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Why Would You Hire a Property Manager? Let’s Talk About It.

  • Writer: Victoria Richards
    Victoria Richards
  • Apr 12
  • 4 min read

It’s Not That You Can’t Do It—It’s Just... Why Would You Want To?

People ask me all the time, “Why would I need a property manager? Can’t I just do it myself?”

And sure—you absolutely can. Just like you can clean your own house, change your own oil, or do your own taxes. But I always go back to something a friend said about her house cleaner: “She has this power tool thing that deep-cleans grout. It’s like a tiny power washer. I could do it... but I don’t want to spend my Saturday learning how to use it.”

Her tiles went from dingy black to bright white—fast. It would’ve taken her hours and cost her way more to try to recreate that result. Plus, her cleaner folds fitted sheets instead of balling them up like the rest of us, and when the bathroom’s done? Little flowers on the toilet paper roll. That kind of care and attention to detail makes all the difference.


I’m Not a DIY Queen—and That’s Okay

Some people are DIY stars—I’ve seen folks completely renovate their bathrooms from scratch by watching YouTube videos, laying tile with spacers, using cement board for the floors, and turning their garage into a weekend workshop. That’s amazing. But for me? That wouldn’t work. I live in a classic D.C. row house—no garage, no makeshift workspace, no extra storage for tools. Honestly, it’s one of the few things I miss about living in Ohio: the space. But you get my point.



Remodeled kitchen in a 4 unit building managed by Greenway.
Remodeled kitchen in a 4 unit building managed by Greenway.


You Don’t Want That Toilet Seat Call Mid-Brunch

Let’s say you're out at brunch at Founding Farmers—buffet plate full, finally relaxing—and your phone starts blowing up. Five missed calls. You check your messages and find out the toilet seat needs tightening. That’s the whole emergency.


Or maybe you're at a Nats game, the crowd just erupts over a home run… and you miss the whole thing because you're dealing with a maintenance request.


Or you’re at Linda on H St, about to swag surf over your pancakes (yes, I said swag surf—because, well, Chocolate City), and suddenly your vibe is wrecked by a call about a clogged sink.


Let us handle that. Enjoy your life. Sure, sometimes you’ll still need to be involved—but way less often.


People Invest in Real Estate for All Kinds of Reasons

Some of my clients inherited properties they share with siblings. They don't want to sell, but they also don't want to be landlords. So they rent it out, keep the property in the family, and let me take care of the headaches.


Others house hack and want to live in their buildings discreetly. I’ve got them covered too—we can be the face so you don’t have to be.


The Human Element Matters More Than People Think

The relationship you build with your property manager is different from any other real estate role. We’re in it with you for the long haul. I’ve helped clients rebuild homes, get them rented, and even prepare them for sale. It’s a full cycle.


And I care about people. I leave a gift for every tenant when they move in. Usually something useful—an Instacart gift card, or something thoughtful from our earlier conversations. A small act of kindness goes a long way in building a respectful, cooperative relationship from day one.


Some Clients Want to Learn—Others Just Want It Done Right

I’ve walked clients through potential investment properties and helped them run real numbers. D.C. isn’t like other markets where a rent estimate tool can give you a clean answer. It’s block by block here—finish level, square footage, parking, neighborhood feel, even which side of the block you’re on. It all matters. You need someone who knows the terrain.


And Then There’s the Stock Market Guy

I had a client once who was really into the stock market—he wrote for a major outlet that covers stocks and investment strategy. He knew all the letters and tickers down to a T. He was honest and fair and straight-up told me, “I don’t like to deal with people.” I respected that. The stock market made sense to him because it was numbers, patterns, logic. But he also understood and appreciated the diversity and depth that comes with investing in real estate. The numbers matter, yes—but real estate has a very human element. And that’s where I come in. I love the people side of this work. I love helping owners and tenants problem-solve. All walks of life—I’m here for it.


You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

You don’t have to be a DIY landlord to be a good one. And you don’t have to go it alone to keep your property profitable. If anything, bringing in someone who lives and breathes this work can give you more peace of mind—and still leave you with the bulk of the rent check each month.


Because at the end of the day, I’m not just managing properties. I’m building relationships, protecting investments, and helping people live better—with a lot less stress.

And if all you want is to enjoy your pancakes in peace? I’ve got you.



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Let’s Talk About Your Property

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to hand off the day-to-day, I’m here to help. Reach out if you want support, guidance, or just someone who understands what it’s like to actually care about these homes and the people in them.

 
 
 

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