Why Austin Landlords Are Overpaying Their Property Manager

If you own rental property in Austin, there’s a good chance you’re paying too much to have it managed — and getting less than you think in return.

The industry standard for full-service property management is 8% to 12% of monthly rent. On a $2,500/month rental, that’s $250 to $300 every single month — $3,000 to $3,600 per year — just for management fees. Before maintenance, before vacancies, before anything goes wrong.

For a lot of landlords, that fee quietly erodes the cash flow that made the investment worthwhile in the first place.

What “Full-Service” Actually Means

Most property management companies use the phrase “full-service” loosely. What you’re paying for should include:

• Tenant marketing and placement
• Lease preparation and signing
• Rent collection and disbursement
• Maintenance coordination
• Legal compliance and notices
• Monthly financial reporting
• 24/7 emergency response

If your current manager is charging 10% and not delivering all of the above — or nickel-and-diming you with add-on fees — you’re not getting full service. You’re getting standard service at a premium price.

The Math on Switching

Say you have two Austin rental properties each bringing in $2,800/month.

At 10%: you pay $560/month in management fees — $6,720/year.
At 6%: you pay $336/month — $4,032/year.

That’s $2,688 back in your pocket every year — without changing anything about how your properties are run.

Over five years, that’s over $13,000. That’s a roof repair. That’s a down payment on a third property.

What to Look for When Comparing

Before switching managers, ask every candidate:

1. What exactly is included in your monthly fee?
2. What fees are charged separately? (Leasing, renewals, inspections, maintenance markups?)
3. How do you handle maintenance requests and what is your markup on repairs?
4. What is your average vacancy time between tenants?
5. How do you screen tenants and what is your eviction rate?

The answers will tell you quickly whether you’re comparing apples to apples.

All Ways Home Property Management

We charge a flat 6% — period. No leasing fee surprises, no maintenance markups hidden in the fine print. Just straightforward, full-service management at the lowest rate in the Austin market.

Not sure what your property could rent for or how much you’re leaving on the table? Start with a free rental analysis — no obligation, just the numbers.

Get Your Free Rental Analysis →