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Investors looking for property management companies in Columbus, Ohio have many small and large companies to choose from. We ranked the best property management companies in Columbus, Ohio based on cost, services, reviews and value.
The 5 best property management companies in Columbus are:
- HomeRiver Group: Best Overall
- FYVE: Best for Flat Fees
- RL Property Management Group: Best for Flexible Options
- I Heart Real Estate Property Management: Best for Rental Portfolios
- Evernest: Best Large-Scale Property Manager
Let Awning find the best property management company for your rental property. Simply fill out the form and Awning will find a property manager that provides the best rates and services for your property.
How We Selected the Best Property Management Companies in Columbus
The process of choosing the top rental property managers in any market should take into consideration multiple factors in order to be comprehensive and objective.
In our ranking of the best property management companies, we focused on the following criteria and indicators:
- Type and quality of property management services: We chose companies that offer full-service property management in order to secure passive income for real estate investors in the Columbus market.
- Property management costs and fees: We looked for companies whose pricing structures are competitive and include no hidden fees.
- Locations coverage: We selected companies that are able to cover all areas of the Columbus real estate market.
- Property types coverage: We included property managers that work with short-term and long-term rentals of different residential property types so that they can benefit different types of investors.
- Company size and markets: We ranked both small, local property managers and large, national companies as each style comes with its own pros and cons.
- Use of technology and human efforts: We searched for Columbus property management companies that make use of technology to enhance processes without forgetting about the importance of the human touch in the vacation rental industry.
- Third-party website reviews: We checked the overall ratings of selected companies on major third-party review websites and read through individual customer reviews to make sure that they deliver on the promised services.
- Value for money: We selected the 5 company managers that bring the best value for money in the Columbus rental market.
We also ranked the best Ohio property management companies.
HomeRiver Group: Best Overall Property Management Company in Columbus
HomeRiver Group is the biggest third-party property manager working with long-term rentals in the US market. John Hirschfeld, Andrew Propst, Doug Dale, and Joshua Bangert founded the company in 2016, with headquarters in New York, NY. Since then, the company has grown to operate 40,000+ rental homes and 32,000+ properties within HOA communities in multiple US markets. This growth has been achieved by acquiring the top local property management companies in each market and turning them into partners. HomeRiver Group offers comprehensive management services at competitive rates, which makes them the best property management company in Columbus for long-term rentals.
HomeRiver Group Property Management Services
The full-service rental property management provided by HomeRiver Group covers:
- Comparable rental market analysis to find the right price
- Property marketing
- Property showings
- Extensive tenant screening including criminal, credit, and eviction background checks
- Rent collection
- Owner payout distribution
- Routine inspections
- Prompt handling of repairs
- Maintenance works coordination
- Detailed financial reporting
- Evictions
- Remodeling and rehab work
HomeRiver Group Property Management Locations
HomeRiver Group serves the entire Columbus area.
HomeRiver Group Property Types
HomeRiver Group works with single-family homes and small multifamily properties in the Columbus rental market.
HomeRiver Group Property Management Costs
HomeRiver Group does not provide the property management fees structure. In other markets, the company charges a mix of flat fees and percentages of monthly income to accommodate trends in each location. Across the US, HomeRiver Group property management prices are consistently competitive.
In addition to the monthly management fee, investors can expect to have to pay a leasing fee, lease renewal fees, inspections fees, and HVAC tune-up fees.
HomeRiver Group Property Management Terms
The Columbus office of HomeRiver Group does not specify the terms of the property management agreement. However, in most cases, the company asks property owners to sign a 6- or 12-month agreement, after which monthly contracts become a possibility too.
HomeRiver Group Property Management Reviews
There are relatively few online reviews of the services provided by HomeRiver Group in the Columbus, OH market.
Positive reviews by property owners and tenants praise the professionalism and attention to detail, the reliability and responsiveness of the staff, the high occupancy rates, the well-maintained homes, and the fantastic communication. Negative reviews talk about various issues with the rentals, slow implementation of maintenance requests, and bad communication practices.
How to Get Started with HomeRiver Group Property Management
To get started with the best overall property management company real estate investors can submit an online form via HomeRiver Group.
FYVE: Best for Flat Fees
FYVE is a full-service property management company operating in multiple cities in 10 US states, with a strong presence in the Columbus, OH market. The company was founded in 2020, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and serves 47,000 residents. In each location, FYVE combines local expertise with leading technology to provide services based on innovation, transparency, teamwork, customer-focus, and integrity. FYVE has a clear, straightforward pricing model, making it the best Columbus property management company for flat fees.
