Technology

Best Residential Property Management Courses 2022

February 18, 2024

Property managers have multiple roles and responsibilities needed to ensure the success of each property they oversee. But that knowledge doesn’t come naturally. To get it, you need to focus on educating yourself, so you’re equipped with the right strategies.

So, let's look at some of the best courses, trainings, and events you can sign-up to start focusing on your career. 

Furthering your career in property management

Some people believe that they only need the basics to succeed in their property management career. And while the basics can take you far, there’s a limit to how far you can go.

Without furthering your career, you can fall behind your competitors. In fact, a study showed that in 2020, 48% of property managers said growing their business was their top priority. And in this same study, 45% of property managers want to focus on improving their efficiency. 

So, by not making your property management education a priority, your competitors, who are focused on growth, can leave you behind. 

Besides your competitors, there are new software solutions available to help property managers streamline their processes like Appfolio and Buildium. And if you’re not utilizing these tools, you’re restricting your potential. With that being said, it’s never too late to make scaling your business a priority. 

Beginners: Property management education for newbies

If you’re new to the industry but would like to start your property management education today, we’ve found a few options to help you.

Propertyware’s Training

Propertyware property management training focuses on industry best practices that are easy-to-understand and implement for teams or individuals. And it allows students to learn via their university, consultation, and training webinars.

In their university, you get access to training courses that help you with each task step-by-step, and you can complete them at your own pace. There are also built-in quizzes to help you track your progress.

Their consultation offers customizable on-site and one-on-one online training. Also, if needed, Propertyware’s team can help optimize your infrastructure or systems. Their webinars are also aimed to help you understand your roles and responsibilities.  

Learn more. 

NARPM’s Basic Series Courses

The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) is the only association primarily focused on Residential Property Management. And in addition to being an organization where professionals in this industry can network, they also provide property management education. 

Their basic series offers three courses for property management basics, marketing strategies, and the entire life cycle of a tenant. While each course is time-intensive, it provides beginners with the resources they need to excel in their day-to-day operations. 

Learn more. 

Udemy’s Property Management 101

Udemy does offer various property management courses, but this one covers the basics of becoming a property manager. Some skills it’ll help you learn are how to determine your lease components, qualify and communicate with tenants, and conduct inspections. 

While this course is geared towards beginners, it can even help professionals with years of experience get a refresher on some concepts. And because of its easy accessibility, students can start and finish this course in less than an hour.

Learn more. 

Ashworth College’s Property Management Career Diploma

The property management course designed by experts helps beginners to get the real-world experience they need to succeed in the field. Some of the subjects they cover include negotiating leases, scheduling maintenance, and screening tenants. Additionally, it’ll help you develop your people skills, regulatory knowledge, and practical expertise. 

Because the program is online, it’s incredibly flexible. Students can study when they want without sacrificing their time or training. Ashworth’s property management training course gives them access to an app, an online resource center, a community, and much more.

Learn more.

Advanced: Property management education & professional development for business owners

When you’ve been in the industry for a few years, you’ve learned and experienced basic principals countless times. But now you’re ready to scale your practice. So, let’s discuss some property management courses that can help you reach the next level. 

NARPM’s Property Manager Series Courses

The Property Manager Series Course by the NARPM covers building relationships with clients, risk awareness, and expanding your team. 

This course is dedicated to helping you:

  • Manage clients and contracts: You’ll learn how to deal with personality types in various situations and how to close a contract while still maintaining a relationship with the client.
  • Manage risks: While property managers can’t avoid risks, that doesn’t mean they should be unprepared when they come their way. This course will teach them different approaches to risks and how to handle and minimize it. 
  • Hiring and firing personnel: Students will learn how to hire, manage, and terminate employees.  

Each course in this series is designed to help property managers grow by learning skills focused on their business’s administrative side. While the entire series is 18 hours long, you’ll walk away with the experience necessary to develop your business.

Learn more. 

IREM’s Accelerator Courses

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)  is an international institute for asset and property managers. It provides them with the resources needed to tackle challenges head-on. And that’s what they do in their Accelerator courses that cover a wide variety of topics.

Some of their courses are for beginners, but the vast majority focuses on staying up-to-date on industry practices and growing a business. Most of their classes are inexpensive or free and offer a discount to members. 

However, while some of their courses are on-demand, others require you to attend on a specific date at a particular time. So, if interested, you’ll need to plan ahead to see what courses you’ll need.

Learn more.

NARPM’s Annual Convention & Trade Show

Utilizing trainings and courses can always help you learn new skills and hone in on older ones. But, conventions have also proven to help professionals to scale their business. And since the NARPM is a well-known organization, you can expect industry leaders to be in attendance. 

However, what’s different about their 32nd convention is that they’ve decided to create a hybrid event in light of the pandemic. So, the NARPM will have a combination of an in-person event with virtual components. Whether you’re comfortable at home or attending in-person, this event has made it possible for more property managers to attend and learn.

Learn more. 

NARPM’s Finance: Cash Flow Analysis Course

This course from the NARPM helps you learn how to advance your business by becoming an investor for your clients. You’ll help them to forecast and calculate their cash on cash return and internal rate of ROI.

This course can help you better serve your clients, and it can also position you as an all-around property manager, which can also help you attract more clients.  

Learn more.

Whether you’re an experienced property manager or a newbie, there’s always something to learn to help you succeed in your business. 

Learn more about how you can streamline property management operations by outsourcing some of your field work with Showdigs.