Top Property Managers in Alexandria, VA

Rental property ownership can look way easier before you actually own one. Sometimes, rent checks aren’t as passive as everyone made them sound. More so when half your tenants treat the first of the month like a loose suggestion, and the other half think you’re their personal maintenance hotline.

Property managers exist specifically to take over the parts of landlording that make you question why you ever thought this was a good investment.

They’re not cheap, but neither is your time or your mental health. Here’s what they actually do and which companies in Alexandria are worth talking to.

What Is Property Management?

Property management involves paying a company to handle your rental property instead of doing it yourself. They become the official landlord. They find tenants, collect rent, handle maintenance requests, manage lease renewals, and perform other essential tasks. You still own the property and make the decisions on significant matters, but they hold the day-to-day work.

Most Alexandria property managers charge 8% to 10% of your monthly rent plus a placement fee when they find a new tenant (usually one month’s rent or a percentage of it). Some work independently, others are part of bigger companies or national franchises with local offices. The main thing is they take over being the person tenants call when something breaks or when they have complaints about the neighbor’s dog.

If you’re deciding between hiring a manager or selling, you can contact us for guidance and a no-obligation consultation. We also work with investor home buyers in Alexandria and other Virginia cities, offering full-service management, quick-sale options, and investor-friendly offers to match your goals.

Full-Service vs. DIY Property Management

Full-service property management means entrusting a company with the entire operation, which then handles all aspects of the property management. That includes tenant screening, lease paperwork, maintenance calls, rent collection, and legal compliance.

You get financial reports each month and sign off on hefty repair bills, but otherwise, you’re hands-off. Costs you around 8% to 10% monthly plus placement fees, but you get your life back.

DIY stands for ‘do it yourself,’ which means doing everything yourself because you want to save on the management fee. You’re the one answering tenant calls at weird hours, showing the property to randos who might be serial killers, trying to figure out if that water heater actually needs replacing or if the tenant just doesn’t understand how temperature knobs work. You save money but lose weekends.

Plus, if you accidentally violate Virginia’s landlord-tenant laws because you didn’t know Section 55.1-1204 existed, that mistake’s going to cost way more than a year of management fees. DIY works if you have one property and are honestly willing to be on call. Otherwise, it’s usually a bad trade.

What Services Do Property Management Companies Offer?

Alexandria property managers typically bundle several services together. Some companies offer everything, others let you pick and choose. Here’s what most include.

Tenant Screening and Placement

Good property managers don’t just hand keys to whoever shows up first. They know how to spot red flags, such as a landlord who’s suspiciously eager to see their current tenant leave.

They do background checks and pull credit reports. They also verify employment, call previous landlords, and check eviction history. They handle all the showings, too, so you’re not wasting your weekends letting random people tour your place.

Once they find someone fit for you, they draft the lease and collect deposits. They do a move-in inspection with photos, so nobody can claim later that the carpet was already stained. One decent tenant is worth whatever you pay in screening fees.

Rent Collection and Financial Management

Your property manager collects rent, so you don’t have to chase people down every month. They set up online payment portals that make it easy for tenants to pay electronically. When rent’s late, they send the official notices and start building the paper trail you’ll need if things go south.

They also track every expense and send you monthly statements that are actually easy to understand. They make tax season way less painful. Some managers also pay your contractors directly, so you’re not dealing with a million invoices.

Property Maintenance and Repairs

Stuff breaks all the time. Property managers typically maintain a list of trusted contractors. They know plumbers who show up, electricians who don’t overcharge, and HVAC techs who fix the problem instead of inventing new ones.

When your tenant reports an issue, the manager coordinates everything, and you just approve the significant expenses. You’re not the one sitting on hold trying to find someone who can fix a leaking toilet before it floods the bathroom.

Managers also do routine inspections to catch problems early, which saves you serious money down the road.

Legal Compliance and Evictions

Virginia has some landlord-tenant laws that are easy to screw up if you don’t deal with them regularly. Property managers know the rules, including security deposit limits, notice requirements, and what you legally can’t put in a lease, even if you want to.

They know you can’t just barge into your property whenever you feel like it. If you encounter a tenant who stops paying, ensure you handle the eviction process correctly so you don’t inadvertently provide the tenant with ammunition to sue you. Evictions suck and cost money, but doing them wrong costs way more.

Marketing and Advertising

Empty properties can burn a hole in your pocket in the long run. Property managers know how to rent out places quickly. They take decent photos and write listings that don’t sound robotic. They price based on the current Alexandria market, rather than wishful thinking.

