Property management is changing fast, and the businesses that thrive won’t necessarily be the ones with the most doors. They’ll be the ones making smarter decisions about risk, clients and where they create value. I’m joined by Kelly Stanaway, Co-President of Fertig and Gordon and a licensed California real estate broker with decades of experience in property management. We unpack what it looks like to operate in an increasingly regulated environment, why Kelly has become far more selective about the clients she works with, and the importance of protecting your business through strong documentation, proactive leadership and a willingness to say no when the risk simply isn’t worth the revenue.
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation is Kelly’s decision to bring maintenance in-house, a move she says doubled her income in the first year and has become a genuine point of difference for the business. But this isn’t simply about adding another revenue stream. Kelly shares the practical realities behind building a maintenance division, from systems, scheduling and follow-up to insurance, training and compliance, and why starting small can be far more powerful than trying to build everything at once. It’s a great reminder that growth doesn’t always have to mean adding more properties. Sometimes the opportunity is in looking more closely at the services, expertise and solutions you can build around the portfolio you already manage.
We also get into the very human side of business ownership, leading a team, raising six children, navigating working-mum guilt and staying connected to the bigger reason behind the work when things get chaotic. Kelly’s approach to leadership centres on high standards without losing compassion, understanding what motivates people and being willing to learn from others rather than trying to figure everything out alone. There’s plenty here for property management professionals thinking about profitability, diversification and leadership, but perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: don’t limit yourself to simply managing properties. Look for the problems you can solve, the value you can add and the opportunities sitting right in front of you.
“You have to hold your employees and your systems to high standards. Because it is my license. It is my business. But it's also the compassion of a human being and what can I do for them to support them.”
- Kelly Stanaway
We cover:
- Overview of the property management landscape in Southern California.
- Challenges faced in highly regulated markets, including rent control and habitability laws.
- The impact of COVID-19 on property management businesses.
- Importance of vetting property owners and maintaining thorough documentation.
- Strategies for managing litigation risks and legal compliance.
- Transitioning to in-house maintenance teams for better control and profitability.
- Balancing work and family responsibilities, especially during the pandemic.
- Employee retention and the reputation of property management professionals.
- The evolving role of property managers beyond traditional responsibilities.
- Personal development and the value of mentorship in the property management field.
A big shout-out to our amazing podcast partner Ailo.
Ailo is an Australian property management software and app designed to streamline communication and payments between property managers, owners, and tenants. It offers in-app chat, real-time rent tracking, and maintenance management, aiming to modernise property management and improve transparency for all parties.
Book an Ailo Demo and get your Mecca Gift Card:
http://ailo.io/tpm
Follow Ailo:
https://www.instagram.com/ailohq/
Kylie’s Resources:
Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchool
Digital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschool
That Property Mum Courses: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/courses/
The PM Accelerate Membership: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/accelerate
Book a Strategy Call with Kylie: https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/coaching-call
Kolmeo: https://kolmeo.com/
Find out about our Done for You Lead Generation - https://calendly.com/kylie-tpm/done-for-you-leads-discovery-call
35 AI Prompts to help you Grow your Business on Social Media: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/35-prompts-to-grow-your-property-management-business-on-social-media
https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/5-misktakes-replay
Digital Marketing and AI Academy
https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalmarketingyes
Connect with Kelly Stanaway:
https://www.fertigandgordon.com/
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057307485619
https://www.instagram.com/fertigandgordon/
Connect With Kylie:
Follow Kylie Walker on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thatpropertymum_/
Follow Kylie on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/thatpropertymum
Connect with Kylie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-wal...
Explore Kylie's Website - https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/
Watch Kylie on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thatpropertymum