How to Transition to Remote Work as a Property Manager

Have you been looking for a viable work-from-home career that fits your family life, but know that bookkeeping, writing, or virtual assisting aren’t for you? Did you know that property managers can transition to remote work? And, if you’re not a property manager yet, that this might be a great option for you?

Not sure what property management is? It’s doing the day-to-day oversight of real estate as a third-party contractor. You might focus on residential, commercial, or industrial properties. Your work can include things like screening tenants, maintaining properties, and making sure everyone’s following the policies the property owner sets.

If you want to learn more, Investopedia has a detailed guide of property management here.

But how can a parent transition to working remotely as a property manager? Read on for practical tips and considerations to get you started.

Embrace Technology for Seamless Communication

One of the most important steps in transitioning to remote property management is embracing technology and letting it work for you. Property management software can keep everything organized. Cloud-based platforms give you easy access to the documents you need, right from your laptop or phone. And video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can make virtual meetings with tenants and contractors easy.

You can also use messaging apps for quick, real-time communication. Staying connected through tech means that you can effectively manage properties without having to physically be on the property.

If you transition to remote work as a property manager, you’re much more available care for toddlers and young kids if you make good use of mobile communication apps. You can be available for your child and your clients, too.

Organize Your Time and Space

If you’re a work-from-home parent, I probably don’t need to tell you that time management is a priority. If you're responsible for several properties, things can get hectic if you’re not on top of them. But with a few time-management tips, you can make it easier to adjust to the demands of managing properties from home without missing bedtime stories or good-morning snuggles.

You can start by setting up a dedicated workspace. If you can, make this space free from household distractions. If not, create some rules so your family knows when you need to focus on work.

Establish a realistic routine that includes breaks. Make a work schedule that fits your family life – it’s frustrating to fall behind because your most intensive tasks fall during your toddler’s “witching hour” or when you normally make dinner.

Prioritizing your work tasks with digital calendars or project management tools can make a huge difference. If you can get and stay organized, you’ll be better able to maintain a healthy work-life balance while managing your properties.

Set Up Property Management Policies and Procedures

Transitioning to remote work as a property manager means you’ll need to set up  policies and procedures for your clients and their tenants.

Here are just a few of the things you’ll likely need to consider:

• Tenant Screening: Make sure you find reliable renters for your clients’ properties.
• Maintenance Requests: How will tenants let you know when something needs to be fixed or replaced? How will you handle emergencies?
• Rent Collection: Set up an online system so rent gets paid on time.
• Lease Agreements: You can use templates for things like lease agreements to cover all your legal bases.
• Guest Policies: Clear guidelines for tenants let everyone know what’s expected. Having strong guest policies for your properties and tenant behavior protect the properties your manage, letting you do your work more effectively.

By making sure your policies and procedures are solid, you can cut down the need for on-site visits and make sure everything runs smoothly from right where you are. Clear and well-communicated policies help both tenants and property managers understand what their expectations and responsibilities are in the relationship. And that makes your clients happy!

Make Good Use of Virtual Tours and Inspections

When you’re a parent who works remotely, you probably want to keep visits to offices or work sites to a minimum (after all, that’s a big reason many parents want to work from home in the first place). Finding childcare can be tricky, especially on short notice or at odd hours, and it can disrupt your family’s routines, too.

This is where virtual tours and inspections can be very helpful. High-quality photos and videos can give prospective tenants a clear view of the property. You can also conduct virtual inspections via video calls for maintenance issues or to handle routine property checks.

This will not only save you time, but also lets you manage multiple properties more efficiently. Plus, many tenants appreciate the convenience of remote interactions, too.

Conclusion: Transitioning Into the Future of Property Management

As the world shifts more and more toward working from home, understanding how to transition to remote work as a property manager may give you a career you never even considered. Embracing technology, organizing your time and space, enhancing policies, and trying virtual tours are key strategies in this new journey.

If you adopt these practices, you too can manage properties from home while enjoying the flexibility remote work offers. With today’s technology, balancing professional responsibilities with your family life has never been easier.

Does remote property management seem like an out-of the-box an anywhere and anytime career you’d love? Drop us a line and let us know what you’re thinking!