To be the best...

What are the top 3 traits or skills every property manager must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your property manager expertise?

1. Must be organized and able to multi-task
2. Must get along well with many different personalities
3. Must be great at problem-solving

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every property manager must have to excel?
Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your property manager expertise?

Yes must be very professional, good computer skills along with great grammar.

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every property manager must have to excel?
1. The property manager should inherently love people and desire to help make their lives better.
2. The manager needs higher education to develop critical analysis skills in addition to the skill set for property management.
3. Imagination, vision, and compassion are critical to real success.

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your property manager expertise?

Never assume you know it all.
Never pass up an opportunity to take a class.
If it stops being fun, make small changes.
Flexibility is the key to being happy.

in condo management
Know your product
know the statutes and administrative codes
know contracting
Know mechanical systems
be part babysitter, part shrink and part ego player
you will do well

Reina in Rancho Cucamonga, CA said: 1. Must be organized and able to multi-task
2. Must get along well with many different personalities
3. Must be great at problem-solving

Crap ! I am well versed in real estate, financing,and hold a DRE license for the state, as welll as a BA degree, and computer literate. I am proffessional, clean cut, and despite interviewing with CBRE, and C&W, two large commercial companies, I can't seem to get to first base. What's the secret ? Bribery ?

Re: What's the secret? Bribery?

I would imagine that would work for some Management Co.s but you would probably not want to work for them anyway. I have many years experience in PM and have found finding a new position very difficult myself. I can only say that I think so many people in 'the business' are defensive, insecure, and are lacking in basic trust towards people in general. I also get the feeling that (more than other industries)there is a strong need to 'like' you. That's my take on it anyway. You'll just need to sift through all those people to find the right one.

hmmmmmmm

I have been in property management since 1981. I was groomed by the BEST and took my first property one year later. I am not mid 50s and have been working as a property manager for my career with a 3 year out of the business break. The property I am on now I have 12 years. I have sent a very direct and appropriate resume outlining my career accomplishments and guess what...out of about 30 resumes sent...how many responses have I received? ZERO.....which I know they do not know ME..they just know what is on the paper. OR is that they see I have many years of experience? Somebody pleaseee tell me why I have yet to even get a nibble? The reason why I would like a change ...more money!! Thank you...

Jena said: hmmmmmmm

I have been in property management since 1981. I was groomed by the BEST and took my first property one year later. I am not mid 50s and have been working as a property manager for my career with a 3 year out of the business break. The property I am on now I have 12 years. I have sent a very direct and appropriate resume outlining my career accomplishments and guess what...out of about 30 resumes sent...how many responses have I received? ZERO.....which I know they do not know ME..they just know what is on the paper. OR is that they see I have many years of experience? Somebody pleaseee tell me why I have yet to even get a nibble? The reason why I would like a change ...more money!! Thank you...

CORRECTION...I am NOW in my mid 50s but started working as a property manager when I was 29. Would love to hear some comments on the age handicap. Thank God I have the job I have...I am beginning to think.

Right on!! Age is a big factor. I was told you are more then qualified for this position. The word "but" was seen in their eyes. I have put in lots of resume and only one emailed me saying thank you no thank you. Also got, "I'll get we will call you next week", no calls. I've even filled out forms and was told "will call you Friday", that was two weeks ago. I followed up several interviews with an email thanking the company for the interview or you told me you were going to call but didn't - job still open? type of emails. Age is a big factor and don't let any one kid you it doesn't exsist, it does!

I have been in PM for about 6 years, am young and have had only a hand full of phone calls about my resume. Anyone sending them out remember most companies are at "Year end" and they are trying to save the salary... At least this is what I am telling myself. Why is our buisness such cut throat?!?!? I am not what we call a good interview, if I interview myself I would laugh when I left... However, I am results driven.. I just can't get that across to people!

I wish you all the best of luck! I'm in such a slump, we hold a job like cops... We are either medicated, alcholics or both! (At least here in VA)

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every property manager must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your property manager expertise?

1. Be patient
2. Be diverse
3. Always be Positive

Hi Kelly, It's hard being a PM. We are out in all kinds of weather (rain here in Florida). Have to put up with resident abuse (don't let anyone tell you residents do not abuse PM's) and get low pay. Young or old it's a tough job and one hard to find but age is a big factor in this field. Good luck in 2008! TO DON and TY get a life.

