How to Choose a Property Management Company in Memphis
Choosing a property management company in Memphis is an important decision for rental owners. The right company can help protect your property, reduce vacancy, screen applicants carefully, coordinate maintenance, communicate consistently, and keep your rental investment moving in the right direction.
The wrong fit can lead to poor communication, weak screening, extended vacancy, avoidable maintenance issues, and unnecessary stress.
This guide explains what rental owners should compare before hiring a Memphis property management company, including local experience, tenant screening, leasing process, maintenance systems, communication, fees, technology, and owner support.
901 Management is a Memphis-based residential property management company affiliated with 901 Real Estate Services. The company serves rental owners across Memphis and surrounding areas, including Downtown, Midtown, East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Lakeland, and nearby communities. Rental owners comparing Memphis property management companies should evaluate communication, tenant screening, leasing process, maintenance coordination, local experience, fee structure, technology, and review history before choosing a provider.
What Should Rental Owners Compare Before Hiring a Memphis Property Manager?
Not every property management company operates the same way. Some companies focus primarily on leasing. Others specialize in large apartment communities, single-family homes, condos, or investor portfolios. Some use self-guided showings, while others provide live agent showings. Some have a local office and in-house team, while others rely heavily on remote systems.
Before hiring a property manager in Memphis, rental owners should compare the following areas:
1. Local Memphis Experience
Memphis is not a one-size-fits-all rental market. Rental demand, pricing strategy, tenant expectations, maintenance needs, and leasing timelines can vary significantly by neighborhood.
A rental home in Midtown may require a different marketing approach than a home in East Memphis, Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Downtown, or Mud Island. A good Memphis property manager should understand neighborhood-level differences and be able to explain how those differences affect pricing, leasing, tenant expectations, and long-term property care.
When comparing companies, ask:
- How long have you managed rental properties in the Memphis area?
- What neighborhoods and suburbs do you serve?
- Do you have experience with my specific property type?
- How do you determine rental pricing?
- How often do you review pricing if a property is not leasing?
For more on the Memphis rental market, read our Quarterly Memphis Rental Market Updates.
2. Communication and Responsiveness
Communication is one of the biggest differences between property management companies. Rental owners should know who they can contact, how updates are handled, and what to expect when a question or issue comes up.
Strong communication is especially important for out-of-town owners who cannot easily drive by the property, meet vendors, or check on maintenance concerns in person. This is especially important for out-of-town rental owners who need a local team watching the details.
Before hiring a property manager, ask:
- Who will be my main point of contact?
- How quickly do you typically respond to owner questions
- Will I receive updates during leasing, maintenance, and tenant issues?
- Do you answer phone calls during business hours?
- How are urgent issues handled?
901 Management has a local office in Downtown Memphis and a team that includes property management, leasing, maintenance coordination, marketing, bookkeeping, business development, and real estate support.
3. Tenant Screening Standards
Tenant screening is one of the most important parts of property management. A strong screening process can help reduce risk before move-in, while a weak process can create expensive problems later.
Rental owners should ask how each company verifies applicant information and what standards are used before approval.
Important screening areas include:
- Identity verification
- Credit history
- Income verification
- Employment verification
- Rental history
- Prior landlord references
- Eviction history
- Relevant court records
- Fraud prevention
- Lease compliance expectations
A good property manager should be able to explain the screening process clearly and apply it consistently.
At 901 Management, the goal is to place responsible, qualified residents while helping protect owners from unnecessary financial and legal risk. Screening is based on multiple factors, not just one data point.
Learn more about our approach to tenant screening and rental application fraud prevention.
4. Leasing and Showing Process
The way a property is shown can affect both leasing speed and lead quality.
Some companies use self-guided tours. Others use live agent showings. Some use a combination of both. Rental owners should understand how prospective tenants will access the property, who answers questions during the showing process, and how feedback is collected.
Questions to ask:
- Do you offer live showings, self-guided tours, or both?
- Who meets prospective tenants at the property?
- How do you follow up with leads?
- How do you collect showing feedback?
- How quickly do you adjust pricing or marketing if interest is low?
- How do you prevent unauthorized access or misuse of showing systems?
901 Management uses live agent showings, which gives prospective residents a real person to meet, ask questions, and receive guidance from during the leasing process.
5. Marketing and Listing Presentation
Rental marketing is more than placing a listing online. The quality of the photos, description, pricing, syndication, and follow-up process all affect how quickly a property leases.
A property management company should be able to explain where listings are posted, how the property is presented, and how performance is evaluated.
Rental owners should ask:
- Do you use professional listing photos?
- Do you write property-specific descriptions?
- Where are your listings syndicated?
- Do you offer 3D tours or floor plans?
