Bellingham Property Management Company

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Bellingham Property Management Company

Serving All of Bellingham

As one of the largest property management companies on the West Coast, Utopia Management seamlessly handles all aspects of rental property management, including marketing, leasing, and maintenance. Our local office in Bellingham, WA is staffed with experienced and licensed property managers who understand local rental market trends and neighborhoods. Our practiced and advanced methods coupled with the latest technology enable us to give our clients the most effective, advantageous, and affordable solution for rental property management.

Utopia Management, with over 25 years in business, has been chosen and trusted by property owners from individuals to large investment groups to safeguard their real estate investments. We offer a full spectrum of rental property services designed to make your investment hassle-free.  Contact our Bellingham office today to discuss your property, and experience firsthand how our professional staff can eliminate the challenges of property ownership and increase your ROI.

 

Our Local Office
Utopia Property Management
2900 Meridian Street, Suite 220
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 776-1111

If you are interested in leasing executive office suites, please visit our Bellingham Executive Suites

Property Management Office Serving Bellingham, WA

  • Property Management Company
  • Rental Management
  • Property Investment Company
  • Property Maintenance
  • Real Estate Consultants
  • Apartment Rental Agency
  • Commercial Real Estate Agency
  • Industrial Real Estate Agency
Marketing Logos

Greater Visibility, Better Tenants.

We understand the importance of accurate listings with clear and enticing pictures and staging. We work to get your property the most exposure by listing on the most popular and visited rental sites (including utopiamanagement.com), professional on property signage, and exposure to our robust referral base.

Beyond the visibility, strong property marketing requires responsiveness, with our agents answering every call and available for 7 day showings.  Potential tenants have the peace of mind that they are working with professionals as opposed to a single landlord who may or may not handle their needs. With increased visibility and Utopia’s strong position in the market, we are consistently able to rent properties at current market rates to qualified tenants.

Thorough and up-to-date market analyses to ensure rental rates align with current trends.
Customized and targeted marketing solutions

Enticing listings showcase your property’s highlights

Apartment Portfolios of Any Size

Our apartment management team has provided lucrative and hassle-free services for multi-family buildings since 1994. No matter the number of units, our methods are tailored to the unique needs of each apartment community. Apartment rental management team brings strong organization, current technology, responsiveness, and years of experience. We handle tenant screening, regular and emergency maintenance, rent-ready repairs and renovations, deposit and rent collection with online payment options, full-service accounting with detailed reports, and tenant retention programs. A variety of proven methods are used to ensure tenant satisfaction while limiting loss and liability for property owners.

  • Online rent collection and direct deposit
  • Extensive experience across a wide spectrum of multi-family properties
  • High visibility marketing and promotion of your property
  • Tenant retention strategies
  • Responsive communication with calls and emails answered swiftly
  • 24-7 emergency response
  • Full monthly accounting and financial tracking via online portal

Comprehensive Commercial Options

Our commercial real estate management staff is composed of experienced managers talented in thinking like investors, treating your investment like our own. We use innovative methods to develop strong and efficient solutions to all property-related issues. We specialize in medical, retail, office, and industrial complexes and the unique set of skills required to manage business assets and investments.  Contact our commercial team today to discuss our competitive pricing, developed uniquely for your needs and dependent on the scale and complexity of your project. Our commercial property managers possess years of experience which results in efficient and streamlined processes and stellar communication. Our complete real estate management services include building maintenance, asset management strategies, lease development and execution, inspections, valuations, vendor management, financial reporting and analysis, CAM reconciliation, and evictions.

  • Comprehensive Management Services: building maintenance, marketing to target audience, lease administration, inspections, evictions and collections
  • Monthly Financial Accounting Statements
  • Tenant Retention Programs
  • Vendor Management
  • Contract Administration
  • REO Management and Disposition
  • CAM & Operating Expense Reconciliation
  • Customized Asset Management Strategies

Customized Residential Property Management Services

Utopia Management professionally manages a variety of single family homes such as condos and houses in Bellingham, including properties of all sizes in a range of values. No project is too big or too small. Utopia Management offers an extremely competitive management fee in the market, one of the lowest in the area, and without any surprise add-on charges for setup or leasing. Rental management requires expertise and experience to minimize liabilities and keep properties filled with reliable tenants. All services are provided, from marketing and attracting tenants, screening tenants, lease execution, online rent collection, full maintenance and repairs on property, and eviction process if needed. Our proficiency lies in the successful growth of rental property investments.

Screening and Applicant Verification

We have developed professional systems designed to limit our clients liability and exposure to loss by screening tenants wisely. Our comprehensive tenant screening methods include verification of employment, income, rental history, and industry-specific credit reporting with eviction search, giving us the ability to fill vacancies with a low delinquency rate.  We verify licenses, social security cards, and pay stubs along with reaching out to previous landlords for rental references. The thoroughness of our screening process has consistently kept our eviction rates at less than 1%. The discretionary “Utopia Eviction Protection Program” is available for further reassurance. As your management company, we understand the importance of placing the right tenant, and we have many procedures in place to help eliminate potential liabilities.

  • Exceptional property protection options for owners.
  • Preparation, delivery, and execution of legal documentation for evictions.
  • Optional “Utopia Eviction Protection Program” for additional peace of mind.

