Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
Most employers prefer to hire college graduates for property and real estate management positions. Degrees in business administration, finance, real estate, public administration, or related fields are preferred, but persons with degrees in the liberal arts are often accepted. Good speaking and writing skills and an ability to deal tactfully with people are essential. Most persons enter property and real estate management as onsite apartment or community association managers, or as assistants to property managers. Previous employment as a real estate agent may be an asset to apartment managers because it provides experience useful in showing apartments and dealing with people, as well as an understanding that an attractive, wellmaintained property can command higher rental rates and result in lower turnover among tenants. In the past, many persons with backgrounds in building maintenance have advanced to apartment manager positions on the strength of their knowledge of building mechanical systems, but this is becoming uncommon as employers are placing greater emphasis on administrative and communication abilities for managerial jobs.

Job Outlook:
Employment of property and real estate managers is projected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Despite the rapid growth in demand for these workers, the vast majority of job openings are expected to occur as property managers transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. It is projected that there will be approximately 328,000 property and real estate managers by 2005. Opportunities should be best for persons with college degrees in business administration and related fields.

Sources of Additional Information:

General information about careers in property and real estate management and programs leading to the award of a professional designation in the field is available from: