First vacation rental- property manager advice

[Derek Larson]

Looking at buying first investment property. Houses and location narrowed down. It is a couple hours from my house so need property manager. Is it weird to call a couple and give them brief description of house and location and get rough numbers. Can I give them address?

Thanks

[Julie McCoy]

If you've got location and property narrowed down but don't know your rough numbers, it's not an investment.  It's fine to buy a vacation home/future retirement spot and put it to work in the meantime, but be clear-eyed about what you're doing.  

I think it'd be fine to call a couple of PMs and tell them what you're looking at and ask their opinion - they may even be able to help you pick the most viable option for revenue.  

A lot of us self-manage our properties, which for most of us are long-distance - it's not difficult and if you want to maximize revenue, it's definitely what you want to do.  But if you want a hands-off experience and to just help offset the costs of this new property, talk to the local PMs and see who will be right for you.