Efficient and Economical Maintenance

Responsiveness to maintenance needs can be a key factor in the success of your rental property. Tenants expect timely solutions to their concerns, while as an owner, quality and thoroughness are also top priorities. Utopia Management’s history in the area and relationships with local vendors has allowed us to create a list of top vendors, some of whom we have worked with for over fifteen years, and which typically results in receiving services for lower than market rates. When advantageous, or when work needed is complicated and/or difficult to outsource, our in-house technicians (though general contractor’s license #792427) are available to complete work efficiently.

Work closely with service providers and vendors to ensure quality and completion.

Move-in and move-out inspections with video.

Financial Reporting at Your Convenience

We keep you up to date on your financial activity through monthly statements provided on your personal web portal. From monthly rent collections to bills and invoices settled on your behalf, to yearly figures provided to make tax filing more convenient and accurate, access to your records is available 24-hours a day. Our accounting department’s knowledgeable staff is available by phone and happy to assist with any questions or concerns regarding your statements or property’s accounting.

  • Custom Web Portal
  • Accounting staff make financial management easy
  • Rent and security deposit collection online
  • Bills and year end figures available any time

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bellingham located?

Bellingham is located in the northwest corner of Washington state. The city sits 52 miles southeast of Vancouver and 90 miles north of Seattle.

Is Bellingham cheaper than Seattle?

The cost of living in Bellingham, WA is 30.5% lower than Seattle, making Bellingham a great affordable option for real estate investors.

What are the best neighborhoods in Bellingham?

Some of the best areas for property investment in Bellingham are Sunnyland, Cornwall Park, Columbia, Alabama Hill, and Lettered Streets.

How much can a landlord raise the rent in Bellingham, WA?

There are no limits on rent increases in Bellingham, Washington. Landlords are required to give 60 days notice of any rent increases.

Bellingham Highlights

90 Thousand

(Population 2007)

50

Percentage of Renters

$1100

1 Bed

$1395

2 Beds

$1825

3 Beds

Median Rent (2019)

Bellingham has a very low vacancy rate at approximately 1.4%

The median home price in Bellingham is $429,900

Considered by many to be a gem of the Pacific Northwest, Bellingham is known as a small college town, home of Western Washington University. Bellingham’s natural landscaping provides beautiful views from nearly everywhere. The city sits just a few miles from the Canadian border, and has many amenities for those that love the outdoors.
Bellingham is the northernmost city with a population of more than 50,000 people in the contiguous United States.
Bellingham has seen considerable growth over the last 20 years, adding just over 20,000 residents and bringing the population from 67,000 to 87,500 from 2000 and 2016. This growth has led to very low vacancy rates for rentals, and raising rental rates. From 2018 to 2019, rental rates in Bellingham increased more than rates in Seattle, with 1-bedroom apartments increasing roughly 14% overall. Rental rates on average rose 9.7% across Bellingham during 2019.
Bellingham, Washington is comprised of 21 neighborhoods, with a population density of 3,051 people per square mile. The largest neighborhood by population is Roosevelt, the oldest neighborhood is Columbia, and the neighborhood with the highest Livability Score is South.

Elly Johnson stands at the forefront of content research and online branding at Utopia Management. As the Content Marketing Manager, she delves deep into understanding local real estate and rental markets, fueled by her passion for travel and keen research skills. Elly is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about where to reside. A proud alumna of the University of South Florida, located in the vibrant heart of Tampa Bay, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her academic background and extensive travel experiences uniquely position her to provide insights that resonate with diverse audiences.

Bellingham

Forbes has ranked Bellingham as 3rd on its Best Small Places for Business and Careers list.

 

In 1903, the towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Fairhaven, and Bellingham, were merged and created the city of Bellingham as it is known today. The city features numerous historic downtown buildings, with 73 locations in the Local, State, and/or National Historic Registers. Bellingham has eight designated National Historic Districts.

 

The most populated city in Whatcom County, the city of Bellingham is approximately 21 miles from the US-Canada border, 52 miles southeast of Vancouver, and 90 miles north of Seattle.

 

The climate in Bellingham is typical of the Puget Sound region, with year-long average highs of 59, lows of 44, and an average of 35 inches of rain per year. Bellingham has one of the lowest averages of sunny days in the United States.

 

Bellingham is the northernmost city with more than 50,000 residents in the contiguous United States. The city is home to approximately 91,000 people, making it the 13th-largest city, and part of the 6th-largest metropolitan area in the state of Washington.

 

Bellingham is a popular tourist destination, and known for a wealth of outdoor activities. The San Juan Islands and North Cascades draw nature and outdoor enthusiast from all over.

 

The largest employers in Bellingham are the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Western Washington University, and the Bellingham School District.

 

Reports from Zillow show that the housing market in Bellingham is hot. The median home value is roughly $455,000, which has increased 6.4% over the past year, and is predicted to increase another 5.2% over the coming year. The median rental in the city is $1,970, and the median rental in the Bellingham Metro area is $1,890.

 

There are over 61 miles of bike lanes, and over 68 miles of trails in Bellingham. The city has a number of public parks for fishing, swimming, and viewing beautiful landscapes and scenery. The popular Whatcom Falls Park is home to four sets of waterfalls.

Utopia Management is also offering executive suites in the Bellingham Metro area.

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