Property Management is a career choice! Yes, you are a “real” Realtor! There is a popular assumption out there that a career in property management was a last resort or the result of a failed sales career. I have even been asked by clients if I had to have a Real Estate license to be a property manager. I have also been discouraged from concentrating on “just rental activity” instead of all those lucrative sales. Early in my career, I even had to fight to have my rental commission counted as income! Happily, I have been around long enough to see this industry evolve into a more respected profession–one that is desired by companies instead of discouraged.

I have said many times that I could never work for any other property management company. Those words are not meant as a sales pitch or even an exaggeration. I came to this company with no professional experience, just experience in a family business. I quickly learned that growing up in a business is not the same as professional dedication to a career. What felt at times like a whirlwind of chaos and confusion working for family was often brought about by a lack of skills, education and training. It made me want to run from the management side of Real Estate. Little did I think that after years of selling homes I would drift back into the rental world.

I found, however, that I liked the quick nature of the work. I enjoyed the control a Property Manager has over every deal. I polished my sales skills beyond what I thought was possible. I discovered that the phrase “list to last” was true of property management as well as sales. All those listing skills are essential for success. A property manager’s listing and marketing plan may sound a bit different than that of a sales agent’s, but they both have the same goal and rely on the same skills. With the proper education and support, I found myself flourishing in property management, and I didn’t feel like any less of a “real” Realtor.

Real estate sales are the very definition of “peaks and valleys”. Property management has an advantage over sales because of the residual monthly management income that evens out the terrain. A company that offers this service has a responsibility to provide a professional roadmap to the agents that dedicate their time and talents in search of growth. I spent many years in this industry trying to transform sales marketing pieces and tools into something that would be appropriate for the management world. At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group, I don’t have to do that anymore. I now have everything I need to concentrate on selling the services that people need to protect their investment.

A “real” Realtor means something different to each professional. A real property manager knows the difference between a company that offers property management as an afterthought and a truly professional platform that helps an agent grow and prosper. We offer a unique hybrid of portfolio and departmental style management. For the experienced property manager, it is the best of both worlds. We also offer help with accounting and maintenance, which are often the two most time-consuming elements of this career. It is a great relief to have a team standing behind you, helping you. Ongoing support is not a catch-phrase to us. There is always someone available to answer a question, help solve a puzzle, or just lend an ear. We appreciate those “real” Realtors that have chosen the specialty of Property Management.