So you’ve found the perfect short-term rental (STR) to invest in — great location, solid income potential, and maybe even a pool. Now comes the next big decision:
Should you manage the property yourself, or hire a full-service property manager?
It’s one of the most important — and most misunderstood — choices STR investors make. And it can mean the difference between a profitable side hustle and a full-time headache.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
Let’s get into it.
Self-management doesn’t just mean posting on Airbnb and texting a cleaner. It means you’re the CEO of your rental — handling everything from bookings to broken toilets.
Here’s what self-managers typically do:
Time. Stress. And growing pains.
A great property manager is like your COO. They take the day-to-day off your plate and (ideally) increase your revenue through expert pricing, marketing, and systems.
What full-service managers typically handle:
Cost: Typically 15–30% of gross booking revenue, depending on market and service level.
🔗 Compare our full-service vs. hybrid management packages
| Factor | Self-Manage | Full-Service Manager |
| Time Required | 10–20 hrs/month/property | 1–2 hrs/month (just oversight) |
| Cost | 0% mgmt fee, but pay for tools/cleaning | 15–30% of gross bookings |
| Control | 100% control of operations | Delegated control (with communication) |
| Guest Support | You, 24/7 (or suffer bad reviews) | PM handles all guest issues |
| Systems Needed | You build them or use tech stack | PM already has it built |
| Scalability | Slow, manual processes | Easier to scale multiple properties |
| Stress Level | High (esp. during peak season) | Low-medium |
| Ideal For | Local investors, DIY mindset | Out-of-state owners, busy professionals |
Takeaway: Self-managing is doable — if you enjoy hosting and have time.
Takeaway: Full-service PMs give busy investors leverage and scalability.
Let’s compare earnings on a beach house in Northeast Florida that grosses $80,000/year.
| Category | Self-Managed | Full-Service (20% Fee) |
| Gross Income | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Management Fee | $0 | -$16,000 |
| Cleaning, Maintenance, Tools | -$12,000 | Included or bundled |
| Time Invested | 180+ hrs/year | <20 hrs/year |
| Net Income (est.) | ~$68,000 | ~$64,000 |
You’d make $4,000 more by self-managing… but you’re also trading 160+ extra hours of your life for it. That’s $25/hour — before taxes, stress, or emergencies.
💡 Tip: Property managers who truly drive revenue through pricing strategy and occupancy optimization often cover their own fee through higher performance.
✔ Do you live near the property?
✔ Do you enjoy managing people, systems, and guests?
✔ Do you have 10+ spare hours a month?
✔ Do you want total control — or total freedom?
✔ Are you trying to scale fast or just own 1–2 rentals?
✔ What’s your monthly revenue goal?
If you answer “no” to more than 2–3 of these… full-service might be your friend.
Managing an STR is a real business. Whether you do it yourself or hire it out, the goal is the same: maximize guest satisfaction and net income while minimizing your stress.
So ask yourself — do you want to own a business, or own a cash-flowing asset?
Neither answer is wrong. But knowing your role will help you make the right call — and avoid burnout before you ever hit your first five-star review.
At Deal Room, we help investors evaluate properties and operations.
We’ve worked with hundreds of owners — both DIY and hands-off — and can connect you to the best solution for your market.
👉 Get our free STR Management Toolkit
👉 Talk to a Deal Room advisor about your next move
Deal Room is your trusted source for smart, actionable insights in rental property investment and management. From financing and tax strategies to design and operations, we help landlords and investors make confident, informed decisions.
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