They post everywhere people actually look for rentals and handle all the inquiries. Most properties can be rented within 30 days if they are priced correctly.

How Much Does Property Management Cost in Alexandria, VA?

Property management fees in Alexandria aren’t standard across the board, but most companies charge in similar ranges. Here’s what you can typically expect.

Typical Fee Structures

Most Alexandria property managers charge between 8% to 10% of your monthly rent for ongoing management. So if your place rents for $2,500 a month, you’re looking at $200 to $250 going to the management company every month.

Some offer flat monthly rates instead. This typically ranges from $200 to $300, regardless of the rent amount. This can actually work in your favor if you’ve got a pricier property.

When they place a new tenant, expect a leasing fee that’s typically one month’s rent or 50% to 100% of the first month. Yeah, it stings upfront, but good tenant placement saves you way more money than a bad tenant ever costs in fees.

Some companies offer tiered packages, where you pay more for premium services, such as 3D virtual tours or more frequent inspections. The cheapest isn’t always the best deal, especially if they’re skimping on tenant screening or using contractors who exacerbate problems.

Additional Costs to Consider

In addition to the standard monthly management fee, various other costs arise throughout the year. Here’s what you might see:

Cost Type	Typical Range	Notes
Lease Renewal Fee	$0 to $300	Some companies offer free renewals
Move-Out Inspection	$100 to $150	Usually, a separate charge
Professional Photography	$100 to $200	Sometimes included in the  marketing package
Eviction Management	Varies	Often $500+ plus legal costs
Setup Fee	$0 to $300	Many companies have dropped this
Contractor Markup	10% to 20%	Not always disclosed upfront

Always ask about the entire fee structure upfront so you’re not surprised three months in when you’re billed for something you assumed was included.

How Much Money Can You Save with Property Management?

This may sound counterintuitive, but paying for property management can actually save you money compared to managing the property yourself. It isn’t apparent until you add up everything that goes wrong when you’re working solo.

Bad tenant placement is probably the most significant money drain you’ll face as a landlord. If you rent to someone who stops paying after three months, you’re looking at lost rent, eviction costs, potential property damage, and then vacancy time while you find a new tenant.

That entire mess can easily cost $10,000 to $ 15,000 on a property that rents for $2,000 per month. Property managers who do thorough screening dramatically reduce that risk. Even one avoided situation pays for years of management fees.

Property managers also save you money on maintenance. They receive better contractor rates and identify minor problems before they escalate into expensive disasters. That slow leak you’d ignore for months because you’re busy could turn into $5,000 worth of water damage.

Legal mistakes are another hidden cost. If you don’t evict properly, you’ll start over from scratch, losing more months of rent.

Your time has value, too. Those 10+ hours a month you’d spend on landlord tasks could go toward your actual job or just living your life. When you factor all that in, the 8% to 10% management fee usually pays for itself.

How to Choose the Best Property Management Company in Alexandria, VA

Finding a decent property manager in Alexandria isn’t just about picking the one who charges the lowest fee; it’s also about selecting the one who offers the best value. You want someone who actually knows the local market and won’t make your life harder than it already is.

Experience in the Alexandria, Virginia Market

Property management companies that have been operating in Alexandria for years have a deeper understanding of the local rental market than some national franchises that have recently opened an office in the area.

They know which neighborhoods rent quickly, what tenants in different areas expect, and what rental prices actually make sense in the current market, rather than what they were six months ago.

Local experience also means they’ve built relationships with contractors who work in the area and are familiar with the common problems that arise in Alexandria properties—such as the unusual plumbing issues in older homes near Old Town or HVAC problems in specific neighborhoods.

A manager who has been handling problems locally for a decade is going to hold them more efficiently than someone who’s still learning their way around.

Services Offered and Specializations

Not all property managers offer the same services, and some specialize in certain types of properties. If you’ve got a single-family home, you want a company that focuses on those instead of one that mainly handles large apartment complexes.

Ask what their maintenance response time is, whether they have 24/7 emergency lines, how they handle lease renewals, and if they mark up contractor costs.

Some companies offer online portals that allow you to view everything happening with your property in real-time. Meanwhile, others continue to conduct all their business through email and phone calls. Match their services to what matters most for your specific property and situation.

Communication and Transparency

A property manager who’s impossible to reach is worse than not having one at all. You want someone who responds to emails and calls within a reasonable timeframe, such as the same day or the next day, not three days later when the problem has worsened.

