That is the question that I have asked myself for many years. Having been in the property management industry for nearly a decade, I have realized that it doesn’t matter the class or size of the property this question always stays with you. It didn’t matter if I was at a class D property with 65 units, or a class A with 150 units, you always want to know how you could be better at your job.

In my own career I was blessed with an amazing mentor that showed me how to be successful. She always told me the key to running a property was communication and showing your face to your residents. Never stay sitting at your desk, never ignore your phone, and never ask anyone to do something that you would not do. That last statement is one that stands out to me the most!

You will earn an entirely different level of respect from your employees, as well as your residents, if they see you working just as hard as everyone else. Having employees that respect their manager is one of the most critical pieces of the management puzzle. If they respect you, they will work harder and take more ownership in the property’s success.

Staying up with the laws and rules of the apartment industry is also critical to being a great property manager. Being a part of your local apartment associates keeps you up-to-date with the happenings in the area, as well as keeping your property name out there. It is a great way to network with other property managers, as well as vendors and contractors.

Problem solving is a huge part of being a successful property manager. Everyone has a reason or an excuse to why something happened or did not happen. In order for the property to run smoothly you have to be able to solve everyone’s problems in a timely manner. Spending less time pointing fingers as to why something went wrong, and more time working on solutions will help separate your property from the rest!

Have the owner’s best interest at the top of your head daily. Obviously all owners want a property that is 100% full and on budget. In a perfect world that would happen easily, but in reality it takes a great amount of work and determination to be a successful property manager. As long as you are working you’re hardest, and doing everything ethically and with the owners in mind, it should help push your property to the top!