The labor behind real estate
By : J. David Chapman/September 4, 2025
Labor Day weekend is meant to honor the contributions of America’s workforce. For many, it’s a time for rest—parades, cookouts, and one last trip to the lake before summer fades and the boat covers come on for winter. But for those of us in property management, holidays often mean something different. They’re the rare moments when businesses shut down and our crews can finally get into spaces to perform repairs and maintenance without disrupting tenants or customers.
That’s where I find myself this weekend in Edmond—monitoring several projects while my team works through the holiday. They are accustomed to it, but I know the sacrifice it takes. Their families give up time together, too, and I pray for their patience and understanding. Property management is not just a business of bricks and mortar; it is a business built on the dedication of people willing to work when others rest.
This summer has tested that dedication. Record rainfall, often falling in short bursts, has pushed our systems to the brink. Gutters, drains, and foundations can only handle so much, and every heavy storm seems to leave its mark. For property owners, this is the other side of real estate investment. The glossy brochures and income projections rarely show the water seeping into basements, the roof leaks discovered after a downpour, or the parking lots that need patching before the next tenant moves in.
That is why I remind would-be investors: real estate is rarely a passive investment. Yes, it can be lucrative. It can build long-term wealth and provide stability in uncertain markets. But it also demands time, attention, and a willingness to get your hands dirty—or to employ a team that will. From HVAC units that fail on the hottest day of the year to plumbing backups that arrive at the least convenient moment, property ownership requires more than a checkbook.
So, as we celebrate Labor Day, I think about the men and women working alongside me this weekend. Their labor keeps buildings standing, tenants satisfied, and investments protected. It is a reminder that behind every successful piece of real estate is not just a good location or financing strategy, it’s the labor of people who show up, even on a holiday.
J. David Chapman, Ph.D., is chair of finance & professor real estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).