First time property manager

[Jerome Benedict Norton]

I am currently in the Marine Corps and am stationed in Chesapeake, VA. I transition out in July, while my 3 friends are all leaving here to get stationed elsewhere. We all have houses in the area, and they are looking to rent out their houses while using property management companies. While discussing renting my own house out with my cousin, he has multiple properties of his own, he suggested pitching to them that I manage their properties for them at a lower rate. This is all new to me but i am excited to learn, I will be a full time student next fall but will have plenty of time manage their properties. How do I pitch to them that this is a good option vs using an experienced property manager. What are some good tips for property management starting out?

[Denise Supplee]

Hi @Jerome Benedict Norton, First, thank you for your service. This could be a great opportunity! I used to be a property manager, and the biggest difference between someone trying it out and someone trusted with assets is systems. Your friends are not just hiring you to save money, they are hiring you for communication, tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and protecting their property while they are away.

When you pitch it, focus less on the lower fee and more on the value. Emphasize responsiveness, transparency, strong screening standards, and clear reporting. That said, be honest about your learning curve and consider starting with one property first so you can build processes before scaling.

Also check your state requirements, since some areas require licensing to manage property for others.