How Belong Compares To The Best Property Managers in Texas

You own a home in Texas and want it on the rental market. Naturally, the first thing you’re going to do is search for the best property management companies in Texas. We get it, you need the best of the best for your home and future rental income.

But as you sift through Google and Zillow reviews, you’ll see there’s not a whole lot to compare other than fees. And if you’re looking for what property management costs in Texas, be wary that monthly management fees often have a long list of exclusions which vary between providers. 

Those hidden costs and the sea of sameness in the market is exactly why Belong exists. To break that mold once and for all. Belong is the modern alternative to property management. A proptech company, with a human heart. Like the top-ranking property managers, we average a rating above 4.5 stars. But unlike property managers, we don’t hide fees or treat your renters like second-class citizens. 

So when comparing the best property management companies in Texas, let’s start with why you should consider ditching them for something more innovative. 

Belong vs property management companies in Texas

When comparing property management companies across Texas, you’ll be looking at a handful of differences between them all. With Belong, there’s no comparison. Because Belong isn’t a property management company, it’s a completely unique experience that is humanizing the rental market. 

Belong does things differently, by:

• Guaranteeing rent every month, not just a set payment date but regardless of when your residents pay. You can even choose to receive an entire year’s rent upfront.
  
  
• Including eviction protection as standard, shielding you from costly evictions without the hidden fees or restrictive caps.
  
  
• Not charging hidden fees like setup costs and lease renewal charges.
  
  
• Using the one seamless app for all homeowners and residents, putting everything you need at your fingertips.
  
  
• Being available for any service or enquiry at a time that suits you. That’s real 24/7 support to you and your residents, not just logging emergency maintenance.
  
  
• Combining tech-forward innovation with human smarts, such as optimized rental pricing that uses our algorithms, local knowledge and real-time demand to price your home with accuracy.

• Innovative, flexible financial products including the option to spread maintenance payments over the term of your lease agreement.

• Access to dedicated landlords insurance to protect your asset (as well as coverage for your residents).

• Integration with the most popular rental platforms to get your home loved faster.

The best property management alternative: Belong

• Google Rating: 4.6 (based on 539 reviews)
• Areas Served: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and regions outside of Texas, including California, Florida, Washington, Utah and more. 
• Hours: Whenever you need us!
• 24/7 Support: Yes, both landlords and tenants get 24/7 
• Monthly Management Fee: 8%
• Guaranteed rent: Your rent is guaranteed every month (or for a year upfront), no matter when your residents pay. 
• Charge for vacancy: Never!
• Lease renewal charge: $0 
• Initial setup fee: $0
• Additional fees: Zero, zip, zilch. 
• Video marketing or virtual tour: You guessed it – video is included at no extra cost
• Evictions: If Belong ever needs to initiate an eviction of a tenant we have chosen and placed, we will cover legal costs up to $15,000. 
• Better Business Bureau rating: A+

7 top-ranked property management companies in Texas

This list is based on a Google search for the best property management companies in Texas. The companies listed rank above 4.5 stars and have more than 100 reviews. Details and pricing are based on publicly-available information on the company websites (accurate as of May 2024, subject to change) and does not reflect any representation or endorsement of services. Please speak to these companies directly to confirm and before making any final decisions.

1. PURE Property Management of Texas

• Google Rating: 4.9 (based on 1414 reviews)
• Areas Served: Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Buda, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Kyle, Bastrop, Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass, and the surrounding areas.
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Closed weekends
• 24/7 Support: 24/7 Emergency Hotline
• Monthly Management Fee: Austin 8%, Corpus Christi 10%
• Guaranteed rent: There is a guarantee that rent will be paid on time, but only when residents pay on time.
• Charge for vacancy: No
• Lease renewal charge: $150
• Initial setup fee: $0
• Additional fees: Property inspections $129. Fees for handling insurance or home warranty claims where applicable.
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Unknown
• Evictions: Unknown, page removed from website as of May 2024
• Better Business Bureau rating: N/A

2. Mars Hill Property Management - Texas

• Google Rating: 4.8 (based on 188 reviews)
• Areas Served: Austin plus Northern Virginia, Arlington, Virginia, Washington D.C. and The Poconos, PA
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. Closed weekends
• 24/7 Support: Emergencies only
• Monthly Management Fee: 10% monthly management fee for 1-5 properties
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: No charge, but vacant home management costs include $150 per walkthrough and $75 per work order coordination 
• Lease renewal charge: Unknown
• Initial setup fee: Unknown
• Additional fees: $6 per month landlord fee or $16 per month to get more services such as eviction coverage and video tours. There are additional fees and packages from $35-$40 per month. An hourly rate of $200/hour applies for any services not included in fees including mail redirection. Check with the business for more details. 
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Not standard, video is only included in the higher tier fee 
• Evictions: For a $16p/m fee, eviction coverage is available on tenants they place to obtain a judgment for non-payment of rent, capped at $1000.
• Better Business Bureau rating: N/A

