Online property management courses usually encompass 45 hours of education, which provides the learners with a solid foundation in the basics of property management. Online programs focus on practical skills to help begin a career as a qualified professional. A good property-management program will introduce topics relevant to the expectations and critical knowledge base of property managers. Allied's Property Management Course, for instance, combines traditional correspondence and online learning and, according to its website, covers the following topics:
The Economics of Property Management
Property Analysis
Marketing
Leases/Tenant Relations
Apartment Management: Operations and Procedures
Systems and Reports
Managing Commercial Property
Hotel Business Operations
Current Issues in Hotel/Motel Management
Legal Issues in Property Management
Facilities management technology programs provide another path to a career in building management. These types of in-residence programs help prepare students to work in residential and industrial buildings. Facilities-management technology training exposes building managers to a range of skilled trades. Students train in HVAC and appliance repair. They also study carpentry, electricity, and plumbing as it relates to facilities management, from residential apartment buildings to major hospitals. Graduates learn to read blueprints and have practical knowledge of building and health codes. Many technically oriented schools such as Technical Career Institute offer this type of program. Students at TCI may choose between a two-year associate degree or one-year certificate.
There are also opportunities to earn online career diplomas through nationally accredited schools like Ashworth College. This DETC (Distance Education and Training Council)-accredited college offers career diplomas as well as associates degrees completely on-line. Ashworth's real estate management program takes students through 9 lessons geared toward introducing students with little or no background in building and real estate management. This program also focuses on management, lease negotiation, and supervision rather than the hands-on property maintenance offered in other programs.
Persons that are already licensed real estate sales agents may find a smooth career transition to property management. Real estate agents possess experience that is useful in showing apartments, office space, and industrial properties. While it is still possible for those with backgrounds in building maintenance to advance to building-management positions, due to their knowledge of buildings' mechanical systems, this path is less common as property-management companies place more emphasis on administration, finance, and communication skills for managerial jobs.
A degree in business management or public administration, or a real estate broker license can open doors to property-management positions and opportunity for on-the-job training through employers.