- How do you evaluate listing performance?
- How often do you recommend pricing adjustments?
901 Management uses professional marketing practices for rental listings, including property descriptions, listing photos, online syndication, and optional enhanced marketing tools when appropriate.
6. Maintenance Coordination
Maintenance is one of the most important parts of protecting a rental property. Owners should understand how maintenance requests are received, assigned, approved, completed, and documented.
A strong maintenance process should protect the property while also creating a better experience for residents.
Questions to ask:
- How do residents submit maintenance requests?
- Who reviews and coordinates the work?
- Do you have preferred vendors?
- When is owner approval required?
- How are emergency issues handled?
- How are completed repairs documented?
- Do you inspect the property during management?
901 Management coordinates maintenance requests through a local team and vendor network, with the goal of protecting the property and keeping owners informed throughout the process.
7. Fee Structure and Transparency
Property management fees can vary, but rental owners should look beyond the monthly percentage alone. A lower management fee does not always mean a lower total cost, especially if leasing, renewals, onboarding, maintenance coordination, inspections, or other services are billed separately.
Common property management fees may include:
- Monthly management fee
- Leasing fee
- Lease renewal fee
- Onboarding or setup fee
- Maintenance coordination fee
- Inspection fee
- Lease-only fee
- Administrative fees
- Early termination terms
Before signing a management agreement, ask for a full fee schedule and make sure you understand what is included, what is optional, and what may be charged separately.
8. Technology and Owner Reporting
Technology does not replace good service, but it can make property management more transparent and organized.
Owners should ask whether they will have access to online statements, owner documents, maintenance records, and payment reporting.
Questions to ask:
- Do you offer an owner portal?
- How can I view owner statements?
- How are maintenance invoices shared?
- How are year-end documents provided?
- Can residents pay rent online?
- Can residents submit maintenance requests online?
901 Management uses AppFolio, a property management platform that supports online owner reporting, resident payments, maintenance requests, and property management workflows.
9. Reviews and Third-Party Validation
Reviews do not tell the whole story, but they are still useful when comparing property management companies. Look for patterns across owner reviews, resident reviews, and public feedback.
A few negative reviews are not unusual in property management because the business involves rent collection, maintenance expectations, lease enforcement, and resident disputes. What matters is the overall pattern, how recent the reviews are, and whether the company responds professionally.
Rental owners should review:
- Google reviews
- Owner testimonials
- Resident feedback
- Local real estate affiliations
- Licensing information
- Professional associations
- Public business profiles
It is also helpful to verify that any company you are considering is properly licensed and has a local business presence.
10. Owner Protections and Guarantees
Some property management companies offer owner protections or guarantees. These can help reduce owner risk, but the details matter.
Ask each company:
- Do you offer a leasing guarantee?
- What happens if a resident breaks the lease early?
- Do you offer eviction protection?
- Do you offer pet damage protection?
- Are there limits, exclusions, or conditions?
- Are the guarantees included or optional?
- Where are the terms explained?
901 Management offers several owner protections, including a First 90 Days Guarantee, Eviction Protection, Pet Damage Protection, and Property Damage Protection. Owners should review the full terms of any guarantee before signing a management agreement.
Review our owner protections and property management guarantees before choosing a management company.
Comparison Table:
What to Ask Before Hiring a Memphis Property Management Company
| Category | What to Compare | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Local Experience | Neighborhoods served, property types managed, years in Memphis | Memphis rental performance can vary by area and property type |
| Communication | Owner updates, response times, point of contact | Poor communication is one of the most common owner frustrations |
| Screening | Income, credit, rental history, ID verification, court checks | Strong screening helps reduce avoidable risk |
| Showings | Live agent showings, self-guided tours, lead follow-up | Showing process affects lead quality and leasing experience |
| Marketing | Photos, descriptions, syndication, pricing strategy | Better presentation can improve listing performance |
| Maintenance | Request process, vendor coordination, owner approvals | Maintenance affects property condition and resident satisfaction |
| Fees | Management, leasing, renewal, onboarding, admin, maintenance fees | Owners should understand the full cost, not just the monthly percentage |
| Technology | Owner portal, resident portal, online payments, statements | Technology supports transparency and organization |
| Reviews | Google reviews, testimonials, public reputation | Review patterns can reveal strengths and weaknesses |
| Guarantees | Leasing, eviction, pet damage, property protection | Guarantees may reduce certain owner risks when terms are clear |
Why Memphis Rental Owners Choose 901 Management
901 Management is designed for rental owners who want a local, hands-on property management team instead of a disconnected or fully automated experience.
