Jordan EllisMy landlady in college once told me that managing a property is like taking care of a child. You can’t leave it dirty or neglected, you have to make sure the ‘babysitter’ (the tenant) is a good fit, and you need to provide for all its needs.
There will be sleepless nights, especially when the tough times come—like dealing with late rent payments or chasing down contractors for repairs that were supposed to be done last week. Sometimes, it’s navigating lease violations without starting a war.
And just like when your child is sick, you’ll call for help. In the world of rentals, that help comes in the form of the best property management companies in Columbus—taking the headache out of tenant management, maintenance, and property oversight.
How much do property management services cost in Columbus?
The cost of property management services in Columbus ranges from 8% to 12% of the monthly rent. So, if your rental property earns $2,000 per month and your property manager charges a 10% management fee, you’d pay $200 for their services.
Meanwhile, some companies offer a fixed monthly fee per unit, regardless of rental income. Other potential costs include leasing, tenant placement, lease renewal, and onboarding fees.
1. Stratagem Management
Address: 172 E 5th Ave
Phone: +1 614 768 7600
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Before making your property rent-ready, Stratagem Management’s experienced team analyzes the current rental market so you get the best return on your investment. Their thorough screening process ensures your property is leased to reliable, responsible tenants.
Clients vouch for their maintenance services, noting that they are quick to respond, efficient, and helpful. However, some feel that they could do better in giving a heads-up when coming over to do repairs, as there have been instances of unexpected visits.
When it’s time for a tenant to move out, Stratagem’s property managers take care of it all—final inspections, security deposit returns, and turnover maintenance. While most are well-regarded, a few have been noted for delayed email responses.
On a positive note, their accounting and bookkeeping services guarantee timely payments, up-to-date records, and accurate tax forms. By adhering to the latest local, state, and federal rental regulations, Stratagem also gives clients peace of mind.
Helpful and timely maintenance
“Eric (the maintenance guy) was helpful with dealing with some minor issues we ran into in our rental, and did so in a timely manner which was appreciated.”
- Reid McMonigle, Google Review
Met with professionalism each time
“Had Stratagem take over as management for our Trolly Park apartments and was super happy with them. Although we only had them for a few weeks before our lease ended, was happy to know we had them in our corner. Each time I reached out I was met with professionalism and the want to help answer my questions. I know their transition in taking over our apartment wasn’t made easy on them but they were able to help as best they could.”
- Cameron Hartman, Google Review
2. Realize Property Management, LLC
Address: 2996 Woodbine Pl
Phone: +1 614 379 2017
Business hours:
- Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Multifamily apartment buildings make up the bulk of Realize Property Management’s portfolio. That said, their expertise also extends to single-family homes and mixed-use commercial and residential spaces.
Part of why clients stay is the fact that some of their property managers are real estate investors themselves. Landlords just starting out have shared how their insights and experience helped them stay on top of their properties and find great tenants.
One of their special offers is a management fee of 7.5% or less of the monthly rental income for properties with 10 units or more. Clients appreciate this, along with their fair pricing overall, noting that the team genuinely looks for ways to help them save money.
On the downside, some applicants have wished for better communication and organization during the leasing process, especially after paying the application fee. The good news, though, is that if a tenant breaks a lease, Realize takes full accountability.
Client-first rather than paycheck first
“I worked with Brandon to purchase my first out of state investment property. He came highly recommended by one of my peers and I’m so thankful she referred me to Brandon! Brandon helped me understand the market and set me up to receive automatic listings (curated based on my preferences/goals). He’s also an investor himself so he’s very well-informed. On top of that, he is the most responsive agent I’ve worked with. I can ping him a ton of questions and he will answer every single one! Three things that set him apart from other agents are: responsiveness, data-driven, and client-first (rather than paycheck first).”
- Julie Lam, Google Review
Super helpful insight and experience
“Brandon and his team at Realize Property Management are an invaluable part of my boots-on-the-ground team in Columbus OH. He’s been able to oversee rehabs and take distressed and underperforming assets and get them stabilized for cashflow. I really appreciate his ability to look for ways to save me money not just during the rehab, but in repairs and maintenance as well. He’s also an investor himself so getting insight and experience is super helpful when I was starting out. He helped me a ton with the section 8 process and getting a great tenant placed.”
- Benjamin Layman, Google Review
3. MVP Property Management
Address: 1733 W Lane Ave #32
Phone: +1 614 664 8808
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
MVP Property Management follows a Ready-Select-Protect-Renew process throughout the rental cycle. During the ‘Ready’ stage, they take a close look at your property, making recommendations and repairs to help it stand out in the market.
