When to Hire a Property Manager

Symple Leases
Sep 15
3 min read

Introduction

Managing your own short-term rental is rewarding, but also demanding. Between guest communication, maintenance, and marketing, it can quickly become a full-time job.

If your occupancy drops during the slow season or hosting is draining your personal time, it may be the perfect moment to hire an STR property manager.

This article breaks down when to hire, what to expect, and how professional management compares to co-hosting or self-management tools.

Here are some tips for successful hosting.

1. The Real Demands of Managing an STR

Running a short-term rental (STR) requires constant attention, including managing guest messages, handling turnovers, addressing repairs, and updating pricing. Guests expect quick responses—even to late-night questions about Wi-Fi or thermostats.

Each turnover must be seamless, and pricing requires regular updates to remain competitive.

For hosts with full-time jobs or multiple listings, this can be overwhelming.

Symple Leases supports busy hosts with professional-grade coordination tools, helping streamline turnovers and inspections even before you hire a manager.

2. Signs It’s Time to Hire an STR Property Manager

a. You’re Losing Time or Flexibility

When guest messaging or cleaning logistics eat into personal time, it’s a sign your STR has outgrown DIY management.

b. You Have Multiple Properties

More listings mean more work – coordinating vendors, standardizing processes, and maintaining consistent quality.

c. You’re Managing Remotely

Distance makes emergencies and inspections difficult. A local property manager provides on-the-ground reliability.

d. You’re Experiencing Burnout

If hosting feels like a chore, management support helps restore work-life balance.

e. You Struggle During the Slow Season

Managers can apply data-driven strategies to stabilize revenue and attract off-season bookings.

STR property manager welcoming guests at short-term rental — A property manager can help relieve the pressure for hosts with full-time jobs or multiple listings

3. What STR Property Managers Actually Do

Professional STR managers handle every operational detail, including:

Guest communication and reviews
Cleaning coordination and supply restocking
Maintenance scheduling and vendor management
Dynamic pricing and occupancy analytics
Compliance with local rental laws

4. Benefits of Hiring an STR Property Manager

✅ Time and stress savings – focus on strategy instead of logistics.

✅ Professional vendor network – access vetted cleaners, inspectors, and contractors.

✅ Higher guest satisfaction – faster responses, better reviews, and repeat bookings.

✅ Optimized pricing – managers adjust rates for seasonality and market demand.

✅ Reliable local oversight – especially useful during low-occupancy months.

Symple Leases helps property managers and hosts streamline maintenance and inspection logistics, keeping you focused on growth—not emergencies.

5. Costs and Considerations

Here’s a breakdown comparing full-service management, co-hosting, and self-management.

Management Type	Typical Fee	Pros	Cons	Best For
Property Manager	10–30% of monthly revenue	Full-service, expert marketing, hands-off operation	Higher cost, less direct control	Multi-unit owners or time-strapped hosts
Co-Host	10–20% or a flat monthly fee	Shared workload, flexible support	Requires coordination and shared responsibility	Small-scale or part-time hosts
Self-Management with Apps	$25–$100/month	Low cost, full control, scalable	Time-consuming, manual oversight	Hands-on hosts or new investors

6. Alternatives Before You Hire

If you’re not ready for full-service management, consider:

Co-hosting – share responsibilities with another local host.
Automation tools – use smart locks, scheduling software, and dynamic pricing apps.
Professional networks – partner with trusted local cleaners and inspectors.