How to Become a Property Manager in Georgia: A Guide
The interesting world of property management is somewhere many people seek to journey into all the time. Managing property gives you an opportunity to work with diverse people, help them on a daily basis, and ultimately make a good living wage. One aspect you find is that it can vary some from one state to the next. How to become a property manager in Georgia isn’t necessarily the exact same as it is in Texas or Florida or Massachusetts. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to get a breakdown of what that process looks like.
Our Atlanta property managers have gone through it all. They are qualified and have gone through everything the state requires to be a good standing property manager who knows their stuff. If you’re thinking about how to become a property manager in Georgia, then getting a step-by-step understanding of how to go about it can go a long way towards getting you organized and ready to become one. Here, you can find that.
Table of Contents
- What Does a Property Manager Do?
- Requirements for Property Managers in Georgia
- Step-by-Step Guide
- Why Work with a Property Management Company
What Does a Property Manager Do?
A property manager handles the daily operations of real estate properties. That can mean a lot of different things. First, they act as the bridge between property owners and the renters. That is needed in so many cases and in so many different ways nearly every day. Their responsibilities also include setting and collecting rent, managing maintenance and repairs, and addressing tenant concerns. The responsibilities of property managers is fairly wide ranging, which means it helps to get it explained in a number of broad categories.
Key responsibilities of a property manager:
- Rent Management – Setting appropriate rents and having a system for regularly collecting them.
- Tenant Relations – Handling tenant questions, addressing complaints, and overseeing lease agreements.
- Maintenance – Scheduling regular upkeep and managing repairs.
- Financial Reporting – Keeping detailed records of income and expenses for property owners.
- Legal Compliance – Making sure that properties adhere to local, state, and federal regulations (which interacts with all the other responsibilities).
Requirements for Property Managers in Georgia
If you’re asking yourself how to become a property manager in Georgia, there are a few key steps to keep in mind. First off, you’ll need to get a real estate license. Yes, the state requires property managers to have one. This in turn means you need to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and complete a 75-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. After finishing the course, you’ll need to pass the state real estate exam to get your license.
Once you’ve got your license, it’s important to keep up with continuing education to stay current with the latest laws and best practices in property management. Also, while not required, getting certifications like the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation can improve your credibility and expertise in the field… not a bad thing to have.
Step-by-Step Guide
Becoming a property manager in Georgia takes a mix of education, licensing, and practical experience. It’s not just about collecting rent and handling maintenance—property managers are responsible for legal compliance, tenant relations… which even those can often turn into a lot of miscellaneous things. Georgia has specific requirements that you’ll need to follow. Deciding to become a property manager is a big decision. If you’re ready to jump into the field, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started.
Steps to Become a Property Manager in Georgia
- Meet the Basic Requirements – To qualify – as noted – you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. It’s not that you need it to be a property manager… it’s more that you need it for a real estate license, and THAT is something you need before becoming one. If you’re asking how to become a property manager in Georgia, it helps to know the prerequisites. On top of that, if you plan to get a broker’s license later on, you’ll need to be at least 21.
Complete the Required Education – Georgia requires 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework from a state-approved real estate school. These courses cover Georgia real estate law, property management fundamentals, leasing practices, and fair housing laws.- Pass the Georgia Real Estate Exam – After completing the coursework, you’ll need to pass the Georgia Real Estate Salesperson Exam. The test includes national and state-specific questions, and you’ll need a score of at least 72% to pass. Be sure to study key topics like landlord-tenant laws, property management contracts, and ethical responsibilities.
- Find a Licensed Broker to Work Under – Before you can officially start managing properties, you need to work under a licensed real estate broker. This is a state requirement and a great way to gain hands-on experience in the field.
- Apply for Your Real Estate License – Once you pass the exam and find a broker, you can submit your application for a Georgia real estate license. The application includes proof of your coursework, exam results, and sponsorship from your broker. After approval, you’ll be licensed to work as a property manager under the supervision of a brokerage.
- Get Started – There are different ways you can then practice actually being a property manager. If you’re asking how to become a property manager in Georgia, you might technically be seeking out how to be one of those types. You can work for a brokerage, a property management firm, or even start your own business. Any one of those might be feasible and right for you, but ultimately have larger implications. So deciding which one you have in mind might help on your journey.
Why Work with a Property Management Company
Those just starting in the industry will generally need to apply and work with an established property management company or real estate broker to help gain the experience needed. While this is true, building on that experience with the help of industry certifications and courses can set individuals up for a rewarding career in various positions. So where to start when looking for a property management company? How to become a property manager in Georgia often starts with relying on a professional company who has been doing it for many years. Why not Bay Property Management Group?
Experienced property managers play a vital role for rental owners in the real estate industry. Professionals like at Bay Property Management Group handle all day-to-day operations of rental property portfolios… so owners do not have to. So, if you are searching for a reliable property management company in Atlanta or Georgia (or Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, and a number of other locations), look no further than Bay Property Management Group.
