I own a cute little house in Pearland, Texas about 5,000 miles (or a $1,000 plane ticket) from where I live.

The last time it was vacant, I got a frantic call from my Property Manager.  Apparently, a moving van had pulled up to my house, broke in through the garage, and loaded up my refrigerator and my brand new washer and dryer when the neighbors finally noticed and called the police. These guys were apparently in the middle of disconnecting my gas stove when the cops arrived. They drove off after the gentlemen calmly told them that they were moving into the house. I later received a call from a detective who was trying to get information on this gang that is breaking into all the vacant homes in the area. 

This is a very nice community and my neighbor next door is a police officer. Just goes to show you that it doesn’t matter where your home is. If they really want to get in, they will. 

The new tenants spend a year there. They were great. But they have bought their own home and have moved out. Suddenly, this house is empty again. Not a good feeling. 

The Property Manager is more than happy to help me find another tenant. She says the area is “hot” and we should have no problem finding a tenant. Wow, I think, I would never tell my clients this, even if it were true. I remind her about the previous problems and that I cannot afford to lose my appliances again. Not a problem. She’ll “make sure nothing happens to it.” Another red flag. How can she promise this? Again, not something I would say to a client.

Days go by and I finally get an email from this Property Manager saying that the price is too high. I guess the market has cooled down really fast. Price reduction authorized. Soon I receive another email that she has found a “sweet” couple to rent my home. They have some credit issues but they will be “great tenants.” My own investigation reveals that they are less than sweet. I have a sick feeling in my stomach. The trust is gone. 

I request proof that the home is being advertised and maintained. She stops responding. I soon discover from my previous tenant that she is busy filming a television show for HGTV. She’s too busy for me now.

I hire a new Property Manager who finds the yard overgrown and full of weeds.  There are flyers, phone books, etc. on the front porch. The house appears abandoned, the perfect target. The electricity is off and my refrigerator is full of mold. But it’s okay, this new gal is going to save the day! Right? Wrong!  Despite her assurances to the contrary, her company is illegitimate. 

So now I’m on my fourth Property Manager. We’ll see what happens. He’ll call me on Monday because he is going fishing this weekend.

If there is any good to come from all this, it is that I am seeing how it feels to be on the “other side.” You must be able to trust your Property Manager. The market can suck and you might get a bad tenant. Things happen. We can get through it. But if there is no trust, it’s time to move on.

So to all my property owners, thanks for the trust you have in me. And to all those Property Managers in Texas, what the hell is wrong with you people?