FYVE Property Management Services
The services covered by FYVE include:
- Property marketing including photos and videos
- Comprehensive tenant screening including background checks
- Commitment to secure a tenant in a market-ready property in the first 30 days
- Liability insurance
- Rent collection
- Payment processing
- Inspection Program
- Housekeeping
- Preventive maintenance
- Quality maintenance
- Furnace Filter Program
- Landscape Preservation Program
- Financial reporting
- Monthly financial statements
- Eviction Protection Program
FYVE Property Management Locations
FYVE serves the following areas in the Columbus real estate market:
- Columbus
- Delaware
- Grove City
- Newark
- Powell
- Reynoldsburg
- Westerville
FYVE Property Types
FYVE works with different types of single-family and multifamily homes.
FYVE Property Management Costs
FYVE offers a tailored approach to property management with three distinct service packages, each priced with a flat fee to ensure transparency and simplicity.
The Green Plan is designed to cover the basics needed for running a long-term rental business. This plan has a monthly management fee of $99, with a tenant placement fee equivalent to one month's rent and a lease renewal fee of $249.
For more comprehensive coverage, there's the Gold Plan. This includes everything in the Green Plan, plus expedited rent payment, eviction protection up to $5,000, and damage protection also up to $5,000. The monthly management fee for the Gold Plan is $149, with a reduced tenant placement fee of 50% of one month's rent and a lease renewal fee of $199.
The most inclusive option is the FYVE Plan, which encompasses everything in the Gold Plan along with a preventive maintenance program and a property investment concierge service. The monthly management fee for the FYVE Plan is $229.
These diverse package options, combined with clear and straightforward flat fee pricing, position FYVE as a top choice for rental property management in Columbus, especially for those who prefer flat fee structures.
FYVE Property Management Terms
Property owners can cancel the property management services provided by FYBE with a 30-day notice.
FYVE Property Management Reviews
There are around 100 online reviews of FYVE written by property owners and tenants in Columbus.
You can find FYVE reviews with focus on the Columbus market on:
Happy real estate investors and renters highlight the outstanding experiences, the ability to solve complex situations, the exceptional and patient team members, the polite and friendly staff, and the timely communication. Unhappy customers complain about urgent issues not being addressed, maintenance requests being put off until they turn into several-thousand-dollar problems, rude and unwelcoming staff members, and lack of proper communication.
How to Get Started with FYVE Property Management
To get started with the best property management company in Columbus for flat fees, real estate investors can fill in an online form on the FYVE website.
RL Property Management Group: Best for Flexible Options
RL Property Management Group is a Columbus-based residential property management company working with both single-family and multifamily homes. Peter Lohmann founded the company in 2013, with headquarters in Columbus, OH. The team has focused on building a property management system and process that puts property owners at the center, aiming to maximize ROI and minimize risk. RL Property Management offers 3 different plans so that investors can choose the exact services that they need, which makes them the best property manager in Columbus for flexible options.
RL Property Management Group Services
RL Property Management delivers full-services including:
- Pre-leasing support
- Marketing and advertising on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Hotpads, Craigslist, and more
- Comprehensive tenant screening including credit, criminal, eviction, rental history, and income checks
- Move-in and move-out inspections
- Rent collection
- Direct deposit of net income to bank accounts
- HOA support
- Emergency and non-emergency maintenance management
- Financial recordkeeping
- Monthly statements
RL Property Management Group Locations
RL Property Management operates in all areas throughout Franklin County, including the entire Columbus market.
RL Property Management Group Property Types
RL Property Management works with all types of single-family homes and multifamily properties with less than 100 units. Their qualification criterion for residential property management is properties that do not require on-property staff.
RL Property Management Group Costs
RL Property Management, known for its flexibility, offers three different service packages to accommodate the diverse needs of investors in Columbus. Each plan is priced as a flat fee, ensuring clarity and simplicity in their billing structure.
The Passive plan is tailored to landlords seeking passive rental income, with a monthly management fee of $109 and a lease renewal fee of $250.
For those requiring additional support, the Standard plan includes everything in the Passive plan, plus assistance for owners handling vacant property repairs and support for Homeowners' Associations (HOAs). This plan has a monthly management fee of $129, with the lease renewal fee remaining at $250.
