Research Article

WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS LOOK FOR IN PROPERTY MANAGERS: A DEVELOPING CITY’S PERSPECTIVE

Oladotun Peter BINUYO1*
1 Department of Estate Management, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: opbinuyo@futa.edu.ng
Published: May, 2026
DOI: 10.66884/kesj.2026.xewlwe3d
Pages: 86-104
Views: 64
Downloads: 33

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the factors that property owners consider in appointing property managers in Akure, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design in which primary data were obtained from property owners across the city, which was divided into high, medium and low population density zones. A total of 382 questionnaires were administered, of which 260 (68.06%) were retrieved. Factor analysis was used to analyse factors that property owners consider before appointing property managers.

Findings: The result of the analysis revealed that six (6) components were extracted with the first being ‘Team Work and Professional Development’. The result further showed that the first component contributes approximately 27.268% of the choice of property owners on the desired qualities of the property managers, and this includes team spirit/development, educational qualification, level of technological skill, returns maximisation, firms’/property managers’ reputation and professional qualification. It is therefore concluded that while it is necessary for property managers to be professionally and educationally qualified, there are other qualities that are not restricted to professional and educational qualifications which property owners look for before appointing property managers.

Research Limitations/Implications: These findings are limited to a developing city in Nigeria, where real estate investment and property management practice are evolving. For a developed city where property management practices have advanced, the choice of property managers might be at different scales on the components extracted in this study.

Practical Implications: It is, therefore, recommended that property managers should not only rely on professional certification to secure property management jobs in developing cities, but also develop other traits like team spirit/development, and interpersonal relationship skills, which will enhance the image of the professionally registered property managers to attract the attention of property owners.

Originality/value: The study enhances existing studies on property management by highlighting managers’ attributes that attract property owners especially in a developing city, which further emphasizes the need to advance research that investigates efficient relationships between property owners and managers.

Keywords

Maintenance Management Property Owners Property Managers Property Management Company Property Management

