Look for a manager who’s upfront about all potential costs, so there are no surprises down the road.Communication is Everything:A reliable property manager should communicate well—not just with you, but with tenants too.

Recommend you connect & communicate with @Russell Brazil who knows a bit about the Baltimore market.In the meantime, read below about how nightmares often occur:Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

Mike is correct this would be viewed as self help.

All communications have to be through email, which is some cases is great, but in others it is horrificly time-consuming and inefficient. 

Reviews are a significant asset, and losing them can hurt future bookings.If a PM needs access to manage bookings, update pricing, or handle guest communication, they can still do so without owning the listing.

In this last year, their communication with me has become almost silent. 

You'll need a reliable network of local professionals (plumbers, electricians, handymen) you can trust.Hiring a Property Manager:Peace of Mind: They handle day-to-day operations, tenant communications, and legal compliance.Local Expertise: They understand the local market trends and rental laws in Colorado Springs.Cost: While there’s a fee, many find it worth the reduction in stress and time commitment.Lessons Learned from ExperienceBuild a Strong Local Team: Even if you manage the property yourself, having a dependable local handyman and a real estate attorney can save you headaches.Leverage Technology: Utilize property management software for rent collection, maintenance requests, and tenant screening.

If that is the case then entering $0 sounds correct. 3.

You can even offer them referral fees or partial ownership, if feasible.I also emphasize the importance of effective communication and weekly meetings with the power team.

I believe New York is attorney state, so we have to use attorney to do double closing and assignment deals, correct?