Starting a Career in Property Management

What does a land-based property management company actually do? Land-based property managers manage all aspects of the rental of commercial buildings, apartments, condo units, single family residences and even retail spaces. They can oversee multiple units or just a single property, whether they are vacation rentals or occupied full-time.

In addition to their wide range of duties, professional property managers have to be qualified and experienced to qualify for the job. The real estate industry is a competitive environment and there is competition to be hired by a major property management firm. Real estate managers need to show potential landlords that they can provide reliable, timely service. Those who are interested in a career as a property manager should do some research on their options and find out what courses they need to take to qualify for the job.

Many real estate companies require property managers to get a degree, certificate or licensing. Those who want to pursue a career as a property manager may want to start looking into the state’s real estate department website, which lists course requirements for many programs. It may also give students advice about how to qualify for a state licensing exam.

Once a property manager has completed the required training and education, it’s time to start applying for positions with real estate companies. If you have experience managing rental properties, this is an excellent opportunity to gain the skills you need to pursue a career in the real estate business. Asking friends or relatives about their professional experiences with real estate companies is a good way to get started.

Those who decide to move forward with a career in the real estate field can do their own homework by looking online for real estate information and websites to learn more about their options. Some websites offer online applications for real estate jobs. This allows property managers to work from home and continue to work on their career until they find the job that suits them.

When looking at job offers for real estate jobs, employers will want to see any previous property management experience as well as the amount of experience in managing commercial properties. They will also ask about previous educational credentials and references. To be successful in the business, a real estate manager will have to be a person with great communication and people skills.

If a land-based real estate company is interested in hiring you to manage one of their properties or wants to hire you as a part-time employee, you may want to consider looking into getting a degree, certificate or licensing to become a real estate manager. Real estate degrees and certificates generally take between three and five years to complete.

Another option is to complete an online real estate internship. Internships are usually part time and are designed to teach students how to perform tasks in the business and what is expected of a real estate manager. By completing an internship and getting experience working with real estate property managers, it may be possible to secure a full time position as a real estate manager. It’s a good idea to keep on top of your education and certifications, especially in these difficult economic times when the economy is challenging.

In order to get into the field of real estate, one must complete a state exam and pass an examination by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). After successfully completing the state exam and passing the exam by the NAR, one has to be certified by the state to manage real estate properties. Those who want to work in the field but who are not licensed must enroll in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program which usually takes about a year to complete and will help prepare one to work in the business for at an appropriate level.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in real estate, it’s a good idea to check out some real estate books, websites and resources. One of the best ways to learn more about the business is to attend seminars and workshops sponsored by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which is held nationwide every two or three years. Seminars and workshops on real estate marketing, management and investment can help to provide information on a wide variety of real estate topics.

If you are interested in becoming a real estate manager or if you have already worked in the industry for a while and would like to make a change and try something new, it’s important to remember to have a positive attitude and the willingness to learn. Property management is a very competitive field and if you are willing to learn, you will be in good shape for a long career.