References

  1. Adam, M. (2023). Factors Influencing Customer Choice Decision of Property Management Company In Bangkok Thailand. An Independent Study Manuscript Present to The Graduate School of Bangkok University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Business Administratio
  2. Afshari, A. R., and Yusuff, R. M. (2012). Developing a Structural Method for Eliciting Criteria in Project Manager Selection. International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Istanbul, Turkey, July 3 – 6, 2012, 150-158
  3. Akinwale, B. E. (2025) Unlicensed Property Managers and the Erosion of Professional Estate Management Standards in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria. GAS Journal of Economics and Business Management , 2 (5), 39 – 45
  4. Aluko, E. A., Okosun, S. E., and Aladelokun, A. O., (2024). Assessment of Ijapo Housing Estate Akure Facilities for Transition into Smart City. African Research Journal of the Environment, 7(1), 515.
  5. Ankeli, A. I., Nuhu, M. B., Popoola, N. I., Kemiki, O. A., Okoh, S. O., & Omotehinshe, J. O. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on tenancy agreement: the lesson from an emerging rental housing market in Nigeria. Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, 9(1), 79-93.
  6. Azian, F. U. M., Kamal, E. M., Yusof, N. A., Syarifuddin, N., & Ismail, S. (2022). The challenges of property management companies in managing high-rise residential buildings during COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Academic Reserach in Economics and Management Sciences, 11(1).
  7. What Property Owners look for in Property Managers: A Developing City’s Perspective
  8. Babbie, E., Halley, F., & Zaino, J. (2007). Adventures in social research: data analysis using SPSS 14.0 and 15.0 for Windows. Pine Forge Press.
  9. Christudason, A. (2008). Legislation affecting common property management in Singapore: Confusion or solution through fragmentation?. Property Management, 26(3), 207-219.
  10. Emamgholizadeh, S., Mehrabani Majd, L., & Ijazi, M. H. (2025). Examining the Factors Affecting the Selection and Appointment of Managers. Modern Studies in Management and Organization, 1(3), 23-36.
  11. Enisan, G. (2020). Effect of Land Price on a Sustainable Density Mix in Residential Areas of Akure, Nigeria. African Journal of Housing and sustainable Development (AJHSD), 1(1). [http://ujh.unilag.edu.ng/index.php/ajhsd](https://www.google.com/search?q=http://ujh.unilag.edu.ng/index.php/ajhsd)
  12. ESVARBON ACT (2004). Estate Surveyors and Valuers (Registration, etc) Act (CAP. E.13 LFN ). Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette. 101(66)
  13. Fasakin, J. O., Basorun, J. O., Bello, M. O., Alese, B. K., Enisan, O. F., Ojo, B., & Popoola, O. O. (2019). Managing Residential Density Development in Akure through E-Land Pricing System. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 9(7). DOI: 10.7176/JEES
  14. Fayomi, I., Oladokun, T. T., & Adewolu, T. O. (2012). Factors Influencing Corporate Real Estate Outsourcing in Nigeria: An Empirical Study from the Banking and Telecommunication Sectors in Lagos, Nigeria. In 1st International conference on engineering and environmental sciences (p. 257).
  15. Fayomi, I. (2022). Factors Influencing the Performance of Corporate Real Estate Management in Listed Organizations in Nigeria. African Real Estate Society (AfRES), 2022(038), 268-284
  16. Kim, J. O., & Mueller, C. W. (1978). Factor analysis: Statistical methods and practical issues (Vol. 14). sage.
  17. Li, L. H. (1997), Property Management in China: Opportunities and problems. Property Management. 15(1), 6- 11.
  18. Macey, J.P. & Baker, C.V. (1978), Housing Management, Estate Gazette, London
  19. Mazikana, A. T. (2022). An Analysis on the Effects of Property Management on Commercial Property Values. A Case Study of Harare (2015-2022). A Case Study of Harare (2015 2022)(July 4, 2022).
  20. Narains Corp. (2007). A Compilation of Frequently used Real Estate terminology and their meaning, arranged in alphabetical order. Retrieved August, 2025, from [http://narians.com/glossary.http](https://www.google.com/search?q=http://narians.com/glossary.http)
  21. Nwaogu, S. C., Edwin, I. I., & Ugwu, C. G. (2022). The Significance of Problems Associated with the Management of Commercial Properties in Enugu Metropolis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, VI, 36-41.
  22. Oba, P. T., Ogban, M. E. & Deeyah, C. L. (2022). Effective Strategies for Improving Multi Tenanted Low-Income Residential Property Management in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science, 10(7), 144 – 151
  23. Oladokun, T. T. (2010, June). Sustainable property management practice in Nigeria. In Conference proceedings: International research conference on sustainability in built environment. Paper presented at The international research conference on sustainability in built environment, Columbia, Sri Lanka (pp. 18-19).
  24. Oladokun, T. T., & Ojo, O. (2012). An evaluation of the problems of commercial property management practice in Nigeria. The Estate Surveyor and Valuer, Journal of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, 36(2), 23-38.
  25. Oladotun Peter BINUYO
  26. Owusu, A., Anthony, K. B. and Nicholas, O. M., (2015). Factors Influencing Real Estate Agents Selection: A Survey of Real Estate Customers in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Journal of Investment and Management, 4(2), 68-72. DOI: 10.11648/j.jim.20150402.12
  27. Oyedele, O. A. (2013). Assessment of Property Management Practices in Nigeria, NIESV Journal, 38(1)103 – 114
  28. Palm, P. (2015). Challenges of Commercial Real Estate Management: An analysis of the Swedish commercial real estate industry (Doctoral dissertation, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)). Purdon, P. (2015). Confirmatory Factor Analysis as a Tool in Research Using Questionnaires: A Critique 1, 2. [https://doi.org/10.2466/03.CP.4.10](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://doi.org/10.2466/03.CP.4.10)
  29. Sangosanya, A. G. (1983).The Economics of Property Management in Nigeria. The Estate Surveyor and Valuer, 7(1) 38-44.
  30. Wongsunopparat, S., & Adam, M., (2023). Factors Influencing Customer Choice Decision of Property Management Company in Bangkok Thailand. Journal of Empirical Economics and Social Sciences. 5(1), 50-66. [http://dx.doi.org/10.46959/jeess.1166841](https://www.google.com/search?q=http://dx.doi.org/10.46959/jeess.1166841)
How to Cite

BINUYO, O. P. (2026). WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS LOOK FOR IN PROPERTY MANAGERS: A DEVELOPING CITY’S PERSPECTIVE. Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, 6(1), 86-104. https://doi.org/10.66884/kesj.2026.xewlwe3d

O. P. BINUYO, "WHAT PROPERTY OWNERS LOOK FOR IN PROPERTY MANAGERS: A DEVELOPING CITY’S PERSPECTIVE," Kaduna State University Environmental Sciences Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 86-104, May 2026. doi: 10.66884/kesj.2026.xewlwe3d

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles