A Step-by-step Guide on Writing a Property Management Business Plan

For anyone getting started with a property management business, having a solid business plan is an important step toward success. A well-thought-out plan will give you a competitive edge, especially since the number of property management businesses in the U.S. has grown by 2.1% per year on average over the last five years, according to IBISWorld.

While a property management business can start as a side hustle, turning it into a full-time venture requires you to think like a business owner. Imagine trying to run a business without a plan—how would you attract investors, secure loans or investments, plan for expenses, or make sure you’re following local laws? This is where some property managers fall short.

Don’t leave your growth to chance. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to creating a strong business plan for your property management business.

Let’s dive in.

What is a Property Management Business Plan and Why Do You Need It?

A property management business plan covers everything about your business—financial goals, operations, industry analysis, staff management, and other key details. There are several good reasons to have your property management business plan written down.

First, having a clear strategy in place helps you avoid scrambling for solutions when you hit a roadblock or run into operational challenges. Business plans map out your revenue and expenses, helping you stay on top of your finances. And if things don’t go as planned, you can revisit your plan to fine-tune your goals and strategies.

A solid business plan is essential if you’re applying for a loan, seeking investors, or forming partnerships for your property management company. As your business grows, be ready to review and update your plan. This will come naturally as you gain more experience, but initially, having a plan is a great place to start.

Key Considerations Before Sitting Down to Write a Plan for Your Property Management Company

Before putting anything down on paper, start by researching key factors like property management industry trends, market analysis and the direction you want to take your business. For example, as a property management company, you can choose to manage:

• Residential properties (single-family and multi-family units)
• Commercial properties
• Vacation rental properties

Vacation rental managers need to focus on marketing and delivering a top-notch guest experience, while residential managers work on lease agreements, tenant relations, and long-term property maintenance.

Let’s break down the key aspects to lay the groundwork for your property management business.

Business Approach

The key question is: Will you be managing properties for yourself, or on behalf of others?

If you’re a property owner or planning to partner with investors while gaining equity in real estate, this business model would mean you’ll have control over key decisions and you’re not just managing properties but actively growing your own real estate portfolio, which comes with a higher level of responsibility and risk.

On the other hand, you can manage properties for others and charge management fees for your services. This allows you to build a business as a full-service property management provider without the financial burden of owning the properties yourself. As a third-party manager, your focus will be on maximizing value for your clients, while earning income through management fees.

Legal Business Structure

You need to determine the legal entity in your property management business plan. Your options are: a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC (limited liability company), or corporation.

A sole proprietorship is the simplest and easiest structure to set up, often chosen by small, independent property managers just starting out. A partnership can be either a general partnership, where all partners share liability and management duties, or a limited partnership, where some partners are only investors and have limited liability.

An LLC is a popular choice for property management companies because it combines the simplicity of a sole proprietorship with the limited liability of a corporation. Lastly, there are corporations, such as an S or C corporation type.

Professional Licenses

If you want to offer property management as a service, you’ll typically need to pass some exams and get certified. While requirements vary by state and country, these two licenses are commonly required in the US:

1. Property Management License You’d need to check your state’s specific property management industry requirements. In some states it involves taking a course from an accredited real estate licensing school, passing an exam, and activating a property management license. In other states, a general real estate salesperson license may be enough.
2. Real Estate Broker’s LicenseA real estate broker (also known as a real estate agent) assists buyers throughout the purchasing process. In some states, you’ll need this license in addition to your property management license (or to work in a management team run by a licensed real estate broker.)

Legal Compliance and Permits

Beyond individual certifications, you’ll likely need a business license to operate and permits for each property you manage. Property managers must comply with federal, state, and local fair housing regulations, which prohibit discrimination. You’ll also need to follow tenant-landlord laws and occupancy regulations.

If you’re managing vacation rentals, there’s another crucial compliance issue to consider: short-term rental-specific permits. Some cities and municipalities have stricter rules for short-term rentals, including limits on rental duration and occupancy. Make sure you’re up to speed on these local regulations before diving in.

Location and Demand

Deciding on a location is one of the most crucial decisions in any real estate business.

Building a thriving business in low-demand markets can be an uphill battle. On the flip side, oversaturated locations can make it tough to break into the market and reach your desired revenue goals. The sweet spot is a healthy, growing real estate market and a balanced demand-supply ratio. It puts you in the ideal starting position for your business.

Bookkeeping

How will you handle the financial management part of your business operations? Bookkeeping is time-consuming, especially for property managers with a growing portfolio. You’ll need to set up a dedicated business bank account, separate from your personal finances. It’s also a good idea to hire an accountant to manage the books, accurately report income and expenses, and keep financial records in order.

Staff and Contractors

Next, consider whether you’ll have employees working for you and which contractors you’ll need, such as repairmen, plumbers, and a cleaning crew.

As a property manager, you’ll want to build relationships with reliable professionals you can trust and collaborate with long-term. Think about which tasks you can handle yourself in the beginning as a brand new property management company and which ones you’ll outsource.

Building Relationships with Property Owners and Investors

Networking is crucial for any business venture. As a property management service provider, you want to build a network of landlords and property owners to work with and investors who will trust you for future projects.

Building credibility takes time, but it’s the lifeblood of your business. These efforts will help you secure long-term partnerships and grow. Start by engaging in industry events, joining local real estate and property management associations, and maintaining a strong online presence.

