Foreclosure, Property Management contractor jobs

[yourscape]

Has anyone worked for one of the property management company’s? I am trying it out to see how it works, I figured as my first year in business I would learn how my equipment works per hour and give me a better idea on how to bid jobs. I also figured it would get my truck and trailer out on the road more which is free advertisement. I know the pay isn’t the best but you can still make a profit. Any thoughts would be great.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Lawn care business tips

I was contacted by a foreclosure company. They were paying like $17 to do occupancy reports. A few bucks to put up signs. I never went any further then that. It seems they buy properties and dont know if someone is living there. They do a lot of lock changes and trash removal but didnt seem to care about mowing. Ohh and when they say a ton of work in your area its bs.

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South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping /Lawn Care /Pressure Washing /Snow Removal /Gutter Cleaning
52" Brutus/52" Super Surfer/44" Pro Line/60" ZMaster
EB630/EB802/EBZ7150/EBZ8000/BR400/Billy Goat 8Hp
FS55&90/FC95/km110/L322&326/TR2350S
HC150/HC155/CHTZ2460
CS440/MS290
Case 1816 Skid

[yourscape]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

I was contacted by a foreclosure company. They were paying like $17 to do occupancy reports. A few bucks to put up signs. I never went any further then that. It seems they buy properties and dont know if someone is living there. They do a lot of lock changes and trash removal but didnt seem to care about mowing. Ohh and when they say a ton of work in your area its bs.

They are paying $50 for first cut and $ 27 there after. The biggest problem is it can take 45-60 days to get paid.

I am only doing lawn for right now. If I want to get into anything else I have to do all the other stuff and will need to many supplies and would have to clear out my lawn care trailer. But being a landlord my self and have bought several foreclosed houses I see what needs to be done. We will see what happens. Thanks for the input.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by yourscape

They are paying $50 for first cut and $ 27 there after. The biggest problem is it can take 45-60 days to get paid.

I am only doing lawn for right now. If I want to get into anything else I have to do all the other stuff and will need to many supplies and would have to clear out my lawn care trailer. But being a landlord my self and have bought several foreclosed houses I see what needs to be done. We will see what happens. Thanks for the input.

That doesnt sound half bad. As long as there not 1/2 acre and up. Do they do the take a picture from like 5 angles nonsense?

[yourscape]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

That doesnt sound half bad. As long as there not 1/2 acre and up. Do they do the take a picture from like 5 angles nonsense?

The prices I gave were for 15k sq ft and less bigger lots get bided. You do have to take 20 or so pictures of front, sides, back before during and after for each job all of the same angle. If you can't cut they still pay you a trip charge of $15. That is the part I will have to get use to. This is because they want to make sure you are doing the job since some people can't be trusted.

[nickeckes]

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. . . I DID IT FOR ONE YEAR. . . THE PICTURE TAKING IS SUCH B.S. . You Spend More Time Taking Pictures Then You Do Cutting. . And All Property Sizes are different remember. . and you dont get paid 25 bucks for a small property and then 55 for a large. . they pay you one flat rate no matter how big the yard. . also remember these houses havent been mowed in forever. . . so the grass is 4 ft tall. . and you have to cut it, and then bag all the **** because they want the lawn looking nice sure after you get the tall grass cut you think its easy sailing. .. . think again, they want these houses cut every other week. so the grass does still get long, you have to watch the yard for stuff that you dont run over (i ran over a dog chain all bunched up, i never saw it and took out the lower part of my deck/blades). . .. . plus look at the stress on your equipment. . it is just not worth it. . finally after coming home after along day you have to put all the pictures in a separate file on your computer , resize them all, and then send every file by email to them. . then after you send them your invoice you have to wait 1 month to get paid. . . plan on cutting on rainy days. . also plan on getting these houses cut in 3-5 days from when you get your list. .

if you still want to give it a try go for it. . here is what i suggest:

A RIDER = your best Friend (zero turn or normal rider) 42" and bigger

A 36" Walk Behind. WHY? you may ask. . the house your cutting has a fenced back yard and its a BIG back yard and they only have a 36" GATE to get into the back yard.

