The Difference Between Asset Management & Property Management

Property management is a company hired to handle all of the day-to-day operations and responsibilities of a residential or commercial property, including upkeep, maintenance, tenant screening, and rent collection.

Asset Management is the company that handles the development, business aspects, and management of a portfolio of properties.

Asset Management vs Property Management

The Approach

When approaching each role, there is no right or wrong approach. If your project is small, property management may be the better fit. However, if you have a large development involving many different properties, an asset management company may assist you with all aspects of the project. It also depends on what you are looking for. If you require a full-service property management company, then whatever approach that you choose may work for you.

Working with an Agent

As an owner, you will want to find an agent that will assist in finding good tenants and keep the overall rent collection process organized. An asset management company may also be able to provide an experienced associate with experience in the property management field. While working with an experienced letting agent, they may be able to assist you in finding suitable tenants and help guide you on other steps of the process, such as designating your space for specific activities. It all depends on your goals and expectations.

Getting the Tenants

As an owner, you should be aware that when it comes to the tenant screening process, the asset management company can hire a company to do an intensive background search on each applicant. They can then choose which applicants they want to pursue and present them to you for approval. Some may even present multiple offers at a time to have you review them and choose the best candidates. It will provide you with crucial information about each applicant.

Managing Your Buildings

For those looking for a full-service property management company, we can provide you with an experienced person who will take the necessary steps to meet your goals. They may also be able to assist you with the setup of your company and property management system. An asset management company will approach this from a business perspective and provide you with the necessary tools to manage your property development.

Operating Costs

If you are considering a property management company, then one thing that gets considered is the cost of managing your property. A property management company will have the tools and experience to manage your building with the main objective of owning it, not selling it. Asset management companies focus on long term, strategic goals with the intention on maximizing return on investment.

Communication

A full-service property management company has to be open and available to the tenants twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They will require many different types of people working in their offices. An asset management company typically does not get involved with day to day or tenants within the portfolio.

Investment

Asset management companies will normally be investing in one or more of the following: office buildings, apartment complexes, shopping centres, apartment complexes and shopping centres. Property management companies will mainly focus on apartment buildings.

Checklist

If you are looking for an asset management company, research their financial performance for their clients. Property management companies focus on the day-to-day operations of a property, research their current properties and track record with tenants and building management.

The Managers

An asset manager is concerned with managing assets, while a property manager is concerned with managing properties. Asset managers are specifically tasked with managing capital, developing strategies for the growth of that capital, managing risk associated with capital investments, and implementing a plan for the distribution of returns to achieve the highest possible return on investment.

Whilst a lot of property owners decide to manage their own blocks and buildings in the beginning, most eventually opt to hire a property manager to deal with day to day operations that come with owning a residential property.