Choosing a property manager is one of the most important decisions a landlord makes — and yet it is often made on headline fee alone. The fee matters, but it is rarely the thing that determines whether owning an investment property feels effortless or exhausting.
Ask who will actually manage your property
In larger agencies, your property can pass through several hands in a year. Ask directly: who is my property manager, how many properties do they manage, and how do I reach them? Consistency of contact is one of the strongest predictors of a good experience.
Look for communication, not just process
Good management is proactive. You should hear about a routine inspection outcome, a lease expiry or a maintenance issue before you have to ask. A manager who communicates early prevents most problems from becoming expensive ones.
Questions worth asking
- How long do your properties typically take to lease?
- How do you screen and verify tenant applications?
- How will I be kept informed, and how often?
- What is your approach to routine maintenance?
A boutique agency can answer all of these clearly because the people you meet are the people who do the work. That is the difference we built Marshall SA around.
