PM Trends Report 2026
Next Generation of Small Landlords Is Reshaping Property Management
The PM Trends Report 2026 combines national survey of small landlords with industry data to reveal how AI adoption, changing owner expectations and professional management are reshaping the industry
America’s small landlords are driving a shift in property management, embracing AI, demanding higher levels of service and increasingly turning to professional managers, according to the PM Trends Report 2026. The report combines original research with industry data to provide a comprehensive look at the evolving single-family rental (SFR) market.
Co-authored by Jordan Muela and Peter Lohmann, two of the property management industry’s most recognized leaders, the report draws on a national survey conducted by The Harris Poll of 500 U.S. small landlords who own one to 10 residential rental units, along with industry data, to examine the evolving SFR landscape. The findings show Millennials and Generation X now represent 72% of small landlords, bringing new expectations for technology, AI and professional property management.
The report highlights several trends shaping the future of property management:
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- AI is becoming part of the property management journey: Three in four (75%) landlords expect to use AI tools such as ChatGPT to find or evaluate their next property manager, while 74% are comfortable with property managers using AI to support day-to-day operations.
- Tenant experience is becoming an owner priority: 92% of landlords say they would be willing to sacrifice some cash flow to provide a better rental experience for tenants, challenging the assumption that owners are focused only on maximizing returns.
- Professional management is becoming the preferred approach: 62% of small landlords currently use a professional property manager, reflecting the continued shift toward outsourced management among smaller rental owners.
- Owners are willing to invest in additional value: About half of landlords would pay more for services such as asset management, quarterly inspections, financial services and tenant protection.
- A Single Major Repair Could Push One-Third of Small Landlords to Sell: 31% would seriously consider selling after an unexpected repair under $15K.
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“The profile of the typical small landlord is changing,” said Lohmann. “Today’s owners increasingly expect technology, transparency and strategic guidance from their property manager, not simply rent collection and maintenance coordination. Property managers that adapt to those changing expectations will be well positioned for future growth.”
The report also found that technology, and increasingly AI, is reshaping how landlords evaluate and engage with property managers. Three in four landlords expect to use AI tools such as ChatGPT to research their next property manager before making contact.
“The findings show that AI and technology are influencing every stage of the property management relationship from how landlords discover companies to the services they value once they become clients,” Muela said. “The goal of this research is to help property managers better understand those changing expectations so they can make smarter decisions about their businesses.”
The report also identifies several emerging trends among small landlords, including growing demand for faster communication, increased willingness to purchase premium management services and continued prioritization of tenant experience as a driver of long-term investment performance.
Source: PRWeb
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