By not dealing at all...

[partlycloudyday]

There's enough small time owners in Bellingham that you could find somebody on Craig's instead of going through property managers. I feel like they show more care and sympathy towards their tenants and property than a big time property management business does. At least there's more room to negotiate.. Just be careful to document everything.

[kamranrahman]

That is certainly true. In my past I've had better experiences with just private landlords versus the corporate minded property managers.