The First 90 Days of 2026: A Business Development Plan for Property Managers

The start of a new year brings momentum, motivation, and opportunity — but without a clear plan, that energy quickly disappears. For property managers and BDMs, the first 90 days of 2026 are critical. What you do in January, February, and March sets the tone for your rent roll growth, brand visibility, and pipeline for the rest of the year.

This is a practical, step-by-step business development plan to help you start strong and stay consistent.

Month 1: January — Reset, Review, and Realign

January is about clarity before activity.

1. Review Last Year’s Performance

Before chasing new leads, review what actually worked:

  • Total properties gained vs lost

  • Top-performing lead sources

  • Conversion rates from enquiry to signed management

  • Referral activity

  • Marketing ROI

This review highlights what to scale — and what to stop doing.

2. Set Clear Growth Targets

Define specific goals for:

  • Net rent roll growth

  • Monthly appraisals booked

  • Managements signed

  • Referral targets

  • Marketing output (content, campaigns, reviews)

Clear numbers create focus and accountability.

3. Refresh Your Messaging

Landlords’ priorities change every year. Update:

  • Website copy

  • Social media bio and pinned posts

  • Google Business Profile description

  • Email signatures

Your messaging should clearly communicate your value, expertise, and point of difference.

Month 2: February — Activate and Build Momentum

February is where consistent action begins.

4. Strengthen Your Online Presence

Most landlords research before reaching out. Ensure:

  • Google Business Profile is optimised and active

  • Recent Google Reviews are visible

  • Social media content is consistent and valuable

  • Website landing pages clearly capture enquiries

Visibility equals credibility.

5. Implement a Weekly BDM Rhythm

Consistency beats bursts of activity.

A strong weekly rhythm includes:

  • Prospecting and follow-ups

  • Appraisal appointments

  • Content creation

  • Networking and referrals

  • Reporting and review

Time-block these activities to avoid distractions.

6. Reignite Your Referral Network

Referrals are one of the highest-converting lead sources.

Reconnect with:

  • Sales agents

  • Mortgage brokers

  • Accountants

  • Developers

  • Past clients

February is ideal for relationship-driven growth.

Month 3: March — Optimise, Convert, and Scale

March is about refinement and results.

7. Review Lead Conversion and Follow-Up

Track:

  • Time to first contact

  • Follow-up consistency

  • Appraisal-to-sign rate

  • Drop-off points

Small improvements here can dramatically increase results.

8. Double Down on What’s Working

By now, patterns will be clear.
Scale:

  • Your strongest marketing channels

  • Your most effective messaging

  • Your best-performing referral sources

Stop spreading effort across low-return activities.

9. Prepare for Sustainable Growth

Growth without systems leads to burnout.

Ensure:

  • Onboarding workflows are documented

  • CRM and lead tracking are clean

  • Communication templates are in place

  • Team responsibilities are clear

Strong systems protect both growth and service quality.

The first 90 days of 2026 are your foundation. With clear goals, consistent action, and regular review, you can create momentum that carries through the entire year.

Business development success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing the right things, consistently, from day one.

Ready to build a clear, structured growth plan for 2026?

Book a consultation and let’s map out your business development strategy, systems, and

Lauren Robinson