What are the chances of scoring a job as a property manager with no real estate experience?

Do you even have a license? It doesn't sound like you can legally do this job.

High school is NOT management experience either. Busy bodies are not only terrible people managers, it does not sound like you can handle the legal issues or the bookkeeping end.

The trick is to use your 'transferable skills', and not to set your sights too high. You may have to start out as a leasing assistant or even a porter. You are correct though, that a few of the major necessary skills for this position are common sense and work ethic. Good judgment and the ability to remain calm and professional in the face of emergencies also helps.

You might think you have no 'professional experience', but you say you are a waitress. That's customer service. More than half of my job as a property manager is customer service work so that almost qualifies you right there!

It wouldn't hurt to have a few letters of recommendation that specifically mention not only your ethics and sound judgment, but also your experience using the transferable skills necessary to succeed in property management.

Property management is definitely not for everyone, and confidence can make up for a lot, but what it cannot make up for is knowledge of fair housing and landlord-tenant laws, which you cannot get from your current line of work. Have you studied landlord-tenant law on your own? There are a lot of great books available on the subject, and every large city has a 'renters rights' type of organization that would love to train you in landlord tenant law to be a volunteer. You can also find classes through your local metro multifamily housing association, fair housing bureau, and local community college.

I entered the field of property management three years ago with no experience. It took me six months of applying for over a hundred positions before one company finally gave me a chance to manage a very small property in a bad neighborhood for no pay, just a rent credit. My previous job was at Starbucks, where I was not in management.

I had no real estate experience at all and was willing to start at the bottom and work my way up, because; like you, being needed for after hours emergencies appeals to me.

I worked hard, learned fast, and moved up quickly at my company from my part time job to managing several larger properties, and now I train other new managers in addition to managing an 80 unit community.

I wouldn't make your lack of experience too clear in your cover letter, but instead focus on how similar your current skills match what is needed for this position, and mention that you are very willing to do whatever it takes to acquire any necessary skills to be successful in your new career. Join multifamilyinsiders.com to network with other managers, find job leads, and learn more about property management.

Good luck!

Hey S4D, Starting your career as Property Manager is such a nice idea. As you mentioned that you have good sales & customer service experience you can look forward to become more familiar with property management. Property management includes many services like - Property accounting and reporting - Lease administration - Tenant rent collection - Property financial planning and budgeting - Insurance review - Property risk management - Facilities management and many more. Familiarity with those services can better enhance your self for this career. Thanks and best luck for your career.

I went from working healthcare for 24 years to working apartment management. The former owner trained me completely.

I think its possible. I have no prior experience in real estate although I did have about 15 years management experience with my previous positions.

I really dont think any of your local apartment complexes have licensed personnel to manage their offices, it would cost them more.

My advice is to take a chance, you wont know for sure until you try it.

you will PROBABLY need a real estate license.

I can guide you on getting one

In South Africa... Huge!!