Hey guys, I am well over 50 and I have gotten solid interviews and a couple of offers which I declined [ location 50 miles one way into Miami, means nothing to outsiders of SE FLORIDA but those that know would agree.]
To the unemployed Property manager in West Palm
go to www.condospecialties.biz and try there I got a solid lead and I will be going on my third interview next week.
That goes for all here it is an international site.
Good luck to all
Jenna my count on resumes to date till I hit Condospecialties was 1207, with CS I got the first interview on the first try.
excellent position and very nice salary with a solid bonus

Dragon - I'm too old according to the looks on interviewers faces. Plus, I'm newly licensed. No company wants a new PM. They want 5 to 10 yrs. experience. I was an assistant PM which was fine with me but the job didn't work out. I tried the website you mentioned and if you really read each one they relly want experienced PM's. Leaves me out since I was ONLY an assistant for a year. Yes, I agree we are spat on (yes did really happen). I sent several violation letters and had to take being cussed at, yelled at and even had a resident poke their finger on my nose and cussed me out, slammed their fists on my desk. They didn't realize they had to follow the docs and county code. Oh well, my nose is ok and the person had to say "sorry". Do people realize what a PM has to go through? I think nooooooooottttt

I've interview w/ Property Mgt. companies. I have past experiece of 6 years from many years ago. My more recent salary earnings are an issue. It's obvious that my most recent 10 + years industry will/would have paid much more.

They hired a 26 year old cute female.

Jena said: hmmmmmmm

I have been in property management since 1981. I was groomed by the BEST and took my first property one year later. I am not mid 50s and have been working as a property manager for my career with a 3 year out of the business break. The property I am on now I have 12 years. I have sent a very direct and appropriate resume outlining my career accomplishments and guess what...out of about 30 resumes sent...how many responses have I received? ZERO.....which I know they do not know ME..they just know what is on the paper. OR is that they see I have many years of experience? Somebody pleaseee tell me why I have yet to even get a nibble? The reason why I would like a change ...more money!! Thank you...

Are you still young and cute?

Kelly in Fredericksburg, Virginia said: 1. Be patient
2. Be diverse
3. Always be Positive

Get educated in an other related field. You have to load your resume' with continued education in various business areas each year you get older!
It might give you a leg-up.... still no absolutes though.

Common Sense I was replaced with a 20 something too. Her pay scale was $5.00 less then mine to boot. Guess cheap or young does it! Also, I can go into the healthcare industry (certificates for that) and have applied in that area too. Still no job!

wellllll no, never been "cute"...but I am worthwhile and attractive enough to get a better job.

I am very willing to relocate...any jobs in Frisco TX that you know of that I might get?

I like my current long term job, but I am not appreciated as much as I think I should be....last itty bitty raise was 2002...does that sound good to anyone? I did not think so!! frustrated in property management now.

Common Sense and Mature Experienced in Frisco, Texas said: I've interview w/ Property Mgt. companies. I have past experiece of 6 years from many years ago. My more recent salary earnings are an issue. It's obvious that my most recent 10 + years industry will/would have paid much more.

They hired a 26 year old cute female.

I think that PM Is turning into a "looker" job... My last company I was with had the most beautiful men and woman working for them! I think we need to do what the writters did and go on strike. I work hard, I give all these companies what they want, MONEY, OCCUPANCY, and COLLECTED Rent and have awards to back me.. still no job.. I just don't understand... I"m good at what I do, and I am sure ALL of you are as well.. I think we just don't talk the part, and those people on the "Phone" who are pre-qualifying us to go in front of the ones that count, should go on site as part of their job. I'll tell you the issue... The recruiters, they are holding me back. I don't speak well on the phone, and I get nervous.. Then the those people on the other end, they have a degree.. but in what HR?!?! How does that make them qualified to pick us, because they have job description sitting in front of them? Seriously!

