In our previous article, Strength in Specialisation, we explored why the right combination of people, standardised processes and solutions are so critical when empowering portfolio managers to shift from reactive to proactive management. We also demonstrated how those who successfully align client needs and risks with a tangible value offering (delivered through skilled staff, world class service and technology) are...

Repositioning Portfolio Managers from generalists to specialists In a recent industry survey, WeconnectU asked property managers of Bodies Corporate and HOAs a few important questions about value. Their answers revealed a stark contrast between two critical success factors: value delivered vs value perceived. According to Danie van der Merwe, Director at WeconnectU, the vast majority of survey respondents felt that...

Property inspections aren’t the most popular activity. Property professionals find them tiresome and fiddly, tenants find them inconvenient and stressful, and investors often struggle to see the value behind their expense. Since the promulgation of the new Property Practitioners Act, which makes disclosure forms a mandatory component of all sales and rental mandates, however, inspections have taken on a whole...

Did you know that very few rental management businesses in South Africa are launched for the sake of it? Most are created as extensions to existing sales or community management businesses. According to Schalk van der Merwe, Director of WeconnectU Intelligent Property Software, the goal for these rental “add-ons” is usually simple: to add value and help with client retention...

There’s nothing worse than working day and night to deliver a quality service to your customers only to receive constant pushback over fees that barely cover your overheads. It’s an all-too-common occurrence in the property management industry, and one that stems from a very simple, yet pervasive problem. Property managers don’t typically communicate their value very well. It’s a universal...

What’s your favourite part of being a property manager? We’re willing to bet it’s not maintenance. Let’s face it: Good maintenance management may be essential if you want to keep your investors and tenants happy, but it’s fiddly, time consuming and brings in little or no extra income. But maintenance doesn’t have to be a huge pain in the… portfolio....

The unpopular truth is that, by working in rental portfolio management, you’re going to be working in inspections and maintenance management too. Few property managers rejoice in this element of their role – particularly since it brings no additional income – and many neglect it to their detriment. Let’s take a look at a few of the myths and misconceptions...

  Planning for the year ahead is an increasingly important task for property management business owners and senior management. Without a firm plan of action in place, it’s only too easy to fall into the same old patterns and achieve the same old results. No change means no growth, no improvement, and no hope of staying ahead of the competitive...

This August – just over four years since our inception – WeconnectU officially reached half a million property units under management on our cloud-based platforms. The last 18 months have seen us onboarding over 30 customers every month – a good sign that property managers are actively looking to become more compliant, manageable, scalable and profitable. We’ve also added over...