Switching managers · Expert. Local. Responsive.

Switching Property Managers Is Easier Than You Think

Unhappy with your current manager, or tired of managing it yourself? We handle the handoff, from records and keys to your residents, so the switch is smooth for you and for them.

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40+ years combined West Seattle experience Locally owned , opened in 2024 Based in the North Admiral neighborhood of West Seattle

The Top 10 Reasons Owners Switch Property Managers

These are among the most common reasons owners switch. If one sounds familiar, you're not alone. Here's how we handle each one.

1 Poor communication and slow responses
How WSPM is different For owners, a real person answers: call or text (206) 512-7061 during office hours (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–4 PM). Your AppFolio owner portal keeps statements, documents and messages in one place. On the leasing side, rental inquiries from prospective residents are answered 24/7 through our Showdigs leasing partner (the response time below applies only to those leasing inquiries, not to owner or maintenance communication).
Showdigs-handled leasing inquiries · avg response Under 5 min See the dashboard →
2 Declining service quality
How WSPM is different Locally owned, with over 40 years of combined West Seattle experience, and we publish how our portfolio is performing every day.
Portfolio Pulse See current score See the dashboard →
3 Long vacancies and slow leasing
How WSPM is different Pricing starts with a free Rental Market Analysis built on real local comps, and Showdigs, our leasing partner, runs tours 9 AM–7 PM, 7 days a week.
Showdigs tours 9 AM–7 PM, 7 days See the dashboard →
4 Maintenance cost surprises
How WSPM is different No vendor markup: the actual invoice is attached to your monthly statement. You set your own approval threshold ($500 recommended), with emergencies that protect health, safety or property excepted.
Our policy
5 Hidden or rising fees
How WSPM is different Published pricing and no cancellation fee. See our published fees →
Our policy
6 Lack of transparency and accounting mistakes
How WSPM is different Owner payments go out by ACH direct deposit by the 10th, usually earlier, with invoices attached to your statement.
Owner Payment Consistency See current figures See the dashboard →
7 Weak rent collection
How WSPM is different Late fees apply after the 5th, we follow up on late rent, and Pay or Vacate notices meet Seattle standards.
Current Delinquency Rate See current rate See the dashboard →
8 Poor tenant screening
How WSPM is different We screen every applicant against the same written criteria, provided before they apply, and follow Washington and local rules, including Seattle's First-in-Time and Fair Chance Housing requirements. View our current rental criteria
Our policy
9 Maintenance headaches and missed inspections
How WSPM is different Residents can submit maintenance requests 24/7 through the tenant portal. Our team handles maintenance: we review each request and coordinate the repair with our vetted local vendors, within your approval threshold. An annual inspection by a third-party vendor, typically before a lease renewal, paid for by WSPM. Additional inspections are available on request at the owner's cost.
Our policy
10 Compliance worries and self-managing stress
How WSPM is different For Seattle's RRIO program we check your registration and take over monitoring, or register for you. Our Compliance Radar tracks RRIO, RCW 59.18, First-in-Time, SMC 14.08, Just-Cause and Fair Housing.
Our policy

Our 5-step switch

The same process whether you're coming from another manager or self-managing. It's nuanced, so we handle the coordination.

  1. Assess the property

    We confirm whether the home is occupied or vacant, and whether there's a lease in place or a month-to-month tenancy.

    What you do Tell us about the property and your current setup.
    What we do Review the occupancy and lease situation and plan the handoff.

  2. Gather the records

    We collect tenant and owner ledgers, financials, maintenance history, the lease, the application and screening report.

    What you do Share what you have, or authorize us to request it from your current manager.
    What we do Collect, organize and load everything into AppFolio.

  3. Transfer keys

    Keys, fobs, codes and remotes come to us so we can access the property when needed.

    What you do Hand over or arrange delivery of keys.
    What we do Log and secure keys.

  4. Change of Management letter

    Residents get a clear letter introducing WSPM and explaining where their deposit will be held.

    What you do Nothing. We write and send it.
    What we do Draft and deliver the letter.

  5. Invite residents to the portal

    Residents get an invitation to their AppFolio resident portal to pay rent online. Residents can submit maintenance requests 24/7 through the tenant portal. Our team handles maintenance.

    What you do Nothing.
    What we do Send invites and help residents get set up.

A smooth change for your residents

Your residents hear from us clearly and early, so they know who to call and where to pay.

  • Their lease stays the same. Existing lease terms carry over.
  • Their deposit details are in writing. The Change of Management letter explains where it will be held.
  • An easy new portal. They're invited to the AppFolio resident portal to pay rent online. Residents can submit maintenance requests 24/7 through the tenant portal.

What about my current contract?

Review your current management agreement for its termination notice period and any related terms. Once you know the timing, we can help you plan the transition around it. This is general information, not legal advice; for questions about your contract, consult an attorney.

What you get after the switch

Every Full-Time engagement includes:

  • Move-in and move-out condition reporting, with photos
  • Lease renewals and rent reviews
  • Security deposit accounting per Washington law
  • Owner portal, monthly statements and a year-end tax packet
  • Direct access to the WSPM team and our vetted local maintenance network
  • Residents can submit maintenance requests 24/7 through the tenant portal; our team handles maintenance

We manage single-family homes, small multi-family, condos and townhomes, in West Seattle and King County.

Switching FAQ

More answers on our Owner FAQ and pricing page.

How long does switching take?
It depends on your current agreement's termination notice and how quickly records can be gathered. We'll help you plan the timing once we know your situation.
Will my tenants have to sign a new lease?
Not to switch. Their current lease terms stay the same; we notify them with a Change of Management letter that explains where their deposit will be held.
What does it cost to switch?
Switching doesn't change our pricing: full-time management is 10% of gross rental income, with leasing at 75% and renewals at 50% of one month's rent. Our published fees are on our pricing page, and all onboarding terms are in the management agreement we review with you before you sign. There's no cancellation fee.
What if I'm self-managing today?
The same 5 steps apply. We assess the property, gather your records, take the keys, notify your residents and invite them to the resident portal.
Can I leave WSPM if it's not a fit?
Yes. After a 3-month initial term the agreement is month-to-month, and either party can end it with 30 days' written notice. There's no cancellation fee.
How do I get started?
Start with a free Rental Market Analysis, then we'll talk through your home and your current situation.

Ready to make the switch?

Start with a free Rental Market Analysis, then a conversation about your home and an in-person visit.

A real person answers: call or text (206) 512-7061 during office hours (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–4 PM), or email hello@westseattlepm.com. No call center, no script.

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