David Crown, CEO and Founder of L.A. Property Management Group and Crown Commercial Property Management.
If owning rental property were as easy as collecting checks and sipping cocktails by the beach, I’d be out of a job—and you’d be on that beach. But reality check: Managing income property isn’t passive. It’s more like babysitting a very expensive, legally complicated and sometimes leaky building.
That’s why hiring the right property manager might be the smartest move you make as an investor. It can make you really glad you’re in the business. Hiring the wrong manager might end with you leaving the business. I’ve been in this business long enough to see both scenarios play out. So let me help you avoid the horror stories and find someone who will protect your investment—and your sanity.
Stop Asking About Price First
A lot of property owners start their search by asking, “How much do you charge?” You’ll find people that will manage for next to nothing. And that will be the level of service you get. Don’t get me wrong—cost matters. But if that’s your first question, you may be missing the bigger picture. What you really want to know is: What value am I getting for the money?
A great property manager does more than collect rent and call plumbers. They’re your strategic partner. They optimize rent pricing. They reduce turnover. They make sure your building complies with the 47 random rules the city dreamed up last Tuesday. And they’ll do all of that while keeping you informed and relaxed (as much as that’s possible).
Dig Deeper Than The Basics
When you’re interviewing property managers, don’t stop at the basics like fees and maintenance response time. Ask how they screen tenants, how often they inspect the property, and what they do when someone stops paying rent. Ask how many properties each manager is responsible for. You want a manager who knows your property, not just your unit count. Hint: When you ask, “How often do you inspect my property?” the golden follow-up is, “Will you send me an inspection report each time?”
And don’t be fooled by flashy marketing. Anyone can build a slick website and toss around terms like “full service” and “concierge-level support.” What matters is execution. Do they answer your emails? Do they send you financials on time? Do they visit often enough that they can find your property without needing GPS?
Remember: Tech Is Great, But People Still Matter
Technology is great—and yes, every manager should have an online portal these days—but it’s not a substitute for good judgment. You want someone who uses tech to improve service, not someone who hides behind it. Automation should make things easier, not make you feel like you’re managing your manager.
Also, location matters—especially in places like Los Angeles, where one wrong move with rent control or building compliance can turn into a five-figure mistake. A local manager with hands-on experience in your neighborhood is going to be far more valuable than a big national chain trying to apply out-of-state systems to your property.
Maintenance Can Make Or Break Your Returns
Maintenance is where most of your net operating income (NOI) goes to die—or grow, if your manager knows what they’re doing. A good manager doesn’t just call the nearest handyman and hope for the best. They vet their vendors, keep costs under control and push back on inflated bids.
Look For Transparency And Trust
Let’s talk about transparency for a second. If a manager only tells you “everything’s fine” every month, be skeptical. A solid property manager communicates regularly and honestly. They’ll let you know when there’s a problem—and they’ll bring a plan to fix it. If your manager disappears when you have questions or avoids direct answers, that’s a red flag with a siren attached.
And don’t overlook personality. You’re entering into a long-term relationship here. You don’t need to be best friends, but you do need someone you can talk to, trust and work with—especially when things get messy. If they’re already slow to respond during the sales process, imagine how they’ll be when your tenant calls about a sewage backup.
A True Partner In Your Investment
Bottom line: You’re not just hiring someone to manage a property. You’re hiring someone to help you grow your investment. The right property manager will make your life easier, your building run smoother and your returns stronger. The wrong one? Well, let’s just say your next hobby may be learning landlord-tenant law by heart.
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