Self Managing from a Distance

[Holly Barrett]

Looking at a duplex 8 hour drive away. I want to self manage, BUT I'm getting tripped up on how to show prospective tenants the units at turnover.

What options might we have?

Realtor fees for showing are steep, at that point I think you might as well hire a pm company.

Does anyone use a handyman to show for a fee? Or keyless entry - if you do that, who changes the batteries every 7mo? Liability issues for self showing? Or do I plan to make a trip out for a weekend of showings every time someone moves out? 

Is anyone else out there self managing from a distance w/o friends/relatives nearby the units?

Thank you!