Self-Managing vs. Hiring a Property Manager in 2025: Which Is Right for You?
The real cost, control, and convenience comparison—plus a smarter way to do both with Nextpad Homes
If you own a rental property in 2025, you’ve likely asked yourself:
“Should I manage this property myself, or hire a property manager?”
It’s a fair question—especially with rising tenant expectations, new landlord regulations, and the pressure to keep cash flow strong.
And while hiring a full-service property manager might seem easier, it’s not always better—or more profitable.
This post breaks down:
✅ The pros and cons of self-managing vs. hiring help
✅ What each option really costs (in time and money)
✅ Why many landlords are choosing a third option: tech-powered self-management
✅ And how Nextpad Homes gives you the freedom to manage smarter—without full-service fees
Quick Comparison: Self-Managing vs. Property Manager
Pros of Self-Managing a Rental
Self-managing isn’t just for DIY fanatics. In 2025, with the right tools, it’s the preferred path for thousands of smart landlords.
Benefits include:
Higher Profit Margins – Keep 100% of the rent (no 10% cut)
Full Control – You choose tenants, vendors, lease terms, and upgrades
Direct Tenant Relationships – Faster communication and issue resolution
Better Insight – Know your property performance inside and out
✅ Nextpad Homes makes self-management scalable with tools for rent collection, leasing, maintenance, communication, and accounting—on autopilot.
Drawbacks of Self-Managing
While self-managing gives you control, it’s not without challenges—especially if you’re disorganized or not using tech to stay efficient.
Common struggles:
Time-consuming coordination (especially for repairs and turnovers)
Legal risk if you’re unfamiliar with landlord-tenant laws
Manual rent tracking or lease renewal reminders
Difficult to scale beyond a few properties without systems
But these are solvable—Nextpad is built to remove those roadblocks.
Pros of Hiring a Property Manager
Property managers handle the day-to-day tasks, which can be worth the cost if you:
Own multiple units across different cities
Live far from the property
Treat your rental strictly as passive income
Want nothing to do with tenant interaction
What they typically offer:
Tenant screening
Rent collection
Maintenance coordination
Legal notices and lease enforcement
Lease renewals and property marketing
Drawbacks of Hiring a Property Manager
For many landlords, full-service property management isn’t worth the price or the tradeoffs.
Watch out for:
High costs (8–12% of monthly rent + leasing, renewal, and setup fees)
Slower response times to maintenance or tenant requests
Inconsistent quality across different managers
Loss of control over tenant selection, spending, and repairs
Bottom line: You’re still responsible for the property—but now you’re paying someone else to communicate on your behalf.
The Smart Third Option: Self-Manage with the Right Tools
In 2025, landlords don’t have to choose between:
Time-consuming spreadsheets, or
Expensive third-party managers
Thanks to platforms like Nextpad Homes, you can self-manage with structure, automation, and ease.
How Nextpad Homes Simplifies Self-Management
With Nextpad, you get:
✅ You get the power of a property manager—without the monthly cut.
Who Should Self-Manage in 2025?
You’re a great fit for self-management if you:
Own 1–10 rental units
Want more control and transparency
Are comfortable using tech (or willing to learn)
Want to maximize cash flow
Need a scalable system that grows with your portfolio
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Control or Convenience
In the past, you had two choices:
🔹 Manage everything yourself (and deal with the chaos), or
🔹 Pay someone else (and give up control + cash flow)
In 2025, there’s a better way.
With Nextpad Homes, you can:
Lease faster
Collect rent on autopilot
Handle repairs without stress
Stay legally compliant
Manage your rentals like a business—without hiring one
👉 Thinking about switching to self-management?
Use Nextpad Homes to make the leap—and manage like a pro without the overhead.