writing a property business plan

How to Create Property Management Business Plan [Free Template]

Shannon Hurlman

Sales Manager - Second Nature

There are as many different perspectives on property management business plans as there are different PM businesses. But one thing holds true – in the classic adage usually attributed to Dwight D. Eisenhower – it’s not the plan that matters so much as the planning . 

Outlining a detailed business plan isn’t just important for defining your own goals, it’s key to communicating those to potential clients and investors. It also requires deep insight into what residents want and are willing to pay for.

Whether you’re new to property management, have been managing properties for years and are ready to start your own business, or own property management business but are looking for greater investment, we’ll cover important topics to address business plan creation.

We’ll explain why business planning can be so important, as well as who to target with your plan. We’ll also share a free template to get you started.

Key Learning Objectives:

• How to identify and find your ideal clients
• How to articulate your value proposition
• What to include in your business plan
• How to outline your business plan
• A free property management business plan template

Meet the Expert: Peter Lohmann , CEO RL Property Management

What to Know before Creating a Property Management Business Plan  

Not to get too deep down the rabbit hole, but the first step to creating a high-quality business plan is – you guessed it – to make a plan for the plan. For entrepreneurs, planning is the key to success.

Going through the following steps first will make the process much easier and more effective in the long run. Here’s what you need to get clear at the outset.

State Laws governing property management business 

As you know, each property management company’s approach is very dependent on regional or state regulations. Before taking any steps to either start or change your business, you need to have a clear understanding of the local laws governing your business venture.

We highly recommend hiring an attorney who can help you navigate those laws and regulations. 

Who are your ideal clients  

Lohmann lays out three critical steps to crystalizing a successful business plan:

• Identify your ideal clients.
• Articulate your unique value proposition for those clients.
• Go out and find leads.

So, first: Who are your ideal new clients? 

“Get really clear on who your ideal customer is,” Lohmann says. “Are you managing associations, office buildings, big apartments, single-family rentals, etc.? The narrower and more specific you can be, the better your life is going to be and the more money you’re going to make.”

In other words, anything outside of this target market is going to be a waste of your time. That’s why this is the first step.

“The more narrow and specific you can be here, the more directly you can speak to your prospects in a way that’s compelling,” Lohmann says. “Everything becomes easier – content strategy, sales conversations, even operations become easier – if you know who you want to manage for and what types of properties you want to manage.”

What type of property management company you are 

The next step is to identify your unique value proposition. There are tons of property management companies out there. Why should your ideal client choose you?

In Lohmann’s words: “Your second step is to ask, ‘Why should anyone care?’ Property management isn’t a new concept; there are tons of property managers. So, identify what your unique value proposition is.”

This is key to figuring out not just who to pitch to but how to pitch to them.

“What are you going to talk about?” Lohmann says. “You can’t just say, ‘Oh, hire us, we’re the best!’ You need clear examples that say, ‘Our company does something a little different.’”

For RL Property Management, that started as a promise that they would never charge a leasing fee. 

“Sure, it’s kind of crazy, and I don’t know anyone else who doesn’t charge that, but it worked,” Lohmann says. “We were trying to figure out why everyone hated their property manager. And we decided that it might be an incentive problem where the property manager’s incentive is to fill the unit as quickly as possible so they can get that big leasing fee, and that was creating bad outcomes for property owners. So we decided that we weren't going to charge a leasing fee, and we've stuck with it ever since.”

How to find your ideal clients 

The third and final step of preparation is to identify where you need to go out and find leads and engage property management marketing .

“Given what you know about how you defined your ideal prospect and your company and what they offer, the next question is where you go and get these leads,” Lohmann says.

“A lot of property managers start with this third step. They just say, ‘How can I get more leads?’ But that’s the wrong question. Why do you deserve those leads? Answer that first. Downstream of that is ‘Where are those people hanging out, and how can I get this to them?’”

Getting this step right involves researching property management and real estate property in your area and getting familiar with industry news, conferences, and listings.

What should a property management business plan include?

Now, let’s talk about the actual outline of your PM business plan. If you’re starting a new business and aiming to present a business plan to investors, or even business partners, you should outline each section below as a presentation deck. The information presented in this section needs to read like it is designed for investors and should highlight key terms and concepts they care about. 

Here’s a sample property management business plan outline, followed by a detailed explanation:

Executive Summary

Company overview, market analysis (industry, customer, and competitive analysis).

• Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy

Operations Management 

Management team, financial plan .

• Growth Opportunities 

This is a high-level overview of your entire presentation. As such, it should be the last section that you write. You want to be concise but interesting and hook the reader quickly. Outline the following in broad strokes:

• The type of property management company you are operating
• Your target market
• Your objectives
• Your plan for meeting these objectives 

The company overview will dive deeper into your property management niche and business model. Explain what types of properties you manage and how you operate. Options include single-family residential property management (SFR), multi-family property management (MFR) or residential apartments, HOA management, and commercial property management.

Give a brief history of your company and your legal business structure. Other important information might include: 

• Your key competitive differentiators and core competencies
• Your metrics for success
• Your management team
• Financial details
• Mission and vision statements

This section benefits you almost as much as it does your audience. Researching for this section will help you more deeply understand the industry, customers, and competition. 

• Industry analysis should include details on the trajectory of the market, its size, and key trends, along with challenges and opportunities.
• Customer analysis should include details about your target customers, their wants and needs, etc.
• Competitive analysis should outline direct competitors (PMCs in your area) and indirect competitors like in-house managers, automated tools, etc. Explain why your value proposition is unique. Ideally, present a thorough SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

This section should describe the property management services the company plans to offer, such as leasing, maintenance, and rent collection. Depending on the jurisdiction, legal compliance and documentation services may be relevant as well. This section should also discuss the pricing strategy for these services.

This section should describe the company's marketing plan and sales strategy, including how it plans to attract and retain clients. It should also discuss any advertising or promotional campaigns the company plans to undertake. Promotions could include paid advertising in print and on websites, social media marketing, radio advertising, SEO marketing, and more.

Here, it’s important to document your marketing channels (organic online, targeted online, print advertising, professional networking) as well as ongoing sales and marketing programs.

Outline your short-term processes and long-term business goals, as well as estimate day-to-day operations. What property management software are you using in the business? What bottlenecks slow down work that’s moving through the organization? How will you structure your company and your teams? 

It may also be helpful to include details on critical process workflows, risk mitigation strategies, and technology integrations and updates.

Outline your management structure and the skills and experience of your management team. You’ll particularly want to highlight property management and real estate experience. This is a key moment for you to consider who you have in the company, who is a right fit, and who needs to be looked at as not a great fit.

This is where you give your financial projections and approach. Outline your major cost centers and revenue drivers. What management fees are you going to charge? You should include a profit and loss statement, balance sheets, and a cash flow statement.

Growth Opportunities  

Identify and outline the most targeted growth opportunities for your business right now and over the next five and ten years. Knowing your long-term goals requires you to gain a deep understanding of the real estate and property management market in your area and to understand clearly where you fit in and how you can generate growth and value for years to come. 

Typically, in this section you might include:

• Expansion plans
• Strategic alliances
• Technology upgrades
• Emerging market trends

Property Management Business Plan Free Template

Although you may prefer to draft your own property management business plan from scratch, there are a couple of options for short-cutting the process. 

You can use the checklist below to organize your plan, or else simply download our free PMC business plan template to customize as you see fit. 

• Your property management niche and business model
• How you operate
• Company history 
• Your legal business structure
• Financial overview

Market Analysis 

• Industry assessment
• Customer analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Outline of sales and marketing plans
• Marketing channels
• Ongoing sales and marketing programs
• Long-term business goals
• Current processes
• Critical process workflows
• Risk mitigation strategies
• Technology integrations and updates
• Management structure
• Skills and experience
• Financial projections
• Cost centers and revenue drivers
• P&L statement
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow statement
• Targeted growth opportunities

Get your free PMC business plan template here.

Beyond the business plan: Focus on retention with the Second Nature RBP    

At Second Nature, we work with property managers around the country to develop better resident experiences that will generate more value for their clients and more profit for their companies. 

The product we have found most helpful to property managers at every stage of their company’s growth is a fully managed resident benefits package or RBP. Each product in this package aims to deliver something residents want or need and a service that helps set your PMC apart. We want to help make running your business as easy as second nature.

Operational Efficiency

Keep learning

10 Steps to Onboard New Tenants

For property management companies, new tenant onboarding represents a cornerstone of the "Triple Win" philosophy we advocate here at Second Nature. That's because an optimal process benefits all parties. First, a smooth onboarding experience fosters tenant satisfaction and delivers winning conditions for a positive tenant relationship with their new home. It recognizes their role as property residents rather than transactional entities, and sets a positive tone for their experience with the property. It also demonstrates professionalism and competence on the part of the property management company, which not only boosts your brand, but also enhances your ability to attract potential tenants in the future. Finally, it protects the real estate property owner: Clear communication of lease terms, expectations, and maintenance procedures helps reduce the risk of issues such as late payments, property damage, or misunderstandings. But how do you actually optimize the onboarding process? Today we'll look at standardized procedures you should implement to ensure consistency and a positive outcome for all. Note on language: "Tenant onboarding” is an industry term used from time to time. But we here at Second Nature are trying to evolve the word "tenant." We’ve seen the incredible work property managers do day in and day out to make renters feel like they’re so much more than just a tenant – they’re residents. Making renters feel like residents isn’t just philosophical, it also encourages them to invest in care for their home and add value to the property. This is why, at Second Nature, we prefer to call tenants “residents.” Like you, we think of them as people first – making your property their home. 1. Run background checks, collect and verify all tenant information The onboarding process starts with thorough tenant screening and background checks on prospective renters. The process of ensuring the accuracy of tenant information can be time-consuming, so this is where you will realize the greatest efficiencies as you optimize the process. Start by leveraging screening and credit check/credit score service providers to assess a tenant's financial responsibility and ability to meet rent payments, as well as identifying any prior evictions or tenancy issues. Criminal background checks, run in accordance with fair housing laws and anti-discriminatory practices, can uncover potential red flags that may represent risks to the property or other tenants. You should also use standardized application forms that clearly request information such as: full legal name, contact details, and date of birth employment information and income verification (via recent paystubs or employer contact details) previous rental history, including contact details of prior landlords emergency contact information Directly contact previous landlords and employers to confirm details provided by the prospective tenant, and verify the government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) they supply to confirm their identity. Consider offering an online application portal where tenants can submit their information and upload documents securely. This allows for faster processing and reduces manual data entry (and therefore reduces the risk of errors). Again, ensure that all screening processes comply with fair housing laws to avoid discrimination based on protected characteristics. 2. Explain the lease and sign the agreement It's critical for all parties that you be transparent and clear about lease terms. To achieve this clarity in a repeatable, standardized way, consider structuring the process as four distinct stages: (i) Pre-signing review Schedule a dedicated time with the tenant to review the lease agreement. In the agreement itself, it's important to use clear, concise, plain language that avoids legal jargon. Explain each clause, addressing key points like rent amount and due date, security deposit details and return policy, allowed usage of the property and any restrictions (such as pets or modifications), maintenance responsibilities of both the tenant and the property manager, and termination clauses/notice periods. (ii) Addressing concerns After the pre-signing review, proactively invite questions and address any areas of confusion or concern. Have supplementary materials and any other necessary information readily at hand, such as property manuals or tenant handbooks. (iii) Lease signing process Consider offering the option of secure e-signatures for a convenient and efficient signing experience, but do ensure readily available hard copies of the lease for traditional in-person signing preferences. (iv) Post-signing follow-up: Present tenants with a signed copy of the lease agreement for their reference. At that point, you should outline the next steps, such as payment details (more on that below) move-in date and procedures, utility setup details, and contact information for maintenance requests or emergencies. 3. Collect payments and security deposits An efficient tenant onboarding process will prioritize secure and convenient methods for tenants to submit their security deposit and rent payments. Naturally, this starts and ends with clear communication. If you have not covered this in the context of the lease agreement, do so now: Clearly outline all available payment methods, as well as rent due dates, late fee structures, and any associated payment processing fees. It's helpful to provide flexible payment methods. Options include secure online portals (whether hosted on your site or by a third-party payment processing provider) that allow tenants to pay using debit cards, credit cards, or e-transfers. This option presents multiple advantages, including automatic recurring rent collection, online receipt for all transactions, and a record of payment history for easy reference. You can also offer the option for direct bank transfers between the tenant's account and the accounts of your property management company. For technology-averse tenants, you may find it necessary to offer traditional payment methods such as cashier's checks or money orders, which provide a secure way for tenants to submit payments without the risk of personal check bounces. When it comes to security deposit handling, compliance is key. You must adhere to all local and state regulations regarding security deposit amounts, holding periods, and interest accrual (if applicable). It's helpful to hold security deposits in a separate account designated solely for this purpose. This demonstrates transparency and protects tenant funds. 4. Share copies of electricity and gas safety certificates While some regulations require property managers to make electricity and gas safety certificates available on request, in certain jurisdictions, the property management company may be legally obliged to provide them during the onboarding process. Always consult with local regulations and ensure compliance to avoid any legal issues. In any case, by proactively providing copies of safety certificates, clearly explaining their purpose, and maintaining proper records, property management companies demonstrate a commitment to tenant safety and uphold a high standard of professionalism. This fosters trust and transparency throughout the tenancy. While the certificates indicate overall the electrical and gas safety of your rental property, as well as any potential hazards, emphasize the tenant's responsibility to report any observed issues or concerns promptly. 5. Schedule move-in To efficiently schedule the move-in, inquire about the tenant's preferred move-in date and time frame during the lease agreement signing process. If you're offering a few available move-in windows, strive to accommodate their preferred date and time, as this demonstrates your commitment to tenant satisfaction. If the tenant's preferred date is unavailable, propose options that minimize disruption, such as an earlier or later move-in time within the same day. Once a mutually agreeable move-in date and time are established, send a confirmation email or document outlining the details as well as a move-in checklist. Note that Second Nature includes a move-in concierge as part of its Resident Benefit Program. 6. Prepare the property for move-in day The onboarding process culminates in a meticulously prepared property for the tenant's arrival. Start by conducting a pre-move-in inspection and cleaning. This covers the entire property, including: Floors, windows, and all surfaces. Appliances Bathrooms and kitchens Ensure that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational, and have fresh batteries. Also, address any outstanding maintenance or repair requests, and verify that all applicable utilities are functioning properly. You'll want to take any meter readings in the presence of the tenant during the move-in process. Consider providing small "welcome amenities'' (toilet paper, tissues, light bulbs, and so on), as well as a welcome packet that includes contact details, important property information, trash collection schedules), and emergency procedures. Such gestures foster a sense that the property is being managed with care. 7. Deliver keys and share property manager contact information While the process of delivering keys and sharing contact information may seem trivial, it's an excellent occasion for once again demonstrating your professionalism and care for the property. First, coordinate a convenient time for the tenant to pick up their keys. This can occur during a move-in walkthrough or previously. Consider offering flexible options for key collection, such as collection of keys from the property management office, or secure drop-off at the property, if this is feasible. Maintain a record of the specific keys issued to the tenant. If the property utilizes key fobs or electronic access systems, ensure the tenant receives proper instructions and activation procedures. As far as contact information goes, provide the tenant with various contact methods, including any dedicated phone lines for tenant inquiries and maintenance requests, email addresses for non-urgent communication, and access to an online tenant portal (if applicable) for rent payments, maintenance requests, and communication. If you have not already done so, outline your operating hours and response timeframe for inquiries and maintenance requests. Provide a separate after-hours emergency contact number for urgent situations. 8. Leave a welcome message, card, or gift pack for the tenant While not essential, incorporating a personalized touch during the onboarding process can significantly enhance the tenant's experience. For instance, a brief handwritten note left at the property upon move-in adds a personal touch, as does a warm welcome email. Such a message can express that the tenant has chosen your property, offer availability to answer questions, and reiterate important contact details for the tenant's reference. Professional greeting cards with similar messages are also an effective way of enhancing your brand, particularly when co-branded with local restaurants and grocery stores to offer discounts or coupons. Another option consists of gift packs containing small, practical items such as basic toiletries, coffee/tea/baked goods, or cleaning supplies. Ensure that any message, card, or gift reflects a professional tone and avoids overly personal greetings. 9. Follow up after one week with the onboarded tenant to get feedback An optimal onboarding process extends beyond the initial move-in. Following up with the resident after a week demonstrates your company's attentiveness and professionalism, and goes a long way toward boosting retention rates. Schedule a follow-up call or email approximately one week after the tenant has settled in (at which point they will have become well acquainted with the property). A call allows for a more personal touch and enables the tenant to voice any concerns directly, while an email gives them the flexibility to respond at their convenience, as well as providing a written record of the communication. Sample wording might go along the lines of: "I hope you're settling in well at [property address/name]. Is there anything we can help you with?" or "We hope everything is going smoothly after your move-in last week. Do you have any questions or concerns we can address?" Remind the tenant of the various contact methods available for the property management company, and address any raised concerns promptly to demonstrate your willingness to assist in resolving issues. You may also wish to consider incorporating a brief tenant satisfaction survey into the follow-up e-mail, if you've chosen this approach. This can provide valuable insights into areas where the onboarding process can be further improved. 10. Schedule periodic rental inspections with the tenant A crucial aspect of responsible property management involves conducting periodic inspections. Here's a professional approach to scheduling these inspections while fostering a positive relationship with the resident. Clear communication is paramount. It's important that you outline the frequency and purpose of inspections within the lease agreement, and explain the rationale behind inspections, emphasizing property maintenance and ensuring tenant safety. Of course, you'll reserve the right to conduct immediate inspections in case of emergencies or suspected violations of the lease agreement. However, prioritize informing the tenant whenever possible, and always adhere to local and state regulations regarding the frequency and notification requirements for rental inspections. Before scheduling an inspection, provide ample written notice. This allows residents to prepare the property and minimizes disruption. As necessary, work with the tenant to find a mutually agreeable date and time for the inspection. Allow the tenant to be present during the inspection, and limit the inspection to the essential aspects, avoiding intrusion into personal belongings (download our rental inspection checklist to ensure you’re covering all the bases). Then, provide the tenant with a copy of the inspection report, highlighting any findings or maintenance needs. Final thoughts Remember, an onboarding process is not just a series of steps; it's a tool to enhance communication, establish expectations, and create a positive resident experience. Our top recommendation for ensuring a world-class resident experience is to build a resident benefits program. Second Nature has pioneered the only fully managed Resident Benefits Package for single-family property managers. Learn more about resident experience management in our State of Resident Experience Report, or explore the benefits of a Resident Benefits Package.

7 Best Property Management Newsletters

Property managers fill many roles and hold many responsibilities. That’s why it can be helpful for them to subscribe to leading industry newsletters and publications. These publications deliver strategic time-savings by providing focused, often actionable updates on market news such as real estate market fluctuations, investment property trends, and resident demographics. They can also keep you informed about updates to legal considerations related to rental properties, so you have a longer runway to adapt to any changing requirements. Finally, they’re an ideal way of keeping tabs on the latest in best practices and tech advancements, so your operational toolbox always has the best tools available, for what can often be a challenging role. In this post, we’ll survey some of the top newsletters in the industry, and provide quick takeaways about what makes each worth the read. 1. Second Nature's Triple Win Newsletter Our very own bi-weekly newsletter is a fun and informative digest of all things property management, with a focus on our "Triple Win" approach, which favors conditions that benefit residents, property management companies, and owners alike. We make it engaging and helpful, with sample content including articles such as "Improving Delegation with the 'Who' Not 'How' Approach," "Property Management Horror Stories," and "How to Install and Manage Processes in Property Management," plus interviews with industry veterans, our take on the best of social media, and the occasional PM-focused meme. Subscribe here 2. Peter Lohmann's Newsletter Peter Lohmann is the CEO & principal broker of RL Property Management, a residential property management company located in Columbus (Ohio). His weekly newsletter has 5,000 subscribers, and according to a recent social media posting on Twitter/X, focuses on “sharing everything that works as we grow our property management business.” A testimonial from one newsletter subscriber describes the content as “honest, objective, and eye-opening,” and this does appear to be the brand of the email newsletter, as it is written in a personable, conversational tone that covers a wide range of meaningful content and marketing strategies, ranging from how daunting it can be to hire a new COO, to extended discussions around client churn (using data from his own company), as well as spotlights on conferences, local events, and new technology. Subscribe here 3. PlanOmatic Monthly Beaker PlanOmatic provides photos, floor plans, and 3D tours for single-family rental property owners and property managers. Their monthly newsletter, The Monthly Beaker, bills itself as “everything you need to know about SFR, once a month, in one place.” Although it is still a fairly “young” publication at just over a year old, it has already garnered over 750 LinkedIn subscribers to go along with their email list. It’s easy to see why – the format makes it a lot of fun to read, with an introductory editorial segment delivered in a conversational tone that nevertheless provides a significant quantity of information. This is typically followed by a series of quick hits consisting of proprietary insights into the SFR space, important data from around the sector, and final bullets providing key takeaways (“Everyone knows this stuff and you should too”) from the property management industry. Subscribe here 4. National Rental Home Council As the non-profit trade association of the single-family rental home industry, the National Rental Home Council (NRHC) publishes a wealth of resources for its different target audiences. NRHC’s intent is to support legislative and regulatory frameworks that incentivize housing providers to augment and enhance accessibility to a range of fair housing options for both homeowners and renters. This means its resources are designed to be of interest to a variety of different stakeholders within the rental market. Members receive a weekly Briefing Report on the single family rental home industry, the Quarterly NRHC Newsletter, and a Weekly Newsletter featuring national coverage and news alerts. For non-members, the NRHC issues regular news releases, as well as resources including FAQs, reports and primers, fact sheets, and videos. With archives dating back to 2015, this site is a valuable and well-established industry resource. Visit the website 5. The Evernest Newsletter Evernest’s focus is on single-family houses, condos, small multi-family buildings, and HOA management. It manages over 15,000 properties for over 6,000 owners, and its HOA and Association division serves over 17,000 homeowners. As for the Evernest Newsletter, its email list consists of over 18K landlords and real estate industry investors, all signed up to receive educational content for DIY landlords and real estate investors. This real estate newsletter also publishes content related to new podcast episodes from the Evernest team, articles and videos, and community content as well as information about upcoming events. Subscribe here 6. Jordan Muela’s Newsletter Jordan Muela has been in the property management industry for over 10 years, and is currently CEO of LeadSimple and co-founder of ProfitCoach. He started his now bi-weekly newsletter in 2021, which counts 4k property manager subscribers, and focuses on “people, process, and profit,” as he puts it. With catchy headlines and informative content, it’s worth browsing his page of posts to get a sense of his coverage. Sample headers include “Why what triggers you is a gift,” “There's a simple test to understand how aggressive your fees are,” “It's ok to want to quit,” and “2023 National PM Pricing Report”: suffice it to say that it’s all highly varied and readable stuff. Subscribe here 7. Marc Cunningham In addition to running the PM Build website, Marc Cunningham is the President of Grace Property Management & Real Estate. He's regularly featured in national real estate publications and podcasts, holds multiple designations, invests in residential and commercial real estate, and was named the 2018 national property manager of the year by Think Realty. At PM Build, Marc publishes a monthly video newsletter that addresses current topics and trends in the real estate property management space. With accessible topics such as “How To Deliver Bad News To Owner-Clients, “Top Tip To Be Successful In The Property Management Business," and “6 Numbers To Measure The Success Of Your PM Business,” his content is of immense value for new and seasoned property management companies alike. Watch episodes here Hungry for more news? Visit Second Nature’s Triple Win Property Management Blog

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Property Management Business Plan

Things to Consider Before Writing a Property Management Business Plan

Build relevant skills.

