Rent on our own vs property management company?

We manage several of our own rentals, and we have a property manager for an out of state rental. I can tell you, we pay much more attention to managing our own properties than our property manager does. 

I'll admit, at times managing rentals can be a headache, but if your capable, your rental will probably perform better if self managed. Why? because you care about it, it's not just numbers to you.

Also, it was mentioned that a property manager will take care of your handyman work...  Yes they will, but it's not typically part of their management fee. It's usually an additional fee. Larger property managers have handyman type people on staff that they bill out at an hourly rate for repairs. However, smaller management companies, will just hire out the work like you would if you weren't doing repairs yourself. 

If you need a lease contract, a local real estate agent should have access to a standard state approved lease form.

Good luck.

are you guys fixer-DIYer types? taking the rent isn't the hard part, its replacing the vent fan or getting a new dish washer installed cheap. if you want to be the first point of contact, then it should be you. if you want a "handyman" to take care of that sort of thing, I'd go with the property managers.

also, my experience as a renter shows that property management companies have more onerous/restrictive, leases and renting procedures than landlords do. This can (and usually does at least once) come around and bite new landlords in the butt. so if you do go it alone, i'd get input from an attorney on my lease and landlord tenant laws BEFORE putting up any ads anywhere.

also, go talk to your local property manager and give them the chance to make their pitch. until you know what they offer and what they charge, you can't make an informed decision on the subject.