Leasing Apartments | Traits of Successful Property Managers

Below is a list of common traits I have seen in the best property managers.

1. Successful Property Managers Have a “Can Do” Attitude
Property managers with a “can do” attitude approach every situation they face from signing a lease to gracefully and effectively handling an eviction with the attitude that they can get it done. When I am on a property, I always listen for managers saying things like “we can do it,” “let’s make it happen.” “I will get it fixed”. No matter what the challenge is, the best property managers always maintain a positive outlook and believe that they can resolve any issue.

2. Successful Property Managers Believe That “They Will Figure It Out”
At MultiFamily Traffic we try to coach our people never to say, “I don’t know”. When I am hiring, I look for people that instead say, “I will figure it out” or even, let me get back to you. When dealing with a resident or other issue in the community a property manager that is not sure how to do something should say “I will figure it out” — not “I don’t know.” It is ok for property managers to admit that they are unfamiliar with something — if they immediately follow that admission up with the promise to the resident or leadership that they will figure the issue out.

3. Successful Property Managers Seek to Solve Problems
We all hate those nasty websites like ApartmentRatings.com that seek to profit from giving the most unreasonable ex-residents a voice to complain about a community or its staff. While MultiFamily Traffic can help place the property above the assaults on Google, a great property manager can help prevent them from happening in the first place by seeking to solve problems. Give a rock-star property manager a problem — any problem — and they will make every effort solve it and become a hero. From helping a resident get to work when her car broke down to simply changing a lightbulb in a hallway. The fastest way a property manager can separate themselves from just being “someone who works on the property” is to establish that they are a leader who makes situations better, not worse.

4. Successful Property Managers Focus on Opportunity
The best property managers, the ones that will soon be promoted to regional managers and VP’s see all situations, even maintenance problems, and crazy complaints, as opportunities. I have seen student housing property managers invent creative promotions to keep students in their apartments for the summer. I have met managers that set up a bus to drive residents 40 minutes to their jobs in Silicon Valley making the property more valuable to people that could not afford to live close to work. Successful property managers know that their success depends on how they overcome a challenge.

5. Successful Property Managers Readily Take Action
The best property managers take unbelievable amounts of action. They don’t just sit around the community waiting for something to happen. Unsuccessful property managers spend most of their time talking about a plan for the property or an idea to get more leases but they never quite get around to doing what they claim they are going to do. Successful property managers know that if they take action now they stand the best chance for achieving their goals for the community and their career.

6. Love Challenges
Many people that work at an apartment community dread challenges. After all, this industry has some of the toughest challenges there are; multi-million dollar budgets, safety of residents, evictions you name its big league business. Successful property managers are compelled and invigorated by challenges. Challenges are the experiences that sharpen a property managers ability to achieve goals. The best property managers get to a place where every challenge becomes fuel.

7. Demonstrate Courage
You’ll often notice that the best-of-the-best property managers carry themselves with an air of confidence and conviction, a sense of comfort no matter how difficult the situation at the property is. They are the rock-solid leaders of that community from the staff to the residents, everyone can depend on them.

8. Embrace Change
How can a property manager become an elite Rockstar of their portfolio if they are trying to keep things from becoming any different? It is impossible. The most successful property managers in the apartment industry look at how the world is shifting and apply this to how if will effect their community and what opportunities the change will bring for their career.

None of the things I have placed on this list is a superhuman quality. Every single one is attainable. Being a property manager is one of the biggest responsibilities a company can place on an individual and is an amazing opportunity to get better every day and grow professionally and personally. If you need help getting leases or just want someone to bounce ideas off you can always call me at 303-803-7372