One of the best available resources to property managers seeking personal and business development is the wealth of online property management courses. These provide opportunities, sometimes for free, to network, to earn designations, to develop specific skillsets, and learn about vendor products that can help your business grow.
A CPM is a designation accredited by the Institute of Real Estate Management that stands for Certified Property Manager. You may have noticed the CPM designation on many consultants or broker/owners of large companies.
The CPM course is a large undertaking, but it’s a very well-renowned designation in the industry. There are eight courses to claim your certification, and the whole thing takes between 12-18 months according to IREM.
The course list features eight courses that cover everything from real estate law to maintenance and risk management to team management. The courses focus on real-world application and skillset development, not theory and many property managers have cited the skill development and networking as tools that have advanced their career.
Just like CPM, you may have seen RMP and MPM listed next to some seasoned property managers on LinkedIn or elsewhere. Both are NARPM designations. RMP is the first accessible one for newer NARPM members, with the requirements being management of over 100 doors for at least a two year period.
An RMP designation has a list of requirements that begins with a set of courses you must complete. From there, there are events to attend before you elect your path to course completion. The whole process can be completed in a year, although there is a three-year limit on trying.
The RMP process is not just about taking courses. It’s very engaging. The latter stages ask for you to take on a subject matter expertise role as a writer or presenter. The process of claiming a designation is valuable itself, not simply a means to an end.
Property managers with NARPM’s RMP designation can become master property managers if they’ve managed over 500 doors for at least a five-year period. MPM is a high-level designation that is not for the faint-of-heart property manager.
Master Property Manager is a simple concept...this is a professional with years of experience and commitment to the industry. This person is one who can be trusted to provide quality service and care to you and your valuable asset.
- Andrea Caldwell MPM, RMP, former NARPM President
For property managers looking to grow their profit per door, a resident benefits package can be an incredible tool. Second Nature hosts a monthly workshop for property managers in all stages of managing an RBP.
At an RBP workshop, you’ll learn how an RBP creates value and grows profit per door while positively affecting turnover rates, what’s included and how to manage a rollout, and you’ll hear from property managers that have successfully rolled out an RBP. The best part is that it’s completely free.
For multifamily property managers, the CAM, or Certified Apartment Manager, is an industry credential used to demonstrate high levels of competency and expertise in multifamily property management. You can earn this credential through a set of courses and exams offered by the National Apartment Association. With both online and in-person, it's a very accessible credential that covers a long list of topics including occupancy rates, comprehensive marketing plays, sales team management, product readiness, and much much more.