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A Word to NEWBIE Property Managers.....

By
Property Manager with Gibson Management Group, Ltd.

In these days of "multi-tasking" and providing "service above and beyond", let's not forget that PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is a specialty that requires expertise and education above and beyond general brokerage sales training.

 

It it not just pulling a few sheets from the lease pad in the front desk or getting sign-on authorization from your real estate forms provider, writing a lease, even just filling in the blanks, should be done with direction...from your broker, attorney or client under supervision of your broker.

 

If your property owner from your unsold listing has moved out of state and wants you to "manage" his home until it can be put back on the sales market, you need a property management agreement as your listing agreement is a one-time employment agreement with a  short end date.

 

A property management agreement should be for a minimum of 1 year and possible 2 years so that you and your client can ride out any local market obstacles from the prior attempt to sell the property.

 

At this point, find a local property management group (NARPM.org has chapters in most major cities and most states) and there are various trade associations like your local and state Realtor associations as well as community colleges and investor groups who provide landlord-tenant and property management courses.

 

There are also numerous Fb groups regarding property management; however, be careful that they are not "fronts" for property management vendors who want to sell you seminars, training, franchises and convention seats.

 

If you know a local property manager, take them to lunch and pick their brain....ask about the landlord-tenant attorney they use, property management software (client accounting) and how they get their service vendors.  Pay for lunch and ask them if you can call or e-mail them if you have any questions.

 

.....then you will be on the right path to becoming a Property Manager.

Posted by

Wallace S. Gibson is a Certified Property Manager with over 50 years of property management experience and expertise.  She maintains a specialized property management business in Central Virginia serving Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna and Louisa counties  

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Comments(4)

Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Wallace, I was just having a conversation with a broker over the weekend about property management, and it is her "bread & butter".   Great post.

Dec 30, 2019 07:18 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

...it certainly can be, but not without knowledge and continued training...well worth the effort

Dec 30, 2019 07:52 AM
Jim Smith
The Property Management Company - Round Rock, TX
Broker,CRS,GRI,RMP,CNE,TRLP

Nicely stated!  So many Brokers and Agents assume property management, and even leasing, is a simple task.  It has taken us over 30 years to become an overnight success within this niche, and it should never be approached lightly. Best Practice: Agents should discuss potential management with their Brokers prior to entering in to any management arrangement.  There are far too many things that must be considered to address in this response.  However, as you stated, seek education from the professional Associations (NARPM) to avoid so many of the pitfalls that are possible.

Dec 31, 2019 07:28 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I had heard somewhere that was now a National Franchise for Property Mngmt 

companies -  All County Property Management.    ???

Oct 19, 2020 09:30 AM