The Ultimate Guide to a Career in Multifamily Communities

What Defines a Career in Multifamily Communities?

Never before has a career in multifamily communities been more desirable, sustainable, and rewarding. Perhaps that’s because stereotypes of the past related to property management careers focused on just that: property.

Today, however, images of overbearing landlords and rent collectors have simply fallen to the wayside. A property management career now emphasizes the importance of building vibrant, multifamily communities where culture, teamwork, and a dedication to serving others is paramount.

Read on to learn more about what defines a modern career in multifamily communities, the types of positions that are available, preferred skills, and whether it’s the right fit for you.

Don’t just make a living. Make a life.

Want more than a job? You can achieve a real career that’s both financially and personally rewarding — one that makes you want to get up each morning to do it all over again.

A Rewarding Career Path.

Achieving a career that encourages and supports personal, professional, and financial growth in a thriving industry is possible when working in a reputable multifamily community. You can make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others, all while doing something you love.

A Reputable, Growing Industry.

Multifamily community careers have shown steady growth in recent years and are expected to remain highly favorable. The industry continues to show a sustainable, upward trend as the demand for housing grows and population increases across the country.

CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for advancement abound within a multifamily community career, and hard work and dedication are recognized and rewarded. Your unique perspectives, experiences, and background in other service-oriented career paths are valued and sought after, and many relevant educational classes and leadership trainings are provided at no expense, so you can acquire the necessary skills and certifications you need to be successful. Continental’s own knowledgeable training and development team is dedicated to helping employees advance their careers and skill sets.

BENEFITS

Receive competitive benefits as part of a robust compensation package, as well as potential additional earnings through incentive programs and bonuses. Participate in 401(k) retirement plans with a company match, health and life insurance, and vision insurance. Some team members are on-site residents of a Springs Luxury Apartment community, meaning amenities such as an on-site, 24-hour fitness center, resort-style swimming pool, community clubhouse, and a rent discount for on-site housing — management-level employees are offered an apartment for up to two years, rent free! Travel opportunities and company events are additional perks.

ENGAGING AND REWARDING WORK

No two days are the same. You’re encouraged to build relationships with residents and your team while being challenged to meet goals and direct your own success and that of the community. Personal success in a multifamily community career may require a new perspective, one that breaks through the stereotypical view of relationships between property managers and residents. Success can only be achieved by remaining focused on improving the lives of your residents.

Leasing Associate

What is a Leasing Associate?

A Leasing Associate is responsible for building relationships with prospective and current residents to help them identify their needs and find a home within the multifamily community you represent. You will provide tours, discuss pricing and amenities, prepare leasing agreements, and have leasing goals that you’ll be expected to achieve. You’ll also get to use your creativity to assist with marketing and resident events.

Skills needed to be a Leasing Associate

A Leasing Associate needs to be a people person who is comfortable engaging in the sales process and is dedicated to customer service. This requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills and a positive, self-starter attitude. Leasing Associates provide the first impression for prospects and residents, and they need to adapt and remain flexible to meet customers’ needs in order to be successful, going above and beyond whenever needed.

Leasing Associate training

Making a resident’s experience as pleasurable and seamless as possible requires knowledge of the leasing process, managing various documentation and agreements, and maintaining accurate records. Some states require leasing professionals to be licensed or to hold a certification while others do not. Continental Properties has a thriving Learning & Development program that provides funds for continued education throughout your career and on-the-job mentoring to help you excel.

Advancement potential for a Leasing Associate

Becoming a Leasing Associate opens the door to many possibilities within the multifamily industry. Proving yourself as a motivated and hard-working Leasing Associate demonstrates your eagerness to expand your career path and opens opportunities to grow quickly.

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Community Manager (Property Manager)

What is a Community Manager?

Community Managers - sometimes referred to as a Property Manager - are business leaders, responsible for the profitability and success of their community, and they deliver exceptional living experiences for all residents while creating a positive and productive work environment for the team.

Skills needed to be a Community Manager

To become a residential Community Manager three or more years of relevant experience is typically desired; just as important is the ability to lead, develop, and manage a team. A Community Manager will perform various business functions such as developing budgets, managing income and expenses, and using management software. You will also need to demonstrate your leadership skills by developing new ways to market your multifamily apartments and getting out of the office to promote leasing opportunities within the community. Excellent communication skills and a dedication to serving the needs of residents and team members is a must, which may require non-traditional hours.

