Duke Kimhan: Leading the Way in Property Management Excellence
In an exclusive interview with Biz Tech Outlook Magazine, Duke Kimhan, the driving force behind Hawaii Pacific Property Management, shares his journey, challenges, and insights that have positioned him as a leader in the property management industry.
What inspired you to pursue your chosen industry, and how did you become a trailblazer in your field?
Property management and real estate sales usually go together although many real estate agents are not very comfortable with property management. I made a decision fifteen years ago to concentrate solely on property management completely getting off sales. This move was calculated to set me apart from others who only do property management at certain times of the year but spend most of their time selling houses. I received more referrals from salespeople who did not want anything to do with managing properties since I was dedicated full-time to this course. My efficiency and excellent customer service also helped in win many contracts that would have otherwise been taken by my competitors. Today Hawaii Pacific Property Management controls about one thousand three hundred units which it owns or has been given authority over by owners; this shows how much we know about what we are doing.
Could you share a significant challenge you faced during your journey and how you overcame it?
One of the main difficulties we face when we manage property is that we get a large number of requests for repairs. It was during our first year that we decided to create a special department to handle this issue and the department has been running throughout the week, without closing for a single day. This single resolution was the thing that helped us most during the time we were taking care of more than 1200 homes. By quickly dealing with such tenant problems as leakages and spoilt machines, we made sure our managers concentrated on other important duties concerning the same. Today we receive around 90-150 calls every week about maintenance, an indication of how much we are dedicated to good service delivery.
How do you stay ahead of the curve and maintain your innovative edge in such a fast-paced and competitive business environment?
To keep up with property management, it is necessary to take on new technology. We have made rent collection and owner payments automatic which has reduced physical bank visits greatly. Additionally, we use DocuSign for easier contract management and our ability to store digital photos and videos for tracking property condition has improved efficiency a great deal. We ensure that our systems run well at all times by always incorporating new tools.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make a significant impact in their industries?
My advice is simple: love what you do or not at all. In a competitive industry, passion inspires greatness; therefore, only those who have fun while working can surpass others. Keep your drive authentic so that it may sustain through tough times and lead to long-term achievement.
Can you highlight one or two key strategies or decisions that have contributed to your success as a trailblazer?
In one way we were unique was offering a guarantee which no other property management company did. We had three guarantees in our agreements: a communication guarantee; a rent guarantee; and an eviction guarantee. On top of that, we do property inspections twice a year but if your home is pet-friendly then this increases to three times annually where detailed reports are provided for landlords’ information. These actions have created trust with our customers making us stand out in this marketplace.
What are some of the most important trends or developments you see shaping your industry in the coming years?
The housing market is consistently changing. With higher interest rates, less investors are buying houses, causing more homeowners to rent out their homes instead of selling them. However, the property management industry remains strong throughout these periods because there is usually a greater need for rentals when the economy goes down. It will be important to adjust to these shifts while still keeping prices competitive and providing excellent service in the years ahead.
How do you foster a culture of creativity and innovation within your organization?
We consider that it is important for us to keep up with new technology. There are many times my team comes up with new tech ideas that can make our work better. For instance, we now use digital tools so as to manage documents and carry out property inspections which is a time and money saver. Creating room for employees to try out different things helps in building a culture of continuous improvement through innovation.
Are there any specific mentors or influencers who have played a crucial role in shaping your entrepreneurial journey?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with great leaders in the restaurant business as well as real estate. What motivated me was their common desire for success along with an unending commitment to hard work. In hopes of having a more manageable workload while still being able to earn a high income, I decided to pursue property management as my career path. This kind of stability is especially attractive to agents who need consistent earnings no matter what the market is like.
Can you share an example of a project or initiative that you are particularly proud of and explain why it stands out?
One service that sets us apart from other building management companies are our special guarantees. To give owners peace of mind and make tenants happy, we check properties frequently and thoroughly besides just these guarantees which nobody else offers. So far this has been successful as it has earned many awards for us in this sector thanks to our commitment towards excellent customer service delivery coupled with being accountable always.
Can you share any personal accolades, awards, or industry recognition you have received for your contributions to the field?
For the last ten years, Hawaii Pacific Property Management has been known as one of the best property management companies. That being said nothing can compare to what I am most proud of in my career – building an amazing team full of people who have worked for me for more than 10 years now. It has been fulfilling watching them grow both professionally and personally which shows how much we value creating a supportive & rewarding work environment internally.
“Our unique guarantees, coupled with our commitment to excellent customer service delivery, have earned us many awards in this sector.”
“My advice is simple: love what you do or not at all. In a competitive industry, passion inspires greatness; therefore, only those who have fun while working can surpass others.”
Company Name : Hawaii Pacific Property Management
Website : www.hipacificpm.com
Management Team
Duke Kimhan, | Principal Broker & Owner
