Flat-Rate vs. Percentage-Based Property Management: Pros and Cons

Not all property management pricing models are created equal. While many companies charge a percentage of monthly rent, others—like Flatmint—offer a flat-rate pricing structure. So what’s the difference, and which is better for you?

Let’s break it down:

💸 Percentage-Based Management: The Traditional Model

How it works: You’re charged a percentage (typically 8–12%) of the rent collected each month. If your rent goes up, so does their fee.

Pros:

• Common and widely accepted in the industry

• Fees are tied to the rental rate, can be helpful on rentals with lower rents.

Cons:

• Fees increase with rent (even though the work often doesn’t)

• Upsells and add-on charges can inflate your monthly cost

• Less predictability in budgeting

• Some charge the percentage even when rent isn’t collected

  
  

💼 Flat-Rate Management: The Flatmint Model

How it works: You pay the same amount every month, regardless of your rent price or tenant turnover. Only $149 per month.

Pros:

• Fixed monthly cost—no surprises

• Easy budgeting and planning

• Incentive for your manager to fill vacancies fast, no management fees durning vacancies

• Save hundreds of dollars compared to the outdated percentage models.**

• Transparent and straightforward pricing

Cons:

• Less common in the market (but growing fast)

  
  

Why Flat-Rate Pricing Works for Seattle Property Owners

Seattle’s rental market is competitive and high-priced—so percentage-based models can quickly eat into your margins. With Flatmint, you get full-service property management for one clear, consistent fee, no matter your rent amount.

You’ll never pay more just because your property value goes up.

Choose Predictability. Choose Performance.

With Flatmint’s Seattle flat-rate property management pricing, you can focus on the return—not the fine print.

Talk to us today about how flat-rate management can save you time and money.

**when rental rates exceed a certain price threshold.