Kelly, I use to get nervous on the phone also so you are not alone. Best thing to do is practice talking on the phone. Just pick it up (hold down the button so you aren't actually calling anyone) and have a script in front of you. "Hello, my name is Kelly, I am applying for the position of etc." Might help you a little. Like they say practice makes perfect. HR is not knowlegeable in any particular field. They are just that HR people going over what is familiar to them. I found that if I talk directly to a supervisor/manager of the department, property manager you get better results.Ask to talk to the person in charge of the department. It's hard to by-pass HR but give it a shot. Good Luck

Thanks.. I have plenty of practice.. LOL.. had plenty of those phone interviews... I'm not saying those HR people are bad, although today I have a phone interview with a real PM person via phone so I'm excited about that.. Maybe it will lead to something.. Here's a list of websites that I use if you haven't found them yet..

pmjobs.com
apartmentcareers.com
apartmentjobz.com or apartmentjobz.com
obviously indeed.com

I also google the heck out of property manager jobs all the time and use my big newspaper as well (Washington Post)... OH and I use the apartment book to find the local apartment management companies in the area to look up their websites to see if they have jobs that I don't know about.

Try using Rent.com or apartments.com as your source, they list the managment companies online and you can google to find their websites... Good luck to you!

Thanks for the websites. We can all use them and good luck with the interview. Let us know if you were hired.

No such luck, it was for a small community in DC however.. The man was really nice and it went so smooth... I just followed everyone's advice and thought before I spoke. I think it's our year, we will find our job!

Kelly, Thanks for the update. Yes, we will find something!!

Jena said: wellllll no, never been "cute"...but I am worthwhile and attractive enough to get a better job.

I am very willing to relocate...any jobs in Frisco TX that you know of that I might get?

I like my current long term job, but I am not appreciated as much as I think I should be....last itty bitty raise was 2002...does that sound good to anyone? I did not think so!! frustrated in property management now.

Jenna
Try www.condospecialties.biz I think they have some positions in Frisco, Hope it is not yours.

Kelly
I was so bad I stuttered on interviews, forgot the question and clicked my nails, bit my lip etc... sound familiar.
Then I got smart with the help of an old friend "common sense"
Your on an interview....
You are properly attired, smell reasonably good you did not bath in cologne, you use breath mints, you have extra resumes
and here you are ...
Here is what is really happening:
You are interviewing the company
Why do you want to work there because you need the darn job
You have to take over, what does the company have to offer YOU as the employee, what kind of benefits, education, lifestyle
I tell the employers now: Yes this is an interview as much for me as it is for you, If I do not like what I see or hear I am gone, just like if you do not like what you see and hear I am gone.
In this stage of the interview it is all about me and what I can bring to the table if hired than it is all about you.
So I want a reasonable salary for the job being done
I want decent health benefits
and increases annually
and in return you get 100% of my attention, honesty , solid work ethic, integrity, solid job performance, productivity, loyalty, here till th e job is done but I do have a life which I intend to enjoy. Balanced lifestyle with solid work performance.
What do you have to loose a little time what do you have to gain respect and a job that you really want
You did not have a job when you walked in the door so what if you do not have a job when you walk out
BUT what if you do............

Jenna
Would you be willing for me to critique your resume

That sounds fantastic!!!! I think that my husband and I need to sit and practice that one, even if I don't get an interview it sounds really smart and good! Great advice, I never thought of it that way.

I wonder if I should just take over with the phone interviews with let me tell you a little about me, and list all of my accomplishments. This way I can have them all written down in front of me and check them off one by one. The man I spoke with yesterday said the HR people use a sheet and they have key words to listen for. If I list my accomplishments first i.e awards, certificats, and say what I'm looking for then maybe just maybe they would studder their words?

Thanks for that! I'm excited, now if I could get that phone to ring I would be in great shape!!! You all are fantastic!!! I keep telling myself it's because it was the end of the year, but I guess we shall see how this month goes.

Dragon: thank you for your insight in the interviewing process/mindset. You are absolutely right about putting ourselves eye to eye with the company that we are interviewing. I have attempted the 'I am interviewing the company' approach when I do not like something about the employer yet must seem desperate to employers that I want to work for. The whole show enthusiasm thing is tough to gauge. Too much - you're desperate, too little - you do not really want the job.

