When comparing the full service property management companies of Ziprent and Doorstead, it’s easiest to separate your options into two broad categories: standard and premium. The standard options are Ziprent Standard, Doorstead Flex and Doorstead Traditional. These standard options are indeed full service but without additional protections offered by the premium options. These premium options are ZipGuarantee and Doorstead Guarantee.
For the duration of this analysis, we keep the lines between the two types clear so you can more easily compare the type of service you’re looking for to the options available between Ziprent and Doorstead.
Here are four quick takeaways based on our analysis:
1. More Protection: Ziprent's ZipGuarantee includes $15,000 in additional protections, while Doorstead Guarantee only offers $10,000.
2. Substantial Savings: Simplicity in Ziprent Standard plan is more cost-effective than Doorstead's Traditional Plan and Flex with a monthly rent of $2,099 or more and $3,150 or more, respectively.
3. Simplicity in Forecasting: Assuming $3,000 monthly rent and new tenants stay more than one year, Ziprent Standard + Tenant Placement is $910 less expensive than Doorstead Traditional + Tenant Placement in year one and $410 less costly in year two.
4. No Commitments: Ziprent's no-commitment policy grants landlords unmatched flexibility, a significant factor for those wary of long-term contracts.
Ziprent aims to make property management pricing clear and straightforward. Rather than using complicated pricing structures, Ziprent offers a flat-rate service, making it easy and predictable for landlords to manage their costs. Conversely, Doorstead uses a percentage-based fee structure. Their model adapts to the changing needs and incomes of different rentals. While both companies aim to provide full services, their diverse pricing plans reflect their respective philosophies: Ziprent prioritizes steady long-term savings, while Doorstead adjusts to the ups and downs of the rental market.
Our comparison pairs the Ziprent Standard Plan with Doorstead's Flex and Traditional options. Separately, we also evaluated ZipGuarantee against Doorstead Guarantee. Below is a table that compares the five offers against the same criteria.
In our analysis, we pitched Ziprent and Doorstead against each other, using an assumed monthly rent of $3,000 as a common ground. This comparative insight reveals the stark contrast between Ziprent’s straightforward flat-rate model and Doorstead’s tiered percentage approach.
In the realm of property management, both Ziprent and Doorstead come to the table with compelling offers. However, some stark differences become evident when we delve into the financial aspects between the two.
During your first year as a rental property manager, you'll typically need a tenant placement service. However, it becomes another ballgame once we venture into the second year. Distinct changes arise, both in terms of your needs and cost efficiency. By now, you've already got a tenant occupying your property, removing the need for tenant placement services.
And so, here's how it breaks down:
Over two years, Doorstead Flex is $120 less expensive than Ziprent. However, the Flex offer is rife with extra fees including the additional cost of more open houses after the allotted 5 are exhausted. You’ll give back the 120 if you have 2 extra open houses.
Doorstead Traditional with Tenant Placement is $910 more expensive than Ziprent Standard with Tenant Placement and $410 more costly than Ziprent Standard with Tenant Placement in year 2, assuming there is no tenant placement and you apply the $250 lease renewal fee. So, in two years, Ziprent saves you $1,320 more than Doorstead's Traditional tier.
For the premium services, Ziprent and Doorstead prices are competitive year over year. Doorstead Guarantee + TP price equals Ziprent ZipGuarantee in year one and Doorstead $250 less expensive ZipGuarantee in year 2. So, in two years, Doorstead saves you $250 more than Ziprent's ZipGuarantee.
In summary, in 2 out of 3 scenarios, Ziprent and Doorstead are pretty close in the total amount. And so, it’s important to remember that customer reviews offer a true glimpse into what it will be like to work with Ziprent and Doorstead. See Ziprent’s stellar reviews below.
In one scenario, the Ziprent Standard vs. Doorstead Traditional comparison, the stark price difference will play a much more significant role in your decision. Ziprent Standard would save the landlord a substantial amount over the long term.
