Airbnb hosting can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with a big decision: should you manage everything yourself or hire a property management company? Self-managing gives you full control over guest communication, pricing, and property maintenance, but it requires significant time and effort. On the other hand, hiring a property manager can reduce stress and free up your time, though it comes with a fee.

This choice plays a major role in maximizing your profitability, keeping your property in top shape, and delivering a great guest experience—all while balancing your personal life and other commitments. For help choosing the best property manager, check out our review of top property management companies.

Understanding Airbnb Property Management

Airbnb property managers take care of everything so you don’t have to. They handle guest communication, check-ins, cleaning, and maintenance, making sure your property is always guest-ready. They also manage dynamic pricing to maximize your revenue by adjusting rates based on demand. Additionally, they ensure your property complies with local regulations and Airbnb’s standards. You can expect 24/7 guest support, professional marketing to boost visibility, and help with legal compliance, so your property is always in good hands.

Property management services typically charge between 20% to 30% of your rental income. While this may seem steep, these services often include extras like dynamic pricing, which can increase your occupancy rates and overall revenue. Weighing the fees against the convenience and potential income boost is crucial to making the right decision.

Pros of Hiring a Property Manager

• Expertise and Experience: Property managers are pros at what they do. They handle everything from guest screening to dynamic pricing and marketing, often leading to higher occupancy rates and better guest experiences​.
• Time Savings: By outsourcing management, you free up valuable time. This is particularly helpful if you’re balancing multiple properties or other commitments​.
• Higher Occupancy Rates: Professional managers know how to market your property and set competitive pricing, which can result in higher occupancy and increased revenue​.

Cons of Hiring a Property Manager

• Cost: The biggest downside is the cost. Property managers typically charge between 20% to 30% of your rental income, which can significantly reduce your profits.
• Less Control: With a manager in place, you’ll have less control over the day-to-day decisions related to your property. While they handle the workload, you might not have as much say in guest interactions or maintenance choices​.

Understanding Self-Management

When you choose to self-manage your Airbnb, you’re in charge of everything—from guest screening to maintenance, cleaning, and setting prices. You’ll handle all the communication with guests, organize their check-ins, and ensure the property is cleaned and ready for each stay.

Maintenance and repairs are also your responsibility, so be prepared for late-night calls if something goes wrong! While it requires more time and effort, you’ll have complete control over every aspect of hosting, allowing you to create a truly personalized experience for your guests.

One of the biggest advantages of self-management is the cost savings. By eliminating management fees, you keep more of your rental income in your pocket. This makes a significant difference, especially if your property is performing well.

Additionally, you can reduce overhead costs by automating certain processes, like guest check-ins or booking confirmations, which can help streamline operations without adding to your workload. This approach can maximize profits while still giving you control over how your property is run.

Pros of Self-Management

• Cost Savings: The biggest advantage of self-managing is skipping the management fees, which means you keep more of your rental income. This can significantly boost your profits, especially in high-demand areas​.
• Full Control: When you manage the property yourself, you have full oversight of every detail—from how guests are greeted to how the property is maintained. You’re in charge of the guest experience and can ensure everything runs exactly as you want it to​.
• Personalized Touch: Self-management allows you to interact directly with guests, adding a personal touch to their stay. Whether it’s a personalized welcome or giving local tips, these small gestures can leave a lasting impression​.

Cons of Self-Management

• Time-Consuming: Managing an Airbnb is essentially a 24/7 job. From guest communication to cleaning and maintenance, it can quickly become overwhelming, especially if issues pop up during a guest’s stay.
• Limited Expertise: Without professional help, managing things like dynamic pricing, occupancy rates, and legal compliance can be challenging. It takes time to learn, and mistakes can be costly.

When Should You Self-Manage?

Self-managing is ideal if you have the time, skills, and energy to be hands-on with your property. If you enjoy getting involved with guest communication, cleaning, and maintenance, this approach gives you full control over every detail. It’s also a great option for hosts with smaller portfolios or properties that are close to home, where managing logistics is more convenient. Plus, if saving money is a priority, self-management allows you to keep all your profits by avoiding property management fees. For owners who want to add a personal touch and create memorable guest experiences, this hands-on approach can be incredibly rewarding.

When Should You Hire a Property Manager?

Hiring a property manager is ideal for hosts who simply don’t have the time to juggle guest communication, maintenance, and all the other demands of running an Airbnb. If you have a full-time job or other major commitments, a property manager can take over the day-to-day tasks, letting you enjoy the income without the stress.

It’s also a smart option if you own multiple properties or if your rental is located far from where you live. Managing properties remotely can be tricky, but a local manager can ensure everything runs smoothly.

Finally, if you’re unsure about handling pricing strategies, legal compliance, or guest management, a property manager’s expertise can help maximize your income and minimize risk.

If you’re considering hiring a property manager, Awning offers a range of services that can take the hassle out of managing your Airbnb, all while helping you boost occupancy and revenue. It’s worth checking out if you're ready for professional support.

The Bottomline

Deciding between self-managing your Airbnb or hiring a property manager depends on your situation. If you have the time and enjoy handling guest interactions, self-management might work well. But if you're short on time or live far from the property, hiring a manager could save you stress.

Consider your expertise too—if you’re confident with pricing and maintenance, go for it. Otherwise, a property manager’s skills can boost your success. Finally, factor in your budget: self-managing saves fees, but a manager could increase your occupancy and profits. Evaluate these to choose what fits your needs.