This week’s poll asked real estate owners and operators how they handle property maintenance, and the responses show a clear divide:
43% manage their properties themselves – Hands-on investors who want full control over operations, costs, and decision-making. Works well for small portfolios but can become overwhelming as holdings grow.
29% hire contractors – A flexible approach that allows owners to outsource work on demand without carrying full-time payroll. This works best for those who can efficiently manage vendor relationships.
14% employ in-house staff – More common with larger portfolios, this model ensures dedicated attention but comes with higher fixed costs.
14% use a management company – Completely hands-off, ideal for investors focused on scaling their portfolio rather than daily operations.
Each approach has pros and cons. Self-management saves money but takes time. Contractors offer flexibility but require oversight. Employees provide consistency but add overhead. Property management companies remove the burden but reduce direct control.
What’s your strategy? Do you handle everything in-house, or do you prefer to delegate?