Property Manager – Studio City – Residential and Commercial Property Management

What Makes a Great  Property Manager

 by Reynolds Bickerstaff

what does it take to be the best property management company?
Do you think you have what it takes to be a property manager? Most jobs require people to have a certain set of skills and characteristics in order to be successful, and property management is no exception. So what are the best traits of a property manager?

The Houston Chronicle and Netintegrity, a leading developer of integrated property and maintenance management software, list several important traits that property managers should possess:

Communication Skills
A property manager must have excellent communication skills. Landlords and Tenants must be able to reach the property manager for emergency and non-emergency related issues. Keeping the lines of communication open can be challenging when the phones are ringing, the email inbox is full, and customers are standing at the counter. This environment is stressful and the property manager must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Knowledgeable
Property managers are responsible for creating revenue and managing expenses, so it’s essential for them to have solid financial skills. While a degree is not required, having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance or accounting can be advantageous. Taking courses in accounting, business and real estate will provide the necessary tools to be successful.

Managing certain types of property may require a certification, such as a public housing unit subsidized with federal dollars. The Institute of Real Estate Management is one organization that offers certificates and accreditation programs. Property managers should also stay informed on the State laws related to property ownership, landlords/tenants and Fair Housing, and other real estate related regulations.

Property managers might also find it beneficial to learn from those who are already experienced in the field. For instance, new property managers could offer to assist a veteran in the industry, and in return gain knowledge of best practices and what it takes to be successful. Previous experience in the real estate industry as a sales agent or broker is also helpful.

People Skills
The ability to work well with people is one of the most important qualities of a good property manager. A property manager must have a friendly, positive attitude and excellent customer service skills to build relationships with new and existing clients and tenants. They must be patient, reasonably tolerant and have the temperament to handle problems and respond to complaints and service requests in a positive and rationale manner.

Turning a negative into a positive requires great people skills. If people feel they can trust a property manager and have their concerns addressed, they will leave happier and are more likely to become long-term clients. It’s also important to be a good negotiator, which is beneficial when dealing with angry tenants or a landlord who is unwilling to make improvements to their property.

Professionalism
Property managers must maintain a certain level of professionalism when dealing with employees, tenants, clients, vendors, etc. They must be able to separate their emotions from business decisions and treat everyone impartially. Life isn’t always fair, and the situation or circumstances always change. Doing what’s right, while being firm and friendly, especially when dealing with sensitive business matters, is a daily task. Property managers must be dependable, responsible and remain patient and calm under stress.

Organization
Don’t multitask, prioritize the items on the to do list. Everything needs to be done yesterday and the day will run you if you don’t run the day, especially if they manage multiple properties. Therefore, property managers must be well organized, so they can remain focused and accomplish the most important items on their to-do list.

For instance, a property manager must have contact information for owners, tenants, maintenance staff, contractors and vendors accessible from any device. They must be able to maintain a calendar of due dates for inspections, lease payments, reoccurring work orders, preparing financial statements and other reports for owners and tenants. Turning a property over in a reasonable amount of time will reduce expenses and increase revenue.

Without organization, something important will fall through the cracks. For those who need assistance in this area, technology and tools, such as property management software and mobile devices, can help property managers stay on track.

Detail-oriented
Property managers must pay attention to details in order to protect landlords, tenants and the company. For instance, laws on handicap accessibility and fair housing are constantly changing, so they must stay current on amendments to federal or state laws and local building codes and ordinances. Safety hazards on a property can lead to injuries and lawsuits, so property managers should perform regular inspections to know the condition of their property and immediately alert the owners of needed repairs.

In a previous article, Why Landlords Should Hire Property Management Companies, we provided some excellent reasons why hiring a property management company is beneficial. Following our advice about the advantages of property managers from that article and the current post can put you on track to running your property more easily, efficiently and with less stress.

From: http://www.waddellrealtyco.com/

Carnahan Property Management Services Woodland Hills,West Hills,Bell Canyon, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, WestLake Village, Agoura, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500