Professional Property Management specializes in reducing vacancies, controlling maintenance costs, maintaining regulatory compliance, and helping property owners maximize long-term returns throughout Berkeley and the East Bay.

Owned by brothers Gene Smith and Jimmy Smith, PPM manages hundreds of rental properties and leverages long-established vendor relationships to help owners secure cost-effective maintenance, timely repairs, and proactive property care.

With experience managing Berkeley's diverse rental housing stock, including single-family homes, multi-family properties, and student housing, PPM helps owners navigate complex local regulations while protecting property value and improving investment performance. Through its affiliated brokerage, First Republic Real Estate, Professional Property Management also provides full-service real estate support for owners seeking a trusted long-term partner for both property management and investment strategy.

For most Berkeley property owners, a rental property is a very important long-term investment. At Professional Property Management, we understand the trust it takes to place that investment in someone else's hands.

Owners choose us because they want confidence that their property is being managed professionally, tenants are screened carefully, and maintenance issues are addressed before they become costly problems.

From tenant placement and lease administration to inspections, maintenance coordination, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting, we help Berkeley owners protect property value, reduce stress, and improve long-term investment performance.

Professional Property Management helps Berkeley property owners protect cash flow by reducing vacancy periods, managing rent collection consistently, and addressing maintenance issues before they become costly repairs.

Berkeley's rental market is governed by local rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinances, along with California state landlord-tenant laws. Property owners must navigate regulations involving rent increases, tenant notices, registration requirements, and eviction procedures while maintaining compliance with changing local rules.

Our goal is to help owners maintain stable rental income, stay compliant with applicable regulations, and avoid legal and operational challenges that can impact long-term investment performance.

Berkeley includes a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with its own tenant demographics, rental trends, and property management considerations. Our Berkeley property management team understands how rental properties perform across these diverse areas and how to manage them effectively.

North Berkeley

Known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes, and proximity to shopping and dining, North Berkeley attracts professionals, families, and long-term residents. Properties here often benefit from proactive maintenance and careful tenant placement to preserve long-term value.

Downtown Berkeley and UC Berkeley Area

Properties near the University of California, Berkeley often attract students, faculty, and university staff. Rental demand is typically strong, but successful management requires effective tenant screening, lease administration, and responsiveness to turnover associated with the academic calendar.

 Elmwood, Claremont, and South Berkeley

These established neighborhoods are popular with professionals and families seeking walkable communities, local amenities, and convenient transit access. Rental properties in these areas often command premium rents when well maintained and professionally managed.

West Berkeley

West Berkeley includes a mix of residential neighborhoods, loft-style housing, and properties near employment centers and transit corridors. The area's diverse housing stock requires management strategies tailored to each property's unique characteristics and tenant base.

Whether your rental property is near the university, in a historic neighborhood, or in one of Berkeley's established residential communities, Professional Property Management delivers proven systems to help protect your investment and maximize long-term performance.

When you partner with Professional Property Management, you can expect a structured and transparent approach designed to make owning rental property in Berkeley as straightforward as possible. We begin with a thorough evaluation of your property and a discussion of your goals so our management strategy aligns with your investment objectives.

Once your property is onboarded, our team handles tenant communication, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and compliance with Berkeley and California rental regulations. You'll receive clear reporting and timely updates so you can stay informed without managing the day-to-day details yourself.

Owners also benefit from convenient online owner and resident portals, along with access to specialty services including trust and probate management, REO and bank-owned property services, asset preservation, and compliance support.

Most importantly, we focus on proactive management. By carefully screening tenants, addressing maintenance issues early, and staying ahead of regulatory requirements, we help protect your investment and support long-term financial performance. Our goal is to provide Berkeley property owners with responsive service, clear communication, and confidence that their property is being managed professionally.