If you are an owner of expansive real estate, it can be challenging to manage, especially if you maintain a busy schedule. It is a good idea to have in-house staff that can help with maintenance and keeps the real estate running seamlessly.
You may need different helpers, including a housekeeper, chauffeur, nanny, personal assistant, chef, carer, estate manager, etc. In order to hire the right staff, there are different things you should consider. Check out these 6 essential tips you can consider when staffing your estate or home.
- Ask Family and Friends for Referrals
If you want staff for your home, then you should get reliable people because they will be responsible for handling almost everything that affects your day-to-day living. Therefore, talking to friends or other close people you trust is the best way to start your search for house staff or property managers. You need to check with realtors, property owners, your business network, contractors, or any person you trust.
When you get referrals from your loved ones, you should ask anything you may need to know about the potential hire before you contact them. You must conduct background checks, including driving and criminal records, before shortlisting candidates for interviews. Onsite visits to different places where the candidate has worked can help you identify the ideal people with experience. You can also ask to speak to tenants where they previously worked.
- Hire a Professional Agent
Hiring real estate workers through an agency is one of the best options you can consider if you want to get the best candidates. In the information available on the 805 Estate Staffing website, one can see that dealing with an agency will give you peace of mind since they will handle everything for you. A reputable company in this sector will provide you with experienced domestic workers who will meet your needs.
The good thing about working with an agency is that they screen all candidates and recommend the best personnel to clients. They also offer specialized training to domestic service professionals to ensure their clients get the appropriate candidates for different tasks. Although an agency can charge you a fee for the services offered, this will save you time and get the ideal personnel.
- Hire an Employee or Independent Contractor
When you hire an individual, not an agency, you need to define their employment status. For instance, the person you hire can work as an employee or independent contractor. This distinction will make a big difference in your tax obligations. When you hire an employee, you have more responsibility because you have to abide by tax laws in your state. The definition of an employee used by the state tax agencies will determine if you should withhold tax from the worker’s paycheck. When you deal with an independent contractor at your home, you have no tax obligation.
The federal or state labor department may also determine if your employees require certain protections like overtime provisions or minimum wages. However, independent contractors are not eligible for these protections. If you have more control over the person working for you, you will likely be considered an employer.
- Check Licenses and Certifications
If you intend to hire a property manager, be sure they have a property management license or real estate broker’s license. You must check if they are still valid to avoid dealing with bogus agents. Licensed realtors and estate agents get certification after completing tough courses related to the real estate industry and property management.
If someone is willing to spend their money and time to further their education, it means they are committed to their job. However, you must also trust your instincts and check if the person you want to hire is the best fit for the job.
- Your Insurance Responsibilities
Once you employ someone, you become responsible for things like paying for any workplace injury. Depending on the size of your real estate and the number of employees you have, state laws require employers to get worker’s compensation insurance. Other states exclude domestic workers, but the chances are high that they can still be injured at your place. Check the rules in your state about employee protection.
If you don’t have worker’s compensation insurance, you can provide coverage to your employees through homeowners’ insurance. Although it excludes coverage for workers, you can buy endorsements depending on your state. The other option you can consider is to get state unemployment insurance to cover domestic workers. These insurance policies vary by state, so you must understand the law.
- Understand Management Contract
Once you hire a domestic employee to work at your home, you need to comply with the state and federal laws concerning payment issues. You must pay your worker the minimum wage recommended in your state. You should know that it may be difficult to get a worker who accepts less than the minimum wage. Therefore, you must be prepared to pay more to attract the right candidates.
When you hire a property manager, there must be a contract signed by both parties. Be sure to understand all the terms of the agreement before signing. If there is anything you don’t understand, you should instead ask first. You can enlist the services of a lawyer to help you design a contract and interpret it. You must understand the role of a property manager, and the agreement must be clear to avoid lawsuits resulting from labor disputes.
Managing a large real estate can be overwhelming, especially if you have other commitments in life. One of the most important tasks that should come first on your list is research. Make sure to research professional agents before you go through with the hiring process. It is best to take your time with understanding the management contract before you sign with anyone.
One way of making your life easy is to hire the ideal staff to oversee different tasks at your property. However, there are many things you should know about staffing your home, and these tips can give you insight into property management issues you should familiarize yourself with.
