About Us — HomeNest

We started with a simple belief: every property owner deserves peace of mind, and every tenant deserves a home they love. — Rachel & Thomas Hartwell, Founders

🏆 Founded in 2009

Our Story

HomeNest was born from a personal frustration. Our founders, Rachel and Thomas Hartwell, watched friends and family struggle with the complexities of rental property management — from late-night maintenance calls to inconsistent tenant quality.

In 2009, they decided to build a better way. Starting with just 12 properties in Austin, Texas, HomeNest has grown into a full-service property management company trusted by thousands of property owners across 12 cities nationwide.

Today, we manage over 2,500 rental units and continue to set the standard for professionalism, transparency, and tenant satisfaction in the industry.

🏢 2,500+ Units Managed

🏆 15+ Years of Service

🌍 12 Cities Nationwide

⭐ 4.9/5 Client Rating

What Drives Us

Mission, Vision & Core Values

The principles that guide every decision we make and every property we manage.

🎯

Our Mission

To empower property owners by delivering exceptional rental management services that maximize returns while creating happy, long-term tenants. We make property management effortless so you can enjoy the rewards.

🔭

Our Vision

To become the most trusted and innovative property management company in America — setting the gold standard for transparency, technology, and tenant care across the entire industry.

💎

Our Values

Integrity in every transaction, innovation in every process, and compassion in every relationship. We believe that great property management is built on trust, communication, and consistent delivery.

Core Values

The Principles That Define Us

These values aren't just words on a wall — they're the foundation of everything we do.

🤝

Radical Transparency

No hidden fees, no surprises. Our clients always know exactly what's happening with their properties and finances through our real-time online portal.

🚀

Innovation First

We leverage cutting-edge technology — from AI-powered tenant screening to predictive maintenance — to deliver superior results for every property in our portfolio.

❤️

People Over Profit

While financial results matter, we believe happy tenants and satisfied owners create lasting value. Every decision we make puts people first.

🌱

Sustainable Growth

We grow responsibly, ensuring quality never suffers as we scale. Every new property we take on receives the same level of care as our first.

🏆

50+ Awards

Industry recognition

🌟

4.9 Stars

Average rating

📈

98% Occupancy

Portfolio average

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<2hr Response

Avg. reply time

Our Journey

Key Milestones

From a small Austin startup to a national leader — here's how we got here.

2009

🏠 The Beginning

Rachel and Thomas Hartwell launch HomeNest in Austin, TX with just 12 managed properties and a bold vision.

2012

📊 First Major Milestone

Surpassed 200 managed properties and launched our proprietary online management portal for clients.

2015

🗺️ Regional Expansion

Expanded to 5 Texas cities and was named "Best Property Management Company" by Austin Business Journal.

2018

🚀 National Growth

Expanded beyond Texas to Florida, California, and New York. Managed portfolio crossed 1,000 units.

2021

💻 Digital Transformation

Launched AI-powered tenant screening and predictive maintenance tools. Portfolio exceeded 2,000 units.

2025

🌟 Today & Beyond

Managing 2,500+ properties across 12 cities with a 98% occupancy rate and 4.9/5 client satisfaction.

Our Leaders

Meet the Team Behind HomeNest

The dedicated professionals who make sure every property runs like clockwork.

👩‍💼

Rachel Hartwell

Co-Founder & CEO

With 20+ years in real estate, Rachel brings visionary leadership and deep industry expertise to every decision.

👨‍💼

Thomas Hartwell

Co-Founder & COO

A former construction engineer, Thomas ensures every operational process runs efficiently and flawlessly.

👩‍💻

Maria Chen

VP of Operations

Maria leads our property management teams, bringing 15 years of operational excellence and tenant satisfaction.

👨‍💻

David Okafor

CTO & Innovation Lead

David drives our tech-forward approach, building innovative platforms that revolutionize property management.

Our Culture

What It's Like to Work Here

HomeNest isn't just a company — it's a community of passionate professionals who love what they do.

🎓

Continuous Learning

Every team member receives annual training budgets, conference access, and mentorship programs to grow their careers.

🤝

Collaborative Spirit

We work as one team — open communication, shared goals, and mutual support define how we operate every day.

🌍

Community Impact

We donate 2% of revenue to local housing initiatives and host quarterly community cleanup events in every city we serve.

💡

Innovation Culture

Every employee can submit ideas for improvement. We've implemented over 200 employee-suggested innovations.

⚖️

Work-Life Harmony

Flexible schedules, remote options, and generous PTO because we believe happy employees create happy tenants.

🏆

Recognition & Growth

Monthly awards, clear promotion paths, and profit-sharing programs that reward hard work and dedication.

Building Trust One Home at a Time