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6 Habits of Elite Property Managers to Maximize ROI & Retain Clients

Matt Speer
Matt SpeerAuthor
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Newsletter
6 Habits of Elite Property Managers to Maximize ROI & Retain Clients

Issue 003 - PropertyManagement.com Weekly Newsletter

After reviewing hundreds of PM companies, one truth is clear: Elite PMs deliver better returns, retain more clients, and operate with precision.

Here's what they do differently - and how you can apply it to your business today.

What Top Property Managers Do Differently: 6 Habits of Elite PMs Who Outperform the Market

1. Price New Leases in the 100-101.5% Range

Top PMs don't just "fill units" - they hit market rent without sacrificing speed.

The sweet spot: 100% to 101.5% of true market rent.

It maximizes revenue while keeping time on market low.

Anything more risks vacancy. Anything less leaves money on the table.

2. Renew at 95-97% of Market Rent

Renewals aren't the same as new leases. You're negotiating with people, not data points.

Elite PMs know the retention sweet spot is 95-97% of market rent

This is high enough for solid ROI, low enough to keep great tenants in place.

3. Minimize Days Without Revenue

The best PMs treat "days without income" like a liability - and they manage it accordingly.

They pre-lease, tighten turn times, and reduce decision drag.

Fewer empty days = higher owner ROI. Simple math, serious discipline.

4. Price Clearly & Transparently - and Back It Up

Elite PMs don't race to the bottom.

They offer simple, transparent pricing - and justify it with data.

If your fee is higher than the market average, your performance better prove it. Great PMs know: owners will pay more for more value, not more confusion.

5. Communicate Like Retention Depends on It (Because It Does)

Even when you're doing great work, owners can forget.

Top firms proactively remind clients why they hired you - sharing updates, performance snapshots, and progress against goals.

💡 Pro tip: Send your TrueMatch™ Score mid-year. It's the easiest way to prove you're still the best option.

6. Track What Actually Moves the Needle

Top PMs don't guess. They measure.

Rent-to-market ratios. Turn times. Renewal rates. Client retention. They know their numbers - cold. Because you can't improve what you don't track.

Final Word

Elite PMs aren't just managing properties. They're managing expectations, revenue, and risk - with intention. Want to level up? Start with these 6 habits - and let performance do the talking.


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👉 Get Verified Now - Stake your claim on PropertyManagement.com while we're building the next generation of industry credibility.

💡 AI Search is Changing Everything - Watch to Learn 3 Things You Can Take Action on Today

Forget keywords. Robot SEO is here - and it's already reshaping how owners find you.

In this quick video, I break down the Top 3 things every property manager should do today to win visibility in AI-driven search:

  1. Where you must be listed online
  2. Why NAP (name, address, phone) accuracy is your new SEO superpower
  3. How to monitor and influence your review narrative

👉 Watch now to stay ahead of the curve (and your competitors).


🔦 Featured Property Manager of the Week: Hendricks Property Management

📍 San Antonio, TX ⭐️ TrueMatch™ Score: 91.97 (Exceptional Tier) 🏆 Highest Score in San Antonio market

When it comes to trusted local expertise, Hendricks is San Antonio's go-to property management firm. With roots dating back to 1978, they've spent nearly five decades combining personalized service with investor-minded strategy - and it shows.

Hendricks recently earned an "Excellent" TrueMatch™ Verification, recognizing top performance in tenant retention, rent collection, leasing speed, and pricing transparency. It's one more reason they've become the top choice for single-family rentals across San Antonio.

Why They're Leading the Pack:

  • 45+ years of local market knowledge with an owner's mindset
  • Two inspections per lease = proactive maintenance, happy tenants
  • Clear, tax-friendly financials through a 24/7 owner portal
  • Tight leasing systems = faster placements, less vacancy
  • Run by the Hendricks family with a high-touch, high-trust approach

👉 See Why Hendricks is #1


Closing Thoughts

Before you get back to the inbox chaos, here's what's worth remembering this week:

  • Elite PMs do the basics - better. Smart rent pricing, low vacancy, and tight turns separate the good from the great.
  • Retention isn't luck - it's communication. Proactive updates and clear value keep owners from wandering.
  • AI search is already rewriting visibility. If your info isn't structured, accurate, and consistent across platforms, you're not getting found.
  • Credibility is the new currency. In a crowded market, performance-backed profiles win trust faster than sales pitches.

Keep managing well, thinking long-term, and letting your results do the talking.

See you next week.


In today's crowded and skeptical marketplace, trust is everything. Getting verified on PropertyManagement.com is more than a badge - it's a signal to clients that you're a proven, professional operator in an industry full of question marks.

Stand out from the noise. Be the trusted choice. Get verified.

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