Small multi family: What is your property management model

[Krishna Chava]

How do you manage an apartment complex with less that 70 units? Do you have an onsite property manager and/or onsite maintenance tech?. Do you directly employ people or pay a property management company that employs onsite staff? (similar to large apartment complex model).

I own 75 units, 50 of them in same subdivision (own most of 2 streets). I let my maintenance guy stay for free in one of the units, pay him when there is work, let him find work when I can't employ him. I manage everything else myself. So far working good but not a perfect or scaleble solution. 

I am co-founder of a startup developing Artificial intelligence based monitoring tech to constantly watch out for any issues either with tenants or maintenance issues.  We are in engineering phase and seeking feedback from bigger pockets community about the pain points in managing small multifamily properties.

[Jeff Kehl]

@Krishna Chava I have 4 properties in the 10-30 unit range and many smaller properties all adding up to more than 200 units. I think when you're in this awkward middle stage you have two viable options. 

1) Find  a good property manager that can handle that kind of portfolio. Mine is really good, charges me 6% of gross rents and has grown right along with me. 

2) Start your own property management company, work to hire the right people, take on some rentals from other people.

I think both approaches are valid. Option 1 is better and less headache if you can find it. Option 2 is better if you're looking to save money and be more actively involved.

Pick the best for you in your area but think about the other as a backup plan.

Also keep in mind that hiring any onsite personnel is going to add a lot of cost so immediately think about how you can scale them up.