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The general perception of what a property manager does is incorrect according to an award winning property manager.
Alexandra Scott, principal of Peter Blackshaw Queanbeyan and the winner of the 2010 Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) Property Manager of the Year award believes that the general public is misinformed by what the job requires.
“People have a misconception that the PM job is about collecting rent and doing a couple of inspections a year. It is so much more,” she told Residential Property Manager.
“I don’t think people have half a clue just how much this job involves and how educated you need to be.
“You wouldn’t diagnosis yourself with a condition, you pay a doctor because they are the professional and you would trust their advice, but many people think they could manage their own property. But then it all goes pair shaped.”
According to Ms Scott in order to dispel this myth property managers should be organized, up to date with legislation and highly professional.
“A property manager must learn their systems and procedures and stick to them especially the legislation,” she said.
“If you don’t know something then ask a question. Don’t just wing it, if you don’t know you need to ask.
“We are dealing with peoples biggest assets that they will probably ever have so there is an emotional attachment that comes with that.”
Ms Scott also calls for property managers to be better compensated.
“PM’s aren’t compensated very well, especially in Canberra where we are competing with public servant wages and conditions that are considerably higher than the private section can afford to pay,” she said.
Ms Scott will be profiled in the December edition of Residential Property Manager, to hit desks next month.
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