Extreme winter weather can take its toll on properties, so being prepared with a thorough maintenance schedule is essential for property managers.

Do you have a to ban trick-or-treating? Are dogs allowed? How do you handle guests and parties? We look at some of the more unpopular rules in property management.

Necole Steward is a Houston-born-and-bred property manager now heading up the team at a large property in the Heights area. Here, she shares her experience of working in the business.

Houston-based Necole Steward shares her thoughts on teams, community and a career in property management.

Apartment complex budgeting is a challenge for community managers. Ideally, you have an accountant or finance officer on your team. Either way, there are many pitfalls and mistakes to setting budgets. Learning about them can help you avoid them.

How can you fulfill your commitments to your residents while maximizing owners’ incomes? Look at your community relationships, your offering and your standards.

Residences have all sorts of energy efficiency issues. If addressed, however, it can give a good ROI, reduce bills, make apartments more appealing to residents, and help combat the climate crisis. So let’s countdown some of the most significant problem areas.

A strong personal brand will help community managers’ relationships with their residents, their team and other industry professionals and career development.

Utilize all means to maintain clear and cordial communications with your residents about housekeeping – notably clarifying their responsibilities and yours.

One notable trend is the movement of renters from expensive metros to other areas, frequently in another state, where they can get more for their money.

Combine education, ongoing professional development, strong communication and networking skills and an assertive attitude to fast-track your career as a community manager.

Apartment community managers must closely assess what residents want – not just what they say they want, but what they really want.

For some insights into the mind of a community manager, here’s a quickfire Q&A with Mauri Barnes, who’s worked for Greystar in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

With Wimbledon in July and the US Open in August-September, there will be a lot of excitement for tennis fans in your apartment communities. Take advantage of this with events and activities to create a summer tennis buzz.

Resident retention is one of the most important challenges for community managers. Keep-ing your residents means you avoid turnover, empty units and the added costs and hassle of marketing and screening. Here’s how to hold onto slippery residents.

According to Mauri Barnes, being a property manager means “being the face of the community that you are working in.”

It’s the biggest celebration of the year, so get out your decorations, make important decisions about food and drink, and give your community a blast.

Pride Month is a time to not just party but also show alliance and respect.