The most comprehensive package, the Premium plan, encompasses all the features of the Standard plan and adds tenant final approval by the owner, pre-listing support, and the option to use the owner's preferred vendors. The monthly fee for the Premium plan is $169, with a consistent lease renewal fee of $250 across all plans.
Notably, RL Property Management does not charge an initial leasing fee. While there are no setup fees for tenant-occupied rentals, potential setup fees for vacant properties may apply. Additional costs include in-house maintenance services at $84/hour and a coordination fee of 10% for outside vendor bills.
The company also offers substantial discounts for investors with multiple rental properties, enhancing its appeal for large-scale investors. These discounts range from 10% for 5-9 units to an impressive 40% for portfolios with 60 or more units, making RL Property Management a highly attractive option for investors with diverse property holdings in Columbus.
RL Property Management Group Terms
RL Property Management asks for a 1-year commitment minimum, with longer terms for investors with larger portfolios. In case property owners want to cancel services before the end of the contract, they need to pay an early termination fee that varies.
RL Property Management Group Reviews
More than 700 real estate investors and tenants have reviewed the services provided by RL Property Management Group. Their reviews show generally positive experiences.
You can find RL Property Management Group reviews on:
- Birdeye: Currently 4.0/5 stars based on 308 reviews
- Google: Currently 4.0/5 stars based on 280 reviews
- TrustAnalytica: Currently 4.2/5 stars based on 100 reviews
- Yelp: Currently 2.5/5 stars based on 16 reviews
- BBB.org: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 4 reviews
Positive reviews focus on the clean and well-maintained rentals, the easy-to-use online systems, the prompt responses to maintenance requests, the friendly and helpful staff, the kind and respectful-of-personal-space team members, and the phenomenal communication. Negative reviews mention lack of professionalism, slow handling of urgent maintenance issues, lazy and incompetent staff members, and the inability to get in touch with customer support.
How to Get Started with RL Property Management Group
To get started with the best property management company in Columbus for flexible options, landlords can submit an online form via the RL Property Management Group website.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management: Best for Rental Portfolios
I Heart Real Estate Property Management (IHREPM) is a local property management company committed to providing affordable spaces to people to enjoy life. The company has its headquarters in Dublin, OH. The team is united by its love for Columbus and the surrounding areas. I Heart Real Estate Property Management is the best Columbus property management company for investors with portfolios because of the available discounts for multiple units.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Services
The full-service property management services provided by IHREPM include:
- Rental rate analysis
- Property marketing with professional photography on Zillow Group, Apartments.com, Zumper, Apartment List, Dwellsly, Rental Beast, Lovely, and others
- Thorough tenant screening including credit checks, background checks, rental history checks, and employment verification
- Section 8 approvals and paperwork completion
- Tenant placement
- Move-in and move-out inspections
- Regular property inspections
- 24/7 emergency maintenance
- Financial reporting
- Monthly reports
- Year-end income/expense reports
- Evictions
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Locations
IHREPM operates across the entire Greater Columbus area.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Property Types
I Heart Real Estate manages single-family homes and multifamily units which do not require on-site management. The company is a good fit for investors with portfolios including a few rental properties due to the available discounts.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Costs
IHREPM offers a single full-service property management plan with the option to add more services at extra cost. The plan is:
Full-Service Plan: This plan includes all the basics which landlords need covered in order to make passive rental income from their investment properties.
- Monthly management fee: $99
- Lease up fee: $300
- Lease renewal fee: $200
- Setup fee: $150
- Professional photography: $250
- Unit inspections: $50/trip
- Maintenance: $50/trip + $75/hour
- Preventive maintenance: Additional fee
- Third-party renovation project management: 10% of invoice cost
- Making unit ready for new tenant: Negotiated rate
I Heart Real Estate provides discounts to the owners of multiple units to be managed by them. This makes them the best property management company for investors with growing portfolios in Columbus, OH.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Terms
The IHREPM website does not provide information on the property management agreement that investors need to sign. Thus, it’s recommended that interested property owners contact the company and ask for a copy of the contract that they can review.
I Heart Real Estate Property Management Reviews
There are 80+ online reviews of I Heart Real Estate Property Management on third-party websites that reveal excellent overall ratings.
