What’s the ONE Thing You Wish Your Property Manager Did Better?

Question

Landlords & real estate investors — what is ONE thing you wish your property manager did better?

Not necessarily something that would make you fire them—just that one thing that consistently frustrates you or makes you think, “Why can't they just get this right?”

Communication? Repairs? Tenant screening? Inspections? Accounting? Turnovers? Something completely different?

I'm curious to hear the answers from the owner's side.

Marc Winter · Answer

It's all about timely communications. With that, usually all else falls into place. I prefer emails, (for record-keeping) however an actual phone call from time to time is a great way to build a solid relationship.

After a phone call, I'd always follow up with a brief description of the conversation emailed to the client. Works wonders.

Leo Stein · Answer

Proactive status beats polish for me. When a work order sits more than a couple days, I want a short note on why, who owns the next step, and when to expect an update — before I have to chase it. Same with renewals and vendor quotes over a set dollar amount. Owners usually fire over silence, not one slow repair.

Richard (Ryszard) Cieplechowicz · Answer

Follow-through. If a manager says they'll check on a repair or a payment question, the owner shouldn't have to call back to find out what happened. A short update, even when there's no answer yet, beats silence.

Divin Kanyama · Answer

@Shelley Clements One area many property managers could improve is proactive communication. From the practical experience of owning rental properties, the issue is rarely that problems arise—repairs, late payments, and turnover delays are part of the business. The frustration comes when owners have to repeatedly ask for updates or learn about an issue after it has become more costly.

A practical standard would be simple: identify the issue, explain the recommended solution and expected cost, provide a realistic timeline, and confirm when the matter is resolved. That level of communication helps owners make timely decisions, manage cash flow, and avoid unnecessary surprises.

What’s the ONE Thing You Wish Your Property Manager Did Better?

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