7 Questions Military Homeowners Should Ask Before Hiring a Property Manager

By Laura Boshell | Laura Boshell Real Estate

You've received PCS orders and decided to keep your Augusta-area home as a rental. Now comes another important decision: Who will look after your property when you're no longer living nearby?

For military homeowners stationed at Fort Gordon, receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders often brings a difficult decision: sell the home or keep it as a rental property? If you're considering renting out your home in Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, or Martinez, choosing the right property manager can make a significant difference in your experience as a long-distance landlord.

Whether your home is in Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, or Martinez, hiring a property manager involves more than finding someone to collect rent.

As both a landlord and a real estate professional, I know how important it is to have someone dependable overseeing your investment, especially when you're stationed hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Before signing a property management agreement, here are seven questions worth asking.

1. What Does Your Management Fee Actually Include?

Most homeowners start by asking what percentage a company charges each month.

That's important, but it shouldn't be your only consideration.

Some companies charge a percentage of rent collected, while others offer flat monthly fees. Additional charges may apply for tenant placement, lease renewals, inspections, maintenance coordination, or other services.

Ask for a complete fee schedule in writing.

Also find out whether management fees are charged when the property is vacant or rent hasn't been collected.

The lowest monthly fee doesn't always mean the lowest overall cost.

Compare what you're receiving, not just what you're paying.

2. How Do You Screen Potential Tenants?

Finding a tenant is one thing. Finding a financially qualified tenant who meets established screening criteria is another.

Ask about income verification, rental history, credit screening, and legally permitted background checks.

A property manager should have clear, consistent qualification standards that comply with fair housing and consumer reporting requirements.

This is especially important in a military community where applicants may be relocating from another state and have different employment or housing circumstances.

You should understand how applications are evaluated before trusting someone else to handle the process.

3. Who Handles Repairs and Maintenance Emergencies?

Imagine being stationed overseas when your tenant calls because the air conditioning has stopped working during a Georgia summer.

Who takes that call? Who arranges the repair? And who approves the expense?

Ask prospective managers about their maintenance procedures, emergency response arrangements, and spending limits.

Find out whether they have established vendors, whether repair invoices are shared with owners, and if additional maintenance coordination charges apply.

I also recommend asking how they handle major repairs that require immediate attention when they can't reach you.

You want a manager who communicates clearly and has a plan before something goes wrong.

4. How Often Will My Property Be Inspected?

When you're living out of state, you can't simply stop by to check on your property.

Ask whether the manager conducts documented move-in and move-out inspections and periodic property visits when appropriate.

Will you receive photographs or written reports?

Are inspections included in your management fee, or do they cost extra?

Inspections won't prevent every problem, but they can help identify visible maintenance concerns and document the property's condition.

5. How Will You Keep Me Updated?

Communication is particularly important for military landlords.

If you're in another time zone, deployed, or stationed overseas, you need to know how you'll receive information about your property.

Ask whether the company offers an owner portal, monthly financial statements, maintenance updates, and access to invoices.

Also ask who your primary contact will be.

Will you be communicating with one person or different departments depending on the issue?

There isn't necessarily one correct system, but you should know what to expect.

You shouldn't have to chase someone down to find out what's happening with your investment.

6. What Happens If My Home Sits Vacant?

Even without a tenant, your mortgage and other ownership expenses don't stop.

Ask how the company determines rental pricing, markets available properties, schedules showings, and communicates leasing activity.

If your property isn't generating interest, how will the manager respond?

Will they recommend pricing adjustments or improvements based on market feedback?

No property manager can promise that a home will rent immediately. But they should be able to explain their marketing strategy and how they'll keep you informed during a vacancy.

In areas such as Grovetown, Evans, Martinez, and Augusta, pricing should be based on comparable rental properties and current competition, not simply the amount needed to cover an owner's mortgage.

7. What If I Decide to Sell the Property Later?

This is an especially important question for military homeowners.

Maybe you're planning to keep the property for several years. Or maybe you'll decide to sell after your next assignment.

Before signing, understand the management agreement's length, termination requirements, possible cancellation fees, and procedures for transferring records and funds.

Also ask how an existing lease could affect the sale.

A property with a tenant in place may still be sold, but the lease terms and applicable laws can affect the timing and options available to the owner and buyer.

Read the management agreement before you need to end it, not when you're already frustrated.

If selling becomes part of your plans, Should You Sell Your Augusta-Area Home?, explores some important considerations before putting your property on the market.

One More Thing: Do They Understand Military Relocations?

Military life comes with unique challenges.

PCS dates change. Deployments happen. Communication across time zones isn't always easy.

A property manager who understands these challenges may be better prepared to help you coordinate a transition from homeowner to landlord.

Ask whether they have experience assisting military property owners and how they handle unexpected changes in relocation schedules.

It's also worth asking how they address applicable Georgia landlord-tenant laws, fair housing requirements, and military-related lease protections.

Choosing the Right Property Manager

Hiring a property manager shouldn't feel like choosing the cheapest insurance policy.

You're selecting someone to help oversee a valuable asset, coordinate tenant relationships, and manage responsibilities that continue long after you've moved.

Interview more than one company, compare services and fees, and carefully review the agreement.

Most importantly, choose someone whose communication, processes, and approach align with your expectations.

Need Property Management Guidance in the Augusta Area?

I'm Laura Boshell, a real estate broker, property management professional, and fellow landlord serving Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Martinez, and surrounding communities.

Whether you're preparing for a PCS or exploring the possibility of renting your home, understanding your options can help you make a more confident decision.

Have questions about your property's rental potential or professional management? Let's connect.

Laura Boshell | Laura Boshell Real Estate

Serving the Greater Augusta Area and CSRA.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal or financial advice. Property owners should review their management agreements and consult qualified professionals when necessary.