How do you find a Property Manager for a STR in another city?

[Joel Fine]

I'm thinking about buying a few properties in another state with the intent to run them as Short Term Rentals. I'd like to be as hands-off as reasonably possible, once I get them set up. Does anyone have any tips for finding a good, trustworthy Property Manager who can handle Short Term Rentals?

I do understand that nothing in life is free, and that I'd have to pay for the service. I'd just have to take that into account when evaluating deals.

In this case, the market I'm considering is Cleveland, Ohio, but I'd welcome any feedback on my question, even if it's not specific to that city.

[John Underwood]

Originally posted by @Luke Carl:

@Joel Fine

I Self Manage 5 properties remotely with my iPhone. Local PMs in my market (Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg Wears Valley which is almost entirely vacation rentals) charge 40% so it’s difficult to turn the amount of profit I’m looking for which is BIG. 

I also have a day job a family 3 dogs, have run 19 full marathons and 2 ultras, have 5 LTRs that I self manage. Give self management a try Its easy.

I agree with Lucas. It's all about you support staff. The main thing you need is a great cleaning person or company. They are your eyes and ears they can restock supplies and get the house ready for the next guests. VRBO and Airbnb make it easy to run the business collect money maintain your calendar, send automated responses for some things. Let them replace a PM and just get a great cleaning person. As Lucas said you might not be able to be profitable after paying 30% to 40% to a PM. There charging that off the top. Then you have to pay the mortgage, cleaner, utilities, upkeep and repairs etc. Makes it near impossible to make any money with a PM. Even if you could make money you'd make a lot more not using them.