(Watch the YouTube video of this episode here)

On this week's episode of the Furlo Capital Real Estate Podcast we dive into the nitty-gritty of fixing toilets, hiring maintenance personnel, and navigating the complexities of property management. Get an insider's look into my process of interviewing maintenance staff, the dilemmas we face in deciding between hiring full-time versus part-time help, and the critical impact of maintenance on tenant satisfaction and overall returns. Whether you're a property manager or a passive investor, you'll find actionable insights and candid stories that will help you make better investing decisions. Let's get started!

// Key Moments

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:43 The ROI of Outsourcing House Cleaning
• 02:52 Managing Property Maintenance
• 03:56 The Challenges of Scaling Up
• 05:35 Hiring for Efficiency and Better Returns
• 07:03 The Cost of Vacancies and Tenant Retention
• 17:01 Philosophy on Property Upgrades and Service
• 19:15 Hiring the Right Person for the Job
• 20:36 Challenges in the Hiring Process
• 22:11 Setting Expectations and Deliverables
• 23:37 Balancing Skills and Attitude in Hiring
• 25:48 Pitching the Job to Potential Hires
• 27:37 Scaling and Systematizing the Business
• 33:53 Final Thoughts on Hiring and Maintenance

// 7 Key Lessons

1. Hire for time, not guilt: Outsourcing home chores or maintenance isn’t “lazy”—it’s a sign you’ve leveled up your priorities. Buy back your time to solve bigger problems.
2. View maintenance as offense, not defense: Stop treating repairs as a cost center. A strong maintenance plan is wealth preservation in disguise.
3. Vacancy is your silent profit killer: Every extra month a unit sits empty can cost $1,200–$2,000. Fast turns and solid maintenance teams directly boost returns.
4. Train for ownership, not obedience: When hiring maintenance help, look for people who think, plan, and take initiative—not just follow a checklist.
5. Professionalism builds trust: Consistent, respectful maintenance interactions improve tenant satisfaction, reduce complaints, and protect your brand.
6. Systems scale, not superheroes: Hiring a maintenance tech isn’t just to fix things—it’s to build repeatable systems that free you to grow the business.
7. Know who you’re hiring for: Every hire fits somewhere on the “skill vs. attitude” scale. Decide upfront if you’re training a rookie or trusting a veteran.

// Let's build your wealth and improve housing, together.

I spent 12 years as a data scientist at HP and purchased $5M worth of real estate over 15 years using my own money. Now, I'm partnering with busy professionals to diversify their investments and generate passive income through real estate syndications and short-term flips—without dealing with tenants, toilets, or tantrums.

At Furlo Capital, we believe real estate isn't just a transaction; it's a partnership. Our value-add approach creates win-win situations where residents thrive, and investors build wealth. We're not just in this to make money—we want to make a difference.

If you're ready to diversify from stock market volatility and want reliable, steady returns, let's build your wealth and improve housing, together.Want to dive deeper into my investing thesis and strategy?

👉 Learn more: https://furlo.com

Curious about the critical questions to ask before investing?

👉 Get my 196-question due diligence vault: https://furlo.com/good-deals-only-ebook

// DisclaimerPlease note that investing in private placement securities entails a high degree of risk, including illiquidity of the investment and loss of principal. Please refer to the subscription agreement for a discussion of risk factors.