From Fees to Service: What Property Management Really Costs in the D.C. Area

How Much Does Property Management Cost in the D.C. Area? Here's What You Need to Know

If you're a homeowner or investor considering property management services in the Washington D.C. metro area, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is: "How much does property management cost?"

The short answer? Most companies charge between 8%–12% of the monthly rent. But at Greenway Management, we charge a competitive flat rate of just 7%  and we don’t cut corners. We offer something that big-box management firms can’t: a higher level of personal service, flexibility, and care.

For those of us who didn’t get into real estate because we love math (no judgment), here’s a quick cheat sheet showing what 7% and 10% monthly property management fees look like at different rent amounts:

Monthly Rent	7% Fee	What you'd take home	10% Fee	What you'd take home
$1,500	$105	$1,395	$150	$1,350
$2,000	$140	$1,860	$200	$1,800
$2,500	$175	$2,325	$250	$2,250
$3,200	$224	$2,976	$320	$2,880
$4,000	$280	$3,710	$400	$3,600

So, for example, if your single-family home rents for $3,200/month:

• At 7%, you're paying about $224 per month.

• At 10%, it's $320 per month.

You’re still keeping the other 90–93% of the rent.

Why Is Property Management Pricing Typically 8–12%?

Property management fees usually reflect the day-to-day responsibilities that come with keeping your rental in great shape and your tenants happy. This includes:

• Rent collection and accounting

• Tenant communication and support

• Routine maintenance coordination

• Emergency repairs

• Lease enforcement

• Legal compliance

• Property inspections

You're not just paying someone to be a placeholder, you’re hiring a local expert to protect your investment, maximize your rental income, and take on the stress so you don’t have to.

Why Greenway Charges 7% (and Why It’s a Better Value)

While the industry standard is 8–12%, we keep our pricing at 7% to stay accessible, especially for owners with just one or two properties. But this lower price doesn’t mean you get less. In fact, you’ll get more:

• Direct communication with your property manager (no call centers)

• Hands-on oversight — we know the color of your front door, not just your unit number

• Tailored management for long-term, mid-term, or short-term rentals

• Respect and care for your tenants, who are treated like humans, not just rent checks

  
  

We’re not part of a national franchise or corporate chain. That means every single client matters to us. We can’t afford to lose people, and we wouldn’t want to. We take pride in knowing your property inside and out, and we make decisions as if it were our own.

Our team is passionate and works diligently to get tasks done.

Why Hire a Property Manager at All?

Whether you're a new landlord or a seasoned investor, hiring a professional property manager can save you time, money, and headaches. Property management consistently saves owners thousands by preventing the most expensive mistakes in the rental process. For example, a failed inspection or missing license can delay a move-in long enough to cost an owner hundreds to thousands of dollars, often adding up to more than an entire year of management fees. Beyond that, we save money by catching maintenance issues early before they turn into $800 electrical repairs or $1,500 plumbing emergencies, ensuring owners don’t overspend on contractors, and avoiding legal or administrative penalties that can reach several thousand dollars on their own. With proper management, owners keep more of their cash flow and avoid the heavy costs that come from going it alone.

And most importantly, you get your time back. No more 3 a.m. phone calls, no more chasing rent, no more guesswork.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a property manager is a big decision, and so is choosing the right one. At Greenway Management, we're not just collecting fees. We’re building relationships with homeowners who want their properties cared for by someone who truly cares.

If you’re looking for personalized property management in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia, reach out today. We’d love to learn about your home, your goals, and how we can help.