Hosting & Management

3 min read

Should You Self Manage Your Airbnb Or Hire A Property Manager?

Self-manage your Airbnb for higher revenue, control, and a better guest experience, but be ready for time demands and interruptions. Hire a property manager for convenience and less work, though at a cost. Choose based on your time, goals, and passion for hosting.

Written By

Emir Dukic

Jan 09, 2025

One of the biggest decisions for Airbnb hosts is whether to self-manage their property or hire a property manager (PM). Both approaches have their pros and cons, and the right choice largely depends on your personal goals, time availability, and level of emotional investment in the property. Let’s break it down.

Self-Managing Your Airbnb: Pros and Cons

Self-managing an Airbnb can be a rewarding experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Here’s what you should consider:

Pros

  1. Higher Revenue
    Without paying a property manager’s fees (typically 20%-30% of your revenue), you’ll keep more of your rental income. This can significantly boost your profits, especially in high-performing markets.

  2. Greater Control
    As the sole operator, you’ll have full control over every aspect of your Airbnb, from pricing strategies and guest communication to maintenance and cleaning.

  3. Enhanced Guest Experience
    Guests often receive better service when hosts self-manage because you’ll care more about the property and the overall experience. Your personal touch and responsiveness can lead to glowing reviews and repeat bookings.

Cons

  1. Time Commitment
    Self-managing an Airbnb requires time and effort. From responding to guest inquiries and coordinating cleanings to handling emergencies, the demands can be significant.

  2. Inconvenient Interruptions
    Issues can arise at any time, often during the least convenient moments—like family dinners or vacations. You’ll need to be ready to handle guest concerns promptly, even if it means being interrupted.

Who Should Self-Manage?

Self-management is ideal for individuals who have the time, enjoy hospitality, and want to maximize their revenue. If you’re detail-oriented and care deeply about creating memorable guest experiences, this option may be a perfect fit.

Hiring a Property Manager: Pros and Cons

Hiring a property manager can take much of the workload off your plate, but it comes at a cost. Here’s what to weigh:

Pros

  1. Reduced Time Commitment
    A property manager handles the day-to-day operations, including guest communication, cleaning coordination, and maintenance requests. While it’s not entirely passive, the time required from you is significantly reduced.

  2. Convenience
    Property managers take care of the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on other priorities, whether it’s your career, family, or additional investments.

Cons

  1. Lower Revenue
    Property managers typically charge 20%-30% of your revenue as their fee, which can eat into your profits. Additionally, some may not optimize pricing or operations as effectively as you would.

  2. Less Insight and Control
    You’ll have much less visibility into the day-to-day operations and guest interactions. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re emotionally invested in the property or if the manager’s standards don’t align with yours.

  3. Potential Disappointment
    Many hosts find that they’re not fully satisfied with their property managers. Whether it’s a lack of attention to detail or poor communication, dissatisfaction can be a common issue.

Who Should Hire a PM?

Hiring a property manager is best for individuals who lack the time to self-manage or who view their Airbnb purely as a financial investment. If you don’t have an emotional connection to the property or the guest experience, a PM can help you maintain the property with minimal effort.

Weighing Your Options

The decision to self-manage or hire a property manager ultimately depends on your priorities:

  • Choose Self-Management if you want to maximize revenue, have the time to dedicate to hosting, and care deeply about providing exceptional guest experiences.
  • Choose a Property Manager if you value convenience, have limited time, or view the property solely as a financial investment.

By understanding the pros and cons of each approach, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and lifestyle. Whichever route you choose, the key is ensuring your Airbnb delivers value to guests while meeting your personal and financial objectives.

Need helping finding an Airbnb to buy? Start your journey by seeing current properties for sale in any market in the US!

Categories: Hosting & Management

Find your next short-term rental with local expertise.

Get expert guidance from a local agent who specializes in short-term rental investments. They'll help you find properties with great return potential.

Connect with an agent →

About the author

Emir Dukic

CEO @ Rabbu.com

With a passion for real estate innovation and technology, Emir has transformed Rabbu into a go-to marketplace for real estate investors seeking high-yield opportunities in the short-term rental market. Drawing on his background in entrepreneurship and operational strategy, Emir has been instrumental in simplifying the complexities of the short-term rental industry, empowering investors to maximize their returns with data-driven insights and streamlined tools.

Have Feedback?