Should I self-manage or hire a property manager?

Self-managing saves the 5-8% fee and works best for a resident owner with one nearby unit. But expect 40-60 hours a year per unit, weaker contractor rates, and real risk from Ejari errors or mis-applying the RERA rental index. Hiring out shifts compliance, emergencies and RDC handling to a professional. The choice usually comes down to saving money versus saving time.