On a recent episode of the Relentless Growth Podcast, Jack Mayer and I spent some time on a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough but makes or breaks a rental business: property management. We dug into what we’re seeing in our local markets right now, the challenges that have cropped up, and the systems we’ve been changing to keep things running well. If you own or manage rentals in Central Arkansas, here’s what’s actually working for us heading into 2026.
The Market Has Gotten More Challenging
I’ll be honest: the last year and a half has been some of the most challenging property management I’ve seen in my entire time doing this. Leasing has slowed, and we’re dealing with more delinquencies and collections issues than usual. What surprised me is that this is actually tougher than the COVID stretch. Back then I expected huge problems with delinquencies and evictions, but our vacancies leased quickly and tenants generally paid on time. Now the opposite is true, which is why we’ve had to put real time and energy into doing property management better from an operations standpoint.
Pre-Leasing With 3D Renderings
One thing that’s been working surprisingly well is pre-leasing units before they’re even finished. On some of our newer build-to-rent projects, including some higher-end rental homes in nice areas, we’ve posted listings with 3D renderings to start pre-leasing. I’ve been genuinely surprised by the quality of applications and the level of interest we’re getting before a unit is even ready to move into. Getting ahead of the leasing timeline takes a lot of pressure off when the unit’s done.
Handling Delinquencies the Right Way
Collections come down to consistency and accountability. The approach that works for us is being kind to people while still holding them to their word. If a tenant says they’ll have more information by Tuesday, we check in on Tuesday, not Friday. You’re walking a line between staying on top of it and not being annoying, but following up on exactly what people tell you keeps things from sliding.
A lot of it is also education, especially with younger tenants. Many of them simply don’t understand what an eviction does to them long term. Taking the time to explain that, and to work with people while still protecting the business, tends to lead to better outcomes for everyone.
Retention: Everybody Is in Sales
My favorite takeaway from the whole conversation is this: when it comes to keeping good tenants, everybody on the team is in sales. It’s not just the leasing agent who earns a renewal. It’s the maintenance crew, and even the person picking up trash on the property. They may not be as warm and fuzzy as a leasing agent, but every single interaction a tenant has shapes whether they renew at the end of their lease. When the whole team understands that, retention takes care of itself.
Cautiously Optimistic
Even with the recent challenges, I’m optimistic that we’re on the upswing when it comes to demand and rent growth. The operators who tighten up their systems now, lease proactively, stay consistent on collections, and treat every tenant interaction as part of retention, are the ones who’ll be in the best position as the market improves.
At Apex Professional Construction, we build, develop, and work on rental and build-to-rent properties across Central Arkansas. If you’re an investor or property owner looking to build or expand, give us a call at 501-500-5177 or request a quote.