I worked with this firm for over a year on a duplex I own and finally called it quits this month (July 2006). CPM had a pretty easy job with me in terms of taking over a duplex that was fully occupied. I paid my monthly fees to them (10% of rents) and I have to say I don't think I ever got my money out of what I paid over the course of the year. When I would request a small price increase ($5 per month) for each tenant my requests were met with disapproval and they never happened.
Do I feel like I'm in a position to judge? Yes, I am a real estate agent in Seattle that frequently sells multi-family property to my clients. One of the reasons people use property managers is to get service.
When asked what the local vacancy rates were running CPM couldn't answer. And these are people that work in rental property on a daily basis.
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