{"id":182586,"date":"2025-04-24T14:59:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T20:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=182586"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:00:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T21:00:58","slug":"how-todays-tech-makes-property-managers-obsolete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-todays-tech-makes-property-managers-obsolete","title":{"rendered":"How Today\u2019s Tech Makes Property Managers Obsolete"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Property managers were considered essential for anyone who owned a rental for decades. They handled everything from marketing to lease agreements to maintenance and tenant communication.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">They took their cut, of course, usually between 8% and 12% of your gross rent\u2014sometimes more. And for many landlords, that trade-off seemed worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But here\u2019s the truth in today\u2019s rental market: You probably do not need a property manager anymore. At least, not if you want to maximize your <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/rental-property-cash-flow-analysis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cash flow<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and maintain complete control. Thanks to platforms like <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=diy-property-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, managing your rental property has become more efficient, more affordable, and far less intimidating than it once was.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is for every landlord who has ever wondered: &#8220;Can I <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">really<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> manage this myself?&#8221; The answer is yes, and it may be easier than you think.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Is Property Management<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Really<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before we get into the tech, let\u2019s define what a <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-property-manager\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">property manager<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> traditionally does. Their responsibilities typically include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Listing and marketing the property<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Screening tenants<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Drafting and executing leases<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Collecting rent<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Managing tenant communication<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Coordinating maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Handling lease renewals and legal compliance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">That list used to sound overwhelming. But now, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">almost every one of those tasks can be handled<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> online, many of them with just a few clicks. In most cases, you can automate 80% of the work, leaving you with only the highest-value decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Screening Tenants<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-to-screen-tenants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tenant screening<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> used to require applications, phone calls, and faxed credit reports. Now, it takes just minutes. With TurboTenant, applicants fill out their information online and pay for their background and credit reports. Once submitted, you receive a secure package with everything you need to evaluate the applicant.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">No printer, no calls to credit bureaus, and no awkward meetings are needed. You get a full view of their rental history, financial health, and background in one organized dashboard.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You make the decision, with no property manager needed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marketing Your Rental<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You no longer need to post your rental to every platform manually. You can easily syndicate your listing to over 50 rental sites, including Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com, and others. That means you write one description, upload your photos once, and your property gets exposure across every central platform. You can get your listing in front of thousands of potential renters in less than 15 minutes without spending a dime on third-party marketers or rental agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lease Agreements<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/what-to-include-in-a-lease-agreement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Creating a lease agreement<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> meant hiring an attorney, downloading a generic PDF, or copying someone else\u2019s document online. Today, TurboTenant offers customizable, lawyer-reviewed lease templates tailored to your state\u2019s laws.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">just<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> plug in the property details, lease terms, rent amount, and tenant information.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Within minutes, you have a professional lease you can send for electronic signature. There are even AI Tools to cross reference your lease with existing landlord-tenant laws in your state and get a <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/landlord-toolbox\/lease-agreement-audit-ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">free lease audit<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> no appointments, paperwork, or second-guessing whether it will hold up in court.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rent Collection<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Gone are the days of collecting rent checks, swinging by the property to pick up cash, or wondering if a payment <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is lost<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in the mail. And while peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle may seem convenient, they often lack the professionalism, tracking, and protections landlords need. With online rent collection, tenants can pay securely through bank transfer or credit card. You can set up automatic payment reminders and even include late fee policies that apply automatically if rent is overdue.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As a landlord, you get notified when rent is received and deposited into your account. There is no chasing, no spreadsheets, and no confusion about <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">who\u2019s paid<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and who has not. These software systems even send reminders and auto-apply late fees, so you&#8217;re not the bad guy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Communication and Maintenance Requests<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yes,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> you will still need to communicate with your tenants and coordinate repairs.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> But modern software makes this much simpler.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant allows tenants to message you through a centralized portal, so you do not have to mix business with your text messages or emails. Conversations stay organized and accessible, especially during disputes or renewals.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When maintenance issues arise, tenants can submit requests through the same portal. You can assign those requests to your preferred vendors, track the status, and keep tenants updated without playing phone tag. If you do not have vendors or want to be more hands-off, TurboTenant even offers a maintenance coordination service to handle <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the scheduling for you<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When You Should Consider Managing It Yourself<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not every landlord will want to self-manage forever. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hiring a property manager may make sense if you manage dozens of units across multiple markets or <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">simply<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> want an entirely passive experience.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But if you have a smaller portfolio and want to keep more of your rental income while staying in control, DIY management is more than doable. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In fact,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> it is easier than ever before.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With the right tools, the job no longer requires constant time, stress, or expertise. Most of what used to require phone calls, forms, and gatekeepers live in one dashboard, accessible from your laptop or phone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Financial and Practical Case for Managing It Yourself<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hiring a property manager can quickly eat into your profits. As mentioned, most charge between 8% and 12% of the monthly rent, with additional fees for tenant placement, lease renewals, maintenance coordination, and more. For a single unit, that can add up to thousands of dollars per year, which could be spent working harder for you elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">By managing your rental yourself with a platform like <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=diy-property-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TurboTenant<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, you can save on those costs and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">stay in complete control of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> your investment.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The money you save can be reinvested<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> into property upgrades, used to fund your next deal, or <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">simply<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> boost your monthly cash flow.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Despite managing it yourself, you <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are still offering<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> your tenants a professional, seamless experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Self-management may initially sound intimidating, but it is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">entirely<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> achievable with the right tools. What once required a property manager or whole support team can now be done from your laptop or phone in a few hours a month. TurboTenant gives you everything you need to succeed as a DIY landlord: screening, marketing, leases, rent collection, communication, and maintenance requests, all in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You do not need to fire your property manager if you never hired one in the first place. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">just<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> need the right system\u2014and now, you have one.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Start <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.turbotenant.com\/?utm_source=biggerpockets&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=diy-property-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">managing your rental<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">smarter<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> way with TurboTenant today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Property managers were considered essential for anyone who owned a rental for decades. They handled everything from marketing to lease agreements to maintenance and tenant communication.&nbsp; They took their cut, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":613755,"featured_media":173965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5183],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-182586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landlording"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/613755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}