Apartments.com vs. Hiring a Property Manager

If you're a rental property owner, you’ve likely considered listing your property on Apartments.com or hiring a property management company to handle everything for you. But which option is truly the best for your investment?

While Apartments.com offers a popular DIY approach to listing your rental, a property manager provides a full-service solution that can maximize your profits and minimize your stress. In this guide, we’ll compare both options, weighing the pros and cons to help you decide the best approach for managing your rental property.

What Is Apartments.com?

Apartments.com is one of the largest online rental listing platforms, attracting millions of renters each month. It allows landlords to:

• Create a property listing with photos, descriptions, and pricing.
• Screen tenants through background and credit checks.
• Collect rent payments via the platform.
• Communicate with tenants and manage inquiries.
  
  

For landlords who prefer a hands-on approach, Apartments.com can be a useful tool for marketing their rental property. However, there are limitations that can make it challenging for landlords who want to scale their business or avoid time-consuming responsibilities.

What Does a Property Manager Do?

A property management company takes care of all aspects of rental property management, including:

• Marketing and listing properties on multiple platforms (including Apartments.com).
• Tenant screening with in-depth background checks.
• Rent collection and enforcement to ensure on-time payments.
• Property maintenance and repairs with vetted vendors.
• Legal compliance with fair housing laws and lease enforcement.
• Handling tenant issues so you don’t have to deal with complaints or evictions.
  
  

A property manager essentially turns your rental into a passive income stream, handling everything so you can focus on growing your portfolio.