Condos and villas (standalone houses sold with a mandatory maintenance plan) are becoming common as baby boomers age and more people buy second, third, or other “part time” houses. Their appeal is their hassle-free status. When you buy one, you know that the grass will be cut, the snow will be shoveled, and someone will watch over your investment and all you have to do is write a check every quarter.

However, condos don’t have yards and villas limit your choices. South Bend has thousands of homes near Notre Dame and other attractions that draw condo buyers. And they include options that are bigger, more private and with more character than most any condo or villa.

I understand the appeal of buy it and forget it until you want to use it housing, but see a correctable problem here. Condos don’t have a lock on the idea of hiring out services for unoccupied properties. A good property management company could handle it for any house at a price similar to a condo’s monthly fee.

Unfortunately, no local property managers are offering such a service to private homeowners at this time. Here’s my question for South Bend Area Blog readers: what would it take to make you consider a house when you are thinking of a condo?

If a company offered you regular lawn care, snow removal as needed, weekly/monthly visual inspections of your house, winterizing to prevent burst pipes, and coordination of repairs as needed, and did it for a price comparable to a condo fee, would you look at houses in addition to condos?

If not, what services would it take? Post a comment, or e-mail nick@realst8.com and I’ll see if any property management companies step up to the plate.

3 Responses

  1. I have been looking for an affordable house in South Bend for football weekends. But could not find a property management firm able to take on this type of maintenance. We have decided on OAK HILL it has $180 condo fees and everything is taken care of for you. It’s wonderfull!!

  2. Hi DRT-

    We have started a new Home Watch/Property Management business in the South Bend area to accommodate absentee residents. Check out out website, cloverhomewatch.com for more information. Let us know if we can be of service to you or if you know of others who could use our services. Thanks!

    Ken

  3. Hi there. My fiance and I have a firm that specializes in working with realtors on their vacant properties or to get homes ready to sell. We also work with the new homeowners and have picked up a great deal of referral business with existing homeowners. Our services include cleaning, painting, landscaping and home repairs – and we pride ourselves on being full service, responsive and professional. We are bonded and insured. Our work naturally progressed toward property management along the same vein and we are also able to coordinate a variety of local contractors who we have worked with and know well. We can be reached at 574-210-3637 and hope to hear from all of you! Regards, Mark Mlynski and Holly Yoder (ND Class of ’98 BA and ’01 MBA) GO IRISH!

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