Managing rentals out of state without a PM?

Question

Right now I have to drive out occasionally for inspection if a neighbor complains, or there is a maintenance issue, etc. It's super rare. With an occupied unit I can usually just have the tenant handle letting a contractor in to do work. Of course when there is turnover I either need a PM or I need to travel there and post up at the house until I find a tenant. So the cost to me would be a flight and rental car, as I would just camp out at the house.

I'm planning on eventually relocating including my rentals in a few years, but as some of my rentals are seasoning equity wise and coming up for capex/repairs, I want to sell and repurchase some out of state before I relocate. But I worry what that would look like as a DIY landlord. I don't like the idea of using a PM due to the cost for very little actual work.

So what is the feasibility of me managing remotely for 1-2 years? What are the issues other than those mentioned?

Renters Warehouse does flat fee $125 a month apparently:

https://renterswarehouse.com/pm/seattle-property-management?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=%2Brental%20%2Bproperty%20management&utm_campaign=Property%20Management%20-%20Seattle&utm_content=Property%20Management&mkwid=s&matchtype=b&device=c&creative=450901469409&network=g&devicemodel=&placement=&adposition=&physicallocation=9033252&campaignid=9897771837&adgroupid=100114394363&adtype=&channel=&st-t=google&vt-k=%2Brental%20%2Bproperty%20management&vt-mt=b&vt-n=g&vt-d=c&vt-c=450901469409&sfpc=9897771837&sfpa=450901469409&gclid=CjwKCAjwps75BRAcEiwAEiACMb04L-9vDQIoenoGs0qVFTJNdIQVXL9KwSQxhGqMlqfHBidKDKGsfBoC3AEQAvD_BwE

There there is the option of hiring a PM just to fill the unit ($$$$) then I take over the management remote, which would largely just be getting contractors to go do work for repairs as needed and the tenant can let them in. Once a year I take a vacation there to check on things (hence why I want to buy in Vegas and Tampa...This is basically what they talk about in THIS article on BP:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/11360/88478-how-to-easily-manage-rental-properties-from-out-of-state

Steve Morris · Answer

Well, I understand saving money, however, I'd ask a few questions on a plan to handle:

1) Tenant has clogged toilet overflowing at 1000PM

2) It's vacant and someone wants a tour tomorrow

3) You have a crap tenant, how do you give notice/FED

4) They institute rent control and you have new rules to follow

5) How do you do service of notice

6) They have too many people in the unit

I think I'd hire one just to learn the new market, but you can do mgmt from a distance.

Zachary Ray · Answer

If you have a renter who will stay for quite a while it could make sense to self manage. There is always a risk though. Obviously it isn't viable for long term, if you plan to sell or get a manager that will be the long term option.

Charles Carillo · Answer

@Jack B.

It sounds like your rentals are very easy to manage other than managing turnover. You can definitely manage them remotely without a PM but having a great handyman is the key to this along with a real estate agent to rent them. If you had this in place, most issues would be handled by them and you would just need to coordinate work.

Managing rentals out of state without a PM?

Managing rentals out of state without a PM?

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