23. Should You Hire a Property Manager for Your Short-Term Rental?
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Airbnb Roadmap, I tackle one of the biggest questions every short-term rental host eventually faces: Should you hire a property manager, or take the reins and self-manage? While I’ve always gone the self-management route, I’ve learned a lot from friends and fellow hosts about both sides of this decision—and I’m breaking it all down for you. From the pros and cons to the red flags and must-ask questions, this episode is packed with real-world insight to help you decide what’s right for your short-term rental journey.
Key Takeaways
- What a short-term rental property manager actually does
- The biggest pros of hiring a property manager (hello, time savings!)
- Major cons to watch out for—like losing your reviews if you ever switch
- Real talk about costs, control, and communication gaps
- Red flags and must-ask questions before hiring a manager
- Why I believe automation can give you the best of both worlds
- The one nationwide property manager that gets it (spoiler: it’s Evolve)
Why Listen to This Episode?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a property manager—or felt overwhelmed by the idea of doing it all yourself—this episode is your decision-making cheat sheet. You’ll walk away with the clarity you need to either confidently delegate or strategically automate. Plus, I share some personal stories (like a flooded basement and a board game night gone wrong) that’ll give you a real sense of what it’s like to be in the hosting trenches.
Mentioned in the Episode
- Sign up with Hospitable: Every dollar counts when it comes to investing. Save $30 when you sign up under the link below! Save time and money today!
- Evolve, Property Management Company: Want to be hands off on your business and still make money? Start exploring Evolve today using the link below!
- Connect with Me on Instagram: Follow me @airbnbroadmappodcast for behind-the-scenes content, tips, and updates.
Let’s Connect
Thinking about hiring a property manager or self-managing your Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.
Work With Me
Want help setting up or scaling your short-term rental? Let’s work together! Learn more about how I help investors and hosts build profitable, guest-loved properties—without the stress.
👉 frontporchrealtywi.com
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome + Today’s Topic
00:53 – What Property Managers Do
03:30 – Pros of Hiring a Property Manager
06:23 – Real-Life Emergency Story
08:49 – Property Managers & Reviews
10:29 – Costs, Communication & Control
12:12 – Major Cons to Consider
18:26 – Losing the Personal Touch
20:52 – Damage Fees & Review Risks
22:10 – Red Flags to Look For
26:15 – Smart Questions to Ask
28:58 – Evolve as a National Option
31:54 – Do YOU Need a Property Manager?
33:00 – Final Thoughts & Let’s Connect
Subscribe and Share
If this episode helped you out, I’d love it if you subscribed and left a review. Know someone debating between hiring or self-managing? Share this with them—it might be just what they need!
