Hiring a property manager often means fewer headaches and more freedom. Instead of juggling maintenance calls, chasing late rent, or handling lease paperwork, you’ll have a professional taking care of it all. You’ll only need to step in for big decisions, which frees up your time — and lets you live wherever you want without being tied to the property.

Deciding whether to hire a property manager or go the DIY route comes down to how involved you want to be — and how big you want to grow. If you enjoy being hands-on, don’t mind the late-night repair calls, and only have one or two units, managing things yourself might work just fine.

A property manager takes the daily workload off your plate by handling the core responsibilities of running a rental. That means setting competitive rent prices, screening and placing tenants, managing leases, collecting rent, and dealing with maintenance issues as they come up. They’re the point person for everything your property needs to run smoothly — so you don’t have to be.

Start by looking for licensed professionals with experience managing properties like yours. Check online reviews, ask for referrals, and interview a few managers to compare communication style, fee structure, and services offered.

Ask about their experience, how they screen tenants, how they handle maintenance requests, and what fees they charge. Also ask how often they’ll update you and how they manage legal issues like evictions.

Most charge a monthly fee based on a percentage of the rent collected, typically between 8% and 12%. Some also charge additional fees for leasing, maintenance coordination, or lease renewals. The exact rate is largely dependent on the types and level of services a company offers.

Yes. Many property managers work with individual landlords who own just one rental. Hiring a manager for a single property is common, especially if you’re short on time or don’t live nearby.

Yes. Most property managers coordinate routine maintenance, respond to repair requests, and have a network of vendors for plumbing, electrical, landscaping, and more.

Most manage single-family homes, multifamily units, condos, townhouses, and even small apartment buildings. Some also specialize in commercial or vacation rentals.