Why Great Property Management Often Goes Unnoticed 

Interview with Drake Rupprecht, Business Development Specialist, and Mike Herrmann, President of Advantage Property Management

Q: Commercial property management often goes unnoticed when it's done well. In your experience, what are the most important responsibilities that property owners and tenants may not fully appreciate, and why do they have such a significant impact on property success?

Drake Rupprecht: Well-executed property management often goes unnoticed because it's proactive rather than reactive. The ability to identify and solve a small issue before it becomes a larger problem is critical. When property management is working as intended, owners and tenants shouldn't have to worry about day-to-day building operations because everything is being handled behind the scenes. 

Mike Herrmann: One of the biggest values professional property management provides is removing the burden of active real estate ownership so business leaders can focus on running their companies. Much of the work happens behind the scenes—vendor management, risk mitigation, capital planning, equipment lifecycle management, and budgeting for future expenses. 

Owners may not always see the complexity involved in managing assets such as HVAC systems, roofs, elevators, or parking lots, but understanding those systems and planning for their future replacement is what protects both property value and operating performance over time. 

Q: What trends are having the biggest impact on commercial property management today, and how should property owners adapt over the next five years? 

Drake Rupprecht: Like nearly every industry, technology and artificial intelligence are having a significant impact on property management. Smart building systems, automated maintenance tracking, and data analytics can help owners anticipate issues before they occur while reducing both costs and downtime. 

Mike Herrmann: The future will be increasingly driven by data, benchmarking, and predictive analytics. AI has the potential to help property owners move beyond simply reacting to challenges and instead begin anticipating future needs. Nobody likes surprises, and technology will continue to assist with eliminating them.  By combining historical performance data, market information, and AI-powered insights, property managers will be better equipped to help owners understand where investments should be made and when those investments will create the most value.

Q: Can you share an example of how proactive property management prevented a major issue or uncovered an opportunity for an owner or tenant? 

Drake Rupprecht: We encourage our teams to use all of their senses when walking through a property. Don't just look—listen, smell, and pay attention to what's happening around you. Something as simple as hearing a door squeak or detecting an unusual odor can help us identify a small issue before it becomes a costly repair. 

Mike Herrmann: Preventive maintenance is one of the best examples. Whether it's HVAC equipment, elevators, roof systems, or building automation technologies, staying ahead of maintenance allows us to avoid costly failures and disruptions. For example, we've proactively replaced elevator control boards before they became obsolete and failed. We've also implemented maintenance programs and installed updated  building monitoring systems that help identify issues before they impact tenants. 

Another example is snow and ice management. We've invested time learning from industry experts and researching best practices to ensure we're creating safe conditions while also protecting parking lots and pavement from unnecessary damage. That type of long-term thinking benefits both property performance and ownership costs. 

Q: Beyond occupancy and financial performance, what else do you watch when evaluating the health and long-term success of a property? 

Drake Rupprecht: We closely monitor building systems and maintenance history. If a piece of equipment continually requires repairs, there may come a point where replacement becomes more cost-effective than ongoing maintenance. We also look for opportunities to improve energy efficiency and plan ahead for future capital needs. 

Mike Herrmann: It depends on the type of property.  For multi-tenant properties, we're focused on controlling operating expenses and maintaining a competitive position in the market. That allows owners to reinvest in improvements that attract and retain tenants.  For owner-occupied properties, we're helping customers forecast future capital expenses and plan for significant investments years in advance. Our goal is to help owners understand what their building will need five, ten, or even twenty years down the road. 

Q: In a competitive market, what separates top-performing property management teams from average ones?

Drake Rupprecht: Communication and attention to detail are two of the biggest differentiators. Every property owner is different, and understanding their preferred level of involvement is essential. Building trust and maintaining strong communication allows us to become a true partner rather than simply a service provider. 

Mike Herrmann: Culture and leadership play a huge role. At Advantage Property Management and R&R Realty Group, we have a highly engaged team focused on delivering exceptional service and long-term results. 

One thing we're particularly proud of is customer retention. We have clients who have partnered with us for decades. Those long-term relationships demonstrate that we're creating value beyond the day-to-day management responsibilities. Property management should never feel transactional. It should be a partnership built around helping owners maximize the performance and value of their real estate.

Q: What are the most effective ways a property management team can create measurable value, and how should owners evaluate whether they're receiving that value? 

Drake Rupprecht: Every owner defines value differently. Some are looking to reduce expenses, others want to improve property appearance and performance, and some simply don't have the time to manage their properties themselves. Our role is to understand those goals and help achieve them. 

Mike Herrmann: One of my favorite things to hear is when a property owner says, "I want my building to look like an R&R property." That tells me they recognize the value of consistent maintenance, thoughtful improvements, and proactive management. Ultimately, value comes from understanding each owner's priorities and delivering results that exceed expectations. Whether that's tenant retention, risk reduction, capital planning, or property appearance, success starts with aligning our services with their goals. 

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see commercial property management evolving over the next decade? 

Drake Rupprecht: I believe the industry will continue to grow significantly. Many property owners have historically been very hands-on, but over time, institutional knowledge can be lost as people retire or move on. Professional property management helps preserve that knowledge through systems, technology, and documentation while ensuring properties continue operating efficiently. 

Mike Herrmann: We're going to see both older and newer buildings evolve in different ways. Newer buildings will continue incorporating advanced technologies, sustainability initiatives, and workplace amenities. Older buildings will increasingly modernize through automation systems, building connectivity, and data-driven management tools. Artificial intelligence will become a major component of property management. From predictive maintenance to capital planning and energy optimization, AI will help property owners make smarter, more informed decisions about their investments. The organizations that successfully combine technology, data, and strong relationships will be the ones that lead the industry forward.

Q: What's one misconception about commercial property management that you wish more property owners understood? 

Drake Rupprecht: A common misconception is that hiring a property management company means losing control of your property. That's not the case. Property owners remain the decision-makers. Our role is to provide recommendations, expertise, and support so owners can make informed decisions. 

Mike Herrmann: Another misconception is that property management is simply an added expense. In reality, effective property management often saves owners time and money through competitive bidding, vendor management, risk reduction, project oversight, and long-term planning. The goal isn't to add costs—it's to help owners maximize value while minimizing unnecessary expenses and distractions. 

Interested in Learning More?
Behind every well-managed property is a team working proactively to protect its value and keep operations running smoothly. If you're looking for a property management partner, explore how our team can help here.