How to Get a Job in Property Management: No Experience Necessary!
If you’re trying to find out how to get a job in property management, you’re in luck! This is an exciting and growing industry, and there are plenty of property manager jobs near you available. But what if you don’t have any experience? Don’t worry – we’ll walk you through the process!
We’re going to discuss what a property management job is, what skills you need to succeed, and how to find jobs in this field, experienced or not. We’ll also provide tips for making a great impression during your job search. So read on to learn everything you need to know about how to get a job in property management!
Jobs in the Property Management Industry
You don’t have to be a property manager to work in the property management industry, there are lots of other jobs including business administration, real estate agents, accounting, maintenance, appraisal, and a whole lot more!
Here are some of the most popular jobs for property managers and those looking for an entry level position to get their foot in the door with property management companies:
Community Association Manager
The most common and popular job in property management is the Community Association Manager. This position is responsible for the daily operations of a community association. They handle tasks like: budgeting, financial reporting, enforcing rules and regulations, managing staff, and resolving conflicts between members.
If you’re interested in a career in property management, this is a great place to start!
The salary range for a community association manager ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 per year.
Property Manager
A property manager is responsible for the overall management of a property or properties. They develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the property is well-maintained and operated efficiently. A property manager also develops budgets, manages staff, and handles customer service issues.
To become a property manager, you will need at least a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in property management, consider completing an internship with a property management company. This will give you the chance to learn about the industry and gain experience in the field. Property managers must have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
The salary range for a property manager is $40,000 to $60,000 per year.
Assistant Property Manager
An assistant property manager provides support to the property manager. They may be responsible for tasks like: showing units to potential tenants, handling maintenance requests, preparing lease agreements, and collecting rent payments.
The salary range for an assistant property manager is $30,000 to $40,000 per year.
Commercial Property Manager
Commercial property managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of office buildings, retail centers, or industrial parks. They may be responsible for tasks like: developing marketing plans, overseeing construction projects, negotiating leases, and managing finances.
The salary range for a commercial property manager is $50,000 to $100,000 per year.
Leasing Consultant
Leasing consultants take care of the renting process for apartments, condos, and houses. They may be responsible for tasks like: giving tours of properties, answering questions about the lease agreement, and processing applications.
The salary range for a leasing consultant is $30,000 to $35,000 per year.
On-Site Manager
An on-site manager lives on the property they manage and is responsible for tasks like: maintaining the grounds, handling repairs and maintenance requests, and enforcing rules and regulations.
The salary range for an on-site manager is $25,000 to $40,000 per year.
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance supervisors may work in commercial or residential property management, and are responsible for tasks like: coordinating the maintenance staff, handling repairs and maintenance requests, and maintaining records of preventive maintenance.
The average maintenance supervisor earns an annual average salary of $55,000 per year.
Maintenance Worker
Another plus for property managers is having some maintenance experience. Maintaining rental properties can be a lot of work but paying contractors for one-off jobs can add up quickly and make the property owner lose money, so it’s important that property managers have some knowledge in this area. If you’re not experienced in maintenance, think about how you can learn more or what kind of resources you can access to help you out.
Many a successful property manager hire maintenance workers to take care of the day-to-day tasks, and it’s another great way to get your foot in the door to a property management career. Many property managers promote from within, so if you start out as a maintenance worker and do a good job, there’s a chance you could be promoted to property manager eventually.
Working in maintenance for property managers, you can expect to earn an annual salary of between $25,000 and $40,000. Of course, this varies based on experience, the size of the property or how many properties you’re working on, and other factors.
Property Accountant
Accountants keep track of the books and ensure that all the financial transactions are up to date and compliant with the law. You don’t need a degree in accounting to become a property accountant, but you will need some experience working with numbers and bookkeeping. Many property managers promote from within, so if you start out as an assistant property manager or leasing agent, there’s a chance you could be promoted to property accountant eventually.
Working as a property accountant, you can expect to earn an annual salary of between $30,000 and $50,000. Of course, this varies based on experience, the size of the company or how many properties you’re working on, and other factors.
Property Appraiser or Assessor
A good property manager is always looking for ways to increase the value of the property or properties they manage. If you’re interested in working with numbers and have an eye for detail, a job as a property appraiser or assessor could be a good fit for you.
To become a property appraiser or assessor, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree. You’ll also need to complete on-the-job training, which typically lasts about two years. After that, you can expect to earn an annual salary of $40,000 to $60,000.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent performs many of the same duties as a leasing consultant, but they also help their clients buy and sell property. The salary for a real estate agent is usually commission-based, so how much you make depends on how many properties you sell.
Many people get their first property manager job while working as a real estate agent, and dealing with property owners who decide they want to become landlords.