Having skills relevant to your business, be it foundational skills for managing property soft skills for dealing with the people in your business, or the deals and exchanges aspect of your business would always act as an added advantage for you. Hence, before getting started, it would be good to develop some basic skills and have a method to keep updating them as you work. Your skills alone can also become your business’s unique selling point.

Join Associations and Build Your Network

Networking is a crucial aspect in every field related to real estate, hence it is essential for your property management business too. Your network should be good and diverse and consist of a variety of people, even if they are your competitors. You’ll never know who might get you your next deal.

You can easily do so by building strong connections and joining relevant associations which give you more opportunities to network.

Use Technology

We owe the speed and efficiency of our work to technology. The same holds for the property management business too. You no longer need to work traditionally and laboriously of managing your properties, and use technology instead to make your work of maintaining all those details easier and more organized.

Build your Website

Building your website early gives you a head start on promoting your business and makes reaching out to your potential clients easier. Hence, if you plan on starting a business, build your website today to help you promote as much as you can.

Chalking out Your Business Plan

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample property management business plan for you to get a good idea about how perfect a property management business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Property Management Business Plan Outline

This is the standard property management business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Mission statement
• Vision Statement
• Customer Focus
• Success Factors
• Financial Summary
• 3 Year profit forecast
• Business Structure
• Startup cost
• Products and services
• Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• Market Trends
• Target Market
• SWOT Analysis
• Targeted Cold Calls
• Online Marketing
• Publications
• Community Events/Organizations
• Pricing Strategy
• Financial Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

After getting started with Upmetrics , you can copy this sample property management business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your property management business plan pdf or doc file.

It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Download a sample property management business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free property management business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your property management business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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7 Steps to Writing a Real Estate Business Plan (+ Worksheet)

Chris is a writer, coach, speaker, and technology analyst specializing in marketing, lead generation, transactional best practices, and everything in between. See full bio

• Do You Really Need a Business Plan?
• 7 Steps to Writing Your Plan:
• Identify Who You Are
• Analyze Your Target Market
• Identify Your Target Client
• Conduct a SWOT Analysis
• Establish Your Goals
• Create a Financial Plan
• Monitor & Evaluate
• 3 Top Tips for a Killer Plan

A real estate business plan is an essential strategy document that ensures that your business is equipped to survive and grow. It ensures that your time, energy, and cash are being spent efficiently in pursuit of your goals. 

However, unless you went to business school or are an experienced entrepreneur, it can be hard to know where to begin writing your business plan. That’s why we developed a detailed real estate business plan worksheet that you can start using today! Download it below and follow along as we walk you through the seven easy steps to creating a killer real estate business plan.

Download Your Free Real Estate Business Plan Worksheet

Do I Really Need a Business Plan?

Yes. Yes, you do. Even if you’re a solo agent with a supportive broker. Statistically, businesses with a plan do better than those without a plan. Here’s why: 

Your business plan is your roadmap, your blueprint. It will help you reduce risk, identify threats and weaknesses early on, exploit every opportunity, and fortify every strength. 

A killer business plan forces you to think through your goals and objectives, as well as your budget, so that you have a real chance of success right from the beginning. It keeps you realistic and establishes a way for you to clearly monitor and evaluate your success. 

We know business plans sound dull and boring, but we’ve put together a comprehensive worksheet so all you have to do is conduct the deep thinking for the answers and pull it all together. It can actually be a pretty fun exercise. So get ready to dream big, think creatively, plan strategically, and establish yourself for real success. 

Our Free Real Estate Business Plan Worksheet

Ready to get started? Our plan has all the essentials you need to set your business up for success this year and into the future.

Each section provides space for a thorough self-assessment. You’ll get a chance to nail down exactly what services you offer, who your customers are, and how your business will serve them. Our business plan worksheet is the perfect launchpad: a necessary step to take your real estate business to the next level.

Next, we’ll walk you through each step of the template. 

Write a Real Estate Business Plan in 7 Easy Steps

1. tell your story: identify who you are as a real estate agent.

The first step to successful real estate business planning is always self-evaluation. Who are you, why are you in the real estate business—and maybe most importantly—what do you do?

We call this section “Who You Are,” and ask you to develop your:

• Mission statement (your reason for being in real estate)
• Vision statement (what the world looks like once you’ve achieved your mission)
• Executive summary (one to two sentences that summarize what you do)

Need a little more coaching on creating perfectly powerful mission and vision statements? Check out our article on how to make the most of these crucial blocks of your business foundation.

2. Analyze Your Target Real Estate Market

In this section, you’ll examine every corner of the market: which sections are hot, which have slowed down, and most importantly, where the opportunities are. We suggest taking your time and really digging into the MLS and your local Realtor association’s data to figure out exactly what the numbers reveal.

Don’t spend too much time examining numbers on the national or even state-wide levels. Real estate is a local pursuit; what matters most is what is happening on the street level of your community. 

As you’re looking at your local market, also consider your competition. What are your fellow agents doing that’s working? How have they differentiated themselves? Where is the market underserved? 

In our worksheet, we ask you to examine and record:

• General trends (days on market, typical commissions, average sold price, etc.)
• Market opportunities (observed imbalances in supply and demand)
• Market saturations (where is there too much and of what)
• Local competition (who’s out there, and what are they doing well; where are they lacking; are there gaps in services)

3. Identify Your Target Client 

Now that you have deep insight into your market and have identified potentially underserved niches, consider how you will fill this need and what type of clients you want to target. 

Perhaps you’ll be a condo specialist? Maybe you’ll focus on first-time homebuyers. What about the vacant land game? Think long and hard about what you are good at, what you are passionate about, and what the market needs. Once you have an idea of the hole you can fill in your market, you have a good idea of who your customers are.

Once you know who you are targeting, understand them as best you can by creating a client persona. What are their specific needs and concerns? How can you best market to them? Start to understand their stories and you’ll be able to solve their problems. 

4. Conduct a SWOT Analysis

A SWOT—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—analysis is a common tool in business plans, and is especially important in our real estate business plan worksheet.

Here, you evaluate each of these categories using what you’ve discovered about yourself and your business as you’ve been writing. Think of it as a summary-thus-far. 

Then, combine that knowledge with what you know about yourself and how you work. For instance, maybe you are strong in analysis but weak in cold calling. Maybe there is no brokerage that focuses primarily on millennials (opportunity). Maybe your target market is heavily focused on new construction and there’s a construction slowdown forecasted (threat). Generally, strengths and weaknesses are internal, while threats and opportunities are external. 

The SWOT analysis is a great document to keep nearby even after your real estate business plan is complete. In fact, we know several top-producing agents who make a copy of this section and tack it on the bulletin board in their office, just so it is top of mind every day.

5. Establish Your SMART Goals

In this section, you’re going to lay out a variety of different goals for your business: financial, expansion, and more. Use the research and analysis you’ve completed to solidify your goals into measurable statements you can come back to and evaluate periodically.

The key to making this section valuable is to make your goals SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.  

Here are some goals you might want to think about:

• A specific gross commission income
• A targeted number of transactions in a specific location
• A certain number of leads in a given time
• Hiring an inside sales agent or assistant within a given time
• Spending a certain amount of time working vs home with the family

6. Create Your Financial Plan 

The penultimate section of your real estate business plan is all about getting the math to pencil out. While financial planning is not everybody’s strong suit, most of the work has already been done for you thanks to the careful investigation you’ve done in the previous sections of your real estate business plan.

In this section of our worksheet, you’ll take account of all your operating expenses, including all your marketing and lead generation costs. You will also be able to calculate the number of transactions required to make the numbers come together. If you’re just starting out and don’t have set expenses yet, don’t worry. This will give you the opportunity to set a budget! 

💰 Pro tip: Remember to separate your personal and business money. You should never draw cash from the same place to buy milk and Facebook ads. Not separating these two sources will make taxes a nightmare, plus it’s easy to go over budget. If your starting assets don’t meet or exceed your startup costs, you’ll need to go back and adjust your strategy until they do.

7. Revisit Your Business Plan to Monitor & Evaluate 

Finally, don’t forget to complete the follow-up section at the end. It may be tempting to get started right away on the plans you’ve made, but you need to plan to revisit your strategy.

Your real estate business plan is a living document, not something carved in stone. We suggest a quarterly check-in to see if the strategies you chose are advancing you toward your goals.

Chris’ Tips: 3 Strategies for Improving Your Real Estate Business Plan

Chris Linsell, Senior Real Estate Writer , The Close

You’ve got your real estate business plan worksheet, and we’ve walked you through exactly what you should expect every step of the way. But, before you start putting pen to paper, we’ve got three tips you should remember when building out your plan of attack.

📌   Pro Tip

1. Your Business Serves Customer Needs First and Your Abilities Second

A common misstep in real estate business planning is building a business around your specific skills, resources, or talents before understanding whether your community has a need for them. 

For instance, if you identify in your SWOT analysis that you’re fantastic at face-to-face, cold lead interaction (you love to door-knock), but you’re working in a community that’s almost exclusively partially occupied vacation homes, you’re likely not going to get the success you desire. 

Start by identifying the needs of your real estate community first , then examine how your skills will meet those needs.

2. Focus on Differentiating Yourself

But don’t throw out those things that make you special! Spend time thinking about what you do better than anyone else and use those abilities to tackle community needs. Creating a business model that looks like everybody else’s is a recipe for mediocrity. The better you explain your unique value to potential clients, the more likely they are to become actual clients.

3. Short-term Strategies Should Support Long-term Goals

Your real estate business plan is about setting goals for yourself and your career. But you’ll never reach those goals if your short-term, day-to-day habits don’t support them.

As you plan and strategize your future while creating your real estate business plan, make sure you’re setting realistic goals that your time, talent, and resources will support. There’s nothing wrong with being aspirational. But don’t set yourself up for failure by creating goals you don’t have the resources to reach.

Bringing It All Together

Creating a killer real estate business plan is a crucial step, one that is often overlooked by individual agents. But with some deep thought, careful analysis, realistic planning, and hard work, you’re sure to create a strategic document that will support and inspire you in the lean times and keep you on track in the excellent times. 

We want to hear from you. How is your real estate business plan coming together? Have any tips? Questions? Let us know in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going.

Chris is a writer, coach, speaker, and technology analyst specializing in marketing, lead generation, transactional best practices, and everything in between.

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a rental property business plan

• Annabelle Amery

In the dynamic realm of real estate and rental properties, a well-designed business plan is the cornerstone of starting a thriving rental property venture . It goes beyond a mere document, serving as a strategic guide that shapes your goals, operations and adaptability.

Your business plan plays a vital role in making informed decisions and navigating market shifts. Moreover, it enhances your credibility with potential partners and investors, showcasing your grasp of the industry. When you’re starting a business in the real estate industry, a solid business plan can truly pave the way for rental property triumph.

Looking to expand your business online by making a website ? Check out Wix’s website builder .

How to write a rental property business plan in 6 steps

Writing a comprehensive business plan for your rental property business is crucial for setting a solid foundation and ensuring long-term success. It provides a roadmap for your business, outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. Here are the six main parts of a rental property business plan:

Executive summary

Business and domain names

Market analysis and research

Operation plan

Marketing and advertising plan

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary is the first section of your rental property business plan. It provides an overview of your business and highlights the key points from each section of the plan. The executive summary should be concise, clear and engaging to capture the reader's attention. It should include:

A brief description of your rental property business

Your mission statement and vision for the business

A summary of your target market and competition

An overview of your marketing and growth strategies

Your financial projections and funding requirements

Example of an executive summary for rental property businesses

“ABC Rentals is a leading provider of high-quality rental properties in the city. Our mission is to provide comfortable and affordable housing solutions for individuals and families. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, we aim to exceed our tenants' expectations by offering well-maintained properties, excellent customer service and competitive rental rates.

In an increasingly competitive rental market, ABC Rentals stands out by offering unique amenities such as on-site laundry facilities, secure parking and pet-friendly options. Our marketing strategies include targeted online advertising, partnerships with local businesses and word-of-mouth referrals. With an initial investment of $500,000 from private investors, we project steady growth over the next five years.”

02. Business and domain names

Choosing the right business name for your rental property is crucial for building brand awareness and trust. Start by brainstorming ideas that reflect the essence of your business and resonate with your target market. You can use a business name generator tool for inspiration and to check the availability of domain names .

When choosing a domain name make sure to keep it short, memorable and easy to spell. Include relevant keywords and avoid numbers, hyphens or special characters.

After you’ve decided on a name and the right legal structure, make sure to register your business .

03. Market analysis and research

Including a market analysis and research section in your rental property business plan is essential for understanding the competitive environment and developing effective business strategies. Conduct market research to identify trends, demand and competition in the rental property market.

Your market analysis should cover:

An overview of the rental property market in your target area

Demographic information about your target audience

Competitor analysis, including their strengths and weaknesses

Pricing strategies and rental rates in the market

Opportunities for differentiation and unique selling propositions

04. Operations plan

The operations plan outlines the logistical aspects of your rental property business. It covers important details such as location, premises, equipment and staffing needs.

Detail the ideal location for your rental properties based on target market preferences and accessibility to amenities. Include in this the size and layout of the premises, including the number of units and common areas. Remember to list all of the necessary equipment for property management, maintenance and tenant services.

You should also include staffing requirements. This includes property managers, maintenance personnel and administrative staff.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

Your rental property business plan should include a detailed marketing and advertising plan to attract tenants. Some strategies to consider: online advertising through rental listing websites, social media platforms and targeted online ads.

You can also look into traditional advertising methods like print ads in local newspapers or magazines—and at the same time partnerships with local businesses or organizations for referral programs. Don’t forget to create a business website to showcase your services and land more leads.

No matter where you promote your business, you’ll want to keep your branding consistent. As a first step, use a logo maker to generate real estate logo ideas .

06. Financial plan

When it comes to a rental property business, the financial plan lays out the money side of things, like how much it'll cost to start up, where the funds are coming from, how much you expect to earn and when you're likely to start making a profit. This section isn't just about showing your business's money smarts, but it's also a way for potential backers and lenders to figure out what they might get out of investing in your business.

Rental property business plan examples

Creating a business plan for your rental property business is essential for setting a solid foundation and ensuring long-term success. To help you get started, here are two draft business plans for a hypothetical rental property business.

Business plan template #1 : Urban Rentals

Urban Rentals is a premier rental property business specializing in providing high-quality urban living spaces for young professionals and students in the city. Our mission is to offer modern, well-designed apartments in desirable locations at competitive rental rates. With a focus on customer satisfaction, we aim to create a hassle-free rental experience for our tenants.

Company and domain names

The company name, Urban Rentals, reflects our target market and the type of properties we offer. We have secured the domain name urbanrentals.com, which aligns perfectly with our brand identity and makes it easy for potential tenants to find us online.

We have conducted extensive market research to understand the demand for rental properties in urban areas. Our target audience consists of young professionals and students seeking convenient, stylish and affordable apartments. We have identified several competitors in the market but believe that our unique amenities and competitive pricing will set us apart.

Operations plan

Urban Rentals plans to acquire properties in desirable urban neighborhoods close to public transportation, restaurants, and entertainment options. We will renovate these properties to meet modern standards and provide essential amenities such as high-speed internet, laundry facilities, and secure access. Our dedicated property management team will handle tenant inquiries, maintenance requests, and ensure that all properties are well-maintained.

To attract tenants, we will utilize a multi-channel marketing approach. This includes online advertising through rental listing websites and social media platforms, as well as targeted online ads. We will also establish partnerships with local colleges and universities to reach student tenants. Additionally, we will implement referral programs and incentivize word-of-mouth marketing through satisfied tenants.

Urban Rentals will be initially funded through a combination of personal savings and a small business loan. We project steady growth over the next five years, with a focus on maintaining high occupancy rates and increasing rental income. Our financial plan includes detailed revenue projections, expense forecasts and cash flow analysis.

Business plan template #2 : Coastal Properties

Coastal Properties is a rental property business specializing in providing beachfront vacation homes for tourists and travelers seeking a luxurious coastal experience. Our mission is to offer premium properties with stunning ocean views, top-notch amenities and exceptional customer service. We aim to create unforgettable vacation experiences for our guests.

The company name, Coastal Properties, reflects our focus on beachfront locations and coastal living. We have secured the domain name coastalproperties.com, which perfectly represents our brand and helps potential guests find us easily online.

We have conducted extensive market research to understand the demand for vacation rentals in popular coastal destinations. Our target audience consists of affluent travelers seeking high-end accommodations with breathtaking views. We have identified competitors in the market but believe that our exclusive properties and exceptional service will attract discerning guests.

Coastal Properties plans to acquire premium beachfront properties in sought-after coastal destinations. These properties will be fully furnished with upscale amenities like private pools, beach access and concierge services. We will work with reputable property management companies to handle guest inquiries, reservations and property maintenance.

To reach our target audience, we will implement a comprehensive marketing and advertising plan. This includes online advertising through vacation rental platforms and luxury travel websites. We will also collaborate with travel influencers and establish partnerships with local businesses to promote our properties. Additionally, we will leverage social media platforms to showcase stunning visuals of our properties and engage with potential guests.

Coastal Properties will be initially funded through a combination of personal investments and private investors. We project strong revenue growth based on high occupancy rates and premium rental rates. Our financial plan includes detailed income projections, expense forecasts and return on investment analysis.

Benefits of a rental property business plan

Writing a business plan for your rental property business is a crucial step in setting yourself up for success. It provides numerous benefits that can help attract investors and funding, ensure you have the necessary resources and staff, and create a plan to achieve long-term success.

Attracting funding: A well-written business plan is essential for attracting investors and raising money for your business . Investors want to see a clear and comprehensive plan that demonstrates your understanding of the market, your target audience and your strategies for success. A business plan that outlines your financial projections, marketing strategies and competitive analysis will give potential investors confidence in your ability to generate returns on their investment.

Resource requirements: Creating a business plan helps you understand the resources, supplies and staff required to start and operate your rental property business. It allows you to assess the upfront costs of acquiring properties, renovating them if necessary, and furnishing them with the necessary amenities. Additionally, it helps you determine the ongoing expenses like maintenance costs, property management fees and marketing expenses. By having a clear understanding of these resource requirements, you can budget effectively and avoid unexpected financial challenges.

Business success: A rental property business plan serves as a roadmap for achieving long-term success. It allows you to set specific goals and outline actionable steps to reach those goals. By identifying potential challenges and developing strategies to overcome them, you can mitigate risks and increase the likelihood of success. A well-thought-out business plan also helps you stay focused on your objectives and track your progress over time.

Guiding decision-making: A comprehensive business plan provides a framework for making informed decisions in your rental property business. It helps you evaluate potential investment opportunities, assess risks and prioritize tasks. When faced with important decisions, you can refer back to your business plan to ensure alignment with your overall vision and goals. This ensures that you make decisions that are in the best interest of your business's long-term success.

Financial forecasting: A crucial part of any business plan is the financial plan, which includes information on how your rental property business will be funded initially and its projected profitability over time. By outlining your sources of funding, such as personal savings or loans, you can ensure that you have the necessary capital to start and grow your business. Financial forecasting allows you to estimate future revenue, expenses and cash flow, helping you make informed financial decisions and plan for growth.

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• Property assessment checklist
• The 4 types of property deal I look for (and why)
• How to find a property sourcer
• Deciding where to invest
• How to flip a house: the ultimate guide
• Rent-To-Rent: The ultimate guide
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• Mortgages: The ultimate guide
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• Bridging finance: the ultimate guide
• Property joint venture agreements – The ultimate guide
• Recycling your cash
• Self-manage or use a letting agent?
• Landlord insurance guide
• How to find tenants
• Writing a tenancy agreement
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• Rent guarantee insurance
• The 18-year property cycle
• Will London house prices crash?
• Avoiding Inheritance Tax
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How to create a rental property business plan (and why you need one)

Last updated: 21 October 2022

Take it from someone who’s spoken to a lot of investors over the last few years: almost everyone who achieves great success started out with a solid plan.

All businesses start out with a plan . Even if that plan is just “I think I can buy this widget for £1 and sell it for £1.50”, it’s still a statement of what the business will do and how it will make a profit.

But many – in fact, most – wannabe property investors start out without even the most basic of plans. Often, people have nothing more than vague thoughts like “ property prices go up, so it’s a good investment ” or “ most wealthy people seem to own property ”.

It might feel like sitting around planning is just delaying you from getting out to look at properties and start making money. But take it from someone who’s spoken to a lot of investors over the last few years: almost everyone who achieves great success started out with a solid plan.

(Or to put it another, more painful way: almost everyone who didn’t start with a plan ends up disappointed with where they end up – however much effort, money and time they put in.)

What does a rental property business plan look like?

It certainly doesn't need to be 100 spiral-bound pages of projections and fancy charts. In fact, the best plan would be so simple that it fits on the back of an index card – meaning that you can commit it to memory and use it to drive every decision you make.

In order to get to that simplicity though, you might need to do some seriously brain-straining thinking first.

It's not easy, but it is simple: your plan basically just needs to set out…

Where you are now

• Where you want to get to, and
• What actions you're going to take to bridge the gap

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To give a cheesy analogy, you can't plan a route unless you know where you're starting from.

Working out your starting point is the easiest part, because it involves information that's either known or easily knowable to you.

You'll need to be clear about:

• The amount of money you've got to invest
• The amount of savings you can allocate to property investment in future years
• The time you can invest each week or month
• The skills and knowledge you can apply to your property business

Note that I said it was the easiest part, but still not easy – because it involves honesty about what you can commit, and self-knowledge to determine where your strengths lie.

Knowing how much money you've got to invest should be straightforward, but it's probably worthwhile speaking to a mortgage broker to check that you'll have borrowing options – because this will determine your total investment figure. A broker will also be able to tell you about your options around releasing equity from your own home, if that's something you want to consider.

I'd also strongly encourage you to consider what “emergency fund” you want to keep in cash, and deduct that from your total investable funds. I suggest having at least six months' expenses in the bank at all times: the last thing you want is to plough every last penny into investments, then lose your job the next day and be unable to pay your bills.

