Managing properties might sound simple in theory—until you dive in and realize how much there is to learn. When I first started managing properties myself, I had to learn a few lessons the hard way.
First Attempt: “Anything You Need”
After completing a property management class, I thought I was ready to take on the world. I’d been taught to focus on the tenant experience, so I went all in. I gave my tenants my personal cell phone number and said, “If you need anything, call me anytime.”
At first, it seemed like I had made the right move. For a couple of months, I didn’t get a single call. But then, the floodgates opened. Picture this: I’d be out to dinner on a Friday night, and my phone would ring. Someone would say, “The lady on the second floor is blasting her music—you need to stop this!”
Suddenly, I was a full-time referee. Tenants called at all hours with issues ranging from noise complaints to a burned-out lightbulb in a light fixture (when the other two bulbs still worked). It became chaotic and overwhelming. I quickly realized that it wasn’t sustainable.
Lesson Learned: Build a Great Team
My “giving my personal number out to tenants” debacle came to a close when I made one of the best decisions of my property management career: I started building a team. By hiring the right people and putting layers of support between myself and the tenants, I was able to regain my sanity and focus on the bigger picture of running my business.
If there’s one lesson I’d pass along to anyone starting out in property management, it’s this: set boundaries early and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Building a reliable team and creating structure will save you endless frustration—and make your business much more successful in the long run.
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