Why Tulsa Landlords Should Stop DIY-ing Their Rentals
Managing a rental property in Tulsa sounds simple—until you're unclogging a tenant’s sink at midnight or chasing down late rent. While DIY property management might seem like a way to save money, it often costs landlords time, energy, and even profit.
If you’re a property owner in Midtown, Jenks, Broken Arrow, or anywhere in the Tulsa metro, here’s why it might be time to hand off the clipboard and call in the pros.
1. Time Is Money—And You’re Losing Both
Sure, you can manage your rental property. But what’s the true cost? Between tenant screening, maintenance coordination, and bookkeeping, DIY landlords often work 10–20+ hours per month per unit. That’s time you could be spending growing your portfolio—or simply enjoying your life.
Real example: A Broken Arrow duplex owner saved over 40 hours a month by switching to full-service management. That time was reinvested into buying their second rental.
2. Maintenance Headaches (and Liability Risks)
When a tenant texts at 2 a.m. about a leak, it’s your problem. And unless you have reliable vendors, repairs can drag out—leading to unhappy tenants or even legal risk. A good full-service property manager has 24/7 maintenance coverage and vetted contractors.
Tulsa tip: With older housing stock in areas like Brookside and Midtown, proactive maintenance isn’t optional—it’s protection.
3. Tenant Screening Is a Skill
One bad tenant can cost thousands in damages, lost rent, or eviction. DIY landlords often rely on gut instinct or basic credit checks, which isn’t enough. A professional manager uses strict criteria, employment verification, rental history, and legal compliance every time.
Remember: Fair Housing laws apply to everyone—missteps here can lead to fines or lawsuits. This is general info, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney.
4. Vacancies Kill Profit
Every day your property sits empty, you’re losing money. DIY landlords often underestimate the time and strategy required to market effectively. Professional property managers like Coyote PMC use targeted digital marketing, scheduling software, and market-based pricing to get your property rented faster.
Pro fact: The average Tulsa vacancy costs $1,000+ per month in lost rent and utilities. Reducing vacancy even by one week boosts annual ROI.
5. Systems Equal Scalability
If you want to build wealth through real estate—not just own a rental—you need systems. Property management software, maintenance workflows, lease tracking, and rent collection automation all help your investments operate like a business.
With Coyote Property Management, you get these tools baked in—plus a team that handles the backend while you focus on strategy.
Still Want to DIY? Here’s a Mini Checklist:
If you’re going to manage your own rental, make sure you can confidently handle:
Fair Housing-compliant screening
Lease enforcement and legal notices
24/7 maintenance response
Marketing + photography
Rent collection and bookkeeping
Eviction process (if needed)
If that sounds overwhelming—it probably is.
The Better Option: Full-Service Property Management
Coyote Property Management is a veteran-owned, full-service firm serving Tulsa-area landlords. We handle everything from tenant screening to maintenance, so you can focus on growing your income—not fielding phone calls.
Our clients in Midtown, Bixby, Owasso, and beyond trust us to keep their properties full, profitable, and stress-free.
Ready to stop DIY-ing and start building real wealth through real estate?
👉 Visit www.coyotepmc.com or call 918-880-3007.