Where you want to get to

So now you know where you're starting from, where do you want to end up? In other words, what's your goal?

Yes, you want to be “rich”, or “secure”, or “build a future” – but what does that actually mean, in pounds and pence terms, for you?

And just as importantly, when do you want to have achieved that?

You might be surprised by how much thought is involved in answering these questions properly. It's easy to throw around terms like “enough to fund my lifestyle” and assume that it might involve an income of £10,000 per month, but it's another matter entirely to look honestly at your ideal lifestyle and determine what a genuinely meaningful figure is.

The same is true for “when” – and it's an often-ignored factor that actually cuts to the heart of the most basic of investment decisions.

For example, take a choice between two properties:

• Property 1 will give a return on your investment of 15% but will probably never increase in value
• Property 2 will give a return of 7% but has the potential to double in value over the next decade.

If your goal is to create a certain monthly income within three years, the Property 1 is likely to be a better choice. Growth is unlikely to happen to any great extent over that time, so you need to optimise for cash in the bank right now.

On the other hand, if you have a decade before you want to have achieved your goal, Property 2 is probably the better bet. It very much is a “bet” because you're taking something of a gamble on capital growth, but it's got a lot of time to happen – and when it does, your returns will dwarf the higher rental income you'd have made from the other property.

That's just one example of why making even simple decisions in your property business are impossible without having that most basic ingredient of your plan: where you ultimately want to end up, and when.

So, by this point in the plan you need to:

• Assess your finances to build up an honest picture of where you are now
• Put some serious thought into where you want to get to, and when

If you need help with this goal-setting process, I co-own Property Hub Invest which offers free strategy meetings . It's often easier to work this stuff out in conversation with someone who knows their stuff, rather than doing it all in your own head.

That's a great start, but for most people it'll produce an uncomfortable insight: the gap between where you are and where you want to be seems impossibly large! With the resources you've got now, how are you possibly going to reach your goal in a sensible period of time?

Well, that's where it's time to start thinking about the details of the third step: the strategy you'll use to pursue your goal.

A strategy to bridge the gap

The steps you take to get from Point A to Point Z are what's commonly referred to as your strategy – and strategy is a vital component of your business plan.

The way I like to think about strategy is the way you compensate for a lack of cash . It's an unusual way to look at it, but I find it useful – because it tells you (given your timeframe and your goal) how much heavy-lifting your strategy will need to do to keep you on track.

Think of it like this: if you had £10m in the bank and your goal was to make an income of £5,000 per month within a year, you wouldn't need any strategy at all . You could just use your £10m to buy any properties, anywhere – you wouldn't need to maximise the rent, manage them well or even keep them all occupied at all times! You'd be able to buy so much property that you really couldn't fail.

Sure, it'd be a pretty stupid thing to do – you should really have had a more ambitious goal – but you get the point.

Obviously, most of us aren't in that position – and that's why we need a strategy.

So, just what position are you in?

A rule of thumb

A handy way of looking at it is to take the amount of money you've got to invest in property, and assume that you can get a 5% annual return on that money (ROI) – which is a rough rule-of-thumb for a normal property bought with a 75% mortgage.

So, if you've got £100,000, you can generate a (pre-tax) profit of £5,000 per year – or £416 per month.

That's unlikely to be enough to hit most people's goals – but then there's the time factor. If you save up the rental income for 20 years, you'll be able to buy another batch of properties just like the first – so you'll now have income of £832 per month.

If you're happy with that, then you've already got your strategy: buy properties that will give you your desired ROI, then wait!

Portfolio-building strategies

But most people will want more than that: we've hardly been talking about life-changing sums, and 20 years is a long time to wait before you can buy again!

This is where more of an advanced strategy comes in, allowing you to get better results, faster.

This might include:

• Buying properties and adding value, so you can refinance at the higher value and buy your next property more quickly ( learn more about this strategy )
• Buying properties at a discount, allowing you again to refinance at the higher value and move on to the next one
• Turning properties into HMOs, so you can generate a higher ROI on them
• “Flipping” properties for a profit, so you can replenish your cash more quickly ( read my guide to flipping )

…or something else entirely.

I go into different strategies in enormous detail in my book, The Complete Guide To Property Investment .

Simply appreciating the need for one of these strategies from the start is a really big deal.

Most people don't: they'll rush in, use all their money to buy properties that generate (say) £500 profit per month, then…what? They'll be stuck – because they didn't go in with a plan for how they were going to get to their target number . They'll effectively be starting from scratch, having to scrape together the money to go again.

It's extremely common, and it doesn't surprise me – but it does frustrate me. If they'd started with just a bit of time making a plan, they wouldn't have made this mistake – because it would have become very obvious that they wouldn't reach their goal without applying some strategy.

Any of the strategies I listed (or a different one, or a combination of several of them), when applied effectively, can get you to where you need to be. But that's not to say that all of them will be equally good for you. Each of them has different risk factors, requires different time commitments, are suited to different skill sets, and so on.

That's why this is your business plan: copying someone else's homework isn't going to do you any good, because their skills, attributes and preferences will be different from yours.

For example, one person's plan might be to get their hands dirty by renovating properties for resale – completing two projects per year, and using the profits to buy an HMO. Within five years they'll have five HMOs, which will give them all the income they need.

Someone else might be hopeless at anything hands-on, but a master negotiator. Their plan could be to buy at enough of a discount that they can pull at least half of their funds back out again by refinancing – and keep doing that until in ten years' time they have 15 single-let properties giving them their target income figure.

(That's why when someone emails me asking if their strategy “sounds good”, I have to say that I don't know: usually it sounds like on paper like it would work for someone , but I have no idea if they're the right person to execute it.)

So, coming up with your strategy involves:

• Starting with an assessment of where you are now
• Deciding where you want to get to, and by when
• Seeing how far you'll fall short by just buying “normal” properties
• Thinking about your own skills, time and preferences to choose which strategy (or strategies) you'll use to fill in the gap

It might take a while, and that's OK – it's not an easy decision . To take the pressure off though, remember: your plan isn't set in stone. It's important to start with a clear vision and not get distracted by every new opportunity that comes your way, but every plan is just a starting point: you'll be seeing what works, reviewing and adjusting course along the way.

Once you've got a strategy down on paper, that's a huge step – and you should congratulate yourself, because it's a step that most people will never make (and will suffer for).

But of course, the act of writing the plan isn't going to magic it into existence: you need to get out there and execute on the plan.

Turning your property business plan into action

Having an appropriate goal and a solid strategy to get you there are essential, sure – but nothing is going to happen until you actually take the steps that are necessary to execute that strategy.

If you don't take the time to identify the steps and make a plan to carry them out, you'll end up in “pulling an all-nighter the day before your homework is due in” mode. And you don't want that: it's no good setting a five-year goal, feeling all virtuous for being such a strategic and big-picture thinker, then realising in four years and 364 days that you've not actually got any closer towards making it a reality!

So let's get those steps in place. And the good news is…it's really simple. (The best things usually are.)

Breaking it down

However big, ambitious and far in the future a goal seems to be, all goals are achieved in exactly the same way : by breaking them down into individual tasks, and working through those tasks one by one.

As you work through those tasks, it’s important to have sub-goals as “checkpoints” along the way.

Sub-goals are how you stay on track: by setting a deadline for each sub-goal, you can make sure that your progress is fast enough. They also keep you motivated, because it means you’ll always have a small “win” on the horizon: you won’t just be looking at the main goal (potentially) years off in the future. Think of them as mile markers at the side of a marathon course.

To put it another way:

Small task + Small task + Small task = Sub-goal Sub-goal + Sub-goal + Sub-goal = Overall goal

It's those small daily tasks that are the foundations of your achievement. And that's the beauty of a good plan: all you need to concentrate on is ticking off your tasks each day, and your overall goal is achieved automatically!

So, this final step in your plan is about breaking that big goal down into sub-goals, and those sub-goals down into bite-sized individual tasks. That's it!

As you break it down, there are a few things I find are useful to think about…

One-off tasks v recurring tasks

Your business will have two types of task:

• One-off tasks , like finding a mortgage broker
• Recurring tasks , like viewing properties and making offers

These two types of task will both appear in your weekly, monthly and quarterly to-do lists. A useful way of planning your time is to start by filling in your recurring tasks – like going through portals to find new potential acquisitions every day, and calling agents to follow up on offers once per week – then adding your recurring tasks on top.

By thinking about both types, you'll make sure you're not dropping the ball on the important day-by-day stuff, but you're also not ignoring the big-picture one-offs that are going to make a huge difference to your business in the long run.

The first, simplest step

Just like you break a goal down into sub-goals and sub-goals down into tasks, I favour breaking every one-off task down into the smallest possible unit .

For example, “find a mortgage broker” could be an important one-off task for you, but it's not something you can just sit down and do until it's done. Because it seems nebulous and you can never identify a block of time when you can do it from start to finish, you can end up never doing it at all.

Instead, you'll make yourself feel better by ticking off smaller tasks that seem easier – but are often less important.

The solution is to break every task down into as many sub-tasks as possible. So instead of “find a mortgage broker”, the tasks become :

• Email 3 contacts to ask for recommendations
• Post on The Property Hub forum to ask for recommendations
• Email everyone who is recommended to set up a quick call
• Draw up a shortlist of 2-3 people to have a longer conversation with
• Pick a winner

Doesn't that seem much easier already? You can imagine sitting down and bashing out the first task in five minutes right now, then you're underway!

Who will do each job?

Here's a potential lightbulb moment: you don't have to do everything in your business yourself.

Any business has different “functions”, or departments – like sales, manufacturing, and admin. A property business is no exception.

The basic functions of all property businesses are the same:

• Acquisition
• Refurbishment
• Refinancing/selling

The types of task that fall within each function will depend on your business plan. For example, if your aim is to find properties you can buy “below market value”, acquisition could be a major part of the business – involving direct-to-vendor marketing, networking with estate agents, and attending auctions.

On the other hand, if your model involves buying properties that you think will experience strong capital growth, there could be a lot more tasks in the “research” part of the business – and acquisition could be very straightforward once you’ve identified the opportunity itself.

Could you do every task within every function yourself? Maybe.

Could the business achieve better results if you bring in specialists to do what they do best? Definitely .

You could go big and employ an assistant to view properties and make offers for you, or just make sure you outsource functions like management and accountancy to the relevant professionals.

Whatever you do, once you start thinking about your property venture as a business with various departments, you'll start to break away from the idea that this is something you have to do all on your own – and that's a very powerful insight.

OK, this has been a long one – but we've covered a lot of ground.

To recap, those critical steps are:

• Assess where you are now
• Work out where you want to be, and by when
• Outline a strategy to get you there
• Fill in the detail, to get you from “big picture” to individual steps

It's a process that's worked for me, and I've seen it work for many investors I've encouraged to put it into action too.

Its power is in its simplicity: you take the time to intelligently decide exactly what you need to do, then you figure out a way to (to borrow a registered trademark) just do it . As long as you show up and work through your to-do list each day, the big, scary, long-term goal takes care of itself!

Of course, you'll need to assess your progress and adjust course along the way: nothing will pan out exactly as expected, and there's a lot that can change over a timespan of several years.

But by having your plan, what you won't do is get distracted by every new idea that comes your way – researching HMOs one day, and holiday lets the next – and end up getting nowhere.

(You'd be amazed by how many plan-less people that description fits to a tee.)

So now you know how to put a property business plan together. It's not a plan that will necessarily get you funding from the bank, but it's something more important than that: a plan you can use every day to make sure you stay on track to hit your goals.

The one thing that every successful investor does

• How To Create A Business Plan For Property Management (Guide)
• Property Maintenance & Management

by Stephen Michael White

January 14, 2020

Welcome to the world of property management. Perhaps you’ve already been acting as a landlord to one property for a few months or years now, and you’re ready to expand. Maybe you haven’t actually bought any property yet, but you’ve been itching to be able to call yourself a landlord.

Regardless of how you ended up here, ready to flesh out your property management business plan, welcome to this exciting world!

While many people become landlords almost accidentally as they move houses and hold onto their former properties, there needs to be intention in your business as you grow and move forward if you want to succeed. Without a plan, you’ll be spreading your efforts ineffectively. That will hurt your bottom line.

To succeed in any entrepreneurial effort, you need to have a plan. Business plans can take many different shapes and forms, but the plan needs to be effective for you. Goals, progress points, and overall ambition can be harnessed and directed through a simple document.

Now, it’s time to learn how to create a business plan for property management your way. It’s time to pave your path to success!

A Table Of Contents For Creating Your Business Plan

What is a property management business plan, why you need a business plan, what to do before your write your plan, what to cover in your plan, evaluating and marketing properties.

There is no one-size-fits-all business plan model. In fact, property managers are all likely to have a wide variety of ideas about what their long-term goals are and how they will get there. Additionally, individuals have different short-term goals that act as waymarkers on their path to long-term success.

The business plan is a living document that outlines the idea of how to get from point A to point B. As things change, the document can change, too. If a great property suddenly becomes available when your short-term goals didn’t include a new property, it might be time to adjust the plan!

Part of the beauty and wonder of a business plan is that it should work and grow with you. Sticking to your plans is important, but it is also important to recognize that goals and best steps for success will change along the way. As long as you keep evolving, make sure that you keep your business plan up-to-date with you!

Note: Owner And/Or Manager

On the flip side, you might want to start a property management business that takes on investor clients. These clients own properties, and you manage them. Just as most people tend to do a little bit of both, this guide will cover a little bit of both, too!

There are a few key reasons that you need a business plan. First, you should want to have one to help guide you. Working on your own or with a small team can be overwhelming at times, and you may lose track of where to focus your energy.

When you have a business plan, you can turn to it to find guidance and get back on course.

Another reason that many new property managers want to figure out how to write a property management business plan is because they want to get a loan. Most financial institutions will not give loans to investors unless they have proof of business plans, so having a solid plan in hand can help you get the funds you need to kickstart your business.

Of course, there are many reasons that having a business plan as a property manager might be a good idea. There are even a few reasons that you might not need one right now! Let’s briefly review some of the primary pros and cons of creating your own business plan.

Organize Your Ideas

One of the biggest benefits of creating your own personal business plan is that you can organize your ideas and see how they all fit together. It can help you figure out how to get into this business at all !

Thinking through what you want to do with your business might lead you on twenty tangents; getting them all on paper can help you link up related and relevant ideas.

Regular Guidance

As mentioned, it’s easy to get lost in the world of property management. When you’re dealing with the day-to-day tasks of being a landlord and you also want to expand your investments, you might feel like you don’t have enough brainpower to do it all.

Having the guidance of a solid business plan to recenter and keep you on track is a golden ticket to success.

Pitch To Clients

Another huge benefit of having this document ready to go is that you will be able to bring in clients ASAP! Running a rental property management company will rely on you having a regular stream of investor clients that need their properties handled, so you want to be able to show them your plans and how you will help them succeed.

Adjust As You Go

Another cool thing about business plans is that they should always be written as a living document. A living document is a document that is meant to be changed and adjusted over time. As your business goals and needs change, your document can, too.

Secure Support

Do you want to get backing from a financial institution for your first big investment? Are you hoping to grow a small team to help your business grow? Using a business plan to secure these types of support is a great technique. When you show that you are planning for what’s next, you’ll be sure to find others to support your cause.

Plan Your Next Steps

Finally, writing a business plan can make you think ahead. Many people focus solely on what they want to do in the immediate future. It’s good to live in the moment, but you also need to think about your long-term investment payoff to ensure that the small steps you take today help you make a giant leap in the future.

Time Consuming

The biggest con about a business plan is that it can be very time-consuming to put together, but the time that you save by having this document available makes that investment well worth it for most. If you follow the rest of the guide that we’re sharing today, this process can even go a little bit faster than usual!

Some landlords find the prospect of writing out the one-month, three-month, or three-year future of the business to be very daunting. You should put a lot of passion into the plan’s creation, but you should also remember that the document will never be complete or uneditable. Let go of some of the stress by reminding yourself that adjustments can be made as needed.

Potentially Unnecessary

If you are just dabbling with the idea of becoming a landlord, it might not be necessary for you to dive deep in property management business plans just yet. Not every landlord needs to have a full-fledged rental property or property management business.

Managing just one property can be enough for many people, and those people won’t be needing a business plan to organize themselves.

If, however, it’s time to consider yourself a full business , it’s time to create your plan.

Before you write your plan, there are a few things that you should think about. We recommend getting a blank notebook and using this notebook to jot down any and all ideas that you have about the rental business. Do this for at least one week, and then re-read through the ideas for another week. Add more as you go.

If you aren’t feeling inspired enough to start from scratch, these questions might help you think more about what type of business you want to create and why:

• What are your long-term goals?
• What are your short-term goals?
• How many properties do you want to own?
• How many properties do you own now?
• Do you want to own properties, or do you want to work for clients strictly as a property manager?
• Do you want to hire additional team members?
• Do you have any loans or plans to add any loans?
• Why do you want to be in this business?
• Do you have experience with tenants?
• Are there any skills that you need to learn before becoming a property manager and business owner?

These questions are in no way comprehensive of all the things that you could think about. The idea is that you want to create a brain dump of everything that has been circulating when you think about the business. With all of these scribbles, you can start creating your property management company business plan.

You now have a large list of ideas, thoughts, and dreams about your business. It’s time to formalize those ideas and get them into an organized and achievable plan.

In this part of the guide, we’re going to concentrate on the different sections that you should put into your property management business plan. It’s impossible for us to cover every single thing that you might want to include, but remember that you can be flexible about your plan. Adjust as you need to, but remember that all of these sections are included for a reason.

Our Services & Business Model

This section covers who your business is, what they do, and how they are generally structured. Is it strictly a management company, or is it also an investment company? This small profile should bring clarity to that question.

Our Mission & Goals

Next, outline your short and long-term goals for the business. If possible, it’s also great to create a general mission statement that you can use to pitch your business to clients.

Team Structure

What kind of positions will you have in the business, and what are the position’s responsibilities? Outline the structure of the team, and be sure to update this part of the document as your team expands.

Services Offered

What does the business offer clients? What comes in standard packages, and what must be paid for additionally to complete?

Fee Structure

Cover the general fee structure, and update the fees as soon as they change so that all information included in the document about your fees is accurate.

Finding Clients/Properties

This section should detail how you plan to pitch to clients, what your ideal market is, and what types of properties you expect to run or invest in.

How will your business determine the rental value of a client’s property and market it so that it stands out in a rental-heavy industry?

Screening Tenants

Detail your screening best practices, and be sure to include information about your compliance for federal, state, and local laws when screening. Including expected turnover rate can make for an interesting metric here.

Rent Collection

This section should explain the various types of rent collection that will be available, and it should also include information about how rent will be collected or transferred to the primary owners.

Inspections and Maintenance

A complete guide of inspections needed, maintenance schedules, and what needs to be done in the case of an emergency should also be included in the business plan.

Continuing Education

If there are skills that you need to learn or licenses that you need to get to operate the business legally, you will want to outline how you are going to accomplish these goals in the business plan.

Finally, it is important to give your expected cash flow and budget for each year as well as for sample properties and clients. By creating some basic projections based on old data where available, it will be a little bit easier to plan for the future.

You Can Find Success In A Plan!

Setting up a property management business plan just makes sense if you’re ready to expand your business by buying more property or bringing on more clients that need help with their properties. The only way to smoothly transition into a new phase of your career is to set up a clear plan!

Using a business plan might seem like an old school idea, but it is actually an incredibly invaluable idea that still has a lot of worth and merit in the industry today. What are you waiting for? It’s time for your future to be planned!

How To Write a Business Plan for Rental Property in 9 Steps: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on rental property.

• Financial Model
• Business Plan
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan

Welcome to our blog post on how to write a business plan for a rental property! The rental property industry in the US is booming, with a huge demand for traditional lease agreements. In fact, according to the latest statistics, the rental market is estimated to reach a value of $1.6 trillion by 2027, showing a steady and promising growth. Whether you're a property owner looking to generate passive income or a potential investor interested in the rental property business, this article will guide you through the essential steps to create a successful business plan. So, let's get started!

Researching the rental property market is the crucial first step in writing a business plan. By understanding the current trends and demands in your target area, you can identify potential opportunities and niches to focus on. Next, defining your target audience will help you tailor your rental property to their needs and preferences, maximizing tenant occupancy rates. Conducting a feasibility study will assess the profitability and sustainability of your business idea, while developing a budget will outline the financial resources required for your venture.

Once you have a clear understanding of your market and financial aspects, it's time to evaluate potential rental properties. Analyzing the competition will give you valuable insights into pricing strategies, amenities, and marketing tactics used by other property owners in your area. Compiling financial projections will allow you to estimate the potential income and expenses associated with your rental property business, helping you make informed decisions and set realistic goals.

Creating a solid marketing strategy is crucial for attracting and retaining tenants. From online listings to social media campaigns, you'll need to determine the best channels to reach your target audience and showcase the unique features of your property. Lastly, assessing the legal requirements, such as regulations and permits, will ensure your business operates within the bounds of the law.

By following these nine essential steps, you'll be well on your way to writing a comprehensive business plan for your rental property. Whether you choose to manage it yourself or seek the assistance of a property management company, finding the right balance between tenant occupancy rates, rental payments, and property maintenance is key to a successful and lucrative venture. So, let's dive deeper into each step and start building your business plan!

Research The Rental Property Market

Before starting a rental property business, it is essential to thoroughly research the rental property market in your desired location. This research will help you gain a deeper understanding of the local rental demand, rental rates, and property appreciation potential.

Here are some important steps to consider during your rental property market research:

• Study the local demographic and economic trends: Understand the population growth, average income levels, and job market stability in the area. This will give you insights into the potential tenant pool and rental demand.
• Identify high-demand neighborhoods: Research the different neighborhoods in your target area to determine which ones are popular among renters. Look for areas with high tenant occupancy rates, low vacancy rates, and desirable amenities such as schools, parks, and shopping centers.
• Analyze rental rates: Compare the rental rates of similar properties in the market to get an idea of the average rent you can charge. This analysis will help you set competitive rental prices and ensure your property generates a favorable return on investment.
• Explore local rental regulations: Understand the local laws and regulations pertaining to rental properties. Familiarize yourself with landlord-tenant laws, zoning restrictions, and any specific permits or licenses required to operate a rental property in the area.

Tips for researching the rental property market

• Utilize online resources: Websites and platforms dedicated to real estate and rental market data can provide valuable insights into rental trends, property values, and rental rates in your desired location.
• Network with local real estate professionals: Connect with real estate agents, property managers, and other industry experts in your target market. Their knowledge and experience can provide valuable guidance and help you make informed decisions.
• Attend local real estate events: Participating in real estate seminars, conferences, or networking events can help you gain a better understanding of the local market dynamics and connect with industry professionals.

By conducting thorough research on the rental property market, you will be equipped with the knowledge and insights necessary to make informed decisions when starting your rental property business.