You can find I Heart Real Estate Property Management reviews on:
- Google: Currently 4.4/5 stars based on 80 reviews
- Facebook: Currently 5.0/5 stars based on 6 reviews
Satisfied property owners and tenants talk about the easy and efficient processes and procedures, the professional yet personable team members, the amazing staff, and the good communication. Dissatisfied customers discuss poor fixing of property problems, fake charges, withholding of security deposits, unexpected notices, and lack of timely communication.
How to Get Started with I Heart Real Estate Property Management
To get started with the best property management company in Columbus for rental portfolios, property owners can submit an online form via the I Heart Real Estate Property Management website.
Evernest: Best Large-Scale Property Manager
Evernest is one of the most popular property management companies in the US residential markets, with an established presence in Columbus, OH. Matthew Whittaker created the company in 2008, with headquarters in Birmingham, AL. Currently, Evernest manages over 15,000 rental properties belonging to 6,000+ owners. The comprehensive services, the available protections, the flexible options, and the affordable pricing make this the best property management company in Columbus with multi-market presence.
Evernest Property Management Services
Evernest provides the following services to landlords and their rental properties in the Columbus real estate market:
- Initial property inspection report
- Property marketing on the Evernest website, Zillow, Trulia, and others
- Property showings
- Tenant screening
- Lease agreements
- Tenant onboarding
- Rent and security deposit collection
- 24/7 tenant communication
- Annual property inspections
- Move-out inspections
- Maintenance management
- Biannual HVAC preventive maintenance
- Yard maintenance during vacancy
- Gutter cleaning
- Rent protection
- Eviction protection
Evernest Property Management Locations
Evernest serves the entire Columbus market.
Evernest Property Types
In the Columbus rental market, Evernest manages single-family homes, condos, and small multifamily properties rented out on a long-term basis.
Evernest Property Management Costs
Evernest offers three tailored property management plans, each designed to cater to the varied needs of property investors.
The Investor plan is geared towards those managing multiple properties, specifically for investors with two or more units. It covers basic day-to-day management tasks essential for running a rental property. The charges for this plan include an 8% monthly management fee of the monthly rent, a leasing fee which is 50% of one month’s rent, and a lease renewal fee of $150. Additional services under this plan include Zillow marketing at $30 and utility management at $75 per connection, along with an annual inspection fee of $149.
For investors with a single property, the Gold plan is ideal. It encompasses everything included in the Investor plan. The monthly management fee for this plan is slightly higher at $89, with the leasing fee and other additional services remaining the same. However, the lease renewal fee is increased to $200.
The most comprehensive offering is the Platinum plan, which builds upon the Gold plan by adding rent and eviction protection, along with more services included in the monthly management fee. The monthly management fee for the Platinum plan starts at $179, and it maintains the same additional service fees as the other plans, including the standard Zillow marketing and utility management charges.
These diverse plan options, each with its own set of services and fees, position Evernest as a versatile choice for property investors with different requirements and property portfolios.
Evernest Property Management Terms
Under the Happiness Guarantee, property owners are free to cancel their property management agreements in case they are not fully satisfied with the services provided by Evernest, with no penalty fees.
Evernest Property Management Reviews
More than 800 real estate investors and tenants have written online reviews of Evernest in Columbus. These reviews show very positive experiences.
You can find Evernest property management reviews focused on the Columbus team on:
- Birdeye: Currently 4.4/5 stars based on 298 reviews
- Google: Currently 4.4/5 stars based on 272 reviews
- ChamberofCommerce.com: Currently 4.5/5 stars based on 270 reviews
- BBB.org: Currently 1.13/5 stars based on 39 reviews
Happy landlords and renters highlight the smooth processes, the amazing team members, the kind and thorough staff, the prompt and comprehensive responses to all questions, the great customer service, and the timely communication. Unhappy customers mention unprofessional maintenance works, wrong charges, scammy practices, and difficulties getting a hold of a customer service representative.
How to Get Started with Evernest Property Management
To get started with the best large-scale property management company in Columbus, property owners can fill in an online form on the Evernest Columbus website.
Takeaway
These are the 5 top property management companies in Columbus, Ohio. HomeRiver Group and Awning are the absolute best property managers for Columbus long-term and short-term rentals, respectively. FYVE is the top option for flat fees, while RL Property Management Group could be the right choice for investors who appreciate flexibility. Investors with multi-property portfolios should consider I Heart Real Estate Property Management, and those who’d rather work with a large national company can check out Evernest.
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