Kelly Try Legum and Norman
They were an excellent company when I worked for them years ago, I spent 22 years in the DC area.
Yes get a list and place NOT your achivements and awards but rather key words or phrases like: proactive, take the property to heart, not a clock watcher, team builder, enhance productivity, etc.
On your resume under each position place a separate line item
"Notable Achievements:" This brings attention to your achivements, you generated savings of x % over the previous year, reduced contracts by 100K, saved on over time, increased productivity by 23% and reduced the staffing by one person.

This is from my actual resume:
"""Notable achievements: saved $12,500 on pool repairs, saved $30,000 on tree trimming, saved $4500 on landscape improvements, saved $14800 on landscape contract. Saved $800,000+ on roofing contract. Enforcement of rules and bylaws. Monitoring of repairs and roof installation 18 roofs done in 60 days. Gained an additional $1.2 Million in insurance supplemental.""""

This gives the interviewer something different to ask than the typical candidate.
If you would like me to critique your resume let me know
If I can help let me know

K9
I take a calm flat approach to the position interview, I have the experience, I know the position, I know what is involved so same o same o.
I have the expertise you are seeking, I have the skill levels you need, I know the business in all likely hood better than the interviewer.
I do not show excitement until I know I have an in then I accept it as a challenge and push forward with my hold backs, certifications, understanding of mechanical systems or what ever YOUR specialties are.
So it is not on your resume, this is a common sales tactic
hold the best for last.
Try it next time and see what happens, if they ask for addition skills not on your resume act vague as if it is unimportant.
Watch what happens

Well, what do you do when you haven't done something? What should your response be then? Not all companies are the same, and they all have different terminology (SP). So, there meaning of one word can be completly differnt then what your used to hearing. How can you overcome that?

I had an interview with Buzzuto, and the lady asked if I had any experience with some financial report (Variance), well I have worked with 3 different companies and all 3 companies do thing completly different. Since I have never worked with the "variance" report I wasn't fit for the position.

Kelly, I never heard of a variance report either. Got me on that one. I agree with you that different companies use different terminology for the same thing. That's interesting that they just based your experience on that one key word "variance".

Unemployed Property Manager in West Palm Beach, Florida said: Kelly, I never heard of a variance report either. Got me on that one. I agree with you that different companies use different terminology for the same thing. That's interesting that they just based your experience on that one key word "variance".

Dear Kelly and PM in Palm Beach
The variance report provides an explanation of why the expenditures and income is different each month and varies from the general budget
This could be due to emergency repairs, loss of rental income, move outs, move in's, increase in utility costs, etc..., a variance report is very common in accounting so they were testing your accounting skills
Do not be afraid to say I am not familiar with that term, these people know that different companies have different terms.

Kelly
I worked for Buzzuto a long time ago, I suggest you find other employers, I found them to bare face misrepresent the positions salaries and job in general.
They follow a strict hiring policy, you must have xxx skills
xxa or xxb doesn't work, and if you know more than the person you interviewing with your done.

I know, the interview wasn't going that well with the recruiter. She really nit picked my resume apart and I think what it was is I managed two properties and instead of listing them differently I put them together. Although, I thought it was a good idea she didn't and her attitude changed as she was looking for something different. I think it was her "outage". The "Variance" report was nothing more then an explanation of why the numbers are different then the projections that are given. Not hard at all, they use a certain report called that, I have always reclassed then put my explanations on that.

Dragon, I appreciate your offer... The guy who I interview with the other day said my resume looked really well... Can I try for another week with it and then take you up on it? I'm going to add the numbers like you suggested and see where that gets me. Maybe that will make the phone ring. I'm going today to get a serving job down the street.. I can't take sitting in this house one more day jobless!

Kelly;
Try Legum and Norman

or

jobs@armstrong.net.
Benefits: Training, CAI membership & certifications, mileage, phone allowance, medical, dental, life insurance, long & short-term disability, sick leave, vacation, paid holidays, 401K

or jobs@cmc-management.com
Community Management Corporation

Funny that you said that Dragon, after my interview with the woman.. If they offered me a million dollars to work with them I would pass. The lady was rude, hateful, and down right nasty to me. In fact this is where I started questioning my "Phone interview" skills. I'm glad I listed their name so someone would say they worked for them. That makes me feel a little better! I tried my hardest to show what a great person I was and all she could focus on was what my resume said, I told her I was going to be on the road when she called and then she started drilling me with questions about my resume. Lucky for me I had a copy in my vehicle. I had to pull over just to answer her questions to get the information straight and to clarify.