Training for Multifamily Community Managers

To guide a team and effectively communicate with residents, it’s important to display leadership and interpersonal skills in addition to managing business functions and finances. A Certified Property Manager (CPM) certification can help further your career and is required in some states. Continental Properties has a thriving Learning & Development program that provides funds for continued education throughout your career to help you excel in the industry.

Advancement potential for Community Managers

Being a Community Manager creates opportunities to advance within the company and become an Area Manager or Regional Director. Whether you’re someone who prefers to stay close to home or you enjoy the prospect of moving to a new community, team members are encouraged to find their best fit within the organization and to explore other positions as they become available locally, corporately, or in other regions.

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Community Maintenance Technician

What is a Community Maintenance Technician?

A Community Maintenance Technician, sometimes referred to as apartment maintenance or property maintenance, is someone who likes working with his or her hands and can easily troubleshoot. When a service need arises, a Maintenance Technician needs to respond to residents quickly and professionally and, most importantly, address issues to ensure the facility operates properly and remains safe. Some duties may include preparing an apartment for incoming tenants and performing various repairs and general maintenance of the interior and exterior of the property.

Skills for a Community Maintenance Technician

Beyond being able to perform carpentry work, repairing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, appliances, pool repairs, and more, a Maintenance Technician needs to display strong communication and interpersonal skills when dealing with residents and work to build trusting relationships with them. Maintenance Technicians love a challenge and doing something different every day and their schedule may need to remain flexible to respond to residents’ needs.

Training for a Community Maintenance Technician

In addition to obtaining the skills necessary for repairing general interior and exterior repairs, Maintenance Technicians are encouraged to receive their EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and CPO (Certified Pool and Spa Operator) certifications. They will also need to learn to use various software, such as Onesite, Ops Technology, and Compliance Depot. On-the-job mentoring is often provided by a Maintenance Supervisor and Continental Properties has a thriving Learning & Development program that provides funds for continued education throughout your career to help you excel.

Advancement potential for a Community Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technicians have many opportunities to further their careers within the multifamily industry. It’s not uncommon for technicians to work their way up to becoming a Maintenance Supervisor who oversees a team. Maintenance Technicians are also encouraged to explore other positions as they become available locally, or in other regions.

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Many other career opportunities are available in the Multifamily Community industry. Community Managers can advance to become Area Managers or Regional Directors; Maintenance Technicians may also be interested in Groundskeeper positions or advance to become a Maintenance Supervisor. Various professional, administrative, and assistant positions are also available to help with the functions necessary to maintain a successful community. Discovering a career you love as part of a multifamily community is ripe with possibilities!

In addition to a vibrant culture, a rewarding work environment and being part of an organization named a “Top Workplace” for ten consecutive years and “Best Places to Work in MultifamilyTM” for five years running, Continental team members can take pride in knowing that they can build their careers from the ground up — sometimes quite literally!

Continental is one of the country’s few management companies that develops, owns, and operates its own communities, making it unique in the multifamily industry. They also have their own dedicated, in-house market research team that explores where the greatest need for housing exists. Luxury apartment communities are then built to support those needs, providing long-term, on-site management and services for residents.

Are you a Fit?

Working in the multifamily industry is extremely rewarding, and individuals who excel and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment will enjoy their career for years to come. The most successful team members display the following qualities and are eager to develop them further:

Organized with a strong attention to detail
Self-motivated and goal-oriented with a drive to succeed
Strong communication skills
Responsive and service-oriented
Focused on customer service and relationship building
The ability to promote available apartments and engage prospective residents
Enjoys variety and meeting new people
Good problem solver
Team player who is eager to succeed together

Do I need a degree or certification?

Some states require certification for specific positions. Continental Properties will provide necessary training and education to obtain the skills and certifications you may need. No degree is required. However, experience or knowledge about business practices and customer-centric industries is helpful.

Is a career in multifamily communities sustainable?

Absolutely! The industry continues to grow and is forecast to remain strong for years to come.

Will I be stuck behind a desk all day?

No! You will be encouraged to work together and interact with other team members and residents to foster a strong culture and community. Administrative duties are part of any position, but getting out from behind your desk and engaging residents and other team members is an important part of your daily routine.

