Balancing Boutique Service and Scalability in Property Management
May 7, 2025
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Angela Holman, the 2025 NARPM® Treasurer and owner of Premier Property Management, shares insights from her boutique-style approach to property management. She values personalized customer service and believes in maintaining strong owner-tenant relationships through in-person meetings. Angela also discusses the importance of staying true to her business values and avoiding trends. Additionally, she touches on exit strategies, her passion for baking, and what keeps her grounded in a people-first mindset.
Angela Holman emphasizes the significance of personalized customer service and strong community relationships in boutique property management.
The cultural divide between traditional owner-operators and VC-backed firms impacts service perception and industry engagement within property management.
Deep dives
Cultural Differences in the Property Management Industry
The increasing presence of venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) backed vendors in the property management space highlights a potential culture clash between these firms and traditional owner-operators. While VC-backed companies focus on rapid growth and market share, often exhibiting flashy business strategies, many property management professionals prioritize profitability and building strong community relationships. This cultural divide can create challenges in how services are offered and perceived by property managers who value a family atmosphere and reliability. Observations suggest that there has been a decrease in attendance from VC-backed firms at property management conventions, indicating a disconnect within the industry.
The Value of NARPM Membership
Active participation in the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) can significantly benefit property management professionals both personally and professionally. Engaging with the community allows members to gain valuable industry insights, develop lasting connections, and offer support to one another during challenging situations. A member shared that by networking through NARPM, they successfully acquired a new portfolio after reaching out to industry contacts for advice and support. This highlights how involvement in NARPM not only enriches individual knowledge but can also directly impact business growth and stability.
Building a Sustainable Property Management Business
Building a successful property management business involves intentionality and a clear understanding of the type of properties and clients to pursue. A broker owner emphasized the importance of being selective with property acquisition, stating that even during early growth when there were no doors under management, they resisted the temptation to take on properties that did not align with their business model. By establishing a sustainable standard from the outset, they were able to create a stable portfolio of around 400 managed units without experiencing significant churn. This strategic approach not only helps reduce operational chaos but also fosters long-term relationships with owners and tenants.
Navigating Challenges in a Smaller Market
Operating in a smaller market like Grand Junction presents unique challenges and advantages for property management companies. While there may be a limited pool of vendors and service providers, the local community offers strong relationships that can be vital for business operations. Property managers in smaller areas often rely heavily on maintaining good standing with their vendors, emphasizing communication and appreciation to ensure priority service. Additionally, while competition exists within the property management sector, referrals and well-established networks can help sustain business growth without losing quality of service.
In this episode, host Pete Neubig sits down with 2025 NARPM® Treasurer Angela Holman, MPM® RMP®, owner of Premier Property Management in Grand Junction, Colorado. Angela shares her intentional approach to running a boutique-style property management company, emphasizing personalized customer service, local knowledge, and staying true to her business values. She discusses why she still meets tenants in person, how she handles owner relationships, and the importance of not chasing trends when building your company. Angela also opens up about her thoughts on exit strategies, her love of baking, and what keeps her grounded in a people-first mindset. Whether you're new to property management or considering your next move, Angela’s story is full of insights and inspiration.
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