Owner FAQs

Arabella Property Management proudly represents all property owners, investors, and tenants. Whether you’re a local homeowner, an out-of-state investor, or a military member navigating a PCS or deployment, we’re here to provide expert property management services tailored to your needs. With deep roots in the San Antonio market and personal experience working with military clients, we understand the unique challenges service members face when renting out their homes. Our team is dedicated to ensuring every property is well-managed and every client—military or civilian—receives exceptional service and peace of mind.

Yes, we are available after hours for urgent matters. If you have an urgent non-emergency, please reach out at 210-426-0072, and we will respond as quickly as possible. For non-urgent inquiries, you can leave us a message, and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as we can. Your peace of mind is important to us, and we’re here to ensure your property is well taken care of.

Yes, we can deposit the money directly into your account. Once the tenant's rent payment clears the bank's processing period and management fees are deducted, we initiate a direct deposit into your designated bank account. This ensures you receive your rental income securely and efficiently each month without any hassle.

As your property management team, we sign the lease on your behalf as your representative to streamline the process and ensure all legal requirements are met. However, as the property owner, you will receive a copy of the fully executed lease for your records. This allows you to stay informed while we handle the details, ensuring your investment is protected and properly managed.

Yes, we also sell real estate! Our team at Arabella Property Management and Arabella Realty has a combined 50 years of experience in the industry, ensuring you receive expert guidance whether you’re buying, selling, or investing. Kristyna Umbaugh is recognized as a Top 50 Real Estate Agent in San Antonio, so you can trust that you’re working with highly qualified professionals who are committed to maximizing your investment. Whether you’re looking to sell your rental property, purchase a new home, or expand your investment portfolio, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Rent collection is handled seamlessly through our online payment system. Tenants can pay their rent electronically, making the process quick and convenient. Once the payment clears the bank’s processing period, we deduct management fees and then directly deposit the remaining balance into your bank account. If a tenant misses a payment, we promptly follow up with reminders and enforce lease terms to ensure timely collection. Our goal is to make rent collection stress-free and reliable for you as the property owner.

We typically sign leases for 12 to 24 months to ensure stability and minimize turnover. However, if we have a tenant who is an excellent fit for your property, we will work closely with both you and the tenant to determine the best lease term that meets your needs. Our goal is to provide flexibility while securing reliable, long-term tenants who will care for your home.

The security deposit required is equivalent to one month's rent. This deposit serves to cover any potential damages beyond normal wear and tear and ensures compliance with the terms of the lease. It will be held in accordance with state and local regulations and may be refundable at the end of the lease term, pending a final inspection of the property.

We can begin managing your property as soon as all necessary agreements are signed and the required onboarding steps are completed. This typically includes reviewing and finalizing the property management agreement, conducting an initial property assessment, and ensuring all documentation and financial accounts are set up in our system. The timeline can vary based on your specific needs, but we strive to make the transition as smooth and efficient as possible. Let us know your preferred timeline, and we will work to accommodate it.

We, Arabella Property Management, hold the security deposit and any additional deposits in an escrow account in accordance with state regulations. When a tenant moves out, we conduct a thorough inspection of the property. If there are no damages beyond normal wear and tear, the deposit is returned to the tenant within the legally required timeframe. If there are any necessary repairs or outstanding balances, deductions are made accordingly, and the remaining balance is returned to the tenant with an itemized statement. Our goal is to ensure fairness for both the property owner and the tenant while maintaining the integrity of your investment.

Yes, you are still responsible for making your mortgage payments. While we handle rent collection and deposit your owner funds as quickly as possible, there is a processing period for tenant payments, bank clearance times, and management fee deductions. We recommend working with your mortgage company to ensure your payment schedule aligns with the timing of your rental income to avoid any delays.

We can start managing your property immediately! Once you sign a management agreement with us, we’ll begin the onboarding process, which includes a property assessment, marketing, tenant screening (if vacant), and setting up financial accounts. Our goal is to make the transition seamless and get your property rented as quickly as possible while ensuring everything is set up for long-term success. Let us know when you're ready, and we’ll take care of the rest!

We specialize in managing single-family residential homes. Our focus is on providing exceptional property management services for homeowners and investors looking to rent out their properties while ensuring they are well-maintained and occupied by qualified tenants. Whether you're a local homeowner or a military member stationed elsewhere, we’re here to take care of your home as if it were our own.

We provide full-service remote property management, keeping you informed with regular updates and handling all aspects of renting your home. Whether you're PCS’ing, deploying, or retiring, we ensure your property is in good hands.

We understand military timelines and work fast to get your home listed, marketed, and rented as soon as possible. Our team has experience working with military moves and can expedite the leasing process to minimize vacancy.

Yes! San Antonio is home to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), BAMC, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB, so we frequently place military tenants who understand the responsibilities of renting.

We conduct thorough background checks, income verification, rental history reviews, and reference checks to find responsible tenants who will treat your home with respect.

Managing your own rental property may seem like a way to save money, but it often leads to more stress, time commitment, and financial risk. Without experience in tenant screening, legal compliance, and maintenance coordination, you could find yourself dealing with costly mistakes and difficult tenants.

One of the biggest risks of self-management is predatory tenants who seek out inexperienced landlords, knowing they can slip through weak screening processes. Once in, they may stop paying rent, attempt chargebacks, damage the property, and refuse to communicate—leaving you with an expensive and time-consuming eviction process. Having a local, experienced property manager ensures thorough tenant screening, quick responses to issues, and legal protection if problems arise.

Maintenance is another major challenge for self-managing landlords. We have trusted vendors and an after-hours urgent non-emergency line, ensuring repairs are handled promptly and correctly. Without a management team, finding reliable contractors and ensuring quality repairs can be difficult and costly.

Marketing a rental is also time-consuming and expensive. Our team handles all advertising and tenant inquiries, leveraging our experience and resources to fill vacancies quickly and cost-effectively.

Additionally, Texas landlord-tenant laws are complex and constantly evolving. We stay up to date on regulations and maintain relationships with local courts and agencies to handle any legal matters efficiently. Without this knowledge, landlords risk costly legal missteps.

Hiring a property management team like Arabella Property Management ensures your home is protected, your investment is maximized, and your stress is minimized. Let us handle the details while you enjoy the benefits of property ownership—worry-free.