list of real estate opportunities in the Charleston area, available exclusively to a select group of buyers. These buyers will have early access to properties before they are publicly listed.

You're a great candidate for this opportunity if you:

  1. Have a clear investment strategy and adhere to it consistently.

  2. Possess experience in similar property transactions.

  3. Have your debt/equity lined up

  4. Take your Letters of Intent (LOIs) seriously and commit to your decisions.

  5. Provide honest feedback on each property, particularly if it doesn’t meet your needs.

  6. Agree to confidentiality agreements for access to these exclusive deals.

About 95% of these opportunities will involve properties ranging from 2 to 100 units, located in specific submarkets of Charleston, SC: The City of Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, James Island, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner and extending to Summerville.

We launched a smaller version of this initiative, which brought significant value to our clients. If you're interested in participating, please fill out the form below. Our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.

NEW PUBLICLY MARKETED DEALS IN CHARLESTON

As of this week, there is 1 new listing, but no property has gone under contract, and nothing has closed.

3317 Florida Ave - Prospect on the Ave Apartments: 20 renovated units in North Charleston, SC, boasting 60% rent increase since 2023. Conveniently located near major roads, Riverfront Park, and upcoming Navy Yard redevelopment. See flyer here.

The below list contains every single multifamily property (5+ units) being publicly marketed in Charleston that we have compiled from LoopNet, Crexi, Costar, and 2 different multiple listing services.



Should any of these properties interest you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. I would be more than happy to provide you with the additional information I have on file.