Self-Manage vs. Hire a Property Manager

[John Williams]

Who is self-managing their rental properties?

Who uses a property manager?

Why/why not (either way)?

Pros/cons (either way)?

-John Williams

Property Manager

Clarksville, TN

[Daniel M.]

I, too, am at a crossroads, deciding whether to self-manage my first property or enlist the services of a property management firm. This property is three hours from where I reside, complicating the direct management approach. Having delved into the insights of Brandon Turner and Ken McElroy, I've gained a deeper understanding of property management's ups and downs. Their perspectives have been invaluable in highlighting the nuanced balance between the challenges and rewards this venture entails.

Self-managing, especially given the property's distance, presents unique challenges, primarily revolving around the commitment required for regular maintenance and promptly addressing tenant needs. a property management firm I'm considering offers a fee of 9.9% or an intriguing maintenance-only service at $95 per month. The latter seems to provide a middle ground that could enable professional maintenance oversight while allowing me to retain some control, mainly through tenant communication and management portals like RentRedi.