Don't Hate The Player... Hate The Game - Sick of Poor Property Management?

We often blame the property manager when service levels drop or teams struggle, but I think it's time we looked at the bigger picture. Maybe it's the game we've asked them to play, it't time to Raise the Bar

Bex Harris

Business Owner

June 19, 2026

I've been in property management for over a decade, and the longer I'm in it, the more I believe this. Most property managers aren't failing, they're being set up to fail.

I get frustrated when poor communication, missed maintenance, unhappy owners, and staff turnover all get pinned on the property manager but from what I have seen most property managers I know genuinely care, probably too much. But caring doesn't create more hours in the day.

I've seen property managers handed large and often complex or already poorly run portfolio's with very little training, no real admin support, and expectations that just aren't realistic. Then everyone acts surprised when they're stressed, overwhelmed and start cutting corners and eventually burn out and leave, deflated. Portfolio numbers don't tell the full story. A property manager with great systems, admin support, leasing help, and leaders who back them up can manage very differently from someone trying to do everything alone. Same number, completely different reality. I think the bigger issue isn't recruitment, It's keeping good people.

Going after the property manager in my opinion is the low lying fruit, we need to stop throwing stones at each other and look at the bigger question.Is property management being treated as a valuable career, or is it still being treated like a side hustle within real estate industry? When you value property management, you value the people in it. You value education, you value experience, you value quality clients, you value the systems and support that help people do the job well.

Let's put the spotlight back on building skilled, confident property managers and giving this profession the respect it deserves. Because when we value property management, everyone benefits.A final shout out to all the hardworking property managers out there. We need you. If you're feeling undervalued, don't automatically assume you're failing. Maybe your standards are higher than the environment you're working in. That's not failure. Find a business that values property management, invests in its people, and wants to raise the bar. Don't leave the industry, help us improve it. Property management needs good people now more than ever.

Don't Hate The Player... Hate The Game - Sick of Poor Property Management?

We often blame the property manager when service levels drop or teams struggle, but I think it's time we looked at the bigger picture. Maybe it's the game we've asked them to play, it't time to Raise the Bar

I've been in property management for over a decade, and the longer I'm in it, the more I believe this. Most property managers aren't failing, they're being set up to fail.

We create great property experiences with exceptional results.

We believe in a better industry: one where owners feel completely confident about their investment, and tenants are treated with fairness and respect. Call TED and say goodbye to crap property management.