A partner = Alot Easyer taking pictures of the ( while cutting picture) while you take the picture and your partner mows around the house so you get the pictures and dont have to keep getting off your mower..

GOOD WEED WACKER( STILE OR ECHO) = the weeds are thick and tall all around the house!!

A Decent camera = Need To Get Good Pictures (NO PICTURES = NO PAY CHECK)

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE IS A MUST. . you dont want the company your mowing for ro **** you over some how, or you dont want to wreck anything of the neighbors next door. . (rock hits there car or window) ECT. EVEN THOE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE INSURANCE!!!!!!!

IS IT WORTH IT You Decide!

[jymie]

So what is the name of this company?

[Johnny_boy02]

How big is the typical lot in your area?

I do 99% foreclosure work and will post more when I get home.

[Johnny_boy02]

I don't really have a set topic so I will just ramble on for awhile and hopefully you can get some information out of it.

I'm my experience typically the people that have very bad experiences or bad mouth this kind of work set themselves up to fail either by doing a poor job or not reading the agreement they signed and following directions.

If you live in a area with huge lots then it is prob not worth it.

Do not limit yourself to only cutting grass. Trimming trees, trimming bushes and removing debris is prob 75% of what I have done since November. From April 1- October 31 it is 85% grass cuts and 15% other. From November 1- March 31 it has been 75% other and 25% grass cuts.

But typically the "other" pays better. When I see overgrown bushes touching a house, tress growing onto a roof, piles of leaves I see $$$$$. When I see a lawn that needs cut I see $.

I don't cut in the rain. I don't cut anything over 10" for the flat rate. If the lawn is 10"-4' I make $200-$400 to cut it.

Let me break down what I did today.

10 a.m.
Property #1.
-Clean 45' of gutter $130
-Blow 1 cubic yard of leaves of roof $20
-Clean toilet in bathroom $20
-Cut yard $37
I was done at $11:30

Property #2
-Grass was over allowable at 17"-24" inches. It will be sent back with a bid of $225.
Will get paid $18

Property #3
-Had to drive out of my typical area.
-Cut lawn $37

Property #4
-Even further out of my area.
-Occupied will make $18

Home at 2:45 pictures uploaded by 3:15.
-So 5.5 hours and $30 in fuel cost for the day.

A couple weeks ago I made just under $900 in 2.5 hours just trimming bushes. Then went on to the next house and made $400 removing trash from the yard. Big days like this are not a constant but they happen.

Tomorrow I will make $300 for a few hours of work. hanging a new gate and trimming a few small bushes.

There are some bad days. I spend at least 1-2 days a month driving to far out properties and end up breaking even on fuel, paying for lunch and thats about it. But the good days more than make up for it.

You will need decent equipment. I have run over plenty of stuff but never had any damage. You will need a good water/ shock proof camera with at least 3 extra batteries.

Speaking of cameras, yes taking pictures sucks but it pays the bills. Changing locks sucks and boarding windows sucks. Some of the areas you will have to work in suck. I carry a decent sized knife and a concealed firearm (but I carry the same when not working).

I will post more if It comes to mind.

[nickeckes]

johnny who pays you for this work??? Banks are tight, they dont want to pay for trimming trees and bushes and cleaning gutters???????, all they want is the grass cut so the city dont cut it. . .i dont know how your charging/making that much to do that stuff. . seems kinda high for a bank to pay. . . also banks usually go with whoever puts the cheapest bid in, and you could be doing it one week and the next week a different company is there. . .

all they want is cut the grass ever other week and shut off main water in the house and change the locks. . . never head of them wanting all that ''XTRA" stuff done.. . . esp. cleaning the gutters. . but w/e you say