Renting out a home might sound simple, but it quickly becomes clear how many moving parts are involved. From tenant screening and legal compliance to maintenance and rent collection, being a landlord means taking on a second job. That’s why many homeowners wrestle with the decision: should I manage it all myself or hand things over to a professional property manager?
HomeRiver Group is one of the largest and most trusted property management companies in the United States. With offices in over 60 markets and decades of experience under our belt, we handle everything from leasing and maintenance to compliance and portfolio growth. We bring consistency, scalability, and peace of mind to both first-time landlords and seasoned investors.
In this piece, we’ll help you decide whether you need a property manager to rent your home or if managing it yourself is the right fit.
The DIY Approach: Can You Manage A Rental Property Yourself?
Taking the do-it-yourself route can seem appealing, especially if you're trying to cut costs or like the idea of being hands-on. Managing your rental property on your own means you'll be responsible for marketing the property, screening tenants, collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, dealing with legal paperwork, and ensuring compliance with local and state laws.
For some owners, particularly those with only one nearby property and a flexible schedule, this can work, but it often takes more time and energy than expected. Tenant issues rarely arise at convenient times, and even minor mistakes can lead to costly legal complications or prolonged vacancies.
You also need to be comfortable navigating fair housing laws, drafting lease agreements, and coordinating repairs quickly. If you’re treating your rental as a business, self-management requires the same level of attention and accountability you’d give any business venture.
While DIY management may offer savings upfront, the risk of turnover, legal missteps, or missed rent can quickly add up, especially when industry experience or the right support systems are not in place.
What Does A Property Manager Do?
If you're weighing the pros and cons of managing your rental property yourself, it's important to understand exactly what a property manager handles and why so many homeowners turn to them for support.
A property manager acts as the middle point between you and your tenants. Their responsibilities typically include marketing the property, screening applicants, handling lease agreements, collecting rent, coordinating repairs, managing tenant communication, and ensuring compliance with local housing regulations. They also provide critical oversight when it comes to inspections, maintenance follow-through, and lease enforcement.
You can explore a detailed breakdown of what does a property manager do in our dedicated guide.
In short, they handle the day-to-day so you don’t have to, freeing up your time while helping protect your investment. For many owners, the tradeoff between time, stress, and long-term value makes this service well worth the cost.
Benefits Of Hiring A Property Manager Like HomeRiver Group
Hiring a professional property manager isn’t just about convenience; it’s about getting the most value out of your rental investment while avoiding common pitfalls that can cost you time and money. HomeRiver Group offers full-service property management solutions tailored to both first-time and experienced landlords.
Here are a few key benefits of partnering with a team like HomeRiver Group:
Consistent, High-Quality Tenants
HomeRiver Group uses proven screening systems to place qualified tenants, reducing the risk of late payments, property damage, or early lease terminations. With years of experience evaluating rental applications, we help minimize the guesswork involved in tenant selection.
Fewer Vacancies And Faster Leasing
We handle marketing, showings, and move-ins with efficiency. Our team knows how to price your rental competitively based on local market data and present your property in a way that attracts interest quickly, keeping your property occupied and income steady.
Maintenance Without The Stress
From routine maintenance to emergency repairs, our network of vetted vendors helps keep your property in top condition. You won’t need to chase down contractors or handle 2 a.m. phone calls; we’ve got it covered.
Legal Compliance And Risk Reduction
Navigating rental laws can be complex, especially across different states and municipalities. HomeRiver Group helps ensure compliance with housing regulations, lease documentation, fair housing laws, and eviction protocols, lowering your risk of legal trouble.
Scalable Management For Any Portfolio
Whether you own a single rental or a growing portfolio, we tailor our services to fit your needs. With offices nationwide, HomeRiver Group supports landlords in multiple markets with consistent, high-quality service.
Cost Comparison: DIY Vs Hiring A Property Manager
One of the biggest factors in deciding whether to hire a property manager is cost. At first glance, managing the property yourself might seem like the cheaper route, but it’s important to compare the true costs of both approaches, including time, risk, and long-term return on investment.
Upfront And Ongoing Costs
When you hire a property manager like HomeRiver Group, you typically pay a monthly management fee (often a percentage of the rent) plus leasing or placement fees. While this is a real cost, it covers a wide range of services, from marketing and tenant screening to maintenance coordination and rent collection.
In contrast, self-managing means saving on management fees, but taking on all those tasks yourself, or paying others on a case-by-case basis (often at higher rates). You also carry more risk for vacancies, late payments, and legal issues if something goes wrong.
Time As A Cost
Your time has value. Self-managing landlords often underestimate how much of it is spent answering tenant questions, scheduling repairs, or navigating paperwork. If you're managing during evenings or weekends, it can quickly become a second job. Property managers take that weight off your schedule.