Real estate students can take real estate courses online and get a real estate license quickly and easily. It only takes about 2-4 months for the average person to get their real estate license, and you only need a GED or high school diploma first. It only takes a little more effort to get your real estate broker’s license, making this an easy career to get into for many people.
If you want to do just property management, and not get your real estate license, you can become a property manager through on the job training through a property management job. You will likely start out in maintenance or as an assistant property manager, or working in customer service for a property management company, and then be promoted to property manager once you have proven yourself.
Customer Service
Most people who become property managers have at least some experience in customer service, as the job is largely about serving tenants and keeping them happy. If you don’t have any customer service experience, think about how you can get some – through a part-time job, volunteering, or even just interacting with people in your everyday life.
Property Management Jobs Near You:
Skills You Need to Succeed as a Property Manager
Most companies seek out job applicants with vocational real estate training, a real estate salesperson’s license, or previous experience in property management jobs.
While property management may seem like it would be all about showing apartments and collecting rent, there’s actually a lot more to it. Good property managers are organized and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills. They’re also excellent communicators, both in writing and in person, as they’ll need to interact with tenants, owners, vendors, and employees on a daily basis.
Real Estate Management
Property managers need to have a strong understanding of real estate law, as they will be responsible for enforcing leases and rental agreements. If you don’t have any experience in this area, consider taking a course or two on real estate law.
Marketing
A big part of being a property manager is marketing the property to potential tenants. You’ll need to be able to write effective ads and use social media to reach your target audience. If you don’t have any experience with marketing, there are plenty of online resources that can teach you the basics from reading property manager blogs to frequenting real estate finance websites with articles on the property management field.
Organizational Skills
As a property manager, you’ll be responsible for keeping track of maintenance requests, rent payments, and other important paperwork. It’s important that you have strong organizational skills and are able to stay on top of all the different tasks you’ll be managing. If you don’t have much experience with organization, there are a few things you can do to improve your skills.
One way to get better at organization is to create a system for how you handle paperwork and requests. For example, you might want to create a spreadsheet where you track all of the different tasks you need to complete. This will help you keep everything in one place and ensure that nothing gets lost. You can also try using a planner to keep track of important deadlines and appointments.
Another way to improve your organizational skills is to develop better time management skills. This means learning how to prioritize tasks and multi-task to meet deadlines and goals. One way to do this is to create a daily or weekly schedule of what needs to be done and when. This can help you stay on track and make sure that nothing gets forgotten. Another tip is to break up larger tasks into smaller ones so that they are less daunting and more manageable.
Communication Skills
A master property manager needs to be able to communicate well. This means being able to clearly and concisely convey information verbally and in writing. It also means being a good listener so that you can understand the needs and concerns of your tenants, employees, and superiors.
Drive or Passion
The best property managers keep up with industry trends to know how to manage properties better, what future services will be available in the rental industry, and how to make a rental property more attractive to potential tenants. This requires you to be proactive and have a genuine interest in the rental industry and in finding prospective renters for your rental properties.
Recommended Specialized Certifications
While specialized certifications are not required to get a job in the property management industry, if you complete specific education requirements or get the proper certifications you will usually make more money than other job applicants.
Accredited Residential Manager
It only takes about 2-3 months to complete this course and receive your certification, and immediately translates to higher pay. Accredited residential managers are qualified to manage all types of residential properties, from small rental homes to large-scale developments, and earn an annual average salary of $60,000 to 70,000 per year.
Certified Property Manager
While having a specialized certification is not required to become a property manager, it will give you an edge over the competition and demonstrate to potential employers that you are serious about your career. Becoming a certified property manager requires you to pass an exam administered by the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Certified Residential Manager
The Certified Residential Manager credential is administered by the National Association of Residential Property Managers and requires you to have at least three years of experience as a property manager. In order to maintain your certification, you must complete continuing education courses on an annual basis.
Certified Apartment Manager
If you’re serious about a career in property management, you may want to consider getting certified as an apartment manager. The National Apartment Association’s Certified Apartment Manager (NAA CAM) program is the most widely recognized certification for apartment managers, and it can give you a leg up when applying for jobs.
Other Ideas
If you think you have what it takes to succeed as a property manager but don’t have any experience in the field, start working on developing these essential skills.
It’s also a good idea to join professional organizations like the NAA and your local apartment association, as they can provide networking opportunities and job listings.
Finding Jobs at a Property Management Company
If you’re looking for property management jobs, you’re already in the right place! Finding Careers works with hiring companies to provide thousands of job listings from property managers to real estate development and more.
When searching for property management jobs, be sure to include relevant keywords in your search, such as “property manager,” “property management,” or “real estate.”
In addition to checking job listings regularly here at Finding Careers and other online career resources, be sure to sign up for our job alerts and we’ll let you know when new property management jobs are posted that match your skills and interests as new jobs are posted.