Ziprent and Doorstead boast complete property management services for landlords within their standard and premium tier
Both offer the following services within their standard tiers:r
In addition to the services provided in the standard, both ZipGuarantee and Doorstead Guarantee offer:r
A Quick Note about the Benefits of the Self-Guided Tours
Self-guided tours combine convenience, privacy, and a tailored experience, making them a valuable option for potential renters or buyers. They allow potential renters or buyers to visit properties at their own convenience and pace, ensuring a comfortable and private experience without the pressure of an agent's presence. This approach also facilitates focused attention on specific features of interest and promotes more objective decision-making, as visitors are not influenced by an agent's opinions or sales tactics. Additionally, the use of digital tools during these tours can provide comprehensive information, enhancing the overall experience and understanding of the property.
Ziprent and Doorstead boast complete property management services for landlords within their standard and premium tier
Let's bullet out these differences:
Let's bullet out these differences:
While both Ziprent and Doorstead offer compelling services, the functionality, depth, and pricing of Ziprent seem more user-centric and transparent. Whether it's instant tenant screening, managed open houses, or transparent pricing, Ziprent's standard plan provides a more comprehensive package.
Ziprent stands tall due to its unique tenant placement service coupled with a robust full-service property management offering, which includes rent collection, repair coordination, and 24/7 support. Doorstead, on the other hand, primarily focuses on guaranteeing and paying rent, even if the property is vacant, but needs to provide comprehensive property management services.
That's where Ziprent fills the gap excellently. Combining modern technology with top-tier customer service makes Ziprent a comprehensive, one-stop solution for property investors and landlords. It also tailors offers to match your individual property needs, which makes it a cut above Doorstead.
With month-to-month flexibility, Ziprent edges out Doorstead's 12-month commitment requirement.
This flexible approach means landlords are not locked into a long-term contract and can adjust or discontinue their service without the constraints of a fixed duration. This model is especially beneficial for property owners who may want to test the waters with property management services without committing to an entire year or for those who prefer having the ability to respond quickly to changing market conditions or personal circumstances.
Doorstead, on the other hand, requires landlords to commit to a 12-month contract. While this could offer stability and predictability for some, it may deter those seeking more fluidity in their property management choice. The 12-month commitment could tie landlords to a service that may not meet their evolving needs throughout the year, and it could impose additional constraints should they decide to switch providers or take their property management in-house.
Considering the cost of tenant placement and service fees over time, Ziprent frequently offers better long-term savings.
Regarding value for money, Ziprent's structure is designed to yield more savings over time. With a set tenant placement fee that is notably lower than Doorstead's 50% of the first month's rent, landlords save on upfront costs. Furthermore, the consistent monthly service fee allows for easy budgeting and financial planning. Even when including the lease renewal fee, Ziprent's total cost remains competitive, mainly as these fees are spread throughout a tenant's stay, often extending beyond the initial year
Additionally, Ziprent's cost-effectiveness becomes even more apparent in multi-year scenarios. Since their month-to-month agreement only necessitates a new tenant placement fee if the property changes tenants, the long-term cost of using Ziprent's services could be significantly lower than Doorstead, which charges a higher tenant placement fee and a percentage of the monthly rent. This difference in pricing models means that, over several years, landlords utilizing Ziprent could stand to retain a more significant portion of their rental income, enhancing the overall return on their investment properties.
Comparing services offered and pricing is one thing but comparing real customer reviews is equally as important. While most companies will use a verified customer review service like Trustpilot as Ziprent does, Doorstead uses a reputation management platform called Birdeye.
Doorstead has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Birdeye. The website for Birdeye does not make it clear whether Doorstead is able to remove negative reviews at their leisure, so we are unable to determine if all reviews are allowed to impact their total score. You can read more of Doorstead’s reviews here.
Ziprent uses Trustpilot Reviews to collect reviews and also boasts a 4.9 out of 5 rating. Trustpilot publishes a mission statement to offer real customer reviews that are treated equally, not allowing companies to remove negative reviews they don’t like.
"Everyone can have a voice on Trustpilot. Anyone with a genuine experience is welcome to write a review, good or bad. All reviews are treated equally—and we don’t allow companies to remove a review just because they don’t like it."
- Jeffrey Paradise | Senior Commercial Support Manager
You can read more of Ziprent’s reviews here.
For landlords seeking a reliable and cost-effective property management solution, Ziprent stands out as the superior choice. Here are the key reasons why Ziprent is a strong option:
In summary, Ziprent's transparent pricing, cost-effectiveness, comprehensive service offerings, and flexible terms make it a solid choice for landlords seeking efficient, hassle-free property management.
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