Advice for Starting Property Management Business

Advice for Starting Property Management Business

Real Estate Agent · Windsor, CO · Member since 2017 · 39 posts · 24 votes

Hello BP Family,

I've managed my own properties for over a decade and I'm looking to start a property management business where I manage other investor's rental properties.  I have over a decade experience managing my own short/medium/long term rentals.

That being said, I'm not really sure where to start in managing other's properties (I may be overthinking this quite a bit).   I'm debating on growing my own business from the ground up or potentially starting a franchise.   I'd love input from managers from both perspectives.

I like the idea of a franchise with a system in place already.  However, I don't like the potential constraints with growth on this (territory size, royalties, franchise fees, etc).

I also like the idea of starting my own business from the ground up.  However, I feel like there's a lot of potential to run into a lot of walls/pitfalls that can cost a ton of time/money if I do this route.

At the end of the day, I want to put a lot of emphasis on using the newest technologies to streamline the business as much as possible.  I feel like I need a lot more structure when managing other's properties and I want to make sure I do this right


Appreciate any and all thoughts!

-Rich

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Drew SygitBusiness Member
Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
2y

@Rich Emery if you're not EXTREMELY organized, you'll spend every day with your "hair on fire", making critical mistakes that cost your clients - and you'll get burnt out.

Don't forget to research the licensing requirements of PMCs. 

Also, check out NARPM.com!

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  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    2y

    @Rich Emery if you're not EXTREMELY organized, you'll spend every day with your "hair on fire", making critical mistakes that cost your clients - and you'll get burnt out.

    Don't forget to research the licensing requirements of PMCs. 

    Also, check out NARPM.com!

  • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    When someone buys into any franchise they are really buying the name recognition and their systems. To my knowledge there aren't many nationally recognized brands for PM. So, you would really be buying into their systems. It might be better to partner with a successful PM that could help you with the systems, brand recognition, and give you that shoulder to shoulder training.

  • Greg WeikBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 263 posts · 327 votes
    2y

    Brand recognition is not really something landlords hire when they hire a PMC. 

    A franchise is only "worth it" to the degree their systems are outstanding and can guide you through the process of acquiring and managing the doors.  

    I compete with the major PMC franchises in Denver: Real Property Management, KeyRenter, Renters Warehouse, etc.  We take their lunch money every year because clients ultimately don't care about the brand - it's the systems, training, communication, and people that can keep clients happy (or not.) 

    I agree with the sentiment of "you must be highly organized."  This business is not "real estate" as many think it is.  This business is more closely related to manufacturing, if I had to guess.  Every property goes down the assembly line and everyone has to do their job perfectly or at the end of the line the wheels fall off and the car bursts into flames. 

    It's not an easy business, but it's incredibly profitable and rewarding if done right.  Good luck!

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  • Property Manager · Illinois, Indiana & Wisconsin but call center all 50 states · Member since 2020 · 92 posts · 32 votes
    2y

    Hi Rich. I, like you, have managed my family properties for many years. Managing investors' properties is not the same at all. I chose to build my PM business from ground.To create a working system and to organize processes is difficult in the beginning, but to my experience it is possible to create a working model based on personal knowledges and then to provide a high level of service to the clients. My IT background also helped me speed up processes. Personal brand in Property Management is not easy but possible.

    Feel free to ask me if you have any questions

  • Gregory SchwartzBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · College Station, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    @Rich Emery thanks for asking the question. Im in a similar position with investor clients asking if I would manage their units for them. 

    I have similar questions but I'm also wondering if the margins in PM are worth it?

  • Corby GoadeBusiness Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    2y

    If you are successfully self managing at a reasonable scale, I'd hope you would have some systems already in place. 

    Is property management regulated by the real estate commission in CO? That's an important piece to know before you look at managing for others. 

    I built a PM business from the ground up based on the processes we created from our own properties and I'm happy I did. 

    Reach out to your local NARPM chapter and attend a few meetings. You'll get all kinds of value and advice from other memebers. 

    Best of luck!

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