Property Management

Hudson McDonald Properties, Inc. provides property and asset management services for Berkeley property owners that seek to maximize their income while ensuring that their properties are well-maintained and positioned for long-term, consistent growth. We work best with owners that believe in providing a high-quality living environment for their residents. Accordingly, we focus on excellent tenant relationships, preventative maintenance, and appropriate capital improvements to ensure a well-run property.

Hudson McDonald takes great pride in property management and we treat each property as if it were our own.

Hudson McDonald is a full-service property management firm and our goal is to partner with our clients to provide worry-free ownership. We handle all aspects of property management including marketing and leasing, rent collections, vendor management and payment, and long-term strategic planning. We provide detailed reporting, meet with owners as requested, and take our responsibility as stewards of your property very seriously.

Hudson McDonald is locally owned and operated and we focus exclusively on the Berkeley market. We understand the needs of both students and traditional residents and are experts at identifying qualified, responsible tenants. We understand the need for proactive management in buildings that include student tenants to ensure a pleasant and respectful living environment for all.

As a Berkeley based firm, we are fully aware of Berkeley’s unique and complex rent control rules and all local, state and federal laws affecting property owners. We process all paperwork and ensure the payment of all fees to keep properties properly registered and compliant. Given the potential long-term tenancies fostered by rent control, we work diligently to identify the best-qualified tenants to ensure long-term financial growth. We are fully compliant with fair housing and equal opportunity laws.

Specific Services

Leasing & Marketing

We develop a marketing strategy for each property that includes online, on-site and central office presence to reach the broadest tenant base. We often create a unique website for each property to improve leasing success and also advertise units through Craigslist and other venues. An on-site signage program is also used to increase resident traffic.

Because of our Berkeley focus, we thoroughly understand the rental market and help owners set rental rates that achieve each owner’s desired goals. We are very aware of the unique rhythms of Berkeley’s “leasing season” and this knowledge ensures that we maximize rental rates and properly structure lease terms to generate “turns” at the most advantageous time of year.

Rent Collection, Bookkeeping & Reporting

Hudson McDonald prefers to utilize direct withdrawal for rent collection as this greatly reduces late and missed rent payments. We open a distinct and separate bank account for each property and all revenues are deposited directly to this account. From this revenue, we pay all property operating expenses and maintain a complete set of financial records including income and expense statements and balance sheets. Prior to each calendar year, Hudson McDonald will prepare an operating budget for the owner’s approval and will work to maintain the property in line with the budget. Hudson McDonald provides monthly statements and quarterly reports to owners to track progress throughout the year. Distributions of net operating income to owners are made quarterly.

Online Access

Residential Community

Hudson McDonald endeavors to maintain a positive and respectful community at each of our properties. We treat our tenants as valued clients and find that happy tenants create excellent communities. We utilize a variety of methods, including email, texting and face-to-face meetings to respond to tenant requests and questions in a timely manner. Hudson McDonald’s on-site resident managers are trained to be community ambassadors whose primary job is to maintain excellent resident relations.

Property Maintenance / Vendor Management

Our management team oversees third party performance of both regular maintenance tasks and specific repairs. Our team also manages and coordinates other third party vendors such as gardeners, janitors and elevator maintenance crews. Maintenance work is tracked and monitored through the Real Page system. We use the Real Page data to help us develop annual and long-term capital improvement plans to ensure that buildings remain competitive and attractive.

Our project management expertise ensures rapid, but thorough, unit turnover to minimize the time a unit is off-market and we also ensure that tenants pay for all damage caused during their tenancies. Hudson McDonald’s extensive construction experience also allows us to provide project management services for larger projects.

Access to Other Professionals

Hudson McDonald has been developing, acquiring and managing properties in Berkeley for more than ten years. As a result we have developed an extensive network of qualified experts. We can call on this team of lenders, financial advisers, insurance consultants, lawyers, tax advisers, architects, engineers and contractors to help owners address problems and maximize the value of their properties.

Hudson McDonald has managed our housing for us for the last three years. The complicated process to move from our management to Hudson McDonald’s management went smoothly. They are responsive to our residents and work well with our staff. As Director of Facilities, I appreciate Aurelia’s flexibility and willingness to work with us. We have benefitted from their services.

Terry Dyonzak

Pacific School of Religion

We were tenants at the Delaware for four years and liked it so much we would have stayed forever, but then we were given the opportunity to become resident managers at the New Californian and made the move. We are enjoying working now as resident managers with Hudson McDonald. Being a part of their team has been the best experience for us. We couldn’t be happier!