What Should Apartment Property Managers Look for From an Employer?

Many apartment property managers reach a point in their careers where they feel stuck. They may have been managing the same property for years or work for a company that doesn't offer many opportunities for advancement.

If you are in this situation, it's time to start looking for a new job. The right job can make a big difference in your career and life. 

A successful apartment property manager will look for a few key qualities in an employer. Below are seven of the most important qualities to look for, along with a general overview of what’s involved in being a property manager for those new to the profession.

Apartment Property Manager Job Description

Being a property manager for an apartment complex or community is not always easy. It can involve long hours and, depending on the size of the property, can be very hectic.

Running an apartment complex involves many duties, and finding a new manager can be challenging.

Property Manager’s Responsibilities

Being an apartment property manager has some great and challenging responsibilities at the same time. An apartment property manager's responsibilities include:

Collecting Rent Payments

Rent payments are probably one of the biggest responsibilities of an apartment building manager. In most cases, rent must be collected monthly or quarterly from all tenants living in an apartment complex or townhome community.

Screening Tenants

They must screen prospective tenants before approving them for a rental space. This involves checking references from past landlords and employers and conducting criminal background checks on applicants.

Supervision and Inspection

The residential property manager is responsible for supervising the maintenance of the apartment building. They will inspect each unit periodically to ensure it is maintained properly. If something needs to be repaired or replaced, they will arrange for it to be done by a qualified contractor.

Maintenance and Repair

Apartment property managers must ensure that all repairs are completed promptly by contractors. They also need to keep track of all maintenance costs so they can submit them to owners or investors when necessary.

So, what should an apartment property manager look for from an employer?

1. Stable, Long-Term Employment

It is essential for a property manager to work with a stable and reliable landlord. Long-term partnerships allow apartment managers to be more flexible and responsive in their interactions with tenants.

In addition, having consistent and quality relationships with landlords helps ensure a trustworthy relationship between all parties involved.

As such, working with stable employers committed to maintaining long-term employment benefits both the property manager and the landlords. 

2. Competitive Salary and Benefits

It's no secret that apartment property managers make good money, but many people still want to do this job because they love it — not just because of the paycheck. However, even if you're applying for an entry-level position, make sure it pays competitively compared to other companies in your area.

Not only do managers need competitive salaries, but they also need additional perks like insurance, retirement savings plans, and paid time off. These things can make a big difference in attracting quality candidates and retaining them once they’ve joined the team.

3. Flexible Scheduling Options

Property managers work long hours during peak seasons and are often expected to work weekends and holidays. Working these hours can be difficult or impossible if you don't have flexible scheduling options.

Ideally, you want to work for a company that allows you to fine-tune your schedule. This is important for two reasons:

1. First, it allows you to balance your personal and professional obligations easily.
2. Second, it shows that the company values its employees enough to make their schedules flexible.

4. A Good Employment Reputation

When looking for a new job, finding an employer or residential property owner with a good reputation is important. If they've been in business for a while and have an excellent reputation in the community, they're doing something right.

It also means that there will likely be other employees to interview who can provide you with an idea of what it's like to work there and what type of person they are looking for.

5. Opportunities for Advancement and Growth

If you want to advance within an organization, look for companies that allow their employees to grow within their ranks and develop new skill sets over time.

A great company will offer advancement and growth opportunities, such as becoming more involved in marketing, training new employees, and learning new software programs that could help you manage your properties more efficiently.

These opportunities will make your life easier and allow you to grow professionally. Over time, adding more properties under your management umbrella or increasing the rent on existing properties within your portfolio will increase your income potential.

6. A Supportive Management Team

The management team you work for is one of the most important factors in determining how successful your career will be. Look for a company that is supportive and appreciates your hard work.

Get to know the management team as much as possible before accepting a job offer. If they seem like a great fit, take the position!

7. A Company That Is a Good Fit

This is generally a rule even for someone who's not applying for a residential property manager position: it's important to make sure that the company is a good fit for you.

Since apartment property managers regularly interact with tenants and landlords, it's important for them to feel that the company they work for is a good fit.

You may want to ask yourself a series of questions to see if it is the right company for you:

• Ask questions about the company's culture
• Pay attention to the company's communication and management styles
• How the interview process is managed, and if it seems fair and unbiased
• Ask for current employees' opinions about the company, and see if their answers match up with what you want to hear

Final Thoughts

When you're looking for a property management position, consider these factors so you can find the best employer for you. On the other hand, if you are an employer looking for employees, make sure that you foster a healthy company culture and provide growth opportunities.

In the end, if you're an apartment property manager looking for a better software solution, you should check out ExactEstate. Our customizable property management software can handle any size building and any property management task, and thanks to its cloud-based architecture, it's available online.

Contact us today to learn more about our product and how it can help your property management business. Want to see more content like this?  Subscribe to our blog.

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