Time is of the essence in the property management business. Let’s face it, there are just never enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished. So, for many, the notion of taking time out for training and other sorts of continued education (whether it be about real estate rules and regulations or maintenance tasks) seems like a nice idea, but also completely unrealistic.

When considering such matters, though, it’s important to apply a bit of foresight to the decision-making process. Following are just a few examples of common property management scenarios where spending time up front might just save you a whole lot of time (and sometimes money) in the long-run.

Computer and Software Training
Incorporating financial and record-keeping software into your property management program can save you a ton of time in the long run, whittling formerly drawn-out tasks such as rent collection, payment recording, and maintenance tracking down to just a few clicks of the mouse. But installing new property management software and learning how to navigate it can be a daunting prospect. Taking time to learn the ins and outs of navigating office software that automates tasks and keeps electronic records is always time well spent. You’ll literally save yourself hundreds of hours down the line.

Learning Basic DIY Tasks
Having a stable of good repairmen to call when the need arises is crucial to keeping your tenants happy. And, certainly, you should always call in the experts when it comes to major or complex repairs. But the truth of the matter is, there are just some things you can do on your own. And, in some cases, it’s quicker and cheaper to take care of minor glitches and quick-fixes on your own. Consider investing your time in learning some basic DIY tricks of the trade so that when small repairs come up you can take care of your tenants quickly and inexpensively.

Organizing Your Office
No one works well in a cluttered environment. And even if you think you do, chances are you’ll save yourself a whole lot of time in the long run if you know exactly where to locate a file or document when you’re looking for it. Investing a bit of time into office organization is one of those things a lot of us think about, but few of us rarely do. Setting aside a half-day every quarter to really get things organized will make everything run smoother in the long-run. And the truth is, most of us are more likely to keep things organized once they’re already tidy. The more diligent you are about organizing on a regular basis, the smoother everything will run and the less you’ll actually have to do once that next organization day rolls around.

Ultimately, think of your time as an investment. Just as you sometimes have to spend a little money to increase the value of your property, sometimes you have to spend a little time to increase the value of your business.