Topic: Is anyone else noticing worker shortages in the industry in their areas?

This is just an observation but is anyone else noticing worker shortages in the industry in their areas? I feel like if our industry doesn't start raising wages it is in big, big trouble. It irrates me that places like Target or Amazon pay more than leasing, grounds, and maintenance tech positions. It's a touchy subject but I feel like for all we do we are way under paid and under appreciated. I also don't understand why companies don't seem to value education, I have 15yrs experience, a business degree and 3 industry certifications but would get paid the same either way  Maybe it's just me but I feel like if the industry doesn't focus on this issue their will be nobody at the site level running the properties before long, when they can get paid more at less stressful jobs.

It’s everything. As a vendor I can tell you that we’re having to pay more for labor than we ever have. Combine that with increased material costs and just know that our prices will continue to increase.

It’s everywhere, from our vendors, to on-site.

If other jobs are paying more (which there are plenty of) people will leave. The job market is very strong right now so there’s no shortage of opportunity to make more money for less stress.

Grounds and maintenance are the most susceptible to leaving for higher wages. General handyman and property maintenance industries are booming right now. I know a few maintenance guys who have left to start their own companies and are making a killing

We have raised wages not only for new hires but we are increasing existing associates pay accordingly.

I’ve contemplated many times recently about quitting my job and working these jobs above because it’s a little less or the same money with less responsibility. When my work shift is done it’s done. No more on calls, no 24/7 responsibilities, I can take a vacation and be one vacation
 

It’s a crazy time right now as you know. Just throwing out a different perspective… this is a TOUGH business and it’s not for the faint of heart!! Thank you for your hard work!

As an owner of a PM business, we have increased our wages lately to match the industry. (Look at Ziprecruiter to see where your pay falls compared to others in your job BUT make sure you are looking at you city and the surrounding areas as wages differ based on geographical location). We also never closed during Covid or reduced anyone’s hours.

We have also increased rents to pay for the increased costs of labor as mentioned above (ie what vendors are charging). It’s costing ALOT more because of fewer workers and the same demand for repairs.

The big companies like Target and Amazon will lay people off quickly when the market slows. (Think of all the retailers and restaurants that had to close in 2020).

In property management, there will always be rentals that need to be rented and repairs to be done so it offers great job security.

We struggled with maintenance before this. We offered signing bonuses & increased our wages. Still nothing but horrible techs. It is now worse. We have increased wages significantly and still have no lucky. People won’t even show for their first day or if we make an offer they shooter it down immediately.

Being a maintenance supervisor and a woman this is why I left the field way under payed i make more working at Amazon no on call i love be in maintenance in apartments but it doesn't pay right or treat there people right either

Yes. The previous property I was on maintenance was pretty scarce. Where I am now luckily we are good. Eventually we will need an asst manager.

I am having the hardest time in Austin. Maintenance has always been a hard find but, we were still able to find them. Now it is super hard and takes a long time. The leasing and management positions are hard as well. It budget season. If we need to pay more, which I have been doing, we have to budget it now.

Maintenance is hard to find now because of what the actual trades are paying. Take air conditioning for example. In my area starting pay for a skilled mechanic $30.hr certified or not. You can "raise" the wage but until you are competitive you will be left lacking.

I don't understand why companies don't understand this, we have been without maintenance a year because of it and you can't run a property without maintenance. The struggle is real.

We've been looking for an experienced tech for a while now, and when you get them to come in for an ininterview.
1: no experience at all
2: they want a higher pay
3: they don't want to take on-call.
It's crazy

There is a critical shortage of EPA Technicians this year. As a Property Management Recruiter, my best advice: bring them in without experience and train them up.

In the end, OWNERS have to decide if their business will be a favorable workplace AND sustainable.
The MARKET decides what prices for labor and rentals will be required.
If OWNERS refuse to pay market wages, their property is not sustainable, it will decline.
Those are just simple business facts and owners are being short sighted and creating a DECLINE in value aka, not sustainable.
It is up to LEADERS to get the value added from each employee.
Choices have consequences.

The turnover in this industry is 33% annually, and I think that's fudging the numbers lower than they actually are. 1/3 of multi family employees every year. That's not an unable to raise rents issue, that's a corporate and ownership greed issue to take more money and pay the people running their assets a less than living wage.

You nailed it…exactly what’s happening. I’ve been in 30+ years. At the same property for 28. It has changed, our job descriptions have changed…not sure anyone but us understand the abuse, negativity and stress we deal with but us.