Source: Appfolio
By Sydney Daly-Weber
Being a property manager is very demanding. Owners, tenants, maintenance technicians, coworkers … someone is always trying to get a hold of you. You also need to possess many different skills to balance your everyday tasks and responsibilities. But being a property manager can also be very rewarding if you don’t let the stress consume you.
Tip #1: Know Your Properties Inside and Out
It’s important to be knowledgeable about each specific property you manage in order to answer any questions potential renters may ask.
Get to know the property to learn about any unique qualities or quirks it has. This helps you provide more information to renters, shows you have actually set foot on the premises, and saves you time by not having to look it up each time.
Knowing about the general area is helpful, as well. This allows you to provide prospective clients with information such as nearby freeway access, shopping centers, restaurants, etc., which in return helps them decide if it’s somewhere they would like to live. Try to avoid more sensitive subjects such as crime rates, school districts, churches, and racial population in the area. Providing information on these topics would be considered illegal steering.
People interested in renting in the area need to do their own research in order to make the best decision for themselves. But knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have in regards to each specific property, the more success you will have when it comes to renting the property and therefore maintaining a good relationship with the owner and/or renter.
Tip #2: Be Dependable and Available
Being a dependable person is extremely beneficial to being a successful property manager.
It’s important to respond to phone calls and e-mails in a timely manner. If you are managing numerous properties you will be very busy, but being available when owners and/or tenants need to speak with you is essential. This builds trust within your business relationship and makes your client feel confident that they can rely on you.
You certainly have a life outside of work. There is no need to give out your personal cell phone number. As long as they have your e-mail address and you try to keep yourself available as much as possible during regular business hours, that is enough.
Time management and organization are also a huge part of being dependable. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Make sure you schedule meetings accordingly in order to meet your clients’ needs.
Lastly, a great quality to possess is people skills. You will be working with numerous people and it’s your job to keep them satisfied. Inevitably, you will encounter some unhappy folks. Try your best to give them a positive customer service experience.
