All Forum Posts by: Gia Hermosillo

Hi fellow PMs! I’m a property manager based in Columbus, OH, and I’m looking to build strong referral connections with other pros across the state.

We occasionally get inquiries that don’t quite fit our model—and I’d much rather send them your way than turn them down. So if you work with any of the following, I’d love to get your info:
✔️ Short-term or mid-term rentals
✔️ Commercial properties
✔️ Owner-occupied or partially-occupied units
✔️ Furnished long-term rentals
✔️ Owners who want to use their own vendors

We focus exclusively on hands-off, fully managed residential rentals—our sweet spot is working with investors (often remote) who want a tech-driven, streamlined experience.
Think: real-time maintenance tracking, clean reporting, transparency, and the ability to manage everything from a distance without skipping a beat.

If you ever get inquiries from owners that want something more “plug-and-play” and don’t live near their investment, we’re happy to help. And if you ever need a trusted PM contact in Columbus or nearby, I’d love to be your go-to.

Let’s connect, swap info, and build a little support network of managers who truly understand the value of staying in your lane and referring out what doesn’t fit.

Shoot me a message—I'd love to know what you specialize in and how we can support each other!

Let’s start with this:
You probably have great taste. Seriously—most owners who ask about this have beautiful, well-designed spaces and high hopes that someone else will love and appreciate it, too.

But here’s the thing: when it comes to long-term rentals, “partially furnished” often creates more problems than value—for both you and your tenant.

Here's why:
🔹 We can't screen for taste.
Your future tenant might be responsible and respectful—but that doesn't mean they love the mid-century console table or know how to care for a vintage rug.

🔹 Sentimental value is risky.
If that piece of art or that armchair carries personal meaning, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Tenants live in homes differently than owners do. And even with the best of intentions, things happen.

🔹 Wear, tear & replacement are your responsibility.
Once you include furniture, you’re also responsible for maintaining it. A broken chair? That’s now a work order. A scratched dining table? That becomes a potential dispute.

🔹 It can limit your tenant pool.
Many long-term renters already own furniture—or prefer a blank canvas. Leaving some items behind can confuse, clutter, or even turn people away.

The exception? Fully furnished short-term rentals or corporate housing, where furnishing is part of the product. But in standard long-term rentals, less is often more.

🎯 Bottom line: If you're attached to it, insure it, store it, or keep it.
If you're renting long-term, aim for clean, neutral, and empty. Your future self—and your tenant—will thank you.

Have you had experience renting furnished units? What worked (or didn’t)? Let’s swap stories.

pro property management Is the best! I would not recommend anyone else in your area. The owner is incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable. Give them a call. 

That’s such a smart question, Joseph—and a huge green flag from an owner. Flexibility in strategy is key, especially as markets shift. A good manager should either adapt or be honest about where their strengths end. Either way, clarity up front saves a ton of headaches later. 👏 Thanks for bringing that up!

When you’re hiring a property manager, don’t hold back. Ask the hard questions. Ask the detailed ones. Ask how we communicate, what systems we use, how we handle conflict, maintenance, late rent, emergencies, the works.

Why? Because you're not just hiring a service—you’re choosing a partnership. And like any strong partnership, trust and alignment are everything.

The truth is, when there’s clarity up front, magic happens. Expectations are clear. Boundaries are respected. You sleep better knowing your property is handled, and your manager can do what they do best: manage.

But when there's a mismatch—when an owner feels the need to double-check every decision or manage the manager—it becomes hard to create the results both sides want.

We love working with owners who are engaged and curious. We want you to feel confident. So don’t rush onboarding—use that time to really get to know us. Ask about our process. Ask how we’d handle a tricky situation. Ask what keeps us up at night.

Because when you choose the right fit, you won’t feel the need to micromanage.
And we’ll be able to serve you at 100%.

🎯 If you're exploring property management right now, ask yourself:
Do I trust this person to act in my best interest when I’m not watching?
If the answer is yes—you’ve probably found your team.

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned in real estate is that great outcomes don’t happen in silos—they happen through smart collaboration.

Realtors are masters at finding opportunities, reading the market, and guiding buyers through high-stakes decisions.
Property managers? We're the ones who keep those investments healthy and performing after the keys are handed over.

