Property Investor's Network (Toledo, OH)

One of the first major decisions real estate investors face after acquiring a rental property is whether to manage it themselves or hire a professional property manager. Both approaches can lead to positive outcomes, but they come with different responsibilities, costs, and benefits.

This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed choice for your portfolio.

Self-Managing Your Rental Property

Advantages

Cost Savings
By managing the property yourself, you avoid paying a management fee—often 8 to 12 percent of monthly rent—along with leasing and renewal fees. This additional income can be reinvested into the property or your next investment.

Direct Control
You oversee tenant selection, vendor relationships, and maintenance standards. Without a middleman, you maintain a clear understanding of your property’s condition and can implement your expectations directly.

Hands-On Experience
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 Maximizing Your Appraisal: Expert Tips from a 40-Year Industry Veteran
By Toledo Property Investors Network

At our recent Toledo PIN event, we had the privilege of hearing from Rich Glesser, a seasoned appraiser with over 40 years of experience. His presentation was packed with actionable advice specifically geared toward real estate investors. Whether you’re flipping properties, refinancing a rental, or just want to ensure you're getting fair value, understanding the appraisal process is key to protecting your bottom line.

Here are some of the top takeaways from Rich’s talk — and how you can use them to boost your next appraisal:

📸 1. Take Before Photos of Your Property

One of the most overlooked tools in your investor toolkit? Before photos.
When you purchase a distressed property, make sure to thoroughly document its condition before any work begins. Take wide-angle shots of each room, close-ups of damage, and exterior shots as well.

Why it matters: Read More...

If you’ve ever sold a rental property and then looked at your tax bill… you know the pain.
Capital gains taxes can eat a big chunk of your profits — money that could’ve gone toward your next deal.

But what if you could legally defer paying those taxes and use that money to level up into a better property? That’s exactly what a 1031 Exchange allows you to do.

Let’s break it down in plain language.

🤔 What is a 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 Exchange (named after Section 1031 of the IRS tax code) is a tool real estate investors can use to defer paying capital gains taxes when they sell an investment property — as long as they use the money to buy another similar investment.

It’s like a tax code loophole — except it’s not a loophole. It’s been around for decades and is 100% legit if done correctly.

In simple terms:
You sell a prop
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If you’ve been around the real estate investing world for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve heard someone mention the “BRRRR Method.” No, it’s not about being cold — it’s actually one of the most popular ways investors grow their rental portfolios without constantly needing more cash.

BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat, and it’s a smart strategy for building long-term wealth. Let’s break it down step by step in plain English.

🏡 Step 1: Buy

The first move is finding the right property — usually something that’s a bit rough around the edges. Maybe it needs some cosmetic work, or maybe it's been neglected for a while. Either way, you want to buy it below market value so you’ve got some room to add value.

Quick tip:
The numbers need to work. A good rule of thumb is the 70% Rule — buy for no more than 70% of the after-repair value (minus repairs). If the ARV is $200K and you need $30K in rehab, try to get it for around $110K or less.