Define Your Target Audience

One of the crucial steps in writing a business plan for a rental property is defining your target audience. Understanding your potential tenants will help you tailor your marketing strategies and property features to attract and retain the right individuals or groups. Here are a few key considerations when defining your target audience:

• Demographics: Determine the age range, income level, occupation, and family size of your ideal tenants. These demographics will influence the type and size of properties you should invest in, as well as the amenities and features that are likely to be important to them.
• Lifestyle and Preferences: Consider the lifestyle preferences and interests of your target audience. Are they young professionals seeking a trendy urban apartment, or families looking for spacious homes in residential neighborhoods? Understanding their preferences will help you identify the right location and property types.
• Rental Requirements: Determine the specific rental requirements your target audience may have. This can include factors such as pet policies, parking availability, and in-unit amenities like laundry facilities or air conditioning. Meeting these requirements will make your property more attractive to potential tenants.
• Local Market Analysis: Research the local rental market to identify any gaps or niches in the rental property industry. Understanding the supply and demand in your area will help you determine if there are specific target audiences that are currently underserved and present potential business opportunities.
• Conduct surveys or interviews with potential tenants to gather insights and feedback on their rental preferences.
• Use online platforms and tools to analyze rental market data and trends in your target area.
• Consider partnering with local businesses or organizations that cater to your target audience to increase visibility and reach.

Conduct A Feasibility Study

Before diving into the rental property business, it is crucial to conduct a feasibility study to assess the viability of your venture. This study will help you determine if investing in a rental property is financially and logistically feasible.

During the feasibility study, you should consider several factors that can impact the success of your rental property business. Start by examining the local real estate market to understand the demand for rental properties in the area and identify any potential gaps in the market. Research factors such as population growth, employment rates, and rental trends to determine if there is a need for more rental properties.

Additionally, analyze the potential rental income and expenses associated with owning and managing a rental property. Calculate the expected rental income based on market rates and determine if it is sufficient to cover your costs, including mortgage payments, maintenance expenses, property taxes, and insurance. Consider any additional costs or potential risks, such as vacancies or repairs, and assess their impact on your profitability.

• Assess the condition of the properties you are considering for investment. Evaluate the overall structure, age, and any necessary repairs or upgrades that may be required before renting. Consider the cost of these renovations and determine if they align with your budget.
• Research the market demand for specific types of rental properties, such as single-family homes, apartments, or commercial spaces. Understanding the preferences of your target audience and their needs will help you determine which types of rental properties are most likely to be successful in your chosen location.
• Study the local rental market to analyze the rental rates and average occupancy rates. This information will help you set competitive rental prices and estimate the potential income you can generate.
• Consider the location of the rental property and the amenities it offers. Properties located in desirable neighborhoods or close to amenities like schools, parks, and public transportation are more likely to attract tenants and command higher rental prices.
• Consult with real estate professionals or property management companies who can provide insights into the market conditions and potential risks associated with rental property investments.
• Network with other rental property owners or join local real estate investor groups to gain knowledge and advice from experienced individuals in the field.
• Consider conducting a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to identify any potential challenges or advantages your rental property business may face.

Develop A Budget

Developing a budget is a crucial step in writing a business plan for a rental property. It allows you to assess the financial feasibility of your venture and plan for expenses, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the costs involved. Here are some important considerations when developing a budget for your rental property:

• Start by estimating your initial capital investment, which includes the down payment, closing costs, and any necessary renovations or repairs. This will give you a starting point for determining your overall budget.
• Next, calculate your ongoing expenses, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and regular maintenance costs. It's important to be thorough in this analysis to avoid any unexpected financial burdens down the line.
• Consider additional costs that may arise, such as marketing and advertising expenses, legal fees, property management fees (if applicable), and any unexpected repairs or vacancies. These extra costs should be factored into your budget to ensure you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Once you have a clear understanding of your expenses, it's time to determine your rental income. Research the local market to get an idea of the average rental rates for properties similar to yours. This will help you estimate the monthly income you can expect to generate from your rental property.
• With your estimated income in mind, calculate your expected cash flow by subtracting your expenses from your rental income. This will give you an idea of the potential profitability of your rental property business.

Tips for Developing a Budget:

• Be conservative in your estimations. It's better to have a cushion for unexpected expenses than to be caught off guard.
• Consider incorporating a contingency fund in your budget to cover any unforeseen costs.
• Regularly review and adjust your budget as necessary, especially if there are changes in the rental market or your expenses.
• Seek professional advice or consult with experienced rental property owners to ensure your budget is accurate and realistic.

Evaluate Potential Rental Properties

When starting a rental property business, one of the most crucial steps is to evaluate potential properties before making any real estate investments. This step ensures that you choose properties that align with your business goals and have the potential to generate a steady income stream. Here are some important factors to consider when evaluating potential rental properties:

• Location: Location is key in the rental property business. Look for properties in desirable neighborhoods that offer strong rental demand. Consider factors such as proximity to schools, shopping centers, transportation, and job opportunities.
• Property Condition: Assess the condition of each property you are considering. Look for any structural issues, maintenance needs, or repairs that may require significant investment. Properties in good condition typically attract higher-quality tenants and may require less ongoing maintenance.
• Rental Income Potential: Evaluate the potential rental income of each property. Analyze similar properties in the area to determine the market rent rates. Consider the number of units, square footage, amenities, and other factors that may affect the potential rental income.
• Expense Analysis: Conduct a thorough expense analysis to determine the property's operating costs. Consider expenses such as property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and property management fees if applicable. Subtracting the operating expenses from the rental income will give you an estimate of the potential profitability of the rental property.
• Market Demand: Research the rental market demand in the area to determine if there are enough potential tenants. Look for factors such as population growth, job opportunities, and vacancy rates. A high demand for rental properties increases the likelihood of finding tenants quickly.

Tips for Evaluating Potential Rental Properties:

• Work with a real estate agent or property management company with expertise in the local rental market. They can provide valuable insights and assist in property evaluations.
• Consider the potential for future appreciation. A property located in a growing area may increase in value over time, providing additional returns on your investment.
• Have a clear understanding of your target audience and their preferences. This will help you select properties that cater to their needs and wants.
• Consider the potential for additional income streams, such as laundry facilities, parking spaces, or storage units, to increase the overall profitability of the rental property.

By thoroughly evaluating potential rental properties, you can make informed decisions, minimize risks, and increase the chances of running a successful rental property business.

Analyze Competition

One crucial step in developing a successful rental property business plan is analyzing the competition. Understanding the market and the competitors within it allows you to identify opportunities, assess potential risks, and develop strategies to stand out from the crowd. Here are some key points to consider when analyzing the competition:

• Identify Competitors: Begin by researching and identifying the rental property businesses operating in your target market. Look for both direct competitors, who offer similar properties and services, and indirect competitors, who might attract your potential tenants through alternative housing options.
• Evaluate Their Offerings: Examine the rental properties offered by your competitors, including their location, size, amenities, and rental rates. This will help you understand the prevailing market conditions and determine how your property can differentiate itself.
• Assess Occupancy Rates: Look into the occupancy rates of your competitors' properties to gain insights into the demand in the market. Aim to understand the factors that contribute to their high or low occupancy rates, such as competitive pricing, location advantages, or superior property management.
• Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. This could include factors like their reputation, customer service, property condition, marketing tactics, and rental policies. By understanding what they do well and where they fall short, you can refine your own approach and offer a more attractive value proposition.
• Monitor Rental Rates: Keep track of the rental rates of similar properties in your target market. This will help you determine competitive pricing strategies and ensure your rates remain competitive while generating sufficient revenue.
• Visit open houses or take virtual tours of competing rental properties to get a firsthand idea of their offerings and condition.
• Utilize online resources, such as rental listing websites and property management software, to gather information about rental rates, occupancy rates, and customer reviews.
• Network with other property owners or industry professionals to gain insights into the local rental market and competition.
• Consider conducting surveys or interviews with tenants from competing properties to understand their experiences and preferences.

By thoroughly analyzing the competition, you can identify gaps in the market, determine your unique selling points, and develop strategies to position your rental property business for success.

Compile Financial Projections

Compiling financial projections for your rental property business is an essential step to determine the feasibility and profitability of your venture. These projections will provide you with a clear understanding of the potential financial outcomes and help you make informed decisions about your investment. Here are some important aspects to consider when compiling your financial projections:

• Rental Income: Start by estimating the rental income you can expect from your property. This can be done by researching the rental rates in your target market and considering factors such as location, size, and amenities. Projecting your rental income accurately is crucial for determining your cash flow and overall profitability.
• Operating Expenses: Evaluate all the costs associated with running your rental property, including maintenance, repairs, property management fees, property taxes, insurance, and utilities. It's important to be thorough and include all possible expenses to ensure your financial projections are realistic.
• Vacancy Rate: Estimating an appropriate vacancy rate is crucial for accurate financial projections. Research the market to determine the average vacancy rate in your area and factor it into your calculations. Keep in mind that a higher vacancy rate will impact your cash flow and overall profitability.
• Capital Expenditures: Consider the need for any significant capital expenditures, such as property upgrades or renovations, in your financial projections. These expenses should be accounted for separately and planned for accordingly.
• Financing: If you plan to finance your rental property purchase, include the cost of your mortgage, including interest and loan repayment terms, in your financial projections. This will give you a clear picture of your monthly expenses and the impact of interest rates on your cash flow.
• Use realistic assumptions when compiling your financial projections to ensure they accurately reflect the market conditions and potential challenges you may face.
• Consider consulting with a financial advisor or accountant to help you with the financial projections if you are unfamiliar with this process.
• Regularly review and update your financial projections as market conditions, rental rates, and expenses may change over time.

By compiling comprehensive financial projections, you will be able to assess the profitability of your rental property business and make informed decisions about your investment. This step is crucial for ensuring the success and sustainability of your venture in the long run.

Create A Marketing Strategy

Once you have identified your target audience and analyzed your competition, it's time to create a marketing strategy for your rental property business. This strategy will help you attract potential tenants, differentiate your property from others in the market, and ultimately maximize your rental income.

Here are some important steps to consider when creating your marketing strategy:

• 1. Identify your unique selling points: Determine what makes your rental property stand out from the competition. Is it the location, amenities, or a specific target audience you cater to? Clearly define these selling points to effectively communicate them to potential tenants.
• 2. Develop a compelling property description: Craft a captivating and informative property description that highlights the key features and benefits of your rental property. Include details such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, available amenities, and any unique selling points.
• 3. Utilize professional photography: Invest in high-quality photographs of your rental property to showcase its best features. Professional photos can make a significant difference in attracting potential tenants and setting your listing apart from others.
• 4. Leverage online rental platforms: Take advantage of popular online rental platforms and listing websites to reach a wider audience. These platforms provide a convenient way for potential tenants to search for rental properties and inquire about availability.
• 5. Consider social media marketing: Create social media accounts for your rental property business and regularly post updates, photos, and rental listings. Engage with your audience, respond to inquiries promptly, and leverage social media advertising options to expand your reach.
• 6. Network with local businesses and professionals: Build connections with local real estate agents, relocation agencies, and businesses to increase your chances of reaching potential tenants. Collaborating with these professionals can lead to referrals and wider exposure for your rental property.
• 7. Monitor and analyze marketing efforts: Regularly track the performance of your marketing initiatives to determine what strategies are working best for your rental property business. Use tools like website analytics and rental listing metrics to assess the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and make necessary adjustments.
• Consider hosting virtual tours or creating 3D floor plans to provide a comprehensive view of your rental property to potential tenants.
• Offer incentives or promotions, such as waiving the application fee or providing a rent discount for the first month, to attract more tenants.
• Create a professional website or landing page specifically for your rental property business to establish an online presence and provide additional information to interested parties.

Assess Legal Requirements

When starting a rental property business, it is crucial to ensure compliance with all legal requirements to avoid any potential legal issues or penalties down the line. Here are a few key legal considerations that you should prioritize:

• Local and State Regulations: Each location has specific rules and regulations for rental properties. Familiarize yourself with local and state laws regarding tenant-landlord relationships, fair housing, health and safety codes, zoning regulations, and any permits or licenses required to operate your rental property business.
• Lease Agreement: Craft a well-drafted and legally compliant lease agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the tenancy. Consult with a legal professional to ensure it covers all necessary aspects, such as rent payment procedures, security deposits, maintenance responsibilities, and a clear eviction process.
• Tenant Screening: Understand the legal guidelines for tenant screening processes, including background checks, credit checks, and verification of income. Ensure that your screening methods do not infringe upon any fair housing laws, such as discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or disability.
• Tax Obligations: Familiarize yourself with tax laws and obligations related to rental properties. Determine whether you need to register your rental property for tax purposes, understand how rental income will be taxed, and keep accurate records of all expenses and income for tax reporting purposes. Consider consulting with a tax professional to ensure compliance.
• Insurance Coverage: Adequate insurance coverage is essential to protect your rental property business from potential risks, such as property damage, liability claims, or loss of rental income. Consult with an insurance provider to understand the types of coverage needed and any specific requirements for rental property businesses in your area.
• Research and stay up-to-date with any changes in local and state regulations that may impact your rental property business.
• Consider forming a legal entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC), to protect your personal assets from potential liabilities.
• Consult with an attorney who specializes in real estate or landlord-tenant law to ensure your business operates within the legal framework.
• Join local landlord associations or networks to access resources, education, and support related to legal requirements and best practices for rental property businesses.
• Keep thorough documentation of all legal agreements, communication with tenants, and any property-related incidents to protect yourself in case of disputes or legal challenges.

By thoroughly assessing and addressing the legal requirements for your rental property business, you can establish a solid foundation that ensures compliance, protects your investments, and promotes trust and satisfaction among your tenants.

In conclusion, writing a business plan for a rental property involves thorough research, careful analysis, and strategic planning to ensure success. By following the nine steps outlined in this checklist, property owners can confidently navigate the rental property market, identify their target audience, assess financial feasibility, and devise effective marketing strategies. Ultimately, a well-executed business plan will contribute to the long-term profitability and sustainability of the rental property business.

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How to Write a Business Plan as a Landlord

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Buying investment properties and renting them out to tenants is a great way to diversify your real estate portfolio and earn passive income. If you are considering becoming a landlord, writing a rental property business plan is vital to make your investment thoughtfully and deliberately. A well-crafted business plan can help you secure financing from lenders. A business plan demonstrates that you clearly understand your business and its potential, making you more attractive to potential lenders. Let's begin! This piece will walk you through what a rental property business plan is, why you should create one, and how to put one together.

What is a rental property business plan?

Most simply, a rental property business plan is a document that describes the following:

• You and your rental business.
• What your intentions and goals are with a property.
• Your plan for executing these goals.

Your rental property business plan will outline the strategies and goals for managing your properties.

Why should you develop a rental business plan?

Here are some reasons why you should create a rental property business plan:

• Provides a clear direction: A business plan outlines the goals and objectives of the rental property business, which helps you stay focused on achieving your vision. It also provides a roadmap for decision-making and ensures all activities align with the overall strategy.
• Helps secure financing: A business plan shows that you understand your business well, making your business more appealing to lenders.
• Identifies potential risks: A business plan identifies potential risks associated with the rental property business and provides strategies to mitigate them. This helps to avoid costly mistakes and ensures that you're well-prepared for any challenges that may arise.
• Enhances property management: A business plan includes a strategy outlining how you will manage your rental properties effectively.
• Enables monitoring and evaluation: A business plan provides performance metrics that will help you to monitor and evaluate your progress. This also allows you to identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategy accordingly.

First things first — set your business plan objectives.

Before creating your business plan, consider your specific objectives for your rental business. By setting your objectives, you're providing yourself with a target to aim for. A SMART goal incorporates all of these criteria to help focus your efforts and increase the chances of achieving your goal. This is a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goal commonly used in business and project management to set and achieve goals.

The acronym SMART stands for:

• S - Specific: The objective should be clear and well-defined so everyone involved understands what they need to accomplish.
• M - Measurable: The objective should be quantifiable to measure and track progress over time.
• A - Achievable: The objective should be realistic and achievable based on available resources and the timeframe.
• R - Relevant: The objective should be relevant to your business's or project's overall mission or goals.
• T - Time-bound: The objective should have a specific deadline or timeframe for completion so you can monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.

Here are some examples of SMART goals for a rental investment business:

• Own four properties by the end of the year
• Earn $5k in rental revenue per month
• Earn $150k in rental profit by the end of year 5
• Hire a team of 4 business partners and open an office in Nashville, TN, in the next five years
• Find 15 tenants by the end of next year

You may only have one key objective or multiple, but each goal should have strategies and tactics to help achieve it.

Strategies and tactics for your SMART objectives

Let's take the relatively straightforward objective — own four properties by the end of the year. Easier said than done, right? Your strategy will be your rough game plan to achieve this goal. Here are some examples of strategies you may employ:

• Study local housing markets to find undervalued neighborhoods.
• Use hard money lending groups and meetups to help secure capital.
• Specialize in and become a master of a specific housing type (single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, townhouses, etc.)

You can then drill down each strategy into specific tactics. Here's what that looks like:

Study local housing markets to find undervalued neighborhoods:

• Study Zillow and MLS listings to see locations and figures of sales.
• Physical drive-thrus of neighborhoods to see house styles, number of For Sale signs
• Attend foreclosure auctions in different Tennessee counties
• Leverage social media to identify potential properties
• Try creative methods to find undervalued properties beyond the MLS

Use hard money lending groups and meetups to secure affordable and scalable financing:

• Join online hard money communities and see which lenders offer low rates, good terms, etc.
• Go to real estate conferences and network with lenders, wholesalers, etc.

Specialize in and become a master of a specific housing type:

Focus on 3br/2b single-family homes between 1500-2500 sq feet

How to write a rental property business plan

Now that you've thought about precisely why and how you will structure your business and execute your investment, it's time to write it! A rental property business plan should have the following components: The business plan typically includes the following elements:

• Executive Summary
• Business Description
• Market Analysis
• Marketing and Advertising
• Tenant Screening

Property Management

• Financial Projections

Risk Management

• Exit Strategy

Let's go through each of them separately.

Executive summary

The executive summary of a rental property business plan provides an overview of the key points of the plan, highlighting the most critical aspects. Here's an example of an executive summary:

[Your Business Name] is a real estate investment firm focused on acquiring and managing rental properties in [location]. The business aims to provide tenants high-quality rental properties while generating a steady income stream for investors. The rental property portfolio comprises [number] properties, including [type of properties]. These properties are located in [location], a growing market with a high demand for rental properties. The market analysis shows that rental rates in the area are stable, and the demand for rental properties is expected to increase in the coming years. The business's marketing and advertising strategies include online advertising, signage, and word-of-mouth referrals. The tenant screening process is thorough and includes income verification, credit checks, and rental history verification. The property management structure is designed to provide tenants with excellent service and to maintain the properties in excellent condition. The business works with a team of experienced property managers, maintenance staff, and contractors to ensure that the properties are well-maintained and repairs are made promptly. The financial projections for the rental property portfolio are promising, with projected revenue of [revenue] and net income of [net income] over the next [timeframe]. The risks associated with owning and managing rental properties are mitigated through careful screening of tenants, regular maintenance, and appropriate insurance coverage. Overall, [Your Business Name] is well-positioned to succeed in the rental property market in [location], thanks to its experienced team, careful management, and commitment to providing high-quality rental properties to tenants while generating a steady stream of income for investors.

Your executive summary is the Cliff Notes version of the complete business plan. Someone should be able to understand the full scope of the project just by reading this section. When writing your executive summary, assume it is the only part of your plan that someone reads. Aim for a half-page to full-page in length.

Business description

The business description section of a rental property business plan provides an overview of the company, including its mission, history, ownership structure, and management team. Here's an example of a company description section:

[Your Company Name] is a real estate investment company focused on acquiring and managing rental properties in [location]. The company was founded in [year] by [founder's name], who has [number] years of experience in the real estate industry.

Mission: Our mission is to provide high-quality rental properties to tenants while generating a steady income stream for our investors. We aim to be a trusted and reliable partner for tenants, investors, and stakeholders in our communities.

Ownership structure: [Your Company Name] is a privately held company with [number] of shareholders. The majority shareholder is [majority shareholder name], who holds [percentage] of the company's shares.

Management team: The management team of [Your Company Name] includes experienced professionals with a proven track record of success in the real estate industry. The team is led by [CEO/Managing Director's name], who has [number] years of experience in real estate investment and management. The other members of the management team include:

[Name and position]: [Brief description of their experience and role in the company] [Name and position]: [Brief description of their experience and role in the company]

Market analysis

Researching neighborhood trends can help you identify areas poised for long-term growth. This can enable you to make strategic investments that will appreciate over time, providing a stable source of income for years to come. The Market Analysis section of a rental property business plan for landlords should provide a comprehensive overview of the local rental market. Below are some key elements you should include in the Market Analysis section of your rental property business plan.

• Property Value: The value of a rental property is highly dependent on its location. By researching neighborhood trends, landlords can stay updated on changes in property values, both positive and negative. They can make informed decisions about whether to purchase, hold or sell their properties based on changes in the area.
• Rental Rates: Knowing the rental rates in a neighborhood can help landlords determine how much to charge for rent. Understanding how much other landlords charge for similar properties in the area can help a landlord price their property competitively and attract quality tenants.
• Tenant Preferences: Different neighborhoods appeal to different types of tenants. For example, families with children may prefer neighborhoods with good schools and parks, while young professionals may prefer areas with trendy restaurants and nightlife. By understanding neighborhood trends, landlords can cater to the preferences of their target tenants.
• Neighborhood Safety: Safety is a significant concern for tenants, and landlords can be held liable for any harm that befalls their tenants due to unsafe conditions on the property. Competitive landscape: There are several steps that landlords can take to research the competitive landscape of a rental market. These include identifying competitors, analyzing rental rates, researching amenities offered by competitors, and checking their online reviews.
• Growth potential: Consider external factors that may affect the rental market, such as population growth, job growth, or changes in zoning laws. This can help landlords identify potential growth opportunities in the market.

Marketing strategy

The marketing strategy section of your rental property business plan outlines how you will promote and advertise your rental properties to potential tenants. Below are some key elements to include in this section.

• Target Market: Identify the target market for rental properties, such as young professionals, families, or retirees. Describe their demographics, interests, and needs, and explain how the rental properties cater to these groups.
• Unique Selling Proposition: Identify the unique selling proposition of the rental properties, such as location, amenities, or affordability. Explain how these factors differentiate the properties from competitors in the market.
• Advertising Channels: Describe the advertising channels you'll use to promote the rental properties, such as online rental listings, social media, or local newspapers. Explain how you'll use these channels to reach the target market.
• Promotion Strategy: Describe the promotion strategy to attract tenants to the rental properties, such as discounts, referral bonuses, or move-in incentives. Explain how you'll communicate promotions to potential tenants and how they will be tracked and measured for effectiveness.
• Branding: Develop a branding strategy for the rental properties, including a logo, website, and promotional materials. Explain how the branding will reflect the unique selling proposition of the properties and how it will be used consistently across all marketing channels.
• Budget: Develop a marketing budget outlining each advertising channel's expected costs and promotion strategy. Explain how you'll track and adjust the budget as needed to ensure maximum return on investment.