Once your property is ready, the ‘Select’ phase involves screening and selecting a qualified tenant. In the ‘Protect’ step, clients appreciate the on-time rent collection and suggestions for fair rent prices in the ‘Renew’ process, where tenants’ payment performance is reviewed.
At MVP, you’ll receive your funds by the 10th working day of the month, along with expense reports and tax statements. Here, clients thank the team for clearly and quickly communicating answers to any questions they may have.
While the company generally handles maintenance well, there are rare instances where urgent requests take longer than expected to be addressed. This is especially true during MVP’s high-demand periods, such as the rental season (May to September).
Very knowledgeable about the rental market
“I have been a client of MVP Property Management since their founding, and I have been very pleased with their service. Jan and Elisa are always responsive to my requests, and they go above and beyond to ensure that my tenants are treated fairly and cared for. They have also been very proactive in maintaining my property, and they have always been prompt in addressing any issues that come up. MVP Property Management is very knowledgeable about the rental market. They have helped me to set fair rent prices, and they have provided me with valuable advice on how to attract and retain good tenants.”
- Albert Meng, Google Review
Amazing communication and attentiveness
“I’ve used a few property managers for my Columbus, OH rentals and MVP Property Management ranks at the top of the list. They’re communication and attentiveness to myself and tenants is amazing. I know my investments are in great hands and found my long-term solution for property management in Columbus, OH. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a PM in Columbus.”
- Troy Rucker, Google Review
4. 10X Property Management
Address: 1373 Grandview Ave Suite 216
Phone: +1 614 618 0509
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
10X Property Management’s fees are simple: $75 per month for management, 75% of the first month’s rent for leasing (once for sourced tenants), and $125 for re-leasing (annually for re-signed tenants). Plus $100 per unit for inspections.
This is one of the systematic approaches that makes them stand out to clients, as it helps save time and improve overall cash flow. Another is their team of real estate veterans with a business-first perspective, all while making sure clients feel heard and supported.
However, some have reported delays in listing properties, with one fully renovated property taking a month to be listed despite no additional work being needed. There have also been occasional reports about poor tenant vetting, with residents often paying rent late.
The upside is that, financially, 10X provides detailed and accurate insights into your rental property. Using Buildium, a tool that lets you easily access and review financial data, you’ll be able to track profitability and manage your investment more effectively.
Creates systems that work and a business-first perspective
“The team at 10X Property Management truly understands how to run property investments as a business. Their proactive approach ensures that my properties are always performing at their best. What stands out most is their focus on creating systems that work, enabling me to grow my portfolio without the usual headaches. Gamal and Amalea bring a business-first perspective that has made all the difference. If you’re looking for a property management company that treats your investments like their own, 10X is the answer.”
- Robert Williams, Google Review
Communicate well and execute on their promises
“The professional staff at 10x Property Management are second to none. They communicate well and execute on their promises in a timely manner. As an owner, I appreciate their system and how it supports the process. This gives me peace of mind that they are well equipped to not only handle my current rental property, but my future rental properties as well. I can not recommend Gamal Harding and his team enough!”
- Brandon Walker, Google Review
5. Swiss Property Management Group
Address: 3019 Indianola Ave
Phone: +1 614 362 3030
Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A member of NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers), the Swiss Property Management Group complies with industry best practices and guidelines for every property they oversee. They specialize in apartments, condos, and single-family homes.
Their team brings a decade’s worth of experience to the table. With clear communication, they take the burden of collecting rent, managing expenses, screening tenants, and handling lease agreements off your shoulders.
What makes them stand out to clients, though, is their friendly, caring, and attentive property managers. On top of that, maintenance requests are attended to promptly, keeping properties safe, clean, and well-maintained.
One thing to note: Their expertise is mostly in residential properties, so owners of commercial properties need to seek additional assistance elsewhere. Also, peak rental seasons from May to September often result in slightly longer response times.
Excellent communication throughout the entire process
“I’ve had fantastic experiences with The Swiss Property Management Group. They were incredibly helpful in finding me a suitable rental property, and they handled maintenance requests promptly and efficiently. Their communication was excellent throughout the entire process. I have two rentals under their management and look forward to working with them again!”
- David Mordoh, Google Review
Maintenance problems dealt with expeditiously
“I’ve been with Swiss Property Management Group for 10 years. They are top tier! I would recommend Swiss every time without hesitation. I haven’t had many maintenance problems but the few that I have had were dealt with expeditiously.”
- Roketa Farrow, Google Review
