What’s the ONE role on your real estate team you can't live without?

[Okechukwu Treasure C]

I've been following a discussion about building a long-term buy and hold strategy in Ohio.

It got me thinking about everyone's 'Core Four' - Agent, Lender, Property Manager, Contractor.

If you had to pick just one, what's the ONE role on your team that makes the biggest difference to your bottom line? The person who saves you the most headaches or finds you the best deals?

[Jimmy Lieu]

Quote from @Okechukwu Treasure C:

I've been following a discussion about building a long-term buy and hold strategy in Ohio.

It got me thinking about everyone's 'Core Four' - Agent, Lender, Property Manager, Contractor.

If you had to pick just one, what's the ONE role on your team that makes the biggest difference to your bottom line? The person who saves you the most headaches or finds you the best deals?

Great question. For me, the property manager has probably made the biggest impact on my bottom line over the long run. A great PM doesn't just collect rent—they help keep vacancy low, place better tenants, catch maintenance issues before they become expensive problems, and save you a ton of time and stress. A bad property manager can easily cost more than any commission, loan fee, or contractor mistake through turnover, missed rent, and poor tenant screening. That said, I think the answer changes depending on where you are in your investing journey. Early on, a great agent can help you find opportunities and avoid overpaying, while a strong contractor can make or break a value-add deal. But once you start holding multiple properties, the PM becomes the person who is protecting your investment every single day. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks—I've seen successful investors make a strong case for all four positions.