Being a property manager is diverse, demanding, and a role that is central to the real estate industry.

The Real Estate Conversation has spoken to industry experts about what makes a good property manager, and about the career path for those considering the role, or looking for the next step.

What makes a good property manager?

"A good property manager is somebody who can multi task and make great connections with a diverse range of people," said Jenni Woods, co-chair of the Property Management Network, and training manager with Professionals Real Estate Group.

"They can follow tasks right through to the end. They need good computer and admin skills, but most important of all, they need good people skills."

"You need a really diverse range of skills" to be a good property manager, she said.

Leanne Pilkington, president of the REINSW, said property managers need to have great people skills and, they need to be process driven.

Property managers need to have good processes, and they need to follow them every time, she said.

Gil King, CEO of the REIV, said it's also very important that property managers are up to date with the current legislation, particularly since there is so much change going on in the industry. He also stressed the importance of being able to communicate with both tenants and landlords.

There is strong demand for good property managers, say experts

The broad skillset required, and their importance to the smooth functioning of a real estate office, mean good property managers are highly sought after.

Property managers make up one of the largest categories on RECON Jobs, the national real estate employment website, showing just how deep and broad the market is for good property managers.

"There is huge demand for good property managers, and they're hard to find," said Pilkington.

King echoed her sentiments. "It's a very robust market (for property managers) in Victoria. There's a lot of demand, particularly with the high levels of investment in Melbourne," he said.

A great career stepping stone

Woods said that being a property manager is a great stepping stone into the industry. People often begin their real estate careers in admin roles, she said, which provides a good basis from which to learn how the industry works. A property management role can be a good next step, said Wood.

Becoming an assistant property manager can be good introduction to the property management role, said Wood.

"From there, you can move into property management, and then consider moving on to becoming a senior property manager, and oversee a team, and even do further training to become a sales agent," she said.

King said property managers often come from within other areas of real estate, because they see the role as interesting and challenging, and it can be a way to move into other areas of the industry.

Visit RECON Jobs.

View property management jobs on RECON Jobs.