Tech Integration for Property Management Companies

Implementing software solutions ensures everything runs smoothly and without a hitch. For a property manager, having a property management system (PMS) is essential. Property management software reduces manual work and helps you become a reliable service provider that everyone wants to work with.

If you’re in the vacation rental property management niche, iGMS will make your life easier. It automates messaging and guest communication, handles bookings across different platforms, and improves team coordination with its automatic scheduling feature.

How to Structure a Property Management Business Plan

Your business plan consists of some important elements like:

• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• Property Management Services Outline
• Market Analysis
• Management Team (Staff Organization)
• Marketing Plan
• Operational Plan
• Financial Plan

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Executive Summary

Start off your property management business plan with an executive summary. This section will serve as your company overview, highlighting your most important goals and financial projections. The introductory section summarizes the key aspects of your company, guiding readers through the most important information about your new business.

Include a mission statement in this section. A mission statement is a one or two-sentence explanation of your overall business goal and unique value proposition. It could be something like:

“Our mission is to provide top-tier vacation rental management that not only maximizes owner profits but also enhances guest experiences through cutting-edge technology, responsive communication, and personalized service. We take care of every detail—from dynamic pricing to 24/7 guest support—so property owners can enjoy hands-off management while guests experience seamless, high-quality stays.”

In this section, you’ll need to decide on the type of property management you plan to do (residential, vacation rentals, or commercial).

Besides laying out your unique value proposition, you can explain:

• The current stage of your business
• Your target customers
• Your company goals
• Your strategy for achieving these goals
• Your most important financial projections

Company Description

While this section is sometimes included in the executive summary, it can stand on its own, explaining:

• Company overview: history and leadership
• Competitive advantage overview

Present the most important information about your company, including the legal business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation). Then, offer a compelling explanation of why you have an advantage over other property management companies. This is closely tied to your unique value proposition, which will set you up for a successful property management business.

Highlight what makes your company unique and why your target customers (property owners) should choose your services over competitors. Your competitive advantage could be your specialized knowledge of a particular market, innovative marketing strategies, or a proven track record of high occupancy rates and customer satisfaction.

Property Management Services Outline

In this section of your property management business plan, outline the specific property management services you will offer.

For a vacation rental property management company, these services might include:

• Property marketing and booking management
• Reservation management and guest communication
• Property maintenance and cleaning
• Financial management
• Compliance and regulations
• Technology and reporting
• Owner communication and regular property performance updates

Market Analysis

Market analysis or competitive analysis involves conducting thorough research of the local real estate landscape. This includes researching your direct competitors within the property management niche, as well as indirect competitors, such as property owners managing properties themselves.

At this stage, you want to understand your target market, identify the typical clients your competitors are working with (as they will likely be your target market too), and determine the size of the local property management market.

Management Team (Staff Organization)

This is a place where you can discuss the shared vision and values of your management team. Consider questions like:

• What regular feedback mechanisms or innovative solutions can you implement within your team?
• Can you clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to prevent overlap and avoid confusion?
• How will your team stay updated on industry trends and best practices?
• Will you have an advisory board of industry veterans or experts who can provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members?

Marketing Plan

A marketing plan outlines your system for reaching your target market and attracting a steady stream of new clients. Let’s break it down into digital and offline marketing strategies:

Digital marketing: Build a strong brand identity through online channels, such as paid advertising, a professional website, SEO, email campaigns, and social media presence.

Offline strategies: Focus on building a strong network of clients, collaborators, and potential investors. This personal approach is incredibly valuable for your business growth, and you can support your efforts with local advertising or business cards.

Operational Plan

In the operational section of your property management business plan, dive into the nuts and bolts of day-to-day strategies. Be sure to:

• Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of your staff, including property managers, maintenance personnel, and administrative support.
• Detail the procedures for routine maintenance and emergency repairs, including how you will coordinate with contractors and service providers.
• Discuss how technology will be used: you may have property management software like iGMS or accounting software.
• Reports on your business operations: Specify how often you’ll generate reports for property owners, covering financial performance metrics and tenant/guest feedback, and outline your schedule for delivering them.

Financial Plan

Your business plan should include a five-year financial statement as a long-term projection. For the first year, break down cash flow milestones into monthly and quarterly projections.

To make accurate financial estimates and predict cash flow, start by defining your pricing strategy. Determine how much you’ll charge per month or, for short-term rentals, per night. Consider how you’ll implement a dynamic pricing strategy for STRs.

As a new business, calculate your start-up expenses directly in your property management business plan.

Here are the key components of your financial plan:

Profit and loss statement: Project your revenues, expenses, and profits annually for five years.

Cash flow statement: Track cash inflows and outflows in your cash flow statement to show liquidity and your ability to pay bills and invest in growth.

Balance sheet: Provide a snapshot of your company’s financial position, showing assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity.

Risk mitigation strategies: Develop plans to identify, assess, and reduce potential financial risks such as market downturns, unexpected expenses, or regulatory changes.

Wrapping Up

If you’re considering starting a property management business, take time to think about your short-term and long-term goals. Make sure your property management business plan reflects these big ideas.

Remember, you don’t have to do everything on your own. Consider using a tool like iGMS, a property management system designed for short-term rentals. It helps boost your efficiency, leaving everybody delighted with your top-notch service.