Owning and managing rental properties can often feel overwhelming and stressful because of common issues like slow repairs, poor communication, and unexpected problems that affect tenants and property value. These challenges make it difficult for owners to fully benefit from their investments and can lead to frustration and financial loss. That’s where experienced property management experts come in—they provide reliable and proactive services, handling maintenance quickly, keeping owners informed, and preventing problems before they start. Their role is essential in protecting investments, improving tenant satisfaction, and making property ownership easier and more rewarding.
One such expert is Matthew Leschber, Visionary & Finance Broker and Founder of 1836 Property Management, who has transformed a personal initiative into a thriving company that now manages nearly 900 properties in Austin. Driven by his dissatisfaction with the transactional nature of real estate sales and the lack of responsiveness in property management, Matthew set out to create a service built on transparency, reliability, and long-term relationships, specifically for individual investors rather than large corporations.
Under his leadership, the company has embraced the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to align its team around shared values like integrity, innovation, and excellence. Building on this foundation, one of Matthew Leschber’s most notable achievements has been the development of proprietary systems that integrate seamlessly with leading property management software, enabling automation, real-time performance tracking, and proactive issue resolution. These innovations, combined with a strong leadership team and continuous market analysis, have helped position 1836 Property Management as Austin’s most trusted and efficient partner, prioritizing lasting value and exceptional service over national expansion.
From Austin Roots to a Real Estate Calling
Matthew Leschber, originally from North Austin, Texas, is a graduate of Texas State University. After living in cities like New York, Cleveland, and Houston, he eventually returned to Austin—the place that always felt like home. He began his career in real estate sales but soon realized the transactional nature of sales didn’t align with his desire to build long-term relationships or work within structured systems.
During his time in leasing, Matthew observed that many property management companies lacked responsiveness and failed to maintain properties properly. This inspired him to offer a better, more transparent, and reliable experience. He started by managing a few properties on his own and gradually built the business over the next 18 years. Today, 1836 Property Management oversees nearly 900 properties in the Austin area.
Focused on serving individual investors—typically those who own one to three units—Matthew built the company around the values of lasting relationships and consistent, high-quality service, with a commitment to helping everyday investors succeed.
People Over Publicity
Over the years, several key milestones have shaped my journey and the growth of 1836 Property Management—each one laying the foundation for long-term success:
- Building strong leadership: Matthew hired three key leaders 15 years ago, forming a multi-layered team that deeply understands the business.
- Creating tailored systems: Unlike national firms, 1836 developed custom systems suited to Austin, providing a clear advantage.
- Using EOS: A framework (not software) that streamlines communication and aligns the entire team.
One of the best achievements has been building a dedicated team. The employees come to work every day ready to put in hard work and do more than expected for their clients. While public recognition is appreciated, what truly matters is the team’s honesty and strong work ethic—they are the real foundation of the company’s success.
A Culture of Trust and Teamwork
1836 Property Management follows the EOS as a framework for running the business. The team regularly meets each quarter and year to review and realign around the company’s core values, ensuring they remain clear and relevant. At the heart of the company’s approach is a simple but powerful philosophy: always do the right thing. This means working together with integrity, teamwork, and a strong focus on what’s best for clients. By making the right decisions and collaborating as one team, the company believes that growth, profit, and customer satisfaction will naturally follow.
Integrity and Personal Connection at the Heart of Service
Instead of relying on personal opinions, 1836 Property Management follows clear values established during their regular quarterly and annual EOS meetings.
Their core values include:
- Integrity
- Guidance
- Innovation
- Excellence-driven
- Personal connection
What sets them apart is:
- Communication: They answer the phone when others don’t.
- Proactivity: They address issues before they become problems.
- Innovation: They’ve spent over five years creating proprietary systems that integrate with property management software via APIs, giving them a strong competitive edge.
While other companies might attempt similar strategies, 1836 Property Management believes its approach is superior and more sustainable over the long term.
Delivering Consistent Results
1836 Property Management delivers consistent results by leveraging the stability of year-long lease terms, which help cushion against market fluctuations.
The team stays vigilant by:
- Monitoring rental demand and pricing daily
- Reviewing market trends monthly
- Adjusting pricing and marketing strategies based on market shifts, such as Austin’s recent increase in supply and decrease in demand
A major strength of the company lies in its focus on technology. While many small landlords still rely on outdated methods like sticky notes or spreadsheets, 1836 Property Management initially adopted a platform from a Florida-based property management engineer. When that platform no longer suited their evolving needs, they created custom internal systems that seamlessly integrate with leading property management software nationwide via open APIs.
These custom solutions provide a smarter, more proactive approach to operations. Tools like Make and Monday.com enable the team to track performance in real time, generate up-to-date metrics, and identify potential issues before they escalate. This level of operational insight helps 1836 Property Management stand out in a competitive market and consistently deliver high-quality service.
Balancing Investor Demands with Market Realities
Matthew Leschber highlights that property management is never easy—every day can feel chaotic and unpredictable. One of the biggest challenges he has faced is managing investors’ expectations. Many expect simple answers and steady results, but investing doesn’t work that way. Like any market, real estate has its ups and downs. He explains that the role of the management team is to handle these challenges with honesty and transparency, doing their best to protect the property and the investor.
Slow Markets Can Offer the Best Investment Deals
Customer preferences tend to follow the market’s overall condition. When the market is strong, more people are interested in investing, but when it slows down, interest decreases, even though slower markets often offer the best deals. For example, Matthew Leschber once sold a property in a declining neighborhood through a 1031 exchange and was able to buy another property at a great price because there was less competition and the seller wanted to close quickly.
For those investing in single-family rentals, the best strategy is to stick with what works: simple, one-story homes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, ideally located in a cul-de-sac with no neighbors behind. These homes typically attract reliable tenants like teachers, police officers, and firefighters, who tend to stay long-term and take good care of the property.
It’s also important to avoid homes built before 1978 because of concerns about lead-based paint, which many property managers now prefer to avoid. Instead, focusing on properties built in 1980 or later is safer.
Finally, don’t rely only on online listings. Visiting neighborhoods in person—especially on weekends—is crucial. If you see many broken-down cars or signs of neglect, it’s probably not a good area to invest in. Choosing neighborhoods where you would feel comfortable raising a family is wise, as these areas usually maintain their value and attract stable renters.
Proactive Risk Management Strategies
Matthew Leschber explains that real estate can be hard to predict, but because leases usually last a year, things change slowly. This gives them time to get ready. When they agree to manage a property, they promise to do it for at least a year and pay their workers. To avoid problems, they keep learning, plan ahead, and change their plans when needed. He also tells property owners that real estate is a long-term thing and not a way to get quick money.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement and Excellence
1836 Property Management is focused on continuously improving its operations and maintaining high standards. Rather than expanding nationwide, the company aims to be the top property management firm in Austin. This involves concentrating on serving individual investors, supporting their team, and leading with innovation, transparency, and accountability. The journey is ongoing, and they are excited about what the future holds.
