2026 August issue of InMaricopa Magazine

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What you’re really paying for Most self-managing landlords can do the work. Professional property management isn’t about doing something owners can’t. It’s about bringing experience, consistent oversight, established processes and sound judgment to one of their most valuable assets. Professional management also brings perspective. An experienced manager has often seen the situation before, understands the options and knows how today’s decision may affect the long-term performance of the investment. Experience doesn’t just solve problems. It often prevents them from happening in the first place — or keeps small issues from becoming costly ones. Many owners eventually discover they aren’t simply paying someone to manage a property. They’re investing in someone whose full-time job is making sound decisions that protect their investment. Thinking like an investor Every landlord must decide whether self- management is the right choice. Some owners enjoy every aspect of it, from getting to know tenants to coordinating repairs. Others eventually conclude their time is better spent with family, growing their career, traveling or pursuing other opportunities while a professional oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of the property. Ultimately, every landlord decides how involved they want to be. At Crest Premier Properties, we believe professional property management is an investment in protecting both your property and your peace of mind. If you’ve ever wondered whether professional property management is worth it, perhaps the better question is this: What is the value of knowing your investment is in experienced hands?

That approach can work. But there’s more to property management than finding a good tenant and collecting rent each month. There’s the late-night phone calls, maintenance requests and constant decision-making. Eventually those raise an important question landlords may find themselves thinking: Is hiring a professional management worth the investment? What you’re really managing Collecting rent is only a small part of owning a rental property. Most landlords don’t realize the role also includes managing maintenance decisions, tenant communication, lease questions, vendor coordination, inspections and the unexpected situations that seem to arise at the least convenient times. None of these responsibilities are especially difficult on their own. However, it’s the steady stream of decisions, interruptions and follow- up that surprises many landlords. Before long, many owners find themselves spending far more time managing the property than they ever expected.

F OR MANY LANDLORDS, MANAGING their own rental property seems like the obvious choice. After all, why pay someone else to do something you believe you can do? What many landlords discover after managing on their own BY SHERMAN AND EUPHEMIA WEEKES Is professional property management really worth it?

Foolproof banana bread

Meg’s Banana Bread Recipe

2-3 ripe bananas, mashed 1 cup white sugar 1 egg ½ cup oil ¾ cup milk 2 cups white or Cup4Cup gluten-free flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoon cinnamon (or to taste) 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (optional) 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

BY TIFFANY WELCH

Y LITTLE BROTHER DATED A GIRL named Meg in high school, and somewhere along the way she became one of my dearest friends. As we grew

older, our lives always seemed to stay in sync. We got married within months of each other, became moms and managers of busy households and somehow always found ourselves in the same stage of life. It is one of my life’s greatest blessings. On dreary Pacific Northwest days, we’d let the kids run amok while enjoying steaming mugs of coffee and the most delicious banana bread Meg made. I begged her for the recipe after trying it for the first time, and it’s become my go-to ever since. I’ve tried other recipes over the years, but I always come back to Meg’s. I’ll admit to being much more heavy-handed with cinnamon though; I just can’t help myself. My kiddos love it when I add chocolate chips and cocoa powder to it, but I enjoy it most when it’s just the way Meg made it. Desert Cedars resident Tiffany Welch is the director of operations for InMaricopa . Reach her at Tiffany@ InMaricopa.com to discuss baking recipes or what you like most (or least!) about InMaricopa .

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Grease a loaf pan or muffin tin with butter. 3. In a mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth enough to stir easily. 4. Add sugar and egg, mixing until combined. 5. Stir in oil and milk until smooth.

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6. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. 7. Mix just until incorporated. Be careful not to over mix.

8. If you’d like to add chocolate chips and cocoa powder, now’s the time. I usually stir in 1 cup chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder. 9. Pour the batter into the loaf pan, leaving about 1 to 1½ inches of space at the top. If you have extra batter, divide it among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. 10. Bake the muffins for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Bake the loaf for about 60 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness. I usually leave mine in a few extra minutes so the top develops a lightly crisp crust without burning.