Self managing long term vs hiring out short term

Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 15 votes

What is the profit to effort ratio between self managing a long term rental and hiring out a short term rental? Are there other important considerations I should keep in mind with a short term rental property manager? Any good recommendations? Thanks

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
1y
Quote from @Tom Grieshammer:

What is the profit to effort ratio between self managing a long term rental and hiring out a short term rental? Are there other important considerations I should keep in mind with a short term rental property manager? Any good recommendations? Thanks

If you self-manage the long-term rental, you can expect 50 hours a year. Most of that will be at the beginning/end of a lease.
If you hire someone to manage a short-term rental for you, your time requirement will be less because you have someone doing the work for you.
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Anja Schaer
Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 146 posts · 72 votes
1y
Hi Tom, self-managing a long-term rental (LTR) beats hiring out a short-term rental (STR) for profit-to-effort—50 hours/year (Nathan's estimate) nets $300-$500/month per unit (2024 Rentometer), while STRs at $150-$250/night (AirDNA 2024) lose 20-30% to fees, cutting gains. With STR managers, check their local know-how, guest reviews, and fees—hidden costs like cleaning add up.

I'm Anja—we co-host for STR/MTR owners in North Atlanta (North Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Paulding). My Cobb LTR triplex nets $1,200/month self-managed, and co-hosted STRs clear $3,000/month. Where are you located? I'd love to suggest a manager or optimize your plan!

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Tom Grieshammer
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Member since 2025 · 25 posts · 15 votes
1y
@Anja Schaer
I live in Cleveland. And I understand what you're saying about more costs with a STR. But even considering, I under that there is greater profit to be expected in a STR than a LTR. So, assuming I hire a good property manager, how much more work would I personally need to do? I'm assuming there is some variation in how much assistance from the owner a property manager expects and that the contract must make our expected roles very clear
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Anja Schaer
Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2022 · 146 posts · 72 votes
1y
You're right, STRs can offer higher profits than LTRs, and a good property manager can definitely ease the workload. They’ll handle most of the day-to-day stuff—guest communication, cleaning, and maintenance. However, you’ll likely still be involved with things like setting prices, approving major repairs, and keeping an eye on finances. It’s important to have a clear contract to make sure roles and expectations are well-defined. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect from the property manager and what’s still on your plate.
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John Reagan Johnson
Gallatin, TN · Member since 2024 · 31 posts · 8 votes
1y
Self managing a long term rental can be simple and not too terribly time consuming if a good, competent tenant is placed. We hope that is always the case, but sometimes things happen. If you are looking to gain time back, and not have to worry about either property, hiring a property manager is a great play.
In terms of the type of rental - long or short term - long term rentals have a lower risk when everything is considered. One tenant for the duration of the 12+ month lease. With short term rentals, there are just more bodies going in and out of the property. This increases risk because every time a new person is introduced to the equation (allowed at the property), they bring with it just a natural amount of risk.
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