Long-Term ROI
Professional property management often leads to better tenant retention, shorter vacancy periods, and better-maintained properties, all of which impact your long-term returns. What you spend on fees may come back to you in the form of increased income, property value, and peace of mind.
How To Rent Out Your House With A Property Manager
Partnering with a property manager is a straightforward process, especially when working with an experienced team like HomeRiver Group. Our goal is to make the transition smooth, whether you’re renting out a property for the first time or handing off management duties from a previous setup.
You can follow this guide on how to rent out your house with a property manager to see the process in more detail, but here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
Step 1: Schedule A Property Assessment
It starts with a consultation. A HomeRiver Group representative will evaluate your property and walk you through services, pricing, and what to expect. We’ll also provide market insights to help you price your rental competitively.
Step 2: Sign The Management Agreement
Once you decide to move forward, we’ll draft a clear agreement outlining services, fees, and responsibilities. This protects both parties and ensures expectations are aligned.
Step 3: Prepare The Property For Leasing
We’ll help coordinate any needed repairs or touch-ups to get your property rent-ready. Clean, well-maintained homes attract better tenants, and we’re here to guide that process.
Step 4: Marketing, Screening, And Leasing
HomeRiver Group handles professional listings, property showings, tenant screening, and lease preparation. Once a qualified tenant is approved, we finalize the lease and coordinate move-in.
Step 5: Ongoing Management And Support
From move-in day forward, we manage tenant communication, maintenance requests, rent collection, inspections, and more, keeping your rental on track while keeping you informed.
How Property Managers Add Value During Tenant Turnover
Tenant turnover is one of the most critical and often underestimated phases in rental property management. A vacant property doesn’t just pause income; it opens the door to potential property damage, security risks, and longer leasing cycles.
Professional property managers, such as HomeRiver Group, are equipped to handle turnover efficiently and strategically, helping to reduce vacancy time and protect your property’s value.
Here’s how they add value during this phase:
Move-Out Inspections: A thorough inspection is conducted to assess damages beyond normal wear and tear. This ensures security deposit deductions are documented and legally sound.
Coordinated Repairs and Cleaning: Maintenance teams are dispatched quickly, and professional cleaning is arranged so the property is market-ready without delays.
Competitive Repricing: Managers review market trends to recommend an updated rent rate that balances speed of lease-up with rental income goals.
Marketing and Re-listing: The listing goes live across high-traffic rental platforms with updated photos and descriptions, often within days of vacancy.
Showings and Screening: New applicants are pre-qualified, scheduled, and screened using criteria that help minimize future turnover or payment issues.
This streamlined process minimizes downtime and ensures your property continues to generate income, without requiring hands-on coordination from you.
Final Thoughts
Choosing whether to manage your rental property yourself or work with a professional depends on your goals, availability, and comfort with the responsibilities that come with being a landlord.
If you enjoy being hands-on, have time to respond to tenant needs, and are confident navigating legal and maintenance issues, managing the property yourself might work. But for many homeowners, the learning curve, time commitment, and risk make professional management a smarter long-term decision.
HomeRiver Group offers full-service property management designed to reduce stress, protect your investment, and increase your rental’s profitability. With local expertise and nationwide reach, we help homeowners rent confidently and efficiently, without the hassle of going it alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Property Manager
Is it legal to rent out my primary residence without a property manager?
Yes, in most areas you can legally rent out your home without a property manager. However, local regulations may require business licenses, inspections, or adherence to housing codes, so it's important to research your local laws.
Can I hire a property manager just for tenant placement?
Yes. Some property management companies, including HomeRiver Group, offer tenant placement as a standalone service, handling marketing, showings, and screening while you manage the property afterward.
Do I need landlord insurance if I hire a property manager?
Yes. Even with a property manager, you’ll need landlord insurance to protect the property and your liability. Property managers typically require it as part of the service agreement.
Will I still have control over decisions if I hire a property manager?
Yes. Property managers act on your behalf, but you retain ownership and decision-making authority. Most companies allow you to set rules for repairs, rent pricing, and approvals.
Can a property manager help with investment strategy for multiple rentals?
Absolutely. HomeRiver Group offers services for multi-property investors, helping manage portfolios, identify profitable markets, and streamline operations across locations.
Is a property manager worth it if my property is out of state?
Yes, especially in this case. Remote landlords often rely on property managers to be their eyes and ears locally, handling everything from maintenance to tenant issues.
Can I deduct property management fees on my taxes?
In most cases, yes. Property management fees are typically considered a deductible business expense on your rental income taxes. Always check with a tax professional.
What kind of reporting or updates will I receive from a property manager?
HomeRiver Group provides detailed financial reports, maintenance updates, inspection summaries, and communication logs, so you stay informed without being hands-on.