Dragon in Pompano Beach, Florida said: Kelly;
Try Legum and Norman

or

jobs@armstrong.net.
Benefits: Training, CAI membership & certifications, mileage, phone allowance, medical, dental, life insurance, long & short-term disability, sick leave, vacation, paid holidays, 401K

or jobs@cmc-management.com
Community Management Corporation

Thanks! I will... I was googing Legum when you posted!!!

Kelly
As I said I kicked around the DC metro area for 22 years.
I build and managed Ballston Metro, a couple of building in Maryland, and a couple of more in DC,
I am still aware of what is going on in the area limited but aware.
I moved to Florida for the climate.
I would be happy to assist anyone here in any way I can.
When you do your resume make it stand out, DO NOT print it on slime green paper but high light your over all skills
I would suggest:

Ballston Metro Commons
Position: General Manager
1999 to 2007
Property Converted to Condos [ reason for leaving]
435 ABOVE market rentals, staff of 18, annual budget $1.4 million, leased and managed
Notable achivements:
Reduced staff from 23 to 18 with no loss of service
saved 100K on roofing contract via negotiations
provided annual purchasing reviews resulting in savings of $xxxx

Give the interviewer something to ask and YOU the opportunity to discuss the position, what you did, why you did it,
this is the open door where you can shine

Dragon in Pompano Beach, Florida said: Kelly;
Try Legum and Norman

or

jobs@armstrong.net.
Benefits: Training, CAI membership & certifications, mileage, phone allowance, medical, dental, life insurance, long & short-term disability, sick leave, vacation, paid holidays, 401K

or jobs@cmc-management.com
Community Management Corporation

Thanks! I will... I was googing Legum when you posted!!! What kind of salary is with HOA? I have always wondered..

Dragon in Pompano Beach, Florida said: K9
I take a calm flat approach to the position interview, I have the experience, I know the position, I know what is involved so same o same o.
I have the expertise you are seeking, I have the skill levels you need, I know the business in all likely hood better than the interviewer.
I do not show excitement until I know I have an in then I accept it as a challenge and push forward with my hold backs, certifications, understanding of mechanical systems or what ever YOUR specialties are.
So it is not on your resume, this is a common sales tactic
hold the best for last.
Try it next time and see what happens, if they ask for addition skills not on your resume act vague as if it is unimportant.
Watch what happens

Thanks for the input Dragon,
Good suggestions / advice. All I need now is an interview. I'll keep you posted.

Kelly in Fredericksburg, Virginia said: Thanks! I will... I was googing Legum when you posted!!! What kind of salary is with HOA? I have always wondered..

HOA's run based on size, typically for a 300 to 500 unit about 45 to 55 K
the same for a condo, company managed would be 50 plus if self managed to 60
Down here we figure between 2 to 4 % of the annual budget depending on HOA, CONDO,, COOP, TIMESHARE, CONDOTEL or Mobile Home Park.
all different in rules and regs and all different in slary

K9srCool in Bethesda, Maryland said: Thanks for the input Dragon,
Good suggestions / advice. All I need now is an interview. I'll keep you posted.

K9
Please do, i would be interested!
Let me know if I can help
Excuse the type "O" in the previous posting "SALARY"
I should also put in SIZE of community

K9
What is your area of PM, Rental condo, section 8, ? let me know and If I get anything in your area I will let you know

Then I would like to say excuse all of mine, I was never the spelling beee queen at school.. I use spell check! :) but they don't have it on here.

I'd also like to say thank you to everyone, you all are my support system, not having a job is stressful in it self. Not having a job and not having anyone in the same situation is even harder. So, from the bottom of my heart Thank you.

***Even if you have a job, your words of encouragement are more then appreciated***

Kelly, You are not alone in the job hunting area. Hang in there we are all with you.

Thank you Dragon for telling us what it means. I am not in Delray Beach but for some reason it is showing up. Oh well, life on the net.