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Should Real Estate Companies Hire a Property Management Staffing Firm or Hire Internally?

  • Writer: EPS Team
    EPS Team
  • 2 hours ago
  • 3 min read

One of the biggest decisions developers and property owners face is whether to hire internally or work with a specialized staffing firm. The wrong choice can lead to leadership gaps, operational delays, and lower tenant satisfaction.


Here are the top questions real estate companies ask when deciding between internal hiring and property management staffing firms.



1. Should real estate companies use property management recruiting agencies or hire internally? 🏢🤔


Using a property management recruiting agency gives access to professionals experienced in managing real estate portfolios, including leadership roles that affect tenant satisfaction, operational efficiency, and developer objectives.


A study by the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) found that companies using staffing partners fill leadership positions up to 50% faster than relying solely on internal hiring.


2. Is a property management staffing firm better than job boards? 📋💼


Job boards can generate applications but often fail to attract candidates with specialized property management experience. Staffing firms proactively source experienced professionals, including those not actively seeking new roles.


According to LinkedIn Talent Solutions, 75% of top performers are passive candidates, meaning they won’t respond to job board postings but can be reached through specialized recruitment.


3. When is property management direct hire better than posting a job? ⏱️🏘️


Direct hire through a staffing firm works best when developers need someone ready to manage properties immediately.


The Urban Land Institute (ULI) notes that prolonged leadership vacancies can delay portfolio performance for 2–3 months on average, making direct hire a faster and safer solution for critical positions.


4. Should owners use a property management headhunter for leadership roles? 🧩👷‍♂️


Headhunters specialize in confidential searches and finding top-tier candidates, including passive professionals.


The National Apartment Association (NAA) reports that property management headhunters have a higher placement success rate for senior roles than general recruiters because they vet candidates for both experience and cultural fit.


5. What are the risks of hiring without property management recruitment? ❌⚠️


Hiring without a specialized firm can lead to:

  • Leadership vacancies lasting months

  • Poor cultural or portfolio fit

  • Operational gaps affecting tenant satisfaction and revenue


According to NMHC, nearly 40% of leadership vacancies negatively impact property performance within the first quarter of vacancy.


6. Is property management permanent placement better than temporary staffing? 🏢🌐


Permanent placement ensures leadership continuity, while temporary staffing often provides only short-term coverage. Permanent hires allow leaders to understand portfolio goals and develop long-term strategies.


The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) emphasizes that permanent leadership correlates with higher retention and operational efficiency, especially in mid-to-large portfolios.


7. When does property management direct placement make sense? 🏗️⚡


Direct placement is ideal when:

  • Leadership roles are critical to portfolio performance

  • Internal hiring cannot fill vacancies quickly

  • Developers need someone who can start immediately


Direct placement reduces the downtime associated with traditional hiring and keeps properties performing at optimal levels.


8. Why do real estate firms outsource property management recruiting? 🏢💡


Firms outsource to save time, access experienced talent, and reduce hiring risk. Specialized agencies bring industry expertise, networks, and vetting processes that internal HR teams often cannot replicate.


According to LinkedIn Talent Insights, outsourcing recruitment increases the likelihood of filling senior-level positions successfully by 30–40% compared to internal-only hiring.


Why Choose Executive Property Staffing?

Executive Property Staffing focuses exclusively on property management staffing and recruitment for real estate companies nationwide. Through direct hire, permanent placement, and executive-level searches, they help developers and owners secure leadership that supports portfolio growth and protects property performance.


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