Will I get to travel?

Continental Properties can accommodate both the person who wants to set down roots in one place and the free-spirited individual who doesn’t want to be tied down. Depending on your job functions and role, you may have opportunities to visit other sites. Some team members are excited to pursue advancement opportunities in other communities both near and far, while others prefer to stay close to home.

Can I use the Springs Community gym, pool, and other amenities?

Many of our team members are also on-site residents, meaning they can take advantage of the same perks and luxury apartment living amenities that our regular residents enjoy in their off-time.

Are there opportunities for professional development or training?

Continental Properties prides itself on investing in the necessary training — both on-the-job and through outside classroom settings — to help you develop your skills, advance your career, and serve the needs of residents.

“I’m never bored.”

Brad

A one-time Springs resident in Charleston, South Carolina, Brad formed a connection with the on-site maintenance supervisor and asked about job opportunities. Brad always enjoyed working with his hands but didn’t have experience in the multifamily industry. Because of his natural abilities and eagerness to learn, he was hired as a maintenance technician.

The maintenance supervisor mentored him and Continental Properties paid for further training in targeted fields, such as appliance repair, heating and cooling, and other related courses. Brad always dreamed of living in Colorado, so when a new property was being built, he pursued the opportunity. Today, he is a maintenance supervisor in Johnstown, Colorado and enjoys the abundant outdoor life during his free time.

“I own my career and feel empowered.”

Jennifer

Thirteen years ago, Jennifer was a typical resident at a Springs Luxury Apartment community in Tampa, Florida, and she enjoyed interacting with other residents and staff. Her outgoing personality got noticed and she was asked to consider being a part of the Continental Properties team. She didn’t have industry experience, but she worked in various fields that required strong customer service skills and was ambitious.

She joined the team as a Leasing Associate and her drive to succeed helped her quickly advance within the company. She and her family enjoy exploring and trying new things, so when asked to lead teams in other states, Jennifer jumped at the opportunity. She eventually became a property manager and an area manager and, today, is a regional director overseeing properties and team members in several states.

One thing we hear over and over from prospective team members is how unique the Continental hiring process is compared to others in the industry. In the same way we want to provide the very best for our residents, we want to make sure you have the best experience possible during each interaction. As part of our interview process, expect to meet fellow team members as well as company leaders so you can get a better sense of the unique, caring, and unbeatable culture that permeates the Continental organization and Springs Apartment communities.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A CAREER IN MULTIFAMILY COMMUNITIES

Jump to a section

Table of Contents

What Defines a Career in Multifamily Communities?

Don’t just make a living. Make a life.

A Rewarding Career Path.

A Reputable, Growing Industry.

What Can I Expect from a Multifamily Community Career with Continental Properties?

Examples of Careers in Multifamily Communities

What is a Leasing Associate?

Skills needed to be a Leasing Associate

Leasing Associate training

Advancement potential for a Leasing Associate

What is a Community Manager?

Skills needed to be a Community Manager

Training for Multifamily Community Managers

Advancement potential for Community Managers

What is a Community Maintenance Technician?

Skills for a Community Maintenance Technician

Training for a Community Maintenance Technician

Advancement potential for a Community Maintenance Technician

What Sets Continental Apart?

We don’t just build buildings;
we build communities.

Are you a Fit?

Continental Quick FAQs — Multifamily Community Career

The Path to Success Can Begin at Home

Take the Next Step in Your Career

Ready to explore the possibilities?
Fill out the form below!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO A CAREER IN MULTIFAMILY COMMUNITIES

Jump to a section

Table of Contents

What Defines a Career in Multifamily Communities?

Don’t just make a living. Make a life.

A Rewarding Career Path.

A Reputable, Growing Industry.

What Can I Expect from a Multifamily Community Career with Continental Properties?

Examples of Careers in Multifamily Communities

What is a Leasing Associate?

Skills needed to be a Leasing Associate

Leasing Associate training

Advancement potential for a Leasing Associate

What is a Community Manager?

Skills needed to be a Community Manager

Training for Multifamily Community Managers

Advancement potential for Community Managers

What is a Community Maintenance Technician?

Skills for a Community Maintenance Technician

Training for a Community Maintenance Technician

