Include rental property ownership on resume?

Question

My goal is to get a commercial real estate job. I currently own 2 rental properties. Should I somehow include that on my resume? If so, what is the best way?

James R. · Answer

Alex,

I agree with Leon's comments.  I went to an interview and was asked (my 10 yrs. rental property experience isn't on my resume, because my 'regular job' is in a different field) what I am doing to keep busy while looking for a job.  I said that I self-manage my own rental properties and that just opened a can of worms detailed by Leon's post above.

Needless to say I did not get the job and I believe because employers want to know how "hungry" you are literally, which translates to "How desperate are you for this job?"  If you own and manage your own properties, you are considered not that desperate, because you can always fall back on your rentals for a job and cash flow, given you are getting some, which if you are in the business, you better be.

If you are applying for a property manager job, then create a entirely different resume that details all of your rental, property management, problem-solving etc. per Sue Kelly above.

My 2 cents.

Account Closed · Answer

I think it would be great to include it on your resume.  Put it under experience in your chronological section - 2000 - present (or whatever) Owner/manager of 2 rental properties: manage tenant relations, negotiated sale, etc.

If you do bullet points, you can include something like: experience buying and managing rental properties.

I'd think this would be invaluable, as you have real-life experience in not only purchasing, but managing properties and tenants.

Congrats on attaining such great experience!

James R. · Answer

P.S. Without direct commercial RE experience, I would do some serious networking with those who do have it to make connections, if you want to break into that area.

Leon D. · Answer

What sort of "commercial real estate job"?

I would advise against putting it on a resume:

1) What relevance would it have? How does owning two (small, I'm supposing) rentals qualify you for the job? What does it necessarily show, other than at one point you were able to talk to an agent and sign a contract? I use soap when I shower, and occasionally eat cereal for breakfast: that doesn't mean I'm qualified for a job at a CPG company like Kraft, Proctor & Gamble, or Kellogg's.

2) Following on 1), by listing it you make it fair game for the employer to poke around. Be prepared to answer questions like, What are the properties worth? What's the rent? How did you buy them? Do you have partners? Will owning these properties distract you from the job, if we hire you, and how can you guarantee that it wouldn't? How do we know you're not going to use our resources to only to further your own interests?

Even if they don't ask, they're going to think it.

3) That said, it could make sense to do so if you have nothing else, like the way so many people stupidly put an objective statement at the top, and knowledge of "MS Word" and "email" on their resumes.

For the hiring company, the presumption is always that the candidate thinks they're qualified for the job, why else would they apply for it, other that to waste my time? Your job as a candidate is to overcome and eliminate any doubts, not to raise more. If it makes sense during the interview to bring it up, don't be afraid to do so; but I'd recommend not leading with it.

David Avetisyan · Answer

Couldn't comment on whether it's a good idea, or not.

But if you decide to use it, list it under work experience as: Property Manager.

If you have an LLC or a business name, it would give it more legitimacy.

Good luck!

Include rental property ownership on resume?

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