Purchasing commercial property is a big investment. If you are like most people, you probably think that purchasing the property is the hard part. However, there is another thing you'll need to consider: management.

There are three main options when it comes to property management. You can do it yourself, which is time-consuming. You can hire an employee, which is expensive. Or you can use a commercial real property management company.

If you aren't sure whether you need a professional management service, don't worry. Here are three situations where it pays to utilize a management service:

1. You Have Several Units

It can be very difficult to manage several units at once. Between screening tenants and dealing with repairs, there's a lot to do for every a single unit. Imagine trying to handle multiple units efficiently. Unless managing your properties is your sole job, you probably don't have the time – or desire – to do it yourself.

Luckily, you don't have to. A commercial property management company can handle all of the day-to-day things, while you focus your time and energy elsewhere.

2. You Live Far Away

If you do not live near your properties, a property management company can be extremely helpful. After all, living far away doesn't allow you to check-up on or maintain your properties. This can be disastrous, as you won't know if tenants are following the rules. Moreover, you won't know if there are any serious damages.

A property management company can be your second set of eyes. They'll visit your properties to ensure they are in good condition. If there is an issue, the property management company can deal with them appropriately. More importantly, they can deal with issues in a timely manner, which can save you money on repairs.

3. Legal Protection

Commercial properties are a lot more complex than residential properties. This is because commercial properties have specific laws that affect how the property is used. Zoning laws and regulations must be strictly followed. If they are not, you could wind up paying expensive fees. You could even lose your properties.

A commercial property management company can help by ensuring that your building and tenants are following all the legalities. If there is an issue, the property management company can deal with them as well.

Commercial properties are a big investment. Luckily, you can protect your investment – and your cash flow – by hiring a property management service. Offering a variety of services and benefits, property management companies make owning investment property easy.