METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING A PLURALITY OF GEOGRAPHICALLY DISPERSED PROPERTIES
First Claim
1. A method of managing a plurality of geographically dispersed residential properties, the method comprising:
- executing a first contract between a central property management company and a first affiliate to provide first local property management services for a first property, the first affiliate being a first individual that is licensed to manage real estate that is not an employee of the central property management company, the first affiliate and the first property being located in a first area, the first property being owned by a first property owner;
executing a second contract between the central property management company and a second affiliate to provide second local property management services for a second property on a full or part time basis, the second affiliate being a second individual that is licensed to manage real estate that is not an employee of the central property management company, the second affiliate and the second property being located in a second area that is different than the first area, the second property being owned by a second property owner or owner of multiple properties located in a plurality of markets, wherein each of the central property management company, the first affiliate, the second affiliate, the first property owner, and the second property owner are different entities;
sending a first automatic electronic message from the central property management company to a tenant of the first property to accomplish a first property management activity that does not require a physical visit to the first property; and
sending a second automatic electronic message from the central property management company to the first affiliate to perform a second property management activity that does require a physical visit to the first property.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to manage a plurality of geographically dispersed residential properties are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable a plurality of rental properties to be managed by a central property management system despite the facts that in some areas, full time professional property managers are not available, the individual rental properties may be too small to justify a dedicated property manager and may be located in a plurality of different, and possibly remote, geographic regions. The methods described greatly reduce the time required and knowledge needed for real estate agents to manage residential properties. The method of delivery enables virtually any real estate agent to manage residential properties regardless of their physical location volume of properties or training in property management. Certain of the property management functions are performed automatically by a central computer that is part of the central property management system. Other property management functions are performed by the central property management system with the assistance of one or more central property managers. Still other property management functions are performed with the assistance of a local property manager.
65 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A method of managing a plurality of geographically dispersed residential properties, the method comprising:
-
executing a first contract between a central property management company and a first affiliate to provide first local property management services for a first property, the first affiliate being a first individual that is licensed to manage real estate that is not an employee of the central property management company, the first affiliate and the first property being located in a first area, the first property being owned by a first property owner;
executing a second contract between the central property management company and a second affiliate to provide second local property management services for a second property on a full or part time basis, the second affiliate being a second individual that is licensed to manage real estate that is not an employee of the central property management company, the second affiliate and the second property being located in a second area that is different than the first area, the second property being owned by a second property owner or owner of multiple properties located in a plurality of markets, wherein each of the central property management company, the first affiliate, the second affiliate, the first property owner, and the second property owner are different entities;
sending a first automatic electronic message from the central property management company to a tenant of the first property to accomplish a first property management activity that does not require a physical visit to the first property; and
sending a second automatic electronic message from the central property management company to the first affiliate to perform a second property management activity that does require a physical visit to the first property. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of managing a plurality of geographically dispersed residential properties, the method comprising:
-
performing a first property management function automatically by a computer system associated with a central property management company;
performing a second property management function manually by a first person associated with the central property management company;
performing a third property management function manually by a second different person in response to an automatic electronic message from the computer system associated with the central property management company, the second person not being an employee of the central property management company, the second person being located remote from the central property management company; and
performing a fourth property management function manually by the second person in response to a manual message from a third person associated with the central property management company. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification