Ms. Management - Education Questions

Fair Housing Training
Small Company Needs Training
Fair Housing Videos
Pointers and Tips
Additional Requirements for Leasing Specialists
Experience vs. Education
Education Needed for Move from Scotland
Education to Start Own Company
Suggested Industry Courses

Q: I've been a leasing specialist for about three months and keep hearing about Fair Housing. Help!
A: If you have not had any training in Fair Housing, I strongly suggest you talk to your manager or regional supervisor and ask if they have any Fair Housing training available. If not check with the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, it offers on-going Fair Housing workshops. You really need some formal training, because you can be held legally liable in a lawsuit. Call the AAMD at 329-3300 and ask for Jennifer. She runs the education department.

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Q: I run a small company. I've heard that training is really important but I'm worried that it would really strain our company's resources. How can my employees benefit from training?
A: Training actually saves you money in the long run. The reality is that a lack of training makes for legal liabilities and potential fair housing issues. It also creates high employee and resident turnover because lack of training can quickly drain a company's resources. Ongoing training is essential in minimizing turnover. It also allows employees to have a feeling of personal and professional growth. This will help ensure your employees deliver customer care on a consistent basis.

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Q: I am looking for new videos for training in the area of Fair Housing. Do you have any sources for this type of item?
A: Try checking the websites for the www.Apartmentexpert.com, which is a comprehensive index of sites for property management and Brownstone Publishing (www.brownstone.com/html/home.htm). Brownstone Publishing specializes in Fair Housing materials. Another company is the Fair Housing Institute. They offer video training on their website (www.minndspring.com/~farihous/index.html).

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Q: I am a new property manager and I would love some pointers and tips. Thanks!!!!
A: Welcome to the multihousing industry. Pointers and tips cover quite a large range. Let's begin with education. Take as many workshops and/or designated courses that are available through your local association as possible. Your next step might be to ask your supervisor to allow you to be cross-trained, so that you might have an understanding of the bigger picture and how every team member's area of accountability brings everything together on-site. There are books, tapes and CD-ROMs available that you can purchase. I have some free resources at my website www.itpartnersonline.com. The Internet is a great resource. Good Luck!

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Q: I am moving to Colorado from the Nebraska and I'm trying to find out about any additional requirements or certification I'd need to be a leasing specialist there. I've already worked in the industry for six years with the same company and have taken a few industry courses.
A: Most property management companies don't require any certifications or designations when hiring a leasing specialist, especially with the tight labor market. Your experience and education should help you find a job. If you don't already have it, I'd recommend talking the National Apartment Association's NALP course (National Apartment Leasing Professional). Before you interview with a leasing company, check out their portfolio, then shop their communities to get a feel of their on-site team and the type of product they manage. This will give you a leg up on the interview. Good luck!

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Q: My management company doesn't offer much education for its new employees. When I asked about this they said they believed experience was the best teacher.
A: Experience may be the best teacher, however, it is also the most expensive. Education is critical in our industry. Experience is very valuable, but it should not replace education. Customers are becoming better educated and expect more from us. Lack of education may result in poor customer service, which can be very costly in lost revenue from lost customers and possible lawsuits.

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Q: I'm a degree qualified surveyor/property manager based in Glasgow, Scotland. I've considered moving to the States for a while, but I don't know how the industry works. What extra qualifications, etc., would I need to do the job in the United States. Thanks, Steve.
A: First of all, why don't I come to Scotland? I've never visited that part of the world. All kidding aside, you've already got great qualifications to work in the United States. You shouldn't need any new credentials and with the labor shortage it should be fairly easy to find a job. When you figure out what part of the U.S. you want to work in, contact the local apartment association. They have many courses, some certified, as well as designated, that will give you a greater understanding of the multihousing industry. I would suggest CAM (certified apartment manager), CAPS (certified apartment property supervisor), NALP (national apartment leasing professional) and CAMT (certified apartment maintenance technician). These programs are part of the NAA curriculum. The website is www.naahq.org. Please e-mail me when you decide which part of the U.S. you want to live in and I've be happy to set you up with some contacts on that part of the country. Good luck.

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Q: I am just completing my first residential management course and would like to obtain my CPM through IREM and eventually run my own company, maybe. My question is: do you think you can be successful running things for someone else, or is there a large start-up to get my own company going? My husband and I are currently purchasing properties so I can get some real first-hand experience while I am training. Any information you can give or suggest, reading materials, classes, or on-the-job training ideas would be greatly appreciated.
A: Yes, you can be successful running a company for someone else and learn a lot by doing that; such as systems and training and, what you like and dislike. You can learn a lot with on the job training. This will enable to make a much more sound decision as to whether you like the multihousing industry enough to make a long term career decision - as well as a financial investment. Having started my own company, here are some start-up costs: marketing, advertising, fax machine, computer, telephone, office space. You should have enough capitol to run your company for approximately one year. Your local apartment association office offers some great courses NALP and CAM. IREM offers ARM courses. Ed Kelly has some good books. We have a CD-ROM on leasing for sale. Your best indoctrination into the industry is working onsite. You will gain so much insight into every aspect of the business. Ask a lot of questions. Take notes. I wish you much success in your endeavor. Please feel free to contact me.

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Q: I've been taking some property management courses and I love it! I eventually want to run my own company, but first I want to get my feet wet to see if this is something I want to do as a career. I'm also wondering if there are any industry courses I should take.
A: You can learn a lot by working onsite at a community or for a property management company. This will help you make a sound decision about whether you want a career in the industry. Get to know all aspects of the business. Experience is a great teacher and you will gain a lot of insight that the classroom can't offer. There are several excellent industry courses I can recommend. Your local apartment association offers NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) courses. IREM offers the ARM (Accredited Resident Manager) course. Ask a lot of questions and take notes. I wish you the best of luck.

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