During your initial conversations, please note how quickly they respond to you. Good property managers send detailed monthly statements that show precisely where your money’s going. They’ll loop you in on maintenance issues before approving major repairs and are upfront about their fees, rather than hitting you with surprise charges later.

If a company’s dodgy about answering questions or their contract is full of vague language, that’s a sign to keep looking.

Reviews and References

Online reviews tell you a lot, but read them carefully. Every company gets a few bad reviews from unhappy tenants or owners with unrealistic expectations. Just look for patterns. If multiple reviews mention the same problem, such as poor communication or unexpected fees, that’s a significant red flag.

Don’t be shy about asking for references from current clients, either. A good property management company should be happy to connect you with a few owners they work with.

When speaking with those references, ask specific questions, such as how promptly maintenance issues are addressed, whether financial reports are accurate, and if they’ve experienced any significant problems. If a company refuses to provide references or gets weird about it, that tells you something important.

Technology and Reporting Tools

Property management has gotten way more tech-forward in the past few years, and that actually matters for your day-to-day experience. Companies with good online portals let you check your property’s financial performance at any time, approve maintenance requests from your phone, and see exactly what’s happening without having to call and bother someone for updates.

Look for managers who utilize software that provides real-time access to statements, maintenance tickets, lease documents, and inspection reports. Some even have apps that let tenants submit maintenance requests with photos. This speeds up repairs and reduces the likelihood of miscommunication.

If a company’s still running everything on spreadsheets and sending you scanned PDFs, they’re probably behind in other ways, too.

Best Property Managers in Alexandria, VA

Here are the top property management companies currently operating in Alexandria. They all have excellent track records and are familiar with the local market.

1. Allegiance Property Management

• Rating: 4.9 stars (123 reviews)
• Location: 5100 Leesburg Pike, Suite #200, Alexandria, VA 22302
• Phone: (703) 824-4704
• In Business Since: 1990
• Service Areas: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean, and surrounding Northern Virginia areas

Allegiance has been around since 1990, so they’ve seen pretty much everything that can go wrong with rental properties in Alexandria. They run a full-service operation that encompasses marketing, leasing, tenant management, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and all the legal compliance tasks that are often overlooked.

Their occupancy rate stands at 94%, and their tenant retention rate is 85%, which are impressive numbers indeed. They use modern software like Property Meld for maintenance coordination and Rentvine for financial tracking, so you’re not dealing with someone who’s still doing everything on paper.

Rent gets deposited directly into your account by the 10th of each month through ACH. They have a 24/7 emergency repair hotline, so you’re not the one who gets called at 3 AM about a busted pipe.

2. Wilkinson Property Management

• Rating: 4.4 stars (235 reviews)
• Location: 6271 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310
• Phone: (703) 971-1800
• Service Areas: Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, Burke, Falls Church, Lake Ridge, McLean, Springfield, Vienna, Woodbridge, plus DC and Southern Maryland

Wilkinson covers a vast service area across Northern Virginia, DC, and even parts of Maryland. They assign specific managers to geographic territories so you’re not dealing with someone who’s trying to manage properties everywhere at once.

They don’t charge for long-distance calls, postage, copies, or pictures, unlike some companies that take advantage of these services. They’ve got 24/7 emergency hotlines and show properties seven days a week to keep vacancy times short.

Their maintenance system connects you with qualified vendors without adding surcharges for routine work. They provide monthly statements by the 10th, as well as annual summaries for tax time.

3. NOVA Rental Property Management Inc.

• Rating: 5.0 stars (43 reviews)
• Location: 7802 Elba Rd, Alexandria, VA 22306
• Phone: (571) 969-6514
• Management Fee: 8% (with Heroes Discount) or 9% (standard)
• Leasing Fee: 80% of first month’s rent (with Heroes Discount) or one month’s rent (standard)
• Service Areas: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties

NOVA Rental Property Management is a smaller company, but it boasts perfect 5-star reviews, which is quite rare in this industry. They specialize in stress-free property management, offering no setup fees, termination fees, renewal fees, or markups on maintenance work.

Their Heroes Discount offers an 8% monthly management fee and an 80% leasing fee, if you qualify, which is lower than most companies in the area. Their headquarters are in Alexandria, so they really know the local market, rather than trying to manage from a distant office. They’re transparent about their pricing upfront.

