Property Maintenance Degrees

Property maintenance professionals are responsible for the daily operations of apartments, offices, condos, and other rental properties. They handle upkeep, administration, and maintenance when the property owner is unwilling or unable to do so. They might oversee everything from gardening and janitorial services to rent collection and building code inspections. Property maintenance is an industry that relies heavily on business administration principles which is why many property maintenance managers have MBA degrees or bachelors training in real estate management.

Property Maintenance Training

Much of your training focuses on real estate management, banking, construction, accounting, contractual agreements, auditing, budgeting, financing, and marketing. Sometimes you might be required to outsource various aspects of the business (like cleaning and landscaping). Other times, you might be required to show units to potential tenants. And occasionally, you also need to liaise with government and municipal officials about improvements, construction, emergency exists, and other regulatory issues. Much like a hotel manager, the scope and range of your duties are quite extensive.

Career Outlook for Property Maintenance

Despite recent troubles in the housing market, job growth within the property maintenance industry is expected to be quite favorable over the coming years. From 2006 to 2016, new positions could increase by as much as 15%, which is above the national average for other occupations. In fact, the housing bubble might actual benefit this field since there exists more competition for sellers. In other words, property owners have more incentive to ensure that their empty units look attractive to prospective buyers.