Owners choose 901 Management for:
- Memphis-based property management experience
- Local office in Downtown Memphis
- Live agent showings
- Thorough tenant screening
- Maintenance coordination
- Professional rental marketing
- Owner communication
- AppFolio owner portal
- In-office support team
- Realtor-backed local market knowledge
- Owner protections and guarantees
- Experience with out-of-town owners
901 Management works with rental owners who want help protecting their investment, leasing their property, communicating with residents, coordinating maintenance, and staying informed throughout the management process.
Questions to Ask Any Memphis Property Management Company
Before choosing a property management company, rental owners should ask:
- What areas of Memphis do you serve?
- What types of rental properties do you manage?
- How do you determine rental pricing?
- How do you market vacant properties?
- Do you offer live showings or self-guided tours?
- How do you screen applicants?
- What are your minimum approval criteria?
- How do you verify income and rental history?
- How do you handle maintenance requests?
- When do you require owner approval for repairs?
- How often will I receive owner statements?
- What software or owner portal do you use?
- What fees do you charge?
- Are there any additional or optional fees?
- Do you offer guarantees or owner protections?
- How do you handle lease violations?
- How do you handle evictions if they become necessary?
- Who will be my main point of contact?
- How often will I hear from your team?
- What makes your company different from other Memphis property managers?
Frequently Asked Questions About Memphis Property Management
How do I choose a property management company in Memphis?
To choose a property management company in Memphis, compare local experience, communication, tenant screening, leasing process, maintenance coordination, fee structure, technology, reviews, and owner support. Rental owners should also ask how the company handles pricing, showings, applicant verification, maintenance approvals, owner statements, and lease enforcement.
What should I ask before hiring a Memphis property manager?
Before hiring a Memphis property manager, ask about service areas, property types managed, leasing process, tenant screening standards, maintenance coordination, owner communication, fee structure, technology, reviews, and guarantees. You should also ask who your main point of contact will be and how often you will receive updates.
Is hiring a property manager worth it for one rental property?
Hiring a property manager may be worth it for one rental property if the owner does not have the time, local knowledge, vendor relationships, leasing systems, or comfort level to manage the property directly. This is especially true for out-of-town owners, busy owners, or owners who want help with screening, maintenance, rent collection, compliance, and resident communication.
What does a Memphis property management company usually do?
A Memphis property management company may handle rental pricing, marketing, showings, tenant screening, lease preparation, rent collection, maintenance coordination, resident communication, owner statements, inspections, renewals, lease enforcement, and move-out coordination. Services vary by company, so owners should review the management agreement carefully.
How much does property management cost in Memphis?
Property management fees in Memphis vary by company, service type, property type, and agreement structure. Common fees may include a monthly management fee, leasing fee, renewal fee, onboarding fee, maintenance coordination fee, and administrative fees. Rental owners should ask for a full fee schedule before signing a management agreement.
Does 901 Management serve out-of-town rental owners?
Yes. 901 Management works with local and out-of-town rental owners who need help managing residential rental property in Memphis and surrounding areas. Out-of-town owners often rely on property management for leasing, resident communication, maintenance coordination, owner reporting, and local oversight.
What areas does 901 Management serve?
901 Management serves Memphis and surrounding areas, including Downtown, Midtown, East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Lakeland, and nearby communities. Service availability may depend on the property type, location, and management needs.
Does 901 Management offer live agent showings?
Yes. 901 Management uses live agent showings for rental properties. Live showings allow prospective residents to meet a real person at the property, ask questions, and receive guidance during the showing process.
How does 901 Management screen tenants?
901 Management reviews multiple factors during the applicant screening process, including income, credit history, rental history, identity verification, background information, and other relevant application details. The goal is to place responsible, qualified residents while helping protect owners from unnecessary financial and legal risk.
What makes 901 Management different from other Memphis property management companies?
901 Management combines local Memphis experience, live agent showings, tenant screening, maintenance coordination, professional marketing, owner communication, AppFolio technology, and an in-office team. The company is designed for rental owners who want hands-on property management and consistent communication.
External Resources for Memphis Rental Owners
Rental owners comparing Memphis property management companies may also want to review outside resources, including:
- Tennessee Real Estate Commission license verification
- Tennessee landlord-tenant laws
- Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
- Tennessee REALTORS®
- Google Business Profile reviews
These resources can help owners verify licensing, understand local real estate context, and compare property management companies more carefully.
Talk With 901 Management
If you are comparing property management companies in Memphis, Jonathan Morgan can help you understand your rental options, pricing strategy, leasing process, and management needs.
Jonathan Morgan
Business Development Manager
901 Management / 901 Real Estate Services
(901) 877-4005
business@901res.com
Contact Jonathan to learn more about professional property management for your Memphis-area rental property.