Letter From the Future: Rodney Fentress of Keyrenter Hampton Roads Discusses the Lessons He’s Learned as an Accidental Property Manager

I didn’t set out  to be a property manager. In fact, I didn’t have plans to go into the real estate business at all.

I started out as a Marine, serving in the Gulf War during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. I was only 19 years old at the time but I wanted to be a hero and thought this was the best way to reach that goal.

Upon returning home, I had the opportunity to become a police officer. I was part of the SWAT team and a K9 unit and I worked as an undercover narcotics officer, so I’ve been put in many dangerous situations in my career and seen a lot of things.

In August 2013, I became a residential resale agent. Several years later I became a broker and opened Rodney Fentress Real Estate LLC. Property management wasn’t the plan, but as opportunities presented I said yes. Initially I wasn’t even sure I could do property management at the brokerage I was a part of but, I always say yes to opportunities and figure it out later. The accidental property management business grew, and before I knew it, I had 29 doors and I knew that I needed to become a true professional at property management if I intended to keep doing it. I needed systems and support and I needed it fast.

Fortunately, I discovered Keyrenter Property Management and became a franchisee.  As the owner of Keyrenter Hampton Roads, I have the tools I need to succeed through the support of the franchise.

They say that hindsight is 20/20, so looking back, there are things I wish I would have done sooner or more efficiently.

These changes would have saved me a significant amount of work and helped me grow the property management side of things earlier in the process.