Property Management in Tacoma, WA: Interview with Up First Property Management’s Kevin Epp

Laura: Hi Kevin! How is Up First Management different from other property management companies?
Kevin: I exclusively manage unfurnished, single-family homes and small multifamily properties. I only charge two fees: 10% of gross monthly rent and a lease-up fee. I’m also an Army veteran, so I understand military clients well. My small operation allows me to offer competitive pricing and exceptional communication.

Laura: What areas do you serve?
Kevin: Pierce and Thurston counties in Washington State.

Laura: Do you manage apartments, AirBNBs, or furnished rentals?
Kevin: No, only unfurnished, long-term (1+ year) rentals.

Laura: What’s the process for renting out a property?
Kevin: It typically takes 21 days from consultation to tenant placement. The steps include a consultation call, property visit, signing the agreement, cleaning/photos/listing, and placing a tenant. After that, it’s mostly handling maintenance and sending owners their monthly income.

Laura: Do you own rental properties?
Kevin: Yes, I own two. I believe it’s important for property managers to also be investors to better understand owner needs.

Laura: What’s your background?
Kevin: I’m a West Point graduate and former Special Forces Officer. The discipline and process-driven mindset from the military translate well to property management.

Laura: What’s the most important quality owners should look for in a property manager?
Kevin: Communication and integrity. Owners need someone they can trust to make decisions on their behalf, like maintenance costs and tenant selection. It’s a long-term relationship, not just a transaction.

Laura: How quickly do you respond to owner inquiries?
Kevin: Within 24 hours, often same-day or immediately.

Laura: How do you communicate with owners?
Kevin: Owners receive monthly financial reports and have 24/7 access to an owner portal. For maintenance, I notify owners if costs exceed $500.

Laura: What services do you provide?
Kevin: Full-service management. Owners hand over the keys, and I handle the rest, including maintenance coordination and providing a 1099 at year-end.

Laura: Do you charge during vacancies?
Kevin: No.

Laura: How do owners receive their money?
Kevin: I collect rent, deduct maintenance costs, and distribute the remaining balance by the 10th of each month.

Laura: How do you screen tenants?
Kevin: I require a 650+ credit score, income of 3x the rent, and first month, last month, and security deposits.

Laura: What’s your definition of “rent-ready”?
Kevin: A property is rent-ready when it’s clean, functional, and ready for immediate occupancy. Turnaround can be as quick as 24 hours if only cleaning and photos are needed.

Laura: How often do you inspect properties?
Kevin: Annually as well as during move-in/move-out.

Laura: Do tenants need renter’s insurance?
Kevin: Yes, with at least $100,000 in coverage.

Laura: Who holds security deposits?
Kevin: They’re held in separate trust accounts by my company.

Laura: Do you charge maintenance fees?
Kevin: No, I don’t upcharge or add fees for maintenance.

Laura: How do you market properties?
Kevin: I list them on 26+ websites like Zillow and Redfin, and I post on local military base Facebook pages with professional photos and videos.

Laura: When is the best time to rent?
Kevin: May through September is ideal. November to January is slower due to the holiday season.

Laura: Thank you so much for sharing all this info! What is the best way for people to contact you?
Kevin: They can visit www.upfirstmanagement.com, email kevin@upfirstmanagement.com, or call/text 253.220.7511.