How to Succeed as a Property Manager

Pacific Crest Real Estate • February 17, 2016

Tips and Resources to Help You Succeed as a Property Manager

Whether you’re changing careers and are new to property management or you’re looking to sharpen your skills, we thought you might appreciate a few tips and resources to help you succeed as a property manager.

BiggerPockets.com

This blog offers loads of helpful tips for property managers, landlords, and property owners and investors. Here are a couple of our favorite tips from their blog post “ How to Be A Landlord “:

  • Education is important. Seek a mentor, read books about property management and real estate, take continuing education courses, tune into online resources — like this one! — that will help you stay on top of industry news.
  • Once you create a policy, stick to it.

AppFolio.com

If you’re a Pacific Crest Real Estate property manager, you already know that we use AppFolio’s services for many tasks. But did you know that the company also offers tips on their blog along with webinars and more? If you missed it, you can review the “Secrets of Successful Property Management Companies” webinar here.

Tune into the News

In addition to staying on top of what’s happening in your community, you might pick up on success tips from time to time in the business section, too. Click here for The Houston Chronicle ‘s “Keys to Success in the Property Management Business” segment. The tips include primers on marketing and networking.

HappyInspector.com

This site compiled a list of career advice from successful property management companies around the country. Here’s one of our favorite tips:

My best advice for on-site staff is to just remember that residents are people too. Of course, you have to be careful in terms of fair housing and you can’t have favorites or best friends from among your residents, but you can be attentive, kind and understanding in your interactions with them. Encourage yourself and your staff to treat residents with respect and consideration. This goes a long way in terms of the reputation of your community both on-line and in person.

–Crystal Hadidan , Client Creative Director, Resident360

Social Media

Pay attention to the #PropertyManagement , #PropertyManagers , #multifamily and #ApartmentLife hashtags on Facebook and Twitter for tips, too. Even Pinterest has boards for property management tips.

Zillow.com

Zillow’s advice mirrors some that we’ve already covered, but the company is always offering more advice via their blog and social media accounts. Here are some important tips from their “ How to Succeed as a Property Manager ” blog post for managing tenant relationships:

  • Be responsive.
  • Get organized.
  • Don’t try to do everything yourself: Delegate.

Lightpath

This company’s blog offers a checklist that could help you succeed as a property manager. Here are a few of the tips:

  • Learn how to best market vacancies to local residents
  • Learn how to generate and use reports that indicate how well your property is, or isn’t, doing
  • Familiarize yourself with your lease agreements
  • Be an active part of the community

The Real Key to Success is You

There is no easy button that can ensure you succeed as a property manager, and we won’t lie to you: It’s going to take a lot of hard work on your part, but you can do it! Finding and using resources like those we’ve listed above will help.

A special note for Pacific Crest Real Estate property and resident managers: Be sure to contact your asset managers with any questions or concerns you may have. You’re also welcome to contact our main office anytime. Keep an eye on this blog for more success tips, too!

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Angie Bentler Takes the Leap for Hunger Relief: Pacific Crest Real Estate Supports

July 18, 2025
At Pacific Crest Real Estate, we're thrilled to share a story of inspiration and impact! Our very own Director Of Asset Management, Angie Bentler, recently demonstrated extraordinary leadership and community spirit by participating in the National Apartment Association's Apartmentalize event in Las Vegas. Going Above and Beyond: Jumping for a Cause As part of the #MoveForHunger campaign, Angie joined 14 other courageous industry leaders in a daring jump from the iconic Stratosphere. This initiative wasn't just about facing fears—it was about rallying support to fight hunger nationwide. Together, the group raised an outstanding $35,306, with Angie and the Pacific Crest Real Estate team personally contributing $5,026 towards this total. Over 141,000 meals provided to families in need, thanks to everyone's generosity! Built industry awareness while supporting Move For Hunger's crucial mission. Showcased Pacific Crest's commitment to social responsibility and making a genuine difference. Why This Matters Hunger remains a critical challenge in our communities. By supporting Move For Hunger, our team and partners contribute vital meals for those in need, turning a courageous act into lasting change. Angie's fearless leap - both literal and symbolic - mirrors the values we strive for every day at Pacific Crest: leadership, compassion, and action . Watch Angieʼs Jump! Capture the excitement and courage, watch Angie's jump as our website banner video and get inspired! See what's possible when we work together for a better tomorrow. Join Us in Making a Difference We're more than property management. We're a team dedicated to caring for our residents and communities. Thank you to everyone who helped make this achievement possible. For more information on our featured properties or to find your new home, visit us at Pacific Crest Real Estate. #MoveForHunger #JumpForACause #EndHunger #PacificCrestCares #CommunityImpact

Congratulations to Lauren Piper: Making Strides for Cancer Research!

July 18, 2025
Pacific Crest Real Estate is proud to celebrate Lauren Piper, our Designated Broker and Principal, for being recognized as a top fundraiser in the 2025 WMFHA Fit2Be Cancer Free Step Challenge. Lauren's dedication helped raise $500 for the American Cancer Society, supporting the fight against cancer alongside 188 other participants who collectively walked an astonishing 36.5 million steps. Lauren brings over 30 years of real estate experience in Seattle and is a passionate community advocate. A University of South Florida graduate, she has called the Pacific Northwest home since 1993. Outside the office, Lauren supports the Seattle Children's Hospital Guild, enjoys hiking, gardening, and is a loyal Seattle Sounders fan. Thank you, Lauren, for leading by example and making a real difference—for our team, our clients, and our community! #PacificCrestCares #Fit2BeCancerFree #CommunityLeadership #RealEstate
things to do

A favorite Seattle Blog – A Million Cool Things to do in Seattle

By Pacific Crest Real Estate • March 16, 2016
There are a Million Cool Things to do in Seattle! We love Seattle, we really do, but we’re not the only ones. The blog “A Million Cool Things to do in Seattle” is one of our favorite when scoping out fun activities for the weekend whether for families, couples, or out-of-town guests. It’s sponsored by Findwell, a fellow real estate company based right here in the Emerald City. In addition to sharing information about upcoming events, the blog also includes a Seattle guide and neighborhood guides and a frequently updated events page. And you can search for things to do in Seattle by category — the site lists everything from scenic viewpoints to sporting events and hiking opportunities. Stay in touch with what’s happening by signing up for the “A Million Cool Things to do in Seattle” email newsletter and by following the blog’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. On a Similar Mission As you can tell, we’re big fans of the “A Million Cool Things to do in Seattle” blog. That’s in large part because we feel they’re on the same mission as us, so we feel good about encouraging you to tune into what they’re up to because, like us, they are aiming to build strong and vibrant communities … like yours! Share your ideas! If you’ve got some more ideas about cool things to see or do in Seattle, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us via social media, too. Connect with us on Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, and Instagram. We’ll be on the look out for your suggestions and will happily re-share your suggestions with our followers. In the meantime, have fun in this beautiful city we call home! Seattle rocks … but you already knew that.
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