Property Management Ideas

[Calvin Ozanick]

I am curious about any tips for property management. I live and work in southern Wisconsin and have just been hired as a property manager. If you have any tips or ideas about how to be more successful and create a great product we can offer to our management clients I would be very interested to hear them! Thanks in advance!

[Nathan Gesner]

@Calvin Ozanick I'm sorry but that's a pretty generic question and difficult to answer.

You've been hired so I assume you are working for a property management company. Here are some thoughts:

1. Learn their processes inside and out. If the boss says, "Don't accept credit scores under 600" then you should abide by that but also strive to learn "why" that requirement exists. 

2. Know the law. If your boss tells you to reject applications from single moms, you better know whether that's OK or not. Understand what you can do within the confines of the legal system because it will protect you when things go south.

3. Learn to be a negotiator. New problems pop up all the time. People will expect you to resolve the situation or negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.

4. Be consistent while avoiding repetitious tasks. For example, someone emails you and asks what your application process is. You can spend 5 - 10 minutes typing a response or you can cut/paste a prepared response in less than 30 seconds. Property Managers are most successful when they learn to be efficient with their resources.

That's it. Everything you ever needed to be successful! ;)

Seriously, if you have more questions, I'll be happy to answer them. I currently manage over 300 units and am a member of NARPM where I network with thousands of other managers. If I don't know the answer, I can find it.