Most owners begin the search for a management company by comparing percentages. It is the simplest number on the proposal, so it carries more weight than it should.
A fee only means something next to the scope behind it. Leasing fees, renewal fees, maintenance markups, project management charges, and technology fees all shape the true cost of management.
In the Tacoma and Pierce County market, monthly management for stabilized multifamily typically sits within a narrow band. The spread between firms shows up in performance, not in price.
Ask what the fee includes, how vendor pricing is set, who owns the resident relationship, and what reporting you receive each month. Then compare net income projections rather than fee quotes.
The cheapest management engagement is rarely the one that produces the most income. The right question is what your net operating income looks like twelve months from now.