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Freedom Investing Insights
October 2025 Edition
A Note from the Team
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” — Bobby Unser
Fall is officially here in Pittsburgh, and with it comes a fresh season of opportunity. Just as the leaves turn, so too do market dynamics—and staying informed is what keeps successful investors ahead of the curve. This month, we’re tackling two hot topics for investors: the debate over flat-fee vs. percentage-based management fees, and the new Section 8 inspection requirements reshaping rental compliance in Pittsburgh.
At Freedom Property Advantage, we believe informed investors make better long-term decisions. Let’s dig in.
Market Pulse
Section 8 Inspections in Pittsburgh: What You Need to Know
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) recently updated its Housing Choice Voucher Program inspection standards to align more closely with HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE).
Key changes include:
Faster compliance timelines – Some violations now require correction in as little as 24–48 hours.
Stricter Safety Standards: Smoke detectors, mold prevention, electrical hazards, and plumbing function are all top inspection priorities.
Broader scope – Beyond unit interiors, inspectors are paying closer attention to exterior hazards, common areas, and building systems.
Investor takeaway: These updates mean upfront preparedness is essential. Delays in inspection approval can now lead to longer vacancy periods and potential loss of HAP payments.If you own properties with Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) tenants, use the next month to run your own pre-inspections. In addition, make sure you have reliable maintenance contractors to be able to meet tight repair requirements. When you need to call on them, you’ll realize why their rates are not the lowest in the marketplace.
Source: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, HUD NSPIRE guidelines.
Investor’s Edge
Flat Fee vs. Percentage-Based Management Fees: Which Model Really Works for Investors?
When evaluating property management, fee structure matters. The two most common models are percentage-based (the industry standard) and flat fee (the model we use at Freedom Property Advantage).
Here’s what investors should consider:
Percentage-Based Fees (Traditional Model)
Usually 8–12% of monthly rent collected
The manager earns more as your rent amount increases and incentivizes turnover due to placement fees typically being equal to the amount of one month of rent.
Creates an imbalance: a $3,000 property gets far more attention than a $1,000 property because the management company is financially incentivized to prioritize higher-rent units
Flat-Fee Management (Our Model)
A consistent monthly rate no matter the rent
Aligns services across all property types—because whether your home rents for $1,000 or $3,000, the work required to advertise, screen tenants, conduct showings, and handle leasing is the same
Eliminates the “performance bias” of percentage-based fees—your investment receives the same level of care, attention, and resources regardless of rent price
The bottom line: With flat-fee management, high-rent properties aren’t “overpaying” and lower-rent properties aren’t under-prioritized. Every property gets the same proven process, ensuring consistency and fairness across your portfolio.
Investor takeaway: A flat fee keeps the focus where it should be—on maximizing occupancy, reducing downtime, and protecting your investment.
Health, Wealth & Life
The Power of One: Why Your Best Data Is You
When it comes to health, wealth, or business strategy, there’s often a temptation to rely on averages, broad advice, or what worked for others. But the real power lies in understanding the “N of one”—the recognition that each individual, each business, and each situation is unique. While trends and best practices provide a helpful starting point, they can’t account for your context, your body, or your goals. Real progress happens when you measure, test, and refine based on your own results.
In practice, that might mean tracking how your body responds to a new diet or training routine instead of blindly following the latest trend. Or in business, it could mean running small experiments, monitoring outcomes, and doubling down on what actually drives results for your company. By honoring the N of one, you avoid chasing generalized solutions—and instead build a strategy rooted in your own reality.
Further Reading & Listening
• Bryan Johnson — Project Blueprint → A bold real-world N-of-one experiment in longevity and peak performance.
• Atomic Habits — James Clear → How to design systems that let you test and refine what truly works for you.
• The Practicing Mind — Thomas Sterner → A guide to cultivating patience and mastery through iteration.
Takeaway: The best blueprint isn’t someone else’s—it’s the one you test, refine, and live yourself.
Freedom in Action
What Our Clients Are Saying
At Freedom Property Advantage, we know results speak louder than promises—and our clients agree. With a 4.7-star rating from 80+ reviews, our clients consistently recognize us for:
Above-and-beyond service: Owners tell us we exceed the basics of property management, staying hands-on during turnovers, inspections, and tenant transitions.
Fast and effective maintenance, repairs, and resolutions.
True freedom for investors: Several reviews highlight that after searching for the right fit, owners found peace of mind with FPA—finally gaining the time and confidence to focus on growth.
Why it matters: Reviews like these show that consistency and care—not percentage-based incentives—setting the standard for property management done right.
Curious how flat-fee management stacks up for your portfolio?
At Freedom Property Advantage, we’ve built our model around fairness and consistency—so every property gets the same level of attention, no matter the rent amount.
As a first step, we’re offering a free rental comp analysis straight from our website. This tool helps you see what your property should be renting for in today’s Pittsburgh market. From there, you can quickly compare how much you’d save (and gain in peace of mind) by switching to a flat-fee model.
https://www.freedompropertyadvantage.com/
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Thanks for reading.
Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay free.
— The Freedom Property Advantage Team