Being in Property Management for over 10 years managing mixed use, office, retail over 365,000 sq. ft.
My salary has hovered around $47,000.00. My husband recently passed and now I am considering taking the CPM course through IREM. Any wise words or recommendations for me? Maybe I need some words of encouragement! ha ha!! Thanks!

Hey there,

I hope you can answer my question....The CAM....is it Certified Apartment Manager or is it Community Apartment Manager...if so, are they the same? or what is the difference between the two.

TerriLynn,
I think achieving your NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) designation would be a big plus, with so much changing in the realm of leasing over the last 10 years. Leasing on tablets, mobile marketing, geotagging, etc., are all very recent and while the basics are still the same (nice people helping nice people find their next home), understanding the impact of technology on leasing/marketing is extremely important.

In our market, many of the apartment temporary agencies hold training classes FREE. It gives them more temps, while also helping the temps get their feet in the property management door! In our market, The Liberty Group does this, and I feel sure there are temp agencies you can find through the local apartment association that would do so as well.

Best to you on your search!

Getting hired at 50, after being out of the business has proven difficult!

Most of my early 20's was spent earning my way from weekend leasing agent to managing my own property at the age of 26. I even spent a few years working as a private consultant- shopping properties, assessing issues and submitting extensive property evaluations/reports to property owners. I left the business a little over 10 years ago to raise two homeless brothers. My husband had his own electrical business, so staying home was not a strain on us financially. I was able to help manage his business and be an involved parent. I think that most of us in this field have experienced"burn out" at some point in our career, due to the 24/7/365 nature of our position, especially if you live on property. Having been in this business for the majority of my adult life, I welcomed the opportunity for a much needed break. I never had children of my own, as I was married to my job. I say all of this to preface my actual question: How does one re-enter this field after being out for 10 years? I do not have a single certification, but have many years of proven management experience. I even started submitting an essay outlining my most challenging management assignment with my resume and cover letter. Not a single company has invited me for an interview. I reached out to my area TAA office to enroll in some seminars, and refresh myself on TAA documents. I researched certification classes and have settled on UNT who offers a certification program along with also offering a 4 year degree for this industry (GREAT IDEA).

Will this certification help someone like me? Am I just too old to be considered? Property Management is all I really know.

Susan,
I'm not sure if anyone directly answered your question about testing out of CAM or ARM. I'm not as familiar with ARM, but with CAM you can now take the classes online, and at least some of the modules can be tested out. I think they still charge you a fee...but hopefully it's less than attending classes, and with your level of experience, you could probably teach some of the modules! You would still have the option of actually attending the financial management and budgeting module, which sounds like a good plan if you haven't had hands-on experience with those yet.
Best to you!
Mary

Hi Michelle, I am also a huge fan of education. The best education I have received in property management, has been at the bottom. I find the cleaning person with similarities with the property manager. This person asides cleaning, sees everything the office personnel and maintenance personnel do.I have learned through experience that in property management, one can not start at the top, middle, or any where in between. The bottom, is the foundation of property management. Since then, I have been a maintenance supervisor for an apartment complex,leasing agent, and property manager. Owner of a maintenance company, contracting with different real estate companies doing make readies and repairs for selling or renting properties. I now have a real estate degree, and in the process of obtaining a business management, accounting, towards property management degree. To conclude, education is power, but, only when understood and properly administered.