Thinking about managing your own rental properties to save money? In this episode of Lease it or List it, hosts Savannah Dunn and Glynn Crutsinger challenge the belief that self-managing saves you money . They explore the hidden costs of managing rentals yourself—from fraudulent tenant applications to middle-of-the-night emergency calls—and demonstrate why hiring a dedicated, local property manager can protect your investments, your time, and your bottom line .

Contact:

Savannah: https://www.dunnrealtygrouptx.com/

Glynn: https://www.rpmonesource.com/

Key Takeaways

• Management Fees vs. Real Value: Fixating solely on management fees is a costly mistake; low-cost services often rely on offshore call centers that lack local, on-the-ground support when property emergencies happen .

• Preventative Inspections Save Money: Professional property managers perform thorough inspections—capturing hundreds of detailed photos—to resolve minor maintenance issues before they escalate into major repairs and accurately assess security deposit claims .

• Rigorous Screening Prevents Fraud: Property managers perform comprehensive background checks, verifying stubs, calling employers, and checking rental histories to prevent identity theft and fraudulent applications that often bypass basic automated software .

• Access to Vetted Vendor Networks: Professional managers leverage established relationships with reliable, vetted contractors, ensuring rapid emergency response times and volume discounts during catastrophic events like plumbing leaks or floods .

• Broader Marketing Reach: Property management companies place listings on local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and major syndicated sites like Zillow and Redfin, whereas self-managing landlords often rely on scam-heavy platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist .

• The High Price of Evictions: A single eviction can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more in legal fees, court costs, and lost rent—far exceeding the typical annual cost of hiring a property manager .

• Third-Party Distance Preserves Relationships: Managing rentals for family or friends frequently creates personal conflict; utilizing a professional third-party property manager protects personal relationships and ensures enforceability .

LEGAL

Texas law requires all real estate licensees to provide the following Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Service and Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Protection Notice.

Recorded at the Blue Mic Studios:

https://www.bluemicstudios.com/

https://caddooffices.com/

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