How to Manage a Rental Property Yourself: Introduction to the Self-Managing Landlord Guide
Anyone who's owned and self-managed rental properties will tell you it can be a great way to build long-term wealth, but it can also be challenging and full of surprises. Self-managing is completely doable, but it requires patience, careful planning, and sound execution to succeed. Done right, self-managing rental properties can build long-term wealth, give you control, and save thousands in management fees. Done wrong, it can drain your time, money, and peace of mind. This Self-Managing Landlord Guide is broken into three phases of the rental lifecycle. Each phase explores crucial steps required for successfully managing your rental properties.
Below is an outline of the guide:
Phase 1: Preparation (Before You List)
a. Know the Law: Fair Housing and Landlord-Tenant Regulations
b. Setting Market Rent
c. Policies, Procedures, and House Rules
d. Required Disclosures & Compliance
e. The Lease Agreement
Phase 2: Finding and Securing Tenants
a. Marketing Your Rental Property
b. Tenant Prescreening and Screening
c. Lease Signing and Move-in
Phase 3: Managing the Property
a. Maintenance, CapEx, and Contractors
b. Tenant Communications, Conflicts, and Evictions
c. Turnovers and Preparing for the Next Tenant
Each post in this series will explore one part of the rental lifecycle, giving you the tools and knowledge to self-manage with confidence. When the series concludes, we’ll package everything into a single downloadable guide for easy reference.
Anyone who's owned and self-managed rental properties will tell you it can be a great way to build long-term wealth, but it can also be challenging and full of surprises. Self-managing is completely doable, but it requires patience, careful planning, and sound execution to succeed. Done right, self-managing rental properties can build long-term wealth, give you control, and save thousands in management fees. Done wrong, it can drain your time, money, and peace of mind. This Self-Managing Landlord Guide is broken into three phases of the rental lifecycle. Each phase explores crucial steps required for successfully managing your rental properties.
Below is an outline of the guide:
Phase 1: Preparation (Before You List)
a. Know the Law: Fair Housing and Landlord-Tenant Regulations
b. Setting Market Rent
c. Policies, Procedures, and House Rules
d. Required Disclosures & Compliance
e. The Lease Agreement
Phase 2: Finding and Securing Tenants
a. Marketing Your Rental Property
b. Tenant Prescreening and Screening
c. Lease Signing and Move-in
Phase 3: Managing the Property
a. Maintenance, CapEx, and Contractors
b. Tenant Communications, Conflicts, and Evictions
c. Turnovers and Preparing for the Next Tenant
Each post in this series will explore one part of the rental lifecycle, giving you the tools and knowledge to self-manage with confidence. When the series concludes, we’ll package everything into a single downloadable guide for easy reference.
The Atmore Rental Market: South Alabama’s Best Kept Secret?
Atmore, Alabama is quietly becoming a sought-after spot for real estate investors and homeowners alike. With its small-town charm, proximity to Pensacola and Mobile, and ongoing community development projects, Atmore offers a unique blend of affordability and growth potential. According to Zillow, the average home price of $151,964 is well below the national average and remains lower than many surrounding areas. This makes Atmore an attractive market for buyers looking to stretch their dollar.
Atmore, Alabama is quietly becoming a sought-after spot for real estate investors and homeowners alike. With its small-town charm, proximity to Pensacola and Mobile, and ongoing community development projects, Atmore offers a unique blend of affordability and growth potential. According to Zillow, the average home price of $151,964 is well below the national average and remains lower than many surrounding areas. This makes Atmore an attractive market for buyers looking to stretch their dollar.
Rental demand in Atmore is also on the rise, fueled by steady economic development in surrounding areas. Novelis is currently building a $4.1B aluminum plant in nearby Bay Minette, which is already generating construction jobs and will create nearly 1000 full-time jobs at the plan once it opens in 2026. Additionally, ArcelorMittal announced plans to build a $1B steel plant in Mobile County, anticipated to open in 2027. These are just two of many examples of businesses contributing to the nearly $70B of economic output generated within the Mobile MSA, Pensacola MSA, and Daphne-Fairhope-Foley MSA. This makes Atmore an excellent market for investors interested in building rental portfolios. However, self-managing a rental property can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to marketing, tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance.
That’s where professional property management in Atmore, AL comes in. By partnering with a trusted property management company, landlords can maximize their rental income while minimizing stress. From handling day-to-day operations to ensuring legal compliance, property managers make it easy to own investment property in Atmore without the hassle.
If you’re considering buying or renting out a property in Atmore, now is the perfect time to explore your options—and let an experienced property management team help you succeed.