There are only a finite number of ways you can increase the value of an investment property. You can make improvements, install energy-saving appliances, put in an alternative energy system, or update the landscaping to require less water and minimal maintenance.

Regardless of how you choose to increase your property value, working with a property management company can maximize the results. Property management companies have extensive experience working with buyers, sellers, homeowners, and tenants; and they know the markets.

They’re aware of which improvements tend to be wise moves and which ones tend to make little or no difference for the cost. They can also oversee the day-to-day operation of your properties so you can become a hands-off investor and still see increases in the value of your real estate investments.

If you’re considering hiring a team of property management experts, here are several ways the decision can increase the value of your investments.

Property management experts are organized and efficient

To keep your property value from dropping, you need to stay on top of preventive maintenance--or someone does. Preventive maintenance responsibilities can be hard to track as well as execute.

Sticky notes and random spreadsheets on your computer can mean disorganization and neglected maintenance requirements.

Property management experts maintain organized systems that are designed to alert the entire team when a maintenance task is coming due. It’s usually the same system that documents repairs.

Depending on an organized program ensures that maintenance and repair tasks don’t turn into bigger problems before they’re recognized and addressed.

Many systems integrate with calendaring software that automatically schedules maintenance tasks for the team. Being organized and on schedule is the only way you’ll get things done in a timely manner, and an outside management company will take that headache off your hands.

A property management company will oversee your property upgrades (so you can charge more rent!)

Certain specific property upgrades will allow you to charge higher monthly rent, but not all upgrades work that way. For example, upgrading the kitchen cabinets won’t justify a significant hike in the rent, especially if the rest of the kitchen remains outdated.

On the other hand, raising the rental fees is justified when you remodel the entire kitchen with matching stainless-steel appliances, and replace all the cabinets to create an entirely new look. You can also replace your countertops and flooring to add more value to your property.

Upgrading your property is a great idea, but if you don’t want to have to manage the remodeling, you might not pursue any upgrades. When you hire a property management company to oversee your properties, all you’ll have to do is make key decisions and check in every once in a while.

A property management team will handle problems immediately

When you manage your own properties and tenants, it’s easy to postpone repairs that don’t seem like a big deal on the surface. For example, say there’s a torn screen in one of the bedroom windows or a string on a set of horizontal blinds has snapped.

These issues may not pose a risk of bodily harm to your tenants, so you might be tempted to push the repairs to a back burner on your to-do list. However, your tenant might compensate for these inconveniences in a way that kills your curb appeal.

For instance, they might tack a blanket to cover the window or use duct tape to hold the screen together. If the windows can be seen from the street, your property values are in danger of  going down.

By contrast, a property management company is more likely to schedule a repair for these two issues right away, even though they don’t appear urgent. But this prevents the tenant from addressing the situation in a way that may lower the value of your property.

Hiring a property management company frees up your time

When you’re most interested in lifting the value of your investment property, you’ll need all the time you can find. If you hire a property management company, you won’t have to manage your tenants, fill your vacancies, handle the marketing, or collect rent in person.

You’ll have the time to research and select all the details for the remodels you want to perform while the team manages all the practical facets for you.

Property values automatically increase gradually

Your property value will increase over time as long as you maintain your property and don’t allow it to fall into disrepair. It’s worth making small changes that will generate a little more income each month, however.

Over several years, that little bit of extra income will add up to money you can either invest or roll into another investment property. You could wait for your property value to rise on its own, alternatively, but a property management firm will help you generate more income without having to do all the hard work.