Tenant screening

This section should outline the steps you or your property manager will take to evaluate potential tenants and ensure they fit your rental property well. This can ensure that your company has a thorough and fair process for evaluating potential tenants and selecting the best fit for their rental property. B elow are some critical components to include in this section.

• Criteria for Screening: Define the criteria you will use to evaluate potential tenants. This includes credit score, income, employment, criminal, and rental history.
• Application Process: Detail the application process that potential tenants will go through. This may include the application form, application fee, and required documentation such as pay stubs, rental history, and references.
• Background Checks: Describe the background checks you'll conduct on potential tenants. This may include a credit check, criminal background check, and reference checks with previous landlords.
• Approval Process: Outline the process for approving or denying a tenant application. This may include a review of the applicant's qualifications, background check results, and a decision based on the landlord's discretion.
• Fair Housing Compliance: Include a statement about compliance with fair housing laws. Landlords and property managers must ensure they do not discriminate against applicants based on protected classes such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.

This section should outline the steps you or the property manager you have hired will take to manage the rental property effectively and ensure a positive experience for tenants. Below are some key components to include in the property management section of a rental property business plan.

• Maintenance and Repairs: Outline the process for addressing maintenance and repair issues. This may include a description of how tenants can report problems, the timeline for responding to requests, and the types of repairs that are the landlord's responsibility versus the tenant's responsibility.
• Rent Collection: Detail the process for collecting rent from tenants. This may include the due date for rent payments, late fees, and consequences for non-payment.
• Lease Agreement: Describe the lease agreement that tenants will sign. This may include the length of the lease, rent amount, security deposit, and rules and regulations for the property.
• Tenant Communications: Outline your approach to communicating with tenants. This may include regular newsletters or updates on property maintenance, a process for addressing tenant concerns, and emergency contact information.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Include a statement about compliance with regulations and risk management. This may include descriptions of insurance coverage, safety protocols, and any regulatory requirements the business must follow.

The financials section of your rental property business plan is crucial for demonstrating the business's financial feasibility and potential profitability of the investment. Let's take a look at what you can include.

• Income projections: Start by estimating the expected rental income from the property. This should be based on market rates for similar properties in the area, considering location, size, amenities, and condition. Consider any potential income streams beyond rent, such as laundry facilities or parking fees.
• Expense projections: Next, estimate the ongoing expenses associated with owning and managing the property, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance and repairs, and property management fees, if applicable. Be sure to factor in seasonal or irregular expenses, such as snow removal or landscaping.
• Cash flow projections: Based on the income and expense projections, calculate the expected net cash flow for the property monthly and annually. This will give you a sense of how much income the property will likely generate after paying expenses.
• Financing plan: If you plan to finance the purchase of the property, outline your financing plan, including the loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms. Be sure to calculate the impact of financing on your cash flow projections.
• Return on investment: Calculate the property's expected ROI based on the initial investment and projected cash flows over a specified time (e.g., five years). This will give you a sense of whether the investment will likely be profitable in the long term.
• Sensitivity analysis: Conduct sensitivity analysis to assess the potential impact of changes in key assumptions (e.g., vacancy rate, rental income, expenses) on your cash flow projections and ROI. This will help you identify potential risks and make informed decisions about the investment.

As a landlord, you must include a risk management section in your rental property business plan to address potential risks and establish strategies for mitigating them. Below are some key steps you can take to create a risk management section for your business plan.

• Identify potential risks: Identify risks associated with your rental property business. This may include risks related to property damage, tenant safety, liability, financial loss, and legal compliance.
• Assess the likelihood and impact of each risk: Once you have identified potential risks, assess the likelihood and potential impact of each risk on your rental property business. This will help you prioritize which risks to address first and determine the resources you must allocate to manage each risk.
• Establish risk management strategies: Develop a plan for managing each identified risk. This may include measures to prevent the risk from occurring, as well as steps to mitigate the impact of the risk if it does happen. For example, you may establish a routine property inspection program to identify and address maintenance issues before they become significant problems. You may also require tenants to carry renters' insurance to mitigate financial loss if they cause damage to the property.
• Review and update your risk management plan regularly: Risks can change over time, so it's essential to review and update your plan regularly. This will help you ensure that your strategies are still effective and that you are prepared to manage new risks as they arise.
• Seek professional advice: Consider seeking professional advice from a lawyer, insurance agent, or another expert to help you identify potential risks and develop effective risk management strategies. This can help you ensure your business is well-protected and minimize risk exposure.

By including a comprehensive risk management section in your rental property business plan, you can demonstrate to potential investors, lenders, and tenants that you are committed to running a safe and sustainable rental property business.

Exit strategy

An exit strategy is integral to any rental property business plan as it helps you plan for the future and maximize your ROI. You most likely plan on renting out your property for a long or indefinite time. If you have a shorter or more definite timeline, like renting it out for ten years and then selling it, mention it here. Should your property go vacant for a long time, or economic circumstances, cause rent prices to fall dramatically, maintaining your property may no longer be sustainable. You should have a plan, or at least a framework, to decide what to do if this happens. Otherwise, your exit strategy should be your backup plan if things don't go as planned.

Final thoughts

Creating a comprehensive rental property business plan provides you with a clear direction for your business, helps secure financing, identifies potential risks, enhances property management, and enables monitoring and evaluation of performance. A business plan is valuable for landlords who want to run a successful rental property business.

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How To Start A Rental Property Business Like A Pro

What is a rental property business?

Starting a rental property business

Writing a business plan

Is a rental property business a good investment?

As Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Consequently, the best plans have developed a reputation for helping people in every industry realize their own goals, no matter how lofty they may be. There literally isn’t a single professional who couldn’t benefit more from a well-crafted strategy, and real estate investors are no exception. When learning how to start a rental property business , buy-and-hold investors in particular stand to improve their long term outlook by establishing a rental property business plan.

A proven rental property business plan can help layout the systems and benchmarks investors need to realize success at a higher level. That said, only one question remains: what does a rental property business plan look like?

If you are interested in starting a rental property business, there are several valuable lessons to take away from experience. Meanwhile, here’s a guide for developing a bullet-proof rental property business plan; it may be just what you have been waiting for.

On the FortuneBuilders Real Estate Investing Show , join our host, Jeffrey Rutkowski, as he talks to Gregg Cohen, the Co-Founder of JWB Real Estate Capital, on the subject of passive income and rental properties. Listen to the podcast here:

What Is A Rental Property Business?

A rental property business is a venture through which an investor will purchase and manage one or more income-producing properties. These properties can have one or more units leased out to tenants in exchange for monthly rental fees. Investors can have an effective rental plan without directly managing these properties; property management companies can be hired to carry out the duties often associated with landlords, such as rent collection and maintenance.

Is My Rental Property A Business?

Renting a house may be considered a business endeavor, depending on who you ask. This may seem like a controversial question, and there are at least two answers to consider. From a financial standpoint, renting a residential property may result in passive income. It is important to note that investors do not have to pay self-employment taxes when reporting their rental properties. Therefore, many would argue that owning a rental property is not considered a “business,” specifically in the lens of tax filing. However, from a career standpoint, many individuals live on passive income derived from their rental property companies; in this lens, renting a house can be considered a business. It’s entirely possible to manage a rental property portfolio as a business. Still, those with a single rental property may not need to start a company to collect passive income. It’s only once the portfolio starts to grow that turning the practice of renting into a business becomes more important.

How To Start A Rental Property Business

Learning how to start a rental property business isn’t all that different from just about every other entrepreneurial endeavor. Investors need to identify several key elements before getting started; that way, they can start their business on a solid foundation. Here are some of the most important steps to consider when drafting a rental property business plan and becoming a real estate entrepreneur:

Join a local REI club and start networking

Pick a niche and choose your rental property market

Figure out the proper financing and secure it

Conduct the appropriate research and hire a manager

Implement systems to improve efficiency

Manage the properties and scale the business at a sustainable pace

1. Join A Real Estate Investor Club

Joining a local real estate investing club or association provides networking opportunities, not the least of which may actually help rental property investors find a partner—or perhaps anyone else who may help them further their rental property business plan. Nathan Hughes at DiggityMarketing suggests that “investors need to identify various factors before entering the rental property business. Investors should join some real estate investors clubs as a beginner”. There’s absolutely no reason to think new investors, specifically aspiring rental property owners, can’t find a helpful hand at a real estate investor club. These types of meet-ups are specifically designed to help their attendees, and there’s always someone willing to lend a hand. At the very least, investors will gain insight into local professionals who are most likely already doing the one thing they want to do.

2. Pick A Niche & Choose A Market

Determining where to invest can often be more important to investors than how much capital or experience they bring to the table. After all, the golden rule of real estate persists: location, location, location. There is perhaps no more influential factor to a rental property investor’s success than the location in which they choose to invest. The location will determine everything from demand and price, not to mention the property’s long-term potential. Therefore, a truly great rental property business plan will want to make sure it answers these questions and many more like them:

How distant a market am I willing to invest in?

Do I have a team in place to handle the day-to-day, or will I have to commute back-and-forth?

How much will commute and market research cost me?

How stable and diverse is the economy in a market? Are there various business sectors that can help keep jobs and businesses? Is there one main employer?

What’s the average market price for property acquisition?

What’s the average rental price?

No rule says investors need to live in the markets they invest in, but there is no excuse for neglecting to mind due diligence and research the local housing market. To invest successfully, investors need to know every detail about a specific area, not to mention the specific niche they intend to serve.

Jordon Scrinko, the Founder & Marketing Director of Precondo states that “Investors’ decisions on where to invest are frequently more significant than their capital or experience. After all, when it comes to real estate, location is the most important. The area in which a rental property owner chooses to invest is possibly the most important aspect in determining their success”.

If for nothing else, investors need to know their renters just as much as the area they are investing in. Picking a niche, not unlike focusing on college housing or single-family homes, is the easiest way to target a specific audience. Therefore, at this time, rental property investors should decide who they will serve; only then will they be able to tailor their rental property business plan to see their audience’s needs.

3. Figure Out Financing

Securing financing is probably the biggest hurdle rental property investors face. However, financing a real estate deal isn’t nearly as hard as many new investors make it out to be. As it turns out, there are countless lenders just waiting for an opportunity to give savvy investors the money they need to invest in real estate. Like institutionalized banks, today’s real estate investors have access to more funding sources outside of traditional sources than ever before. Private money lenders and hard money lenders, in particular, have become synonymous with the best ways to secure funding and are as willing to work with investors as investors are eager to work with lenders.

These “alternative” sources tend to coincide with higher interest payments (often three to four times higher than traditional banks), but the added cost is well worth it. In exchange for their higher rates, investors not only receive the money they need to complete a deal, but they also receive it a lot faster than they would if they went through a bank. Whereas banks can take upwards of a few months to distribute funds, alternative lenders can have the money in investors’ hands in as little as a few days—if not hours.

It is also important to note that securing financing should be done before even looking for a home. That way, the investor will know exactly how much home they can afford and which investments are worth pursuing further.

4. Conduct Research & Hire A Property Manager

Becoming a landlord means investors will be responsible for maintaining the appearance and function of the rental property. However, whether or not the investor is a handyman is a moot point, as hiring a property manager is highly recommended. While it helps to know everything about a subject property, enlisting a third-party property manager’s services is an essential step in a rental property business plan. Through their help, investors may expand their portfolio without adding on countless hours of work. If for nothing else, a property manager will take care of everything. From finding tenants to collecting rent, property managers will see to it that everything is covered. Meanwhile, the investor is free to add more assets to their portfolio and increase their passive income cash flow.

5. Systemize

There are many rental plan options for landlords, such as specializing in low-income neighborhoods or university towns. Alternatively, they can choose to specialize in higher-income, urban neighborhoods. Different strategies require different skill sets, so landlords may find better success if they pick a niche in which they specialize. However, landlords will need to set up a system for running applications, credit, and background checks regardless of the niche. Adding proven systems to a rental property business plan is the surest way to make success habitual. Therefore, investors will need to create a system for every single process associated with rental property investing. That way, there will always be an appropriate course of action, regardless of the situation. Property managers, for that matter, make it a lot easier to implement systems.

6. Manage The Properties

Managing a rental property is about far more than just hiring a property manager; it’s about figuring out exactly what systems will be put in place to keep the properties in good shape and the cash flowing in. This means answering queries like:

Are you going to be a landlord? (Or will you hire a property manager?)

Who will find and select tenants?

Will you perform repairs to maintain the property? (Or hire a contractor?)

Who will perform yard maintenance and other duties?

Your answers will depend on your budget and available time. The key is to use your rental property business plan to map out all management systems beforehand and ensure no last-minute surprises.

Why Write A Business Plan

A well-crafted business plan will help in more ways than one as you learn to navigate the real estate industry. You can establish a clear framework of your goals and overall mission by writing a business plan. It should also include the reason why you want to start investing. This will ensure you remain focused as you make investment decisions and eventually grow your business. Think of a business plan as a roadmap for your future.

A business plan is also highly useful when speaking to potential lenders, designing marketing campaigns, and hiring new employees. These tasks will be made easier if you have a clear outline of what your business does (and how). For example, when you begin raising funds for your first deal, you will likely need to present your business goals to potential investors. A business plan can help take the pressure off — as the information will already be written down. If you are even slightly considering opening a rental real estate business, learning how to write a business plan is a great first step.

How To Write A Rental Property Business Plan

Starting a rental property business is one thing, but learning how to write a rental property business plan is entirely different. While the two sound similar, the latter is critical to making the former even stronger. At the very least, knowing how to start a rental property business must come before actually starting one. As a result, investors will need to familiarize themselves with the most important steps first:

Determine a vision and write a mission statement

Set passive income and business goals

Build a team structure that is conducive to success

Gain a high-level overview perspective of the company as a whole

Develop marketing systems and funnels tailored to a specific audience

1. Vision & Mission

A truly great rental property business plan must emphasize one thing above everything else: the investor’s vision or mission. What an investor hopes to achieve by investing in real estate may simultaneously serve as motivation and a guide when times are less than ideal. Therefore, investors must take a minute to think about why they are investing. Is it to retire comfortably? Is it to spend more time with family and friends? Is it both of these things? Knowing their “why” will help investors build out a sound business strategy, one that gets them closer to their goals with every investment. Consequently, those without a mission won’t know what direction to head, which doesn’t bode well for any rental property business.

2. Passive Income Goals

While closely related to one’s own vision or mission, passive income goals identify how much cash flow will be necessary to satiate investors’ appetites. That said, passive income goals should help investors meet their own mission statement. Likewise, if an investor wants to retire comfortably, they will need to set their passive income goals high enough to facilitate their desired retirement. While everyone’s passive income goals will be different, a general rule of thumb accounts for how much cash flow will be necessary to maintain their preferred lifestyle.

Remember, goals should be realistic and directly related to the reason someone wants to invest. Seeing overly ambitious goals can deter many investors from progressing, so the goals must be achievable. The sense of accomplishment developed from realizing a goal is, oftentimes, a powerful motivator.

Determining passive income goals will also help answer the most important question of them all: what type of rental property will I focus on? Residential? Commercial? Multi-family? Start from the end and work backward for better results; it’s the best and most efficient way to build a business.

3. Structure

Starting a rental property business may lead many investors to hire a team. After all, it’s true what they say: many hands make light work. The more qualified individuals investors have worked towards a common goal, the more likely they are to realize success. Not only that but hiring a competent real estate team is simply one more step towards investors removing themselves from the equation and earning more passive income. That said, it’s not enough to hire just anyone; the employees need to bring something new to the table. Investors need to hire a team that complements their skills—not that replicates them. That way, the team structure is more well-rounded and capable of accomplishing more tasks.

4. High-Level Overview

Investors need to look beyond the prospects of a single investment property and towards the potential of an entire portfolio. While a single home can produce encouraging cash flow levels, an entire portfolio can help investors realize financial freedom. Therefore, it’s important not to forget the “bigger picture.” Sure, start with a single home, but plans should inherently be scalable. When writing a rental property business plan, see that everything can be expanded to include future growth.

5. Marketing

Buying a rental property is just the first step on a passive income investing journey. At some point, investors need to figure out how to find tenants to bring in cash flow. More often than not, investors will rely on their property managers to fill vacancies. However, in the event an investor neglects to hire a property manager, there are various ways to find tenants, not the least of which include:

Rental websites

Social media

Print media/newspaper

Local bulletin boards

Local Realtors

Word-of-mouth marketing

Direct mail campaigns

Previous renters

Is A Rental Property Business A Good Investment?

Investors will know if a rental property is a good investment if their net cash flow remains consistently positive. Seasoned real estate investors know that to have a solid rental plan and business, they must first mind their due diligence and ensure that a rental property is indeed a good investment. There are several measurements available to help investors get an idea of the profit-making potential for a property. Make use of 10 real estate calculators that are helpful for any type of real estate investor.

Features of Successful Rental Properties

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to be successful. Many successful rental properties can serve as a model for your business. Here are some distinct features of profitable rental properties:

Location: Real estate is always about location. The location of your rental property will be a major determinant of the type of tenants you will attract. For example, if you purchase a rental property at the edge of a university, you’ll naturally get applications from many college students. Consider the neighborhood and how it could influence your tenant profile, behavior, income, and vacancies.

Taxes: The location will also influence the property taxes that you end up paying. High property taxes may be well-worth it if your property is located in a great area that attracts high-paying tenants. However, property taxes could be a burden if your financials don’t make sense. Find out your property tax rate by contacting the local assessor’s office.

Schools: The ratings of local schools will help indicate what type of tenants you’ll attract. Rental properties near distinguished school systems will help draw in families willing to pay higher rental rates.

Safety: No one wants to walk home while constantly checking over their shoulder, or living in fear that their car will get broken into. Check local crime statistics and pay attention to trends. A reg flag could be a stead increase in criminal activity, even if it’s in a neighborhood that was known to be safe in the past.

Employment: A hot job market can help draw in larger groups of tenants, thus creating a healthy demand for your property. This could bring in benefits such as higher rental rates and lower vacancy rates. Growing employment opportunities can also boost your local economy and local amenities.

Local amenities: Tenants are constantly looking to balance rental rates with quality and easy of life. If your rental property is located near public transit systems, shopping, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment, you may find yourself having to field competitive offers from many tenants.

Economy: The local economy and horizon of industrial developments can also be a good indicator of rental property performance in a given area. The resulting improvement of local infrastructure could vastly improve the neighborhood and tenant pool. However, watch out for noisy construction that could hurt rental rates temporarily, plus new housing developments that could put a strain in competition.

Rental rates: Be sure to research a local neighborhoods average rental rate. This number can help you conduct a financial analysis to determine whether owning a rental property in the area would be feasible. Be sure to factor in costs such as property taxes, maintenance, repairs, and mortgage payments.

Vacancy rates: If you notice that the neighborhood has an abnormally high number of listings, it could signal that demand is low and vacancy rates are up. You may not want to invest in an area that is on the decline.

How To Determine Rent

Rent can typically be determined by analyzing other properties in the area. Start by reviewing the average rental rates, and then look at similar units to see what they go for. Pay attention to properties with the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. This will give the best idea of what you can charge.

Another approach is to take your monthly loan repayment as a baseline, and raise the rate to cover maintenance and repairs. Maintenance costs can vary significantly, so again pay attention to the typical market. If your rental property is in a college town, you may want extra room for maintenance. However, if you already know you are renting to a tenant you know you may be able to leave less room for repairs.

The final number should stay in the range of other properties in the area. However, they may be some wiggle room to decide exactly where to land for your own property. Just remember: charge too much and you risk vacancies, charge too little and you lose out on valuable income. If you want to learn more about determining rent , be sure to read our guide.

Confidence isn’t simply a positive mood based on affirmations and “feel-good” mantras. Confidence, according to Webster’s Dictionary, is the “state of feeling certain about something.” As you learn how to start a rental property business , there may be no greater confidence-booster than a business plan that comes to fruition. By mapping out your precise goals—and the systems you’ll employ to achieve them—you’ll find wealth-building objectives more attainable than you ever thought possible.

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Guide to Portfolio Building

Starting and growing a real estate portfolio the right way, how to start a real estate business in 10 steps [updated 2024], investor's guide to the real estate contingency contract.

Writing A Residential Rental Property Business Plan

May 27, 2019

The business plan format we’ll discuss includes five sections:  Property, Market, Goals and Objectives, Management and Financial (see Appendix A for an outline). Let’s take a brief look at each of these sections.

Rental Property Business Plan Section 1:  Property

Describing the property is the first step to determining how it should be managed and estimating its potential for return on investment (ROI).  Noting the property’s type, features and location provides a basis for comparison to other properties in the market to determine its competitive position . This section may seem elementary, but it is vitally important to establishing the property’s realistic market potential and an appropriate management approach.

Rental Property Business Plan Section 2:  Market

The Market section identifies the managed property’s market and how our property compares with competing properties.  This information supports decisions regarding rent levels, marketing strategies and long term positioning of the property within the market.  A Market Rent Analysis  (MRA) should being included to provide comparisons to direct competitors (similar properties) and indirect competitors (other types of properties that potential tenants might prefer if the managed property is not competitive in terms of price, location and/or amenities).

The Market section identifies the target market (preferred tenants) for vacancy advertising and strategies for reaching that market effectively.  Understanding the needs of the target market also supports decisions regarding the potential ROI of future property upgrades and some management procedures (e.g. whether to offer online rent payments).

Rental Property Business Plan Section 3:  Goals and Objectives

In simple terms, goals are a measurable what and objectives are the reason why .  A business plan could have several dozen goals, or perhaps just a few, depending on the property, its market and how it will be managed.  But each goal should have at least one objective.

Let’s look at a simple example of a goal and its objective:

“Goal:  $29,000 or higher net operating income. Objective:  Meet or exceed ROI compared to other available investments.”

Let’s say we have a more specific reason for earning a minimum ROI and a 2 nd objective that is dependent on the first:

“Goal 1A:  $39,000 or higher net operating income.  Objective:  Achieve minimum acceptable ROI.”

“Goal 1B:  Increase balance of reserve fund from $90,000 to $100,000.  Objective:  Increase investment safety from unexpected expenses.”

We might also have a goal of repositioning our property in the market:

“Goal:  Remodel to add new master suite. Objective:  Increase the property’s income potential.”

Some owners and managers prefer to develop objectives first, and then formulate goals that support achievement of those objectives.  Here’s an example:

“Objective:  Improve property to increase gross rental income.  Goal:  Install new kitchen stove, refrigerator and dishwasher before renewing current tenant lease.”

The important factor in each of these goals is that they are measurable, either with a numerical value or by answering a yes or no question.  The corresponding objective should represent a strategic improvement to either the property or its performance as an investment.

