At Heirloom Property Management, we work with owners across Duluth and the surrounding area who started At Heirloom Property Management (https://www.rentwithheirloom.com), we work with owners across Duluth and the surrounding area who started out managing properties on their own. Many of them came to us after realizing they had reached a ceiling. Doing it all yourself works for one or two units, but once you start thinking about a true portfolio, the demands pile up quickly. Here are ten of the most common things holding DIY landlords back from growing.
1. Limited Time
Most property owners already have full-time jobs, families, or other commitments. Fielding tenant calls, showing units, scheduling repairs, and collecting rent eats up evenings and weekends. That limited time makes it hard to scale. BiggerPockets has great stories from investors who ran into this exact problem: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog
2. Tenant Screening Shortcuts
DIY managers often rely on gut feelings or surface-level checks. Without consistent background, credit, and rental history screening, problem tenants slip through and create expensive, time-consuming issues. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office provides guidance on landlord-tenant law, including screening rights and responsibilities: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/housing/lt/
3. Inconsistent Marketing
Posting a unit on one rental site or relying on a yard sign will not maximize exposure. Without a professional strategy, units sit empty longer and cut into profits. Zillow Rental Manager is helpful, but it only goes so far without a full plan: https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/
4. Slow Turnover Process
Vacancies are the biggest expense in property management. DIY managers who do not have a system for quick cleaning, repairs, and re-listing often lose weeks of rent between tenants. The National Apartment Association highlights how streamlined turnover drives profitability: https://www.naahq.org/
5. Reactive Maintenance
Instead of preventative care, many landlords wait until something breaks. This frustrates tenants and leads to bigger, more expensive fixes down the road. HUD’s property maintenance guidance shows how proactive care protects value: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/rhiip/phguide
6. Weak Lease Agreements
Generic online leases often miss Minnesota-specific requirements and protections. Without strong agreements, landlords risk disputes that could have been prevented. LawHelpMN’s housing resources are a helpful starting point: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/resources/housing
7. Tenant Retention Challenges
A DIY approach can overlook the importance of tenant satisfaction. Slow responses or inconsistent upkeep drive good tenants away and create constant turnover. The Forbes Real Estate Council often notes that retention beats acquisition on cost and stability: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/
8. Limited Vendor Relationships
Contractors and service providers tend to prioritize clients who bring them consistent business. DIY landlords often pay more and wait longer for repairs compared to a management company with strong vendor relationships.
9. Struggles With Compliance
Local ordinances, state laws, and federal housing regulations can be a maze. Missing a rule in Duluth’s rental licensing program can result in fines or legal issues.
Learn more here: https://duluthmn.gov/chs/rental-licensing/
10. Burnout
Finally, the biggest barrier is exhaustion. When every tenant call, maintenance issue, and vacancy lands on your shoulders, managing even a small portfolio can become overwhelming. Burnout leads many owners to stop growing altogether.
How Heirloom Helps
At Heirloom Property Management (https://www.rentwithheirloom.com), we remove these barriers so you can focus on building wealth through real estate, not fighting fires. From marketing and tenant screening to compliance and maintenance, our team keeps your properties running smoothly and profitably. Instead of getting stuck in the DIY rut, you can scale confidently with the right partner by your side.