When we work together from the start, magic happens.
Because a property manager doesn’t just see a property—we see future maintenance trends, rental potential, operating costs, tenant patterns, and long-term performance.

And when a realtor brings that perspective into the deal early on, they’re not just selling a property—they’re setting their clients up for success.

I've seen it firsthand: the investor who made a smarter decision because their agent said, “Let's loop in a property manager before we write the offer.”
That kind of foresight builds trust, confidence, and long-term results.

So here’s a thought:
💡 If you’re a realtor working with investors, start building those relationships with property managers you trust.
And if you’re a property manager, take time to support the realtors who are in it for the long game.

Because when we align early, we all win—especially the client.

🔗 I’d love to hear how you approach teamwork in real estate.

@Jared Bruce

Hi! I'd love to chat and see how we can help each other.

For the longest time, I kept hearing, “Don’t get a job—find what you’re good at and charge for it!”
But for me, it was the other way around.

I found a job first, and then I kept asking myself, What am I really good at? Every time a mentor or coach asked, “What would you do if you could do it for free?” my answer was always the same: Helping people.

And that’s where I struggled. The idea of monetizing something I genuinely wanted to do for free felt… wrong.

Then I came across the word “ikigai”—a Japanese concept that represents the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. And suddenly, it clicked.

I realized I was exactly where I was meant to be.

I love my job because it brings real meaning and fulfillment to my days. Like when I helped Jane Doe, a property owner halfway across the country, sleep soundly during a blizzard—because even though she’s used to sunny California, she knew her property was in good hands. She trusted me, and she was right to do so.

I take pride in fixing the things that frustrated her before:

✅ Lack of communication? No worries, Jane—you see exactly what I see in maintenance, in real time.
✅ Endless phone extensions before reaching someone? Solved! You have a single point of contact here.
✅ No records of past inspections? Not a problem—ours are always available to you.

And while I was solving these problems, I found something bigger.
I found ikigai.

I’m incredibly grateful to work with like-minded professionals who believe in refining our processes to better serve people. And I see the impact of that every day.

Of course, there are stressful moments. Emergencies. Unexpected repairs. Difficult calls. But at the end of the day, that same love for what I do drives me to find solutions.
It strengthens the trust Jane has in me.
And that, right there, gives me even more reasons to love my job.

Have you ever had a moment where you realized you were exactly where you were meant to be? What was it?

One of the wildest experiences I’ve had in property management happened on the very first day of managing a new property.

I was conducting onboarding calls, getting familiar with tenants, when suddenly—the ceiling collapsed on a tenant’s back.

The tenant had reported the issue for over 14 months to the previous property manager, but nothing had been done. Naturally, they were furious and quickly pursued legal action.

Thankfully, our team had thoroughly documented everything from day one. The initial condition report, tenant communications, and maintenance requests were properly recorded, proving that this issue had existed long before our management began.

When the lawsuit came in, both the property owner and our company were off the hook—all because we had a clear, well-documented paper trail showing that the negligence occurred under the previous management.

This situation reinforced one of the most valuable lessons in property management: Documentation isn’t just paperwork—it’s protection.

✅ Always keep thorough records

✅ Make communication traceable

✅ Ensure maintenance requests are properly logged and addressed

You never know when good documentation will save you from a nightmare scenario.

What’s the wildest property management situation you’ve encountered? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇

If you’re looking for the next big investment opportunity, Columbus should be on your radar. Ranked among the top 10 cities for real estate investors in 2024, Columbus offers a booming economy, strong rental demand, and affordable home prices—a rare trifecta for maximizing ROI.

Why Columbus?

• Steady Growth – Home to Ohio State University (the largest college in the U.S.) and major Fortune 500 companies like Cardinal Health, Nationwide Insurance, and L Brands, Columbus attracts a steady influx of students, professionals, and job seekers every year.
• Strong Rental Market – With a growing population and a high demand for housing, rental properties are in constant demand, making it a prime market for investors.
• Affordable Prices – Unlike other hot markets, Columbus still offers below-national-average home prices (around $275,000 median), giving investors a chance to buy in before prices climb even higher.