Rental Property Business Plan Section 4:  Management

A business plan should not be confused with a manager’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP, see Note 1).  A plan is a list of tasks, while procedures describe how those tasks should be done.  The Management section will identify recurring and non-recurring tasks and who will perform them.  These include leasing, tenant care, property care, and improvements.

For example, Section 4.B, Inspections, could include the following:

“Full exterior/interior inspections will be conducted semi-annually and per the Management SOP.”

What does the Management SOP say about inspections?  That depends on the manager’s standard practices.  Most commonly, the SOP will stipulate the types of inspections that will be performed in the usual course of managing a property, such as weekly drive-by exterior inspections.  The SOP may also describe inspections to be performed under special circumstances, such as a tenant complaint about a specific problem, complaints from neighbors, notification of a nuisance on the property by law enforcement, suspicion of illegal activity on the property, suspicion of abuse on the property, or habitually late rent payments (see Note 2).

If there is a plan to make capital improvements, the Management section is a good place to describe them.  There should, however, be a separate Project Plan for each improvement that gets into the details of what is to be done.

A Property Management Schedule , either in list form or graphic (e.g. Ganntt chart ), should be used to identify and track progress of all recurring and non-recurring management activities.

Rental Property Business Plan Section 5:  Financial

Financial plans can be either simple, such as a single page spreadsheet, or consist of hundreds of pages that include detailed descriptions of each income, expense or financing item.  For most single unit or small multi-unit owners and managers, a spreadsheet reflecting an Operating Budget like the example below should suffice (see Note 3).

Rental Property Business Plan:  Tracking Performance

Tracking performance against the business plan is the ultimate purpose for having it.  The primary tracking tools are the Management Schedule and the Operating Budget, which we created in the Management and Financial sections.  Establish regular reviews (monthly, quarterly, etc.) and write a brief analysis of your performance to the plan – even if you are the only person who will read it.  Your analysis is feedback that should prompt you to take action in response to changing market conditions.

Rental Property Business Plan:  A Few Final Words

The business plan we’ve been discussing is applicable to a property or small group of properties, typically condos, single family homes, or small multi-family complexes.   As with all plans and procedures, the format and content of the document should be tailored to your specific needs.  In most instances, rental property profit or loss is just one part of an owner’s total financial picture.  When this is the case, the rental property business plan should be incorporated into a broader company or family financial plan.

If you’re an active investor, you may find that drafting a business plan for a potential investment target provides a great analysis tool. To get a good start, you might want to order our Business Plan Services to help get your first plan organized.

Hope you found this review of the residential rental property business plan helpful.  For answers to your questions or for help with California real estate investing, sales and property management, please use Contact Us .

• Most professional property managers have written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that they either apply globally to all properties under their management or adapt to each property individually. It is common for managers to either reference their existing SOP or attach an SOP tailored to a client’s property to a property management contract.
• We offer “ Problem Tenant Services ” that include inspections when special circumstances warrant them.
• Financial plans and the bookkeeping system used to track financial performance should support the information requirements of your accountant and tax adviser. Consult with these professionals when drafting your operating budget.

Appendix A:  Residential Rental Property Business Plan Outline

• Demographics
• Target Market
• Market Rent Analysis
• Goals and Objectives
• Inspections
• Maintenance and Repairs
• Capital Improvements
• Operating Budget
• Capital Budget

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Property Management Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Start Your Property Management Plan Here

Property Management Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your property management company business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their property management companies.

Below are links to each section of your property management business plan template:

2. Company Overview – The Company Overview section will provide an overview of your business, history of the company and property management services offered.

3. Industry Analysis – This will include an overview of the property management industry, trends, and issues facing your industry.

4. Customer Analysis – Here, you will outline your target market. This includes information on demographics, psychographics, and behaviors.

5. Competitive Analysis – This section includes an overview of your direct and indirect competitors, their market share, your competitive advantage, and how you plan to compete against them.

6. Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan will describe your marketing strategies, pricing details, and promotional activities.

7. Operations Plan – This section describes your business operations.

8. Management Team – This section will provide information on the management members of your team. This includes their experience, education, and skills.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Property Management Business Plan FAQs

What is a property management business plan.

A property management business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your property management business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your property management business plan using our Property Management Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Property Management Company?

The main source of revenue for property management companies are management fees and maintenance markups. Revenue is also generated from commissions, lease ups, and upcharges.

The key expenses are payroll and contractor fees, rent, supplies, and utilities.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Property Management Company Business Plan?

Companies are typically funded through small business loans, personal savings and credit card financing.

What are the Steps To Start a Property Management Company?

Starting a property management company can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Property Management Company Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed business plan for  your property management company that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the property management industry and potential target market size, information about the property management services you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Property Management Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Property Management Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your   business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful property management company:

• How to Start a Property Management Company
• How to Start a Property Management Business

Where Can I Get Property Management Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free property management business plan template PDF here . This is a property management business plan template you can use in PDF format.

How to Write a Real Estate Investment Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

Elon Glucklich

8 min. read

Updated February 19, 2024

Download a free one-page real estate investment sample business plan

With the worst of recent inflation in the rear-view mirror and interest rates projected to start falling in 2024, real estate investors see signs of optimism. 

New apartment construction is rising sharply . These new properties coming onto the market and the prospect of lower borrowing costs point to plenty of long-term opportunities for investors.

However, investing in real estate requires a sharp eye for market trends, as well as significant upfront resources. Investors need to understand the different strategies for securing financing, and how to manage their properties to increase their value before reselling.

A business plan reduces your likelihood of making a bad investment, because it gets you in the habit of organizing your market research, and updating it as conditions evolve. The plan ultimately helps align your investment strategies with your opportunities.

| Looking for a fix and flip , home inspection , or other type of plan? Browse the Bplans library of sample real estate business plans |

• What should you include in a real estate investment business plan?

Here are the most common sections any real estate investor should consider including in their plan:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Investment strategy
• Market analysis
• SWOT analysis
• Financial plan and forecasts
• Exit strategy

The length and depth of your business plan will vary depending on your business. For instance, a real estate investment firm with a national portfolio of office and apartment buildings is bound to have a more complex set of financial projections and supporting documents than an investor with single-family houses in a few markets.

Here’s an example of a real estate investment business plan outline.

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• The 8 elements of an effective real estate investment business plan

1. Executive summary

Most business plans start with an executive summary outlining the business opportunity and the core strategies of your business. 

It’s the first section that most readers (including loan officers) will read. You’ll want to highlight any unique value or competitive edge you have, such as a track record of generating positive returns, or knowledge of a specific market. 

You should also give a high-level overview of your financial projections and anticipated returns, which you’ll go into greater detail on in the plan’s financial section. If you’re writing a business plan because you’re seeking bank financing or an investment, this is a good section to state your funding request and how you’ll use those funds.

2. Company overview 

The company overview describes your company’s operational and legal structure . 

List whether you have any partners, and detail your team’s experience, expertise, and roles within the company. Also, outline your portfolio, such as investing in residential properties, commercial buildings, or new development projects. 

3. Investment strategy

There are many ways to invest in real estate — buying homes to rent out, fixing and flipping houses, pooling your resources with partners into a real estate investment group, investing in real estate investment trusts, and more. Describe your strategy and why it will generate the highest returns.You should also describe your criteria for choosing properties to invest in, and whether your primary focus is to invest in a certain geographic region or a type of property, such as apartments or fixer-upper homes.

4. Market analysis

If you have any experience in investment real estate, you know how important market research is. Imagine paying $1 million for an apartment building and adding $100,000 on renovations, only to realize you can’t find tenants to pay the higher rents you want to charge.

That’s where a thorough market analysis comes in. It helps you understand the landscape you’re operating in. 

Use resources like the U.S. Census Bureau to research your target market’s age, income, and population trends. Look online for local data about real estate prices and how they’ve changed over time, or reach out to local realtors to get a feel for the market.

You should also try to determine how much investment activity is taking place in the market and who you’re competing with for opportunities. 

Many cities and larger towns with development departments make their building permit databases available online, since permits are typically public records. Reviewing permit records can show you how much development activity is already occurring where you plan to invest.

5. SWOT analysis

Because of the risks involved in real estate investment, a SWOT analysis can be a helpful exercise. It’s a strategic way of evaluating your company’s internal and external environment (think about your company’s financial health as an internal factor, and interest rates as an external factor).

The SWOT analysis gets you thinking about your company’s:

Strengths: What you do well , and what unique resources you have.

Weaknesses: What you need to improve on, what resources you lack, or what your competitors do better than you.

Opportunities: What are the current opportunities you want to take advantage of?

Threats: What factors could expose your company to risk, or what might competitors do to harm your position?

6. Financial plan and forecasts

Your financial plan should provide a detailed view of the expected financial performance of your real estate investments. Include income statements , cash flow forecasts , and balance sheets projecting the next 3-5 years. 

List the assumptions you used in your projections, such as rental income changes from rent increases or unrealized revenue due to certain amounts of vacant commercial space. 

You should also include a break-even analysis. This calculates when you expect a property’s operating income to exceed the debt taken to buy and maintain it.

7. Exit strategy

If you’re writing your business plan for investors, detailing your exit strategy will clarify their pathways for realizing their returns. It also trains you to think about the long-term timeline for your investments and how to maximize their value. 

Consider strategies that will help you maximize your profits, like refinancing your properties or looking into potential tax-deferral opportunities like a 1031 exchange.

8. Appendix

The appendix is an optional section at the end of your business plan. It’s where you include additional documents that support your business plan but don’t fit in the plan. This might include your detailed market research data, financial tables not covered in the main sections of the plan, legal documents, or permit records.

• Key considerations for writing a real estate investment business plan

To write a business plan that you can use as a guide for your decision making, consider places in the plan to emphasize these key points.

1. Develop a niche

If you’re a small investor or just starting, focus on carving out a specific niche for your investment strategy instead of trying to compete in multiple real estate segments. This could mean concentrating on a particular property type, such as multi-family homes, commercial real estate, or foreclosure properties, and diversifying your portfolio only after you’ve developed some traction. Or, you may decide to focus only on the segment you have the greatest advantage in.

2. Understand your risks

Real estate investment is inherently risky. 

Market dynamics, regulatory changes, and economic fluctuations can all impact the performance of your investments. 

As you compile research for your market analysis, dedicate time to conduct a detailed risk analysis to understand these factors and their potential impact on your investments. This includes assessing location-specific risks, economic cycles, and tenant or occupancy issues. 

Writing these out before they happen will help you think of strategies to mitigate these risks if they actually occur.

3. Network and develop market knowledge

Building a strong network with other real estate professionals, such as brokers and contractors, can provide valuable insights into the markets you hope to operate in. Document in your business plan how you will cultivate these relationships — you can include timelines for developing contacts in the milestones section of your plan.

Also, try to keep up to date on current events in the area, especially news about the regional economy. Look into the tax climate in the area, as well. All of this helps you build a deeper understanding of your market dynamics, and helps validate your investment strategy — or gives you reasons to reconsider.

4. Consider help with your financials

Even if you have the financial background to write financial forecasts, you may want to leave room in your budget for accounting support. 

If you’re starting or investing in an unfamiliar market, a CPA will help you navigate tricky tax issues that could throw off your projections. 

Include the expense of hiring an accountant in your plan if you decide to bring one on, and describe their role, whether it’s helping with budgeting, tax planning, or financial analysis.

• Download your free real estate investment one page sample business plan

Download your free real estate investment sample business plan right now, or explore the Bplans gallery of over 550 sample business plans if you want to see plans for other industries.

You can also see how other real estate businesses have written their plans by checking out our free library of real estate business plans .

There are many reasons why real estate investors should write a business plan . Not only does it demonstrate credibility to the banks or investors you want to fund your acquisitions — it also increases your chances for growth , and gives you a strategy to manage your finances for the long term.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Real Estate Investing & Rental Management | How To

How to Write a Real Estate Investment Business Plan (+ Free Template)

Published September 22, 2023

Published Sep 22, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Gina Baker

WRITTEN BY: Jealie Dacanay

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This article is part of a larger series on Investing in Real Estate .

Get the templates and resources you need as a landlord

• 1 Write Your Mission & Vision Statement
• 2 Conduct a SWOT Analysis
• 3 Choose a Real Estate Business Investing Model
• 4 Set Specific & Measurable Goals
• 5 Write a Company Summary
• 6 Determine Your Financial Plan
• 7 Perform a Rental Market Analysis
• 8 Create a Marketing Plan
• 9 Build a Team & Implement Systems
• 10 Have an Exit Strategy
• 11 Bottom Line

A real estate investment business plan is a guide with actionable steps for determining how you’ll operate your real estate investing business. It also indicates how you’ll measure your business’ success. The plan outlines your mission and vision statement, lets you conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, and sets goals in place. It’s similar to a business plan for any business, but the objectives are geared toward how you will manage the business, grow your investment, and secure funding.

We’ve created a free real estate investment business plan template for you to download and use as a guide as you read through the article and learn how to write a business plan for real estate investment:

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Free Real Estate Investment Business Plan Template

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1. write your mission & vision statement.

Every real estate investment business plan should begin with a concrete mission statement and vision. A mission statement declares actions and strategies the organization will use—serving as its North Star in achieving its business or investment objectives. A strong mission statement directs a real estate business, keeps teams accountable, inspires customers, and helps you measure success.

Before you compose your mission statement, you need to think about the following questions to do it effectively:

• What exactly is our business? The answer should encompass the essential functions of your real estate organization.
• How are we doing it? The response must explain your real estate goals and methods based on your core principles.
• Who are we doing it for? The response explains who your primary market is.
• What are our guiding principles? The “why” for your real estate company’s existence.

Mission statement example (Source: Oak Tree Capital )

The example above provides the mission statement of Oak Tree Capital. As a real estate investment business, it’s clear what its ultimate business objective is and how it will approach investing with integrity to maximize profit. Essentially, the investment company will drive monetary results—while maintaining its moral principles.

On the other hand, vision statements differ slightly from mission statements. They’re a bit more inspirational and provide some direction for future planning and execution of business investment strategies. Vision statements touch on a company’s desires and purpose beyond day-to-day operational activity. A vision statement outlines what the business desires to be once its mission statement is achieved.

For more mission statement examples, read our 16 Small Business Mission Statement Examples & Why They Inspire article and download our free mission statement template to get started.

If you want to write a vision statement that is truly aspirational and motivating, you should include your significant stakeholders as well as words that describe your products, services, values, initiatives, and goals. It would be best if you also answer the following questions:

• What is the primary goal of your organization?
• What are the key strengths of your business?
• What are the core values of your company?
• How do you aim to change the world as a business?
• What kind of global influence do you want your business to have?
• What needs and wants does your company have?
• How would the world be different if our organization achieved its goals?

In the example below from Aguila Real Estate, it hopes to be the preferred real estate company in its market.

Example of a vision statement (Source: Aguila Real Estate )

To make it easier, download our free template and follow our steps to create a vision statement for your small business. Take a look also at our 12 Inspiring Vision Statement Examples for Small Businesses in 2023 article to better understand how to create an impactful vision statement.

2. Conduct a SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis section of your real estate investing business plan template helps identify a business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This tool enables real estate investors to identify internal areas of improvement within their business through their strengths and weaknesses.

The opportunities and threats can assist with motivating a team to take actions that keep them ahead of an ever-changing real estate landscape. For a real estate business investor, the SWOT analysis is aimed at helping grow and protect investments over time.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Specifically for real estate investing, strengths and weaknesses correlate with the investment properties’ success and touch on items that will drive investment growth. The strengths can be the property’s location, condition, available amenities, and decreased vacancy. All of these items contribute to the success of a property.

On the contrary, the weaknesses include small unit sizes, excessive expenditures (finances to repair, upgrade, properties to acquire), low rents, and low cap rates. These weaknesses indicate less money is being collected and a lower overall return on investment (ROI). They are all factors that limit cash flow into the business and are internal factors that an investor can change.

See below for an example of strengths and weaknesses that could be included in a SWOT analysis:

Opportunities & Threats

Opportunities and threats are external factors that can affect an investment business. You don’t have control over these items, but you can maneuver your business to take advantage of the opportunities or mitigate any long-term effects of external threats. Opportunities relating to investment properties can be receiving certification with a city as a preferred development or having excess equity.

However, threats to an investment property do not need to be particularly connected to the property itself. They can be factors that affect your overall business. For example, interest rates may be high, which cuts your profits if you obtain a mortgage during that time frame.

An example of possible opportunities and threats for an investment business could be:

After creating your SWOT analysis, an investor can use these factors to develop business goals to support your strengths and opportunities while implementing change to combat the weaknesses and threats you anticipate. It also helps investors prioritize what items need to be addressed to succeed. These factors in a SWOT can change as the business grows, so don’t forget to revisit this portion and continuously reevaluate your SWOT.

3. Choose a Real Estate Business Investing Model

The core of real estate investing is to purchase and sell properties for a profit. How to make that profit is a factor in identifying your investment model. Different investing models are beneficial to an investor at different times.

For example, when interest rates are low, you may consider selling your property altogether. When interest rates are high and it is more difficult for people to obtain a mortgage, you may choose to rent out your properties instead. Sometimes, you must try a few models to see what works best for your business, given your area of expertise.

We’ve identified some investment business models to consider:

• Buy and hold: This strategy mainly involves renting out the property and earning regular rental income. This is also considered the BRRRR method : buy, rehab, rent, refinance, and repeat until you have increased your portfolio.
• Flipping properties : Flipping a property entails purchasing, adding value, and selling it higher than the investment costs. Many investors have a set profitability number they would like to hit but should consider market fluctuations on what they can realistically receive during the sale.
• Owner-occupied: Investors can live in the property while renting out extra units to reduce their housing costs and have rental income coming in simultaneously. This model is best if you own multifamily units, especially duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes . It’s also a great way to understand the complexities of being a landlord. You can transition your unit to another renter when you want to move.
• Turnkey: Buying a turnkey property is the best option for investors who wish to enter the real estate market without having to deal with renovations or tenant management. It’s a practical way for seasoned investors to diversify their portfolios with fewer time commitments.

Investors don’t have to stick to one model, and they can have a few of these investment models within their portfolio, depending on how much effort they would like to put into each property. Before choosing an investment model, consider which will help you meet your investing goals most efficiently.

Read our Investing in Real Estate: The 14-Tip Guide for Beginners article to learn how real estate investment works and other investing business models. Also, if you’re new to real estate investing and are looking for foundational knowledge to get started or seeking information about the best online courses for real estate investing, look at our The 13 Best Real Estate Investing Courses Online 2023 article.

4. Set Specific & Measurable Goals

The next step to completing a real estate investment business plan for real estate investing is to set SMART goals. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Creating goals that contain all of the criteria of SMART goals results in extremely specific goals, provides focus, and sets an investor up for achieving the goals. The process of creating these goals takes some experience and continued practice.

An investor’s goals can consist of small short-term goals and more monumental long-term goals. Whether big or small, ideal goals will propel your business forward. For example, your end goal could be having a specific number of properties in your portfolio or setting a particular return on investment (ROI) you want to achieve annually.

Remember that your SMART goals don’t always have to be property-related just because you’re an investor. They can be goals that help you improve your networking or public speaking skills that can also add to a growing business.

Example of improving goals with SMART in mind:

Begin creating SMART goals with an initial goal. Then, take that initial goal and break it down into the different SMART components. SMART goals leave no room for error or confusion. The specific, measurable, and time-bound criteria identify the exact components for success.

However, the relevant and achievable parts of the goal require a little extra work to identify. The relevancy should align with your company’s mission, and extra research must be performed to ensure the goal is attainable.

Initial goal: Receive a 5% return on investment from the property

Smart goal:

• Specific: I want to achieve a 5% return on the 99 Park Place property.
• Measurable: The goal is to sell it for greater than or equal to $499,000.
• Achievable: The current market value for a two-bedroom in Chicago is selling for $500,000 and growing by 1% yearly.
• Relevant: I aim to meet my overall portfolio returns by 20% annually.
• Time-bound: I want to offload this property in the next three years.

5. Write a Company Summary

The company summary section of a business plan for investors is a high-level overview, giving insight into your business, its services, goals, and mission, and how you differentiate yourself from your competition. Other items that can be included in this overview are business legal structure, business location, and business goals. The company summary is beneficial if you want to involve outside investors or partners in your business.

​​Example company profile from Choueri Real Estate

A company summary is customizable to your target audience. If you’re using this section to recruit high-level executives to your team, center it around business operations and corporate culture. However, if you’re looking to target funding and develop investor relationships for a new project, then you should include investor-specific topics relating to profitability, investment strategy, and company business structure.

Partners and outside investors will want to consider your company’s specific legal business structure to know what types of liabilities are at hand. Legal business structure determines how taxes are charged and paid and what legal entity owns the assets. This information helps determine how the liabilities are separated from personal assets. For example, if a tenant wants to seek legal damages against the landlord and the property is owned by an LLC, personal assets like your personal home will not be at risk.

6. Determine Your Financial Plan

The most essential part of creating a real estate investing business is the financial aspect since much of the business involves purchasing, managing, and selling real estate. To buy real estate initially, you’ll have to determine where funding will come from. Funding can come from your personal assets, a line of credit, or external investors.

A few options are available to real estate investors when obtaining a loan to purchase properties. The lending options available to most real estate investors include the following:

• Mortgage: This is one of the most common means of obtaining financing. A financial institution will provide money based on a borrower’s credit score and ability to repay the loan.
• Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans : This loan is secured by the FHA to assist with getting you a low down payment or lower closing costs, and sometimes easily obtain credit. There are some restrictions to qualify for this loan—but it could be suitable for newer investors who want to begin investing starting with their primary home.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC) : If you currently have property, obtain a HELOC by using your current property to secure the line of credit and borrow against the equity in your property. As you repay the loan, your available balance on the line of credit gets replenished.
• Private lenders : These are lenders who are not financial institutions. These individual lenders typically have fewer restrictions than traditional lenders and will lend money to individuals who can grow their investments.
• Hard-money loans : This loan requires a hard asset to be leveraged for money. For example, you can put up the home you want to purchase as the asset for cash upfront, and the hard-money loan will be paid back once the home is sold or other funding is secured. This is great for short-term deals due to quick approval and little upfront money.

After funding is obtained to purchase property, financial projections help investors understand their financial standing. These projections can tell you potential income, profits, and when you may need additional funding in the future. Similar to lending options, these calculations are specific to your investing model. If you’re not planning to rent out the property, then calculations like gross rent multiplier are not applicable.

For more information on what is needed to obtain financing, read our articles Investment Property Financing & Requirements and 5 Best Crowdfunding Sites for Investors 2023 .

Additional Investment Calculations

In a rental property business plan, it’s important to use a rental property calculator to determine a property’s potential return on investment. The calculator considers various factors, such as purchase price, operating expenses, monthly income, or vacancy rates, to determine whether a property is a good investment.

Click on the tabs below for the other important calculations all investors should be aware of when purchasing and managing rental properties :

• Gross Operating Income
• Gross Rent Multiplier
• Vacancy Rate

The gross operating income (GOI) calculates the amount of rent and income received from a property minus any vacancy. It doesn’t take into account other expenses. It tells an investor how much income they’ll make after some assumed losses with vacancy.

GOI = Total rent + Other income – Vacancy losses

The capitalization (cap) rate calculates the return on investment (ROI) of a property. This equation is used to compare the return of one building to another. The higher the cap rate, the better since the purchase price is low.

Cap Rate = Net operating income / Purchase price

The gross rent multiplier (GRM) is a factor that helps determine a property’s potential profitability. It can be used to compare perspective buildings to determine which one is the better deal.

GRM = Property price / Gross annual income

The vacancy rate calculates the vacancy percentage of all your investment properties during a specific period. Percentage helps an investor determine how their property performs given current market conditions. If you have a high vacancy rate, you must determine the cause. Perhaps your asking rents are too high for the current housing market.

Vacancy Rate Formula = # of Vacant Units x 100 / Total # of Units

Cash flow is the movement of money in and out of your business, also known as net operating income. In an ideal scenario, investors will bring in more income than expenses, thus showing profit and a positive cash flow. Positive cash flow allows investors to decide how to use that profit. They can invest it in growing their portfolio or increasing their cash reserves for unexpected expenses.

Cash Flow = Gross rental income – Total expenses

Investors can use their current cash flow to forecast future cash flows, which will give you an idea of how much profit you will see over a specific period. Use past cash flow information to determine if there are any trends. For example, during the summer, your water expenses increase, or possibly every few months, you see an increase in property repairs. Consider these trends when estimating future cash flows and compare actual numbers to determine if your forecasting is accurate.

Use the template below to forecast future cash flow for six months and determine how much cash flow reserves you will have:

Cash Flow Template

💡 Quick tip:

In addition to the template, investing in property management software like TenantCloud will set you up for success. The free plan from TenantCloud will help you list apartments, collect rent payments, and screen applicants to maximize profits and minimize vacancies.

7. Perform a Rental Market Analysis

While determining what properties to purchase, investors should perform a rental market analysis (RMA) to gauge the investment potential of a rental property. The RMA consists of running comparables against current units on the market and collecting data that may affect your rental rate to understand if the rental property in question is a solid long-term investment. The analysis helps determine the average rental rate and future rent if you want to make any property upgrades.

Investors can use resources like Zillow to pull comparable property information and gather information on unit layout, building amenities, rental concessions offered, or listing prices. Once the information is gathered, the spreadsheet itemizes the average, median, highest, and lowest rent. When such information is available, it also provides an average price per square foot compared to the subject property. With this information, investors can decide whether the subject property is worth the investment.

Read our 10 Best States to Invest in Real Estate (& 5 Worst) in 2023 article to better understand which states yield a positive cash flow, build equity, and have long-term profitability.

8. Create a Marketing Plan

Once you determine which property to invest in, investors should identify a marketing plan to list the vacant units. Some investors offload the marketing and advertising to real estate agents and brokerages, which will also collect a fee for renting out the property. Refer to some of the best real estate marketing materials to get started, or use our free real estate marketing plan template to lay out your objectives and tactics.

A real estate marketing plan should include your goals, budget, target market, competitors, feasible marketing strategies, and unique selling offers. In addition, it’s crucial to balance your strategy and split your potential marketing plans into categories, like print materials, online ads, email, and social media, so that you can be very specific with your goals and metrics.

Here are some of the real estate marketing mediums to include as you set your marketing goals:

• Real estate website and landing pages
• Email marketing
• SMS and text message marketing
• Real estate ads
• Social media marketing
• Print marketing materials
• Real estate signs

Download our marketing plan template by visiting our article Free Real Estate Marketing Plan Template & Strategy Guide .

9. Build a Team & Implement Systems

As a new investor, you may be unable to hire an entire team of employees to help perform research, run analysis, property management , and accounting duties. It is best to have a list of vendors you can rely on to assist you with purchasing, rehabilitating, and buying or selling your investment properties. Find vendors you trust so you can free yourself from having to micromanage them and know they have your best interest and the interest of your investments in mind.

Here are a few people you want to include on your team:

• Contractors
• Electricians
• Property managers
• Accountants

You should also utilize real estate investing apps and property intelligence software like Baselane that relieve you of manually performing daily duties to keep your investments profitable.

Automated rent collection feature (Source: Baselane )

Baselane is an all-in-one solution—from banking to rent collection, bookkeeping, reporting, and analytics. This software will help you efficiently manage your portfolio and eliminate the need for manual tasks. Learn more about how Baselane can make you a better property owner.

Visit Baselane

If you’re looking for more tools to help you get started, improve your portfolio management, and streamline your operations, read our 6 Best Real Estate Software for Investors 2023 article. We listed the six best software tools available for real estate investing based on affordability, customer reviews, features, and support to assist you in finding the best software that suits your needs.

10. Have an Exit Strategy

Since an investor’s money is tied up in the properties they own until they choose to sell, deciding when to sell or liquidate to get access to your money is part of an investor’s overall real estate exit strategy. The exit strategy for a real estate investment business is a plan for when an investor would like to remove themself from a deal or the business altogether. It helps weigh the different scenarios to minimize business risks and maximize the total return on investments.

A few exit strategy examples are:

The factors that an investor should consider when devising an exit strategy are minimizing financial loss, recouping as much of their original investment as possible, and avoiding any unseen fees that will cut into profits like tax consequences. An investor’s plan should always be to grow their original investment, but unforeseen circumstances may occur that will require you to plan on when to cut your losses as well.

Bottom Line

Before launching a successful real estate investment business, you must have an efficient business plan, aligning your strategies with your business objectives. Our real estate investment business plan template can help get you started. These plans act as a roadmap so you can focus on the steps required to grow your business. Business plans evolve, so continuously revisit and improve your strategies. There is no right or wrong way to write a real estate investor business plan as long as it is used to achieve your goals.

About the Author

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Jealie Dacanay

Jealie is a staff writer expert focusing on real estate education, lead generation, marketing, and investing. She has always seen writing as an opportunity to apply her knowledge and express her ideas. Over the years and through her internship at a real estate developer in the Philippines, Camella, she developed and discovered essential skills for producing high-quality online content.

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How to Create a Real Estate Investment Business Plan for Residential Rental Properties (Free Template)

Ready to unlock the potential of real estate investment and build your financial future? Whether you’re an experienced investor or just starting out , crafting a well-thought-out business plan is critical if you're to succeed in the world of residential rental properties. 

This article will guide you through the essential steps, considerations, and components of creating a real estate investment business plan. Plus, we've got a valuable free template to make your journey even more manageable.

Why You Need a Business Plan for Real Estate Investment

Crafting an effective real estate investment business plan is about more than paperwork; it's about turning your aspirations into achievements.

Creating a formalized business plan for your real estate investment venture is tantamount to success. It forces you—the investor—to organize your thoughts, feelings, goals, and ideas moving forward in the business in a single, powerful document. 

Remember, this is a living document meant to be flexible as your business grows or changes tactics over the years. It keeps you on target, helps expand your business, and keeps your financial goals on track. 

It’s also a helpful document for potential investors, creditors, and partners to peruse before pursuing a business venture with you. 

And speaking of collaborators, finding sample real estate investment business plans or a template to download to get you started is a good idea. But before diving into that, let's look at a few general considerations that will shape your plan.

General Considerations for a Real Estate Investment Business Plan

Before you start actually writing your business plan, there are a few general considerations to keep in mind:

• The Why. When you start any new venture, it’s good to know you’ve got the strength to realize your goals, even when things get tricky. Defining why you’re embarking upon this real estate investment journey is necessary if you want  to reach your destination. Why do you want to invest in real estate? To create financial independence? To serve the community? To provide for your family? Everyone’s “why” is unique to them. As such, your underlying motivation should be the starting point of creating a business plan. Everything follows from this origin.
• Financial Goals. Next, it’s wise to consider your financial goals. What are you hoping to accomplish financially? This is a business, and having defined financial goals will help keep your real estate investments trending in the right direction. 
• Timeline. When do you want to achieve all this? Are you taking this business from now until retirement or looking to flip a few houses before the decade closes? Having a general timeline in mind when planning means you’ll be realistic about what goals you can accomplish. 
• Real Estate Investment Strategy. There are countless ways to jumpstart your real estate investments. Doing a bit of research to discover which real estate investment strategies best suit your financial goals and desired timeline will ensure your business plan is realistic moving forward.

These considerations form the foundation of your real estate investment business plan. But how do you piece it together and create a comprehensive, winning document? 

Spoiler alert: Property managers can be your secret weapon in crafting an airtight plan and guiding you through your investment journey. 

But first, let's explore the essential components of your business plan and how a property manager can make the process smoother.

Essential Components of a Business Plan for Real Estate Investment 

A well-thought-out business plan for real estate investment should help you secure the financing and partnerships needed to bring your dream to fruition. 

To do this, it must include the following components:

• Executive Summary: a bird’s eye view. The first section of a business plan is like an abstract for a research paper. Here, you’ll introduce the plan and give an overview of what comes later in the document. 
• Define your team. Who are you bringing on this journey? What are their qualifications? This section can attract new investors and partners by touting the team's accomplishments. 
• Outline marketing strategy. A business plan won’t succeed without a marketing strategy to connect with potential clients, in this case, future tenants. Your real estate business plan must include understanding the need for top-quality marketing and a method to market your business successfully. Will you run social media ads? Rent local billboard space? 
• Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to learn. Include a section to show that you know this industry, have researched the competition, and are aware of local real estate market trends and areas for growth. This will communicate to potential investors you’re willing to put in the elbow grease it takes to succeed long-term in this business. 
• Describe the “What”. What services will you offer? What type of properties will you invest in? What are the next steps to your plan moving forward? 

As you dive deeper into your real estate investment journey, remember that the strength of every property manager relationship reflects the property owner's dedication. 

How to Create a Residential Real Estate Business Plan Quickly 

If you're looking to create a residential real estate business plan quickly, here are a few must-have tips to get you started:

• Define: Mission. Vision. Values. A business is only as strong as its “big three” pillars: the mission, vision, and values. Begin your business plan by defining what the purpose of your business is (its mission), your plan to bring this mission to life (vision), and the values that will guide your actions when the going gets tough. Careful consideration of these will give you clarity when finding team members to build your business later on. You need people who click with what your business stands for. 
• Identify short and long-term goals. A real estate business is only as successful as it prepares to be. Remember the adage: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Spending time identifying short (3-12 months out) and long (1-5 years in the future) term goals gives you and your team ways to mark the journey to success with well-defined milestones. 
• Figure out the finances. How will you fund your business? There are many ways to find capital to bring your real estate business plan to life, but you may have to get creative. And you’ll need to stay organized and on task to bring your financial goals to fruition. 
• Find the perfect property manager. The quickest way to accomplish this magnificent business plan you’re creating? Hire a property manager to help you skip the grunt work. But while finding the right manager for your business isn’t easy—you’ll need to research and interview several property managers before you get a feel for what’s best for you—the road will be much less bumpy with a solid business plan in hand. 

How a Property Manager Can Help You Create a Real Estate Investment Business Plan

A property manager can help you create a real estate investment business plan in five important  ways. 

• Provide you with insights into the local real estate market.
• Help you identify and evaluate potential investment properties.
• Help you develop a marketing strategy to attract tenants.
• Help you manage your finances and keep track of your expenses.
• Provide you with guidance and support throughout the investment process.

When you enter property manager interviews armed with a robust business plan, you demonstrate your commitment and pave the way for a successful partnership. 

Ultimately, creating the ideal business plan for real estate investment begins with you. Every property manager relationship is only as strong as the drive of the property owner. 

Download APM’s free sample real estate investment business plan template to get started.

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How to write a business plan for a property management company?

Creating a business plan for a property management company is an essential process for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to be taken to start or grow the business, the resources required, and the anticipated financial outcomes. It should be crafted with method and confidence.

This guide is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for creating a property management company business plan, covering why it is so important both when starting up and running an established business, what should be included in your plan, how it should be structured, what tools should be used to save time and avoid errors, and other helpful tips.

We have a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a property management company?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for a property management company?
• What goes in the financial forecast for a property management company?
• What goes in the written part of a property management company business plan?
• What tool can I use to write my property management company business plan?

Understanding the document's scope and goals will help you easily grasp its structure and content. Before diving into the specifics of the plan, let's take a moment to explore the key reasons why having a property management company business plan is so crucial.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your property management company. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your property management company to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your property management company, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To maintain visibility on future cash flows

Businesses can go for years without making a profit, but they go bust as soon as they run out of cash. That's why "cash is king", and maintaining visibility on your property management company's future cash flows is critical.

How do I do that? That's simple: you need an up-to-date financial forecast.

The good news is that your property management company business plan already contains a financial forecast (more on that later in this guide), so all you have to do is to keep it up-to-date.

To do this, you need to regularly compare the actual financial performance of your business to what was planned in your financial forecast, and adjust the forecast based on the current trajectory of your business.

Monitoring your property management company's financial health will enable you to identify potential financial problems (such as an unexpected cash shortfall) early and to put in place corrective measures. It will also allow you to detect and capitalize on potential growth opportunities (higher demand from a given segment of customers for example).

To secure financing

Whether you are a startup or an existing business, writing a detailed property management company business plan is essential when seeking financing from banks or investors.

This makes sense given what we've just seen: financiers want to ensure you have a clear roadmap and visibility on your future cash flows.

Banks will use the information included in the plan to assess your borrowing capacity (how much debt your business can support) and your ability to repay the loan before deciding whether they will extend credit to your business and on what terms.

Similarly, investors will review your plan carefully to assess if their investment can generate an attractive return on investment.

To do so, they will be looking for evidence that your property management company has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand why it is important to create a business plan for a property management company, let's take a look at what information is needed to create one.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

Information needed to create a business plan for a property management company

Drafting a property management company business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for a property management company

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a property management company is essential to ensure that the financial projections are accurate and realistic.

Market research helps you gain insight into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies and other key factors which can have an impact on the commercial success of your business.

In particular, it is useful in forecasting revenue as it provides valuable data regarding potential customers’ spending habits and preferences.

Your market research may reveal that potential customers may be looking for a property management company that has a good online presence, such as an easy to use website and a good social media presence. Additionally, your market research might show that potential customers could be seeking a property management company that offers a wide range of services, including rent collection, tenant screening, and maintenance services.

This information can then be used to create more accurate financial projections which will help investors make informed decisions about investing in your property management company.

Developing the marketing plan for a property management company

Before delving into your property management company business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and capital expenditure requirements of a property management company

Whether you are starting or expanding a property management company, it is important to have a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) in order to ensure the success of the business.

Both the recruitment and investment plans need to be coherent with the timing and level of growth planned in your forecast, and require appropriate funding.

Staffing costs for a property management company might include salaries for property managers, administrative staff, and maintenance personnel. Equipment costs could include computers, software, and other office supplies necessary to operate the business. Additionally, the company may need to purchase tools and other items necessary for the maintenance and repair of the properties they manage.

In order to create a realistic financial forecast, you will also need to consider the other operating expenses associated with running the business on a day-to-day basis (insurance, bookkeeping, etc.). 

Once you have all the necessary information to create a business plan for your property management company, it is time to start creating your financial forecast.

What goes into your property management company's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your property management company's business plan will enable you to assess the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business in the coming years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a property management company are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

Your property management company forecasted P&L statement enables the reader of your business plan to get an idea of how much revenue and profits your business is expected to make in the near future.

Ideally, your reader will want to see:

• Growth above the inflation level
• Expanding profit margins
• Positive net profit throughout the plan

Expectations for an established property management company will of course be different than for a startup. Existing businesses which have reached their cruising altitude might have slower growth and higher margins than ventures just being started.

The forecasted balance sheet of your property management company

The projected balance sheet of your property management company will enable the reader of your business plan to assess the overall financial health of your business.

It shows three elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are productive resources owned by the business, such as equipment, cash, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors, lenders, and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers).
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the profits and losses accumulated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Analysing your property management company projected balance sheet provides an understanding of your property management company's working capital structure, investment and financing policies.

In particular, the readers of your plan can compare the level of financial debt on the balance sheet to the equity value to measure the level of financial risk (equity doesn't need to be reimbursed, while financial debt must be repaid, making it riskier).

They can also use your balance sheet to assess your property management company's liquidity and solvency:

• A liquidity analysis: focuses on whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to cover its liabilities due in the next 12 months.
• A solvency analysis: takes and longer view to assess whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debts over the medium-term.

The cash flow forecast

A projected cash flow statement for a property management company is used to show how much cash the business is generating or consuming.

The cash flow forecast is usually organized by nature to show three key metrics:

• The operating cash flow: do the core business activities generate or consume cash?
• The investing cash flow: how much is the business investing in long-term assets (this is usually compared to the level of fixed assets on the balance sheet to assess whether the business is regularly maintaining and renewing its equipment)?
• The financing cash flow: is the business raising new financing or repaying financiers (debt repayment, dividends)?

As we discussed earlier, cash is king and keeping an eye on future cash flows an imperative for running a successful business. Therefore, you can expect the reader of your property management company business plan to pay close attention to your cash flow forecast.

Also, note that it is customary to provide both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts in a business plan - so that the reader can analyze seasonal variation and ensure the property management company is appropriately funded.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan, also known as a sources and uses table, is a valuable resource to have in your business plan when starting your property management company as it reveals the origins of the money needed to establish the business (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps show what costs are involved in setting up your property management company, how risks are shared between founders, investors and lenders, and what the starting cash position will be. This cash position needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business reaches a break-even point.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what goes into the financial forecast of your property management company business plan, let's shift our focus to the written part of the plan.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

The written part of a property management company business plan

The written part of a property management company business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of a property management company business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The executive summary, the first section of your property management company's business plan, serves as an inviting snapshot of your entire plan, leaving readers eager to know more about your business.

To compose an effective executive summary, start with a concise introduction of your business, covering its name, concept, location, history, and unique aspects. Share insights about the services or products you intend to offer and your target customer base.

Subsequently, provide an overview of your property management company's addressable market, highlighting current trends and potential growth opportunities.

Then, present a summary of critical financial figures, such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Lastly, address any funding needs in the "ask" section of your executive summary.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your property management company's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your property management company, you could emphasize the access to resources it might provide for potential tenants. It may be surrounded by plenty of shops and other amenities, and may be in close proximity to major highways and public transportation. Additionally, you could note that the area may have a low crime rate and is likely to be attractive to renters. All of these factors combined could make investing in the property a sound decision.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your property maintenance company might offer services such as tenant screening, rental listing, and maintenance coordination. Tenant screening would help protect the property owner from a bad tenant, rental listing would help to attract potential tenants, and maintenance coordination would ensure that all repairs and upkeep of the property are handled in a timely and cost-efficient manner. These services would help to ensure that the property is well maintained and that the property owner's interests are protected.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your property management company business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your property management company, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your property management company aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include people who are renting out their first home. These individuals may need assistance understanding rental laws, finding tenants, and managing rental payments. Additionally, they may require guidance in setting the right rent for their property, as well as help with maintenance and repairs.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your property management company.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your property management company business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your property management company may face several different risks. For example, there could be the risk of a tenant not paying rent on time, or failing to pay rent at all. Another risk could be the possibility of damage to the property due to natural disasters, such as flooding or fire. Both of these risks could result in financial losses for the property management company.

6. The operations section

The operations of your property management company must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your property management company - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as a list of tenants and landlords, and a database of properties. Intellectual property could include trademarks and trade secrets, such as the company's processes and methods for managing properties. These could be valuable in preventing competitors from replicating the company's approach.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of the content of a property management company business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours.

What tool should I use to write my property management company's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your property management company business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your property management company's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a property management company business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Need a solid financial forecast?

The Business Plan Shop does the maths for you. Simply enter your revenues, costs and investments. Click save and our online tool builds a three-way forecast for you instantly.

Hiring a business plan writer to write your property management company's business plan

Outsourcing your property management company business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the property management company business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your property management company's business plan using Word or Excel?

I must advise against using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write your property management company business plan. Let me explain why.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is highly technical and requires a strong grasp of accounting principles and financial modelling skills. It is, therefore, unlikely that anyone will fully trust your numbers unless you have both a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, like us at The Business Plan Shop.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the only option in the past, technology has advanced significantly, and software can now perform these tasks much faster and with greater accuracy. With the rise of AI, software can even help us detect mistakes in forecasts and analyze the numbers for better decision-making.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software makes it easier to compare actuals versus forecasts and maintain up-to-date forecasts to keep visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This task is cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's talk about the written part of your property management company business plan. While it may be less error-prone, using software can bring tremendous gains in productivity. Word processors, for example, lack instructions and examples for each part of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they don't handle formatting for you.

Overall, while Word or Excel may seem viable for some entrepreneurs to create a business plan, it's by far becoming an antiquated way of doing things.

• A business plan has 2 complementary parts: a financial forecast showcasing the expected growth, profits and cash flows of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to judge if the forecast is realistic and relevant.
• Having an up-to-date business plan is the only way to keep visibility on your property management company's future cash flows.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this practical guide gave you insights on how to write the business plan for your property management company. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you still have questions.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• In-depth business plan structure
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Free business plan template

Know someone who owns or wants to start a property management company? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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How to Write a Coffee Shop Business Plan In 2024

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How to Write a Successful Coffee Shop Business Plan Template for 2024

Antonio Del Cueto, CPA

March 27, 2024

Embarking on the journey to open a coffee shop is akin to starting a new adventure in a vast coffee jungle, where the aroma of success lingers in the air, and each path leads to exciting possibilities. In this expedition, a coffee shop business plan template serves as your trusted map, guiding through the thickets of the coffee industry and unveiling the secrets to make your coffee shop a treasure trove of flavors and warmth.

This guide is designed for intrepid startup heroes, business owners with a dream in their heart, and baristas with magic in their hands. Those who want to open their own coffee haven will find the tools to navigate the complexities of payroll, understand the importance of a barista's qualification, and learn how to stand out in the bustling marketplace. Dive into this adventure with us, and let's brew success together.

Are you in the process of starting your own business? Download FREE our business plan template here.

How to Write a Coffee Shop Business Plan

Starting a coffee shop is exciting. Before you become the best coffee shop owner, you need a plan. This guide helps you write your coffee shop business plan easily. We cover everything from what to include to how to do your financial planning. Let's dive in!

Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

Need a coffee shop business plan? Use this free coffee shop business plan template. It's a starting point. The template helps you organize your ideas. It covers important parts like your coffee shop concept, the type of coffee you'll serve (like third-wave coffee), and more. Think of it as a map for your journey to opening your coffee shop.

