When you entrust your commercial asset to a professional property management firm, you’re not just hiring someone to collect rent, you’re hiring the guardian of your investment. So, why do so many firms manage from a distance?
At MDL Group, our philosophy is simple: “A client is the most important person in any business — he or she is the purpose of it.” This belief shapes The MDL Way — our process designed to create value for owners by building trust with tenants and maintaining a proactive, consistent presence.
Below is an inside look at the MDL Way, the foundation of our third-party management best practices.
1. Be Present: The Power of the Weekly Property Tour
Great management begins with great visibility. That’s why our first, and most critical, best practice is simple: Conduct a property tour at least once per week. This isn’t a drive-by. It’s a comprehensive, boots-on-the-ground inspection that reflects our core value of Pride of Ownership — “Leave everything you touch better than you found it.”
- Proactive Maintenance: Weekly tours allow us to spot and resolve small issues—a flickering light, a misplaced dumpster, a small crack in the pavement—before they become costly capital expenses. They also deepen our understanding of each property, helping us plan ahead for maintenance and budgeting goals.
- Tenant Check-Ins: Property managers regularly engage with tenants during tours. These interactions build familiarity and trust. When tenants know their property manager, they report issues sooner, operations run smoother, and lease renewals are more likely.
2. Building Rapport: The Foundation of Retention
The quality of our tenant and vendor relationships directly impacts your bottom line. Strong relationships mean higher retention, fewer vacancies, and efficient performance from vendors. At MDL Group, relationship building is part of our strategy that ensures:
- Lease Compliance: By maintaining open lines of communication, we can gently enforce lease terms and address minor compliance issues before they require formal action.
- Smooth Operations: We rely on our Community value—supporting and improving the local environment—to choose and maintain strong relationships with licensed, insured vendors only. These established relationships ensure prompt, quality service at competitive rates.
3. Communicate Proactively and Responsively
An owner should never feel out of the loop. That’s why MDL Way includes a clear communication mandate built around two pillars:
- Be Proactive: We reach out to owners, tenants, and vendors before issues escalate. You’ll hear from us about solutions, not just problems.
- Be Responsive: Every call or email is returned within 24 business hours. It’s our way of living our core value of Integrity: Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it. And when the unexpected happens, our 24/7 on-call system ensures a live property manager is always available.
Choosing MDL Group means choosing a partner who treats your property as if it were their own. We are present, engaged, and accountable. Our promise is simple: to protect and enhance your investment, strengthen your tenant relationships, and create long-term value built on trust.
Next in the 5 Pillars of Gold-Standard Commercial Property Management Series: Part 2: Transparency in Action: MDL Group’s 24-Hour Communication Standard and Documentation Systems.