3. 1st Choice Property Management

• Google Rating: 4.8 (based on 189 reviews)
• Areas Served: Fort Worth, Texas
• Hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am - 3pm. Closed weekends.
• 24/7 Support: Emergencies and lease enquiry hotline available.
• Monthly Management Fee: 10 - 12% monthly fee
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: Unknown
• Lease renewal charge: $199 per lease extension
• Initial setup fee: $75 for a vacant home, $200 for occupied (waived for higher monthly fee)
• Additional fees: Fees are charged for every maintenance work order, annual inspections and lease extensions. Lower rate will also be charged additional fees for setup and preparing documents needed for tax.  
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Yes
• Evictions: On the higher monthly tier there is eviction protection for filing costs, writ of possession, broker representation and $500 in belonging removals but only if the eviction is due to nonpayment of rent. No coverage applies to other evictions. Not available on lower tiers.
• Better Business Bureau rating: A+

4. Keyrenter Property Management

• Google Rating: 4.8 (based on 460 reviews)
• Areas Served: Franchise business that services states across the US including Texas, fees and services may vary between offices so call to confirm
• Hours: Varies
• 24/7 Support: Emergency Maintenance Response
• Monthly Management Fee: Varies between offices but around 8 - 10%
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: Unknown
• Lease renewal charge: Unknown
• Initial setup fee: $195 in Dallas (fees vary between franchises)
• Additional fees: 10% of work order for maintenance, additional bi-annual property assessments $100
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Unknown
• Evictions: EvictionGuard (only available on higher fee tiers) covers attorney fees up to $1,000 for an eviction
• Better Business Bureau rating: N/A

5. Shannon Property Management

• Google Rating: 4.8 (based on 747 reviews)
• Areas Served: Houston, Texas
• Hours: Unknown
• 24/7 Support: 24/7 maintenance coverage with in-house team. 24/7 emergency response, and posting of notices
• Monthly Management Fee: 4-10% of monthly rent collected, varied based on monthly rental price of property and property attributes
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: Unknown
• Lease renewal charge: $395
• Initial setup fee: $100 on-boarding fee if you have existing tenants, otherwise placement fee only
• Additional fees: $145 per walkthrough/inspection. $500 owner contribution to be deposited per each property for dispatch of repair team
• Video marketing or virtual tour: No
• Evictions: 100% Eviction Guard Program, no details available online
• Better Business Bureau rating: A+

6. AREA Texas Realty & Property Management

• Google Rating: 4.7 (based on 246 reviews)
• Areas Served: Houston, Bellaire, Cypress, Downtown, Galleria, Heights, Katy, Kingwood, Memorial Park, Midtown, Montrose, Museum District, Pearland, Rice Village, Shady Acres, Spring, Sugar Land, The Med Center, The Woodlands, Upper Kirby, West University
• Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm. Closed weekends.
• 24/7 Support: 24/7 response time
• Monthly Management Fee: Unknown
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: Unknown
• Lease renewal charge: Unknown
• Initial setup fee: Unknown
• Additional fees: Unknown
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Unknown
• Evictions: No-cost to file an eviction for tenants placed if there is an issue with nonpayment of rent. Other fees may apply.
• Better Business Bureau rating: N/A

7. 1836 Realty & Property Management

• Google Rating: 4.6 (based on 312 reviews)
• Areas Served: Austin, Texas
• Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm. Closed weekends.
• 24/7 Support: 24/7 Live Emergency Line
• Monthly Management Fee: 3x flat rate management packages between $119 - $199 per month
• Guaranteed rent: Not offered
• Charge for vacancy: Unknown
• Lease renewal charge: Yes, fee unknown
• Initial setup fee: Yes, fee unknown
• Additional fees: Fees apply for account setup, eviction assurance, flat fee eviction administration, home and building warranty coordination, pool/spa service oversight, move-in and move-out services, lease renewals
• Video marketing or virtual tour: Unknown
• Evictions: Assistance available at additional cost
• Better Business Bureau rating: N/A

What is the average property management fee in Texas?

Based on the results found, the average property management fee in major cities like Austin and Houston, Texas, ranges between 8-13% of monthly rent. Some companies offer a cap or flat-rate service to limit ongoing costs. Be aware that a monthly property management fee may not include everything you need to manage your rental home, with common charges including:

• Initial setup costs
• Lease renewal fees
• Fees for walkthroughs and inspections
• Higher costs or fees for eviction assistance 
• Fees or a percentage of the work order for arranging maintenance and repairs 

If your rental home is looked after by Belong, you’ll have full transparency over costs with no hidden fees for the essentials such as video marketing, $15,000 eviction protection, 24/7 support and lease renewals. 

Discover why Texas loves Belong

Don’t just take our word for it, here’s a glimpse at what people are saying about Belong over on Zillow and Google reviews. 

Think your Texas home belongs with us? See why thousands of homeowners are ditching traditional property management to Belong instead:

• Austin
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Houston
• San Antonio
• Everywhere else!