4. Keyrenter Property Management Alexandria

• Rating: 4.4 stars (33 reviews)
• Location: 5680 King Centre Dr, Suite #600, Alexandria, VA 22315
• Phone: (703) 520-5000
• Service Areas: Alexandria, Annandale, and nearby areas
• Tenant Renewal Rate: 76%
• On-Time Payment Rate: 97%

Keyrenter Alexandria backs up their service with actual guarantees. They offer a leasing guarantee, where if your property’s competitively priced and they cannot secure a tenant with a deposit within 30 days, they waive your first month’s management fee.

Their tenant guarantee covers eviction costs in the event of tenant default. Meanwhile, their maintenance guarantee means that if their staff or vendors make a mistake during a repair, they will fix it at no additional cost to you.

They offer month-to-month contracts instead of locking you into long-term agreements, which is excellent if you want flexibility. They market properties across 50+ digital platforms, and their licensed leasing agents handle everything from showings to move-in logistics.

5. Century 21 Accent Homes Property Management

• Rating: 4.4 stars (207 reviews)
• Location: 3111 Telegraph Corner Ln #200, Alexandria, VA 22310
• Phone: (703) 317-8000
• Website: accenthomespm.com
• Service Areas: Alexandria, Arlington, and surrounding Northern Virginia areas

Century 21 Accent Homes has the backing of a major real estate brand, which means they’ve got resources and systems that smaller companies might not have. They handle everything, including:

• marketing with expert market analysis
• extensive tenant screening
• guaranteed on-time rent collection
• regular inspections
• maintenance resolution
• detailed financial reporting through an online portal
• eviction management if needed.

They’re big on combining customer service with cutting-edge technology. They advertise aggressively to minimize vacancy times and know how to position properties in the Northern Virginia market to attract quality tenants fast.

6. Virginia Property Management Group

• Rating: 4.9 stars (279 reviews)
• Location: 10304 Eaton Pl, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
• Phone: (571) 749-2622
• Website: virginiapropertymanagementgroup.com
• Service Areas: Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, and nearby Northern Virginia areas
• Packages: Bronze ($200/month), Silver ($250/month), Gold ($300/month), Platinum (Flexible)

Virginia Property Management Group is staffed entirely by licensed Realtors, which means everyone on their team actually understands real estate, not just the basics of property management. They offer flat-fee pricing instead of percentage-based fees, which can save you money if you’ve got higher-rent properties.

They offer four different package tiers, allowing you to select the level of service you actually need, rather than paying for features you don’t want. All packages include tenant screening, which includes background checks, credit checks, income verification, and referral checks.

The higher-tier packages include additional features such as 24-hour emergency services, eviction management, home warranty coordination, 3D virtual tours, and even pool and landscape management.

7. Real Property Management Pros – Arlington

• Rating: 4.7 stars (406 reviews)
• Location: 1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22209
• Phone: (703) 705-7802
• Service Areas: Alexandria and all of Northern Virginia
• Response Time: 1 business day maximum
• Agent Experience: Average 15+ years

Real Property Management Pros is part of North America’s largest residential property management franchise. However, they’re locally owned and operated with agents who have serious experience in the Northern Virginia market.

They won the 2024 Franchise of the Year award and promise fast, reliable communication with same-day responses. Their team is proactive about handling issues before they become expensive problems. They offer an “Ultimate Love Us or Leave Us Guarantee,” which is their way of saying they’re confident you’ll be satisfied with their service.

They offer full-service solutions tailored to your specific needs. Their leasing team efficiently rents properties through professional marketing and thorough tenant screening.

Key Takeaways: Alexandria, VA Property Managers

Hiring a property manager in Alexandria will cost you 8% to 10% of the monthly rent, plus leasing fees, but it’s better than dealing with 2 AM maintenance calls and tenant drama yourself. The good ones know the local market inside and out, communicate quickly, and utilize modern technology instead of outdated spreadsheets.

Note, though, that property management doesn’t fix everything. If your rental property requires $30,000 in repairs and barely breaks even after expenses, selling might be a better option than managing. Cash buyers, like 4 Brothers Buy Houses, let you walk away quickly without making any repairs. Sometimes, the best property management strategy is getting out altogether. If you need to sell your house fast in Virginia, want to avoid costly repairs, or prefer a hassle-free sale, 4 Brothers Buy Houses is here to help. We provide fair cash offers, handle all the details, and make the process seamless from start to finish. Ready to sell or have questions? Call us at 202-601-4928 for a no-obligation offer and get started today!