Writing a Business Plan for Your Coffee Shop

Writing a business plan for your coffee shop might sound hard, but it's key to success. Start by describing the coffee shop you want to open. What makes it special? Will you have baristas making the best coffee? Include details about your location, the kind of shop you want to open, and your target customers. Your plan should also talk about marketing your coffee shop. This is how you tell people why they should come to your shop. A good business proposal shows your vision clearly.

Financial Planning for Your Coffee Shop

Every coffee shop owner must think about money. Financial planning is a big part of your business plan. You have to figure out how much money you need to start and keep your coffee shop running . This includes costs like renting a place, buying equipment, and paying your baristas. Also, think about how much money you expect to make from selling coffee and other items. Planning this well helps you keep your shop open for a long time.

Key Components for a Successful Coffee Shop Business

Opening a coffee shop is more than just selling cups of coffee. It's about creating a space where people want to come back. To make your coffee shop a success, you need a good plan. Here, we talk about important parts of your coffee shop’s business plan. Let's make it easy to understand what you need to do.

Defining Your Target Market

Knowing who will buy our coffee is the first step. This is about your target market. Think about who you’re opening your coffee shop for. Are they busy workers who need a quick coffee? Or maybe families who enjoy a cozy spot? Understanding this helps in creating a marketing plan. This section of the coffee shop business plan makes sure you know who you’re talking to.

Developing a Pricing Strategy

How much will your coffee cost? This question is about your pricing strategy. Your prices need to be fair so people feel good about buying your coffee. But, you also need to make money to keep your coffee shop running. Think about the cost of making a cup of coffee and how much people are willing to pay. This is a key part of your business operations section. It shows how your coffee business will make money.

Creating an Executive Summary

Every business plan starts with an executive summary. This part gives a quick overview of your whole plan. It talks about your coffee shop , what you want to do, and how you plan to succeed. Even though it's at the beginning of your business plan, you write it last. It sums up everything about your coffee shop’s plan in a few short paragraphs. This makes it easy for anyone to understand your business’ goal.

Steps to Starting a Coffee Shop

Starting a coffee shop is a journey. It's about creating a place where people love to be. This guide will show you the main steps you need to take. We will keep it simple and clear, so you know exactly what to do. Let’s start making your dream of opening a coffee shop come true.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Coffee Shop

Finding where your coffee shop should be is very important. You want a spot where lots of people pass by. Before you decide, conduct research. Look at where people spend time and what other shops are nearby. A good location can help your coffee shop become very popular. Remember, the place you pick is a big part of the experience you want to give your customers.

Building Your Management Team and Staff

Your coffee shop needs a great team. This includes everyone from managers to baristas. When you’re going, think about the skills you need. Your team should know how to make the best espresso and other drinks. They should also make customers feel welcome. Include details in your company overview about the team you want to build. This shows potential investors or lenders that you have a solid plan for your staff.

Understanding the Cash Flow Projection

Money matters a lot. You need to know how much does it cost to open and run your coffee shop. This is where cash flow projection comes in. It helps you see how money will come in and go out. Include information about costs like rent, supplies from your supplier, and paying your team. Also, add how much money you expect to make from selling coffee and food. Check the balance sheet and financials section of your business plan. This part is very important for lenders or investors. It shows them that you know how your coffee shop can succeed.

Each of these steps is part of the process of opening your coffee shop. They help you write the executive summary, create a sample menu, and choose the right POS (point of sale) system. Keep everything concise but informative. This way, everyone understands your plan and how your coffee shop will become a favorite spot.

Customizable Elements in a Coffee Shop Business Plan

Creating a coffee shop business plan is like drawing a map for an adventure. It shows you where you want to go and how to get there. But every coffee shop is unique. So, your plan should have parts that you can change to fit your dream. Let’s look at what you can customize to make your plan just right.

Including a Marketing Plan for Your Coffee Shop

Your marketing plan tells people why they should come to your coffee shop. It’s one section you can really make your own. Talk about using social media accounts to share photos and news. Think about email marketing to send special offers. Marketing also means having a clear idea of how to tell people about your shop, both online and in the real world. This way, more people drink your coffee and enjoy your place.

Developing a Unique Coffee Shop Concept

What makes your coffee shop different? This part is all about your idea. Maybe you want to create a place that also serves books and music. Or a spot where every cup of coffee comes with a story. Your concept should show what’s special about your place. This makes your coffee shop stand out and gives customers a reason to come back.

Integrating Pastry and Beverage Offerings

Food and drinks are the heart of your coffee shop. In this part, you decide what to serve alongside your coffee. Will you have pastries? What about other drinks? Maybe you want to offer food that has a special certification, like organic or gluten-free. This section helps you keep enough variety to make everyone happy and coming back for more.

Free Coffee Shop Business Plan Templates in 2024

Starting a coffee shop in 2024? Great! There are free b usiness plan templates that can help. These templates give you a structure. Then, you add your own details. Let’s see how to use these templates to your advantage.

Utilizing a Free Coffee Shop Business Plan Template

A free template is a great tool during the writing process. It shows you what sections your plan needs. For example, it has spots for your marketing plan, your concept, and your menu. Using a template means you don’t forget anything important. It’s a good base that you can add to and change as needed.

Personalizing Your Coffee Shop Business Plan

Even with a template, your plan should show who you are. Add your style to every part. If you’re great at digital marketing, highlight that. If your foodservice is going to be amazing, talk about it a lot. Make sure every section reflects your vision and goals.

Adapting the Business Plan for Different Types of Coffee Shops

Not all coffee shops are the same. Maybe you’re opening a cozy corner spot or a drive-thru. Your business plan should fit your type of shop. Change the template to match your needs. Think about what makes your coffee shop special and make sure your plan shows that. The final section should leave readers excited about what you’re creating.

Key Takeaways:

• Location : Where your coffee shop will be. Think of it as choosing the best spot in the park for your lemonade stand.
• Menu : What drinks and snacks you'll sell, like planning a snack bar for your friends.
• Target Customers : Who you want to visit your coffee shop, such as people who love reading books or using laptops in cozy places.
• Budget : How much money you need to open and keep the shop running, like planning your allowance for new games and snacks.
• Marketing Strategies : Ways to make people excited about your coffee shop, like inviting friends to your birthday party.

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Tickmark, Inc. and its affiliates do not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax or accounting advice or recommendations. All information prepared on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on for legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal, tax or accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. The content on this website is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free.

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Can 529 college savings plan fund be used to study abroad?

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Dear Liz: Can my daughter use her 529 funds for summer study abroad in Costa Rica? She will be taking two Spanish classes for credit through her university. She has a minor in Spanish. Could she use the 529 for tuition, living expenses and airfare? What if it is all part of a package deal paid to her university?

Answer: Yes, tax-free withdrawals from 529 college savings plans are allowed for study abroad as long as the classes are accepted for credit by the sponsoring university and the sponsoring university qualifies for federal financial aid (the vast majority of U.S. institutions do).

Qualifying expenses can include tuition, books and supplies, plus room and board if she’s enrolled at least half time. Other living expenses and transportation costs, including airfare, aren’t considered qualifying expenses.

Update trusts after life changes

Dear Liz: My wife and I have a trust created in California to distribute our assets to our children after our deaths. In 2017, we moved to Texas and had the trust updated by a Texas attorney to reflect some changes and any differences between Texas and California rules. We moved back to California in 2020. Do we need to update our trust documents again because of the relocation? Do we need to do it any time we move? The terms in the document are generally fine. I just don’t know if the change in residency requires an update to the document.

Answer: Your last move required updates. Why wouldn’t this one?

Any major life change, including a move to another state, should prompt a review of your estate documents. Such a review is a good idea anyway every five years or so, even if you think nothing has changed in your personal circumstances. Laws can change, or you may have different ideas about who your beneficiaries should be, or whom you want to make decisions for you should you become incapacitated.

People often think (or hope) estate planning can be a one-time process. But life and the law aren’t static, so estate plans need to evolve too.

How capital gains boost Medicare premiums

Dear Liz: We are retired and living mainly on a pension, which covers our month-to-month needs. We own our house outright and are considering downsizing. When we do that, will the capital gain cause our Medicare premiums to go up two years later? If so, will it automatically go down again after one year?

Answer: A big-enough capital gain can trigger Medicare’s income-related adjustment amount, which are surcharges on your Part B and Part D premiums. As you note, there’s a two-year delay between the higher income on your tax returns and higher premiums.

If you’ve had a life-changing event — marriage, divorce, a spouse’s death or loss of income, for example — you can appeal the increase by filing form SSA-44 . Otherwise, consider saving some of the home sale profits to cover your higher premiums for that one-year period.

Property transfers trigger tax problem

Dear Liz: I’m considering giving property (a condo) to my child through a quitclaim deed while I am still living. If she continues to live in the condo for two years after gaining possession, doesn’t she get a $250,000 capital gains exemption when she sells the property?

Answer: Yes, if she owns and lives in the home for at least two of the previous five years, she can exclude up to $250,000 of home sale profits from her income. However, her taxable gain would be based on your tax basis in the property: basically what you paid for the home, plus any qualifying improvements. Only if she inherits the home would the tax basis be updated to reflect its fair market value on the date of your death. Although taxes should never be the sole consideration for property transfers, the favorable step-up in basis may be a powerful incentive to hold off. Consider discussing your options with a tax pro.

Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the “Contact” form at asklizweston.com.

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What We Know About Trump’s Quest for a Half-Billion-Dollar Bond

Donald J. Trump failed to arrange a bond to halt collection of a $454 million judgment. The New York attorney general might begin to collect very soon.

• Share full article

By Kate Christobek and Ben Protess

Here’s the latest on Trump’s bond in the N.Y. civil fraud case .

Donald J. Trump is running out of time to stave off a financial crisis.

The former president is racing to secure an appeal bond for roughly half a billion dollars in his civil fraud case in New York, but has so far failed.

If he cannot, the New York attorney general’s office, which brought the fraud case, could begin to collect. The attorney general, Letitia James, could have enforced the judgment last month, but provided Mr. Trump a 30-day grace period that expires on Monday.

Ms. James might start slowly. She could even wait for an appeals court to decide whether to pause the judgment, a decision that could come as soon as this week.

But if she wanted to take a more aggressive stance, Ms. James could freeze some of Mr. Trump’s bank accounts, which might send the Trump family business into a tailspin.

She could also seek to seize some of his New York properties, and public records show that Ms. James has formally posted the judgment in Westchester County, a preliminary step toward staking a claim to Mr. Trump’s private estate and golf club there.

In recent days, The New York Times has received many questions about Mr. Trump’s financial woes. Here are answers to several:

What was Trump accused of?

Ms. James took Mr. Trump, his company and his adult sons to trial last fall, accusing them of fraudulently inflating the value of golf clubs, office buildings and other properties to the tune of about $2 billion.

Mr. Trump exaggerated the property values, and in turn his own net worth, to obtain favorable terms from banks and insurers, according to Ms. James.

At the trial, which lasted months, Ms. James’s lawyers argued that Mr. Trump’s company had ignored appraisals and manipulated numbers to sometimes absurd degrees.

The judge overseeing the case — there was no jury — ruled in favor of Ms. James.

How was he punished?

The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, came down hard on Mr. Trump, imposing a judgment of $355 million plus interest, amounting to $454 million.

The judge also imposed penalties that could curb Mr. Trump’s influence over his family business, barring him from serving as a top executive at a New York company for three years.

Can he appeal?

Yes. Mr. Trump is appealing Justice Engoron’s punishments, and has asked a higher court, the Appellate Division in Manhattan, to pause the financial judgment. If the appeals court denies that, he might ask the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals in Albany.

Although he does not have to pay Ms. James’s office the $454 million while he appeals, he must either cut a check to the New York State court system for the full amount, or, more likely, obtain a bond.

What is an appeal bond?

An appeal bond is a document in which a company guarantees the $454 million judgment, plus interest, should Mr. Trump lose his appeal and fail to pay.

Mr. Trump would need to pledge significant collateral to a bond company — about $557 million, his lawyers said — including as much cash as possible, as well as stocks and bonds he could sell quickly.

He would also owe the bond company a fee that could amount to nearly $20 million.

Does he have enough cash to obtain one?

Short answer: No.

A recent New York Times analysis found that Mr. Trump had more than $350 million in cash as well as stocks and bonds, far short of what he would need in collateral for the bond.

In a court filing March 18, Mr. Trump’s lawyers said they had contacted more than 30 bond companies, and none had agreed to a deal.

But I thought he was a billionaire?

While Mr. Trump has long bragged about his wealth, his true financial position remains something of a mystery. Most of his fortune is tied up in real estate holdings, which bond companies don’t typically accept as collateral.

He also has less liquid collateral available today than he did even a few weeks ago. Mr. Trump this month had to post a $91.6 million bond in the defamation case he lost to E. Jean Carroll. For that, he most likely had to pledge more than $100 million in collateral to Chubb, the insurance company that provided guarantee. That money cannot be used as collateral for a second bond.

What is the deadline for the appeal bond?

There is no formal deadline. She offered the 30-day grace period and now may wait for the appeals court to weigh in on whether to pause the judgment.

How could Ms. James collect?

It could get ugly for Mr. Trump.

Ms. James could start by merely issuing a list of properties and accounts she is eyeing, or sending subpoenas to locate assets. Or she could move swiftly to freeze and ultimately seize his assets.

If she opted for the more aggressive path, Ms. James could send so-called restraining notices to Mr. Trump’s banks and brokerage firms, effectively freezing his accounts.

It’s a powerful weapon, legal experts said. She can send the notices on her own, without needing a judge to bless them.

To then collect, Ms. James can ask a judge to grant her an order directing the banks to hand over his assets to the state.

“The low-hanging fruit for the state to enforce the judgment in this case is to issue restraining notices to banks,” said Daniel W. Levy, a former federal prosecutor who is now a lawyer at McKool Smith in New York, where he has represented creditors in judgment proceedings.

What about seizing his properties?

Easier said than done.

Mr. Trump does not directly own his properties — in general, they are owned by corporate entities that he controls — and Ms. James would have to fight in court to pierce those layers. Even if Ms. James could take control and force a sale, Mr. Trump’s lenders would be first in line to collect.

The most sensible option, legal experts said, would be for Ms. James to pursue New York properties — specifically the buildings directly owned by a corporate entity that was a defendant in Ms. James’s case. That would include Mr. Trump’s Seven Springs estate in Westchester.

If she took control of the property, she could instruct a local sheriff to auction it.

She might also try to seize some of Mr. Trump’s marquee Florida properties, including his Doral golf resort, which was a defendant.

And she has threatened to take aim at his office tower on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. But Mr. Trump does not actually own it: Instead, he effectively controls the property and pays rent to the owner.

Trump Tower also poses a challenge, because it was not a defendant, nor is it directly owned by one.

The legal experts cautioned that actually seizing any property through the courts could take significant time without a guarantee of a huge payoff.

But should Mr. Trump win delays, they could cost him. Under New York law, he must continue to pay 9 percent interest on the judgment.

Can she throw him in jail?

Although Ms. James can’t jail Mr. Trump — it is a civil case, not a criminal one — Justice Engoron could issue an arrest warrant if Mr. Trump repeatedly flouts court orders. That, however, is unlikely to happen.

What other options does Trump have?

Mr. Trump could quickly sell a property or another asset, or seek a supporter’s help. He might also try to obtain a loan from a bank, hedge fund or private equity firm that he could then post as collateral. The attorney general has suggested that Mr. Trump could pledge his properties to the court.

And his net worth could soon leap when shares of his social media company start trading on the stock market as soon as Monday. His stake is valued at roughly $3 billion. Although he is prohibited from selling shares for six months, Mr. Trump could find ways around that restriction that enable him to raise cash for the bond.

If all else fails, he could have the corporate entities implicated in the case file for bankruptcy, which would automatically halt judgments against them. Ms. James’s penalty against Mr. Trump himself would continue to be in force, and she would most likely seek to hold him accountable for his company’s debts.

Could Trump use campaign money to pay?

Probably not.

A super PAC supporting Mr. Trump’s candidacy can raise unlimited amounts, but it is banned from coordinating with him and cannot pay the judgment.

And although the former president has used a political action committee under his control to pay for lawyers and witnesses in his legal cases, that group lacks the money to address the $454 million penalty.

What else is happening Monday?

Mr. Trump has a crucial hearing in his Manhattan criminal case, which could be the first prosecution of a former American president.

The district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, has accused Mr. Trump of covering up a sex scandal involving a porn star to bolster his 2016 presidential campaign.

Jury selection was originally scheduled to start on March 25, but the trial was delayed late last week after the disclosure of more than 100,000 pages of records that had been in the possession of the federal prosecutors

Justice Juan M. Merchan set the hearing to determine whether the new tentative trial date of April 15 should hold, and to rule on Mr. Trump’s motion for an outright dismissal.

The Manhattan case is among four prosecutions Mr. Trump faces.

Ben Protess is an investigative reporter at The Times, writing about public corruption. He has been covering the various criminal investigations into former President Trump and his allies. More about Ben Protess

Property Development Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Property Development Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their property development companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a property development business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your property development business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a property development business or grow your existing property development company, you need a business plan. A proper property development business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your business to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Property Development Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a property development company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for property development companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a property development company.

If you want to start a property development company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your property development business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of property development business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a business that you would like to grow, or are you operating property development businesses in multiple markets?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the property development and real estate industry.
• Discuss the type of property development business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target market.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of property development businesses:

• Single-family detached housing : these types of property developers build free-standing residential buildings for sale.
• Multifamily housing: these types of property developers build apartment buildings, condos, and mixed-use developments.
• Developing and Subdividing Lots: these types of property developers purchase property, either developed or undeveloped, and clear it and prepare it for sale to builders.
• Commercial buildings: these types of property developers build and manage commercial buildings such as shopping centers or offices.

In addition to explaining the type of property development company you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the property business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of properties developed, reaching X percentage of vacancy/occupancy, reaching X amount of revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the property development industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the property development industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your property development business plan:

• How big is the property development industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your property development company? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your property development business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, families, and small businesses.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of property development business you operate. Clearly, families would respond to different marketing promotions than businesses, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other property development businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes realtors, foreclosure markets, rental housing, or companies purchasing and remodeling their own building. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of property development company are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide finance packages?
• Will you offer amenities or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a property development company, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of property development company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you specialize in single-family detached housing, mixed use developments, or shopping centers?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the project types and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your property development company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your property development business located in a business or industrial district, or is it a standalone office surrounded by models? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your property development marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday Short-Term Processes

In this section, include all of the tasks involved in running your property development business, including answering calls, meeting with potential customers, performing construction, showing properties, etc.

Long-Term Goals

Your long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell your Xth home, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your property development business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing property development businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your management team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a property development business or successfully running a construction project management firm.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you develop 5 or 25 properties per quarter, and/or offer property management services? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your property development business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a property development business:

• Cost of construction equipment and supplies
• Cost of contract labor
• Cost of office space and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your model properties’ blueprints or a breakdown of development types you offer.  

Writing a business plan for your property development company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the property development industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful property development business.  

Property Development Company Business Plan Template FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my property development business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your business plan.

How Do You Start a Property Development Business?

Starting a property development business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Property Development Company
• Create Your Property Development Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Property Development Company
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Property Development Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Property Development Company with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Property Development Company
• Buy or Lease the Right Property Development Equipment
• Develop Your Property Development Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Business
• Open for Business

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to hire someone to write a business plan for you from Growthink’s team.

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What the National Association of Realtors' settlement means for consumers and real estate brokers

A groundbreaking $418 million settlement announced Friday by the powerful National Association of Realtors is set to usher in the most sweeping reforms the American real estate market has seen in a century. It could dramatically drive down homebuyers’ costs — and push some real estate brokers out of business.

Here’s a look at how we got here and what to expect in the months ahead.

NAR already lost a big case

For decades, the NAR has required home sale listing brokers to provide an offer of compensation to a buyer’s agent up front. That usually comes out to about 6%, split between a seller’s broker and a buyer’s agent.

But that model has come under intensifying scrutiny from critics who have likened it to a cartel . Late last year, a jury in a Kansas City federal court found the longstanding practice to be a form of collusion that artificially inflated real estate fees, awarding a massive $1. 7 8 billion judgment against NAR .

What changes now for homebuyers and sellers

If the settlement announced Friday is approved by a federal court, the standard 6% commission goes away. Sellers would no longer have to make a compensation proposal to prospective buyers and their agents. Critics have said the encouraged brokers to push their clients toward more expensive properties.

Another new rule would see homebuyers having to sign an explicit deal with a broker before they start working with one — something experts say would lead many homebuyers to forgo using brokers entirely.

The new rules would kick in within months of approval, currently expected around mid-July.

What about the next few months?

Everyone involved in the market should expect “a certain amount of uncertainty for the coming months,” said Marty Green, principal at mortgage law firm Polunsky Beitel Green.

“The industry will be in transition as everyone digests the settlements and market forces begin working,” he predicted. “We will begin to see some creative buyer’s agent arrangements that may have been harder to get traction on before.”

Home buyers and their agents will need to decide on a commission and put it in writing. Sellers, likewise, will need to work carefully with their listing agents as the new rules come into effect.

U.S. consumers might save in the long run ...

The changes could mean buyers will save on commissions, eventually bringing U.S. fees more in line with the much lower transaction costs seen in other residential property markets around the world.

Some commissions could even be cut in half, Jaret Seiberg, housing policy analyst for TD Cowen Washington Research Group, told clients in a note Friday.

The new rules “should lead to commissions falling 25% to 50%, which we view as benefiting online real estate brokers,” Seiberg wrote, but he warned it’s too early to declare “the end of local real estate agents given their local expertise and reputation in neighborhoods. It is why we do not see this following the travel agency model in which online eclipsed local offices.”

... but buyers could face more confusion

Holden Lewis, a home and mortgage expert at NerdWallet, warned of a “potential negative trade-off”: “Buyer-seller negotiations will become more complex, and buyers with plenty of cash might navigate the process more easily than buyers who don’t have a lot of savings,” he said. Seiberg flagged a similar concern in his note, saying it could particularly affect first-time buyers with limited means to pay for an agent.

Brokers and agents have come out against the settlement, saying it will make the home-buying process more byzantine for consumers and discounts the important role agents play in helping them navigate it.

“I’m a full-service real estate agent, so when I go to list my client’s house, I align their goals with my goal, and that goal is selling for the highest amount possible,” said Roy Remick, a realtor based in Northern Virginia, who said he often pays thousands of dollars of his own for services like staging homes to aid the sale process.

“This is ultimately someone saying, ‘You guys make too much money,’ which I don’t think is right for someone to dictate,” he said.

Buyers’ agents will be left “flying blind” since they won’t know how much they’ll end up making from a given home, Remick warned. “We’ll have to make a bunch of phone calls, because now we don’t know what [the commission] is because we can’t see it in the MLS. But we’ve already got an agreement with buyer how much they’ll be able to compensate us.”

Christine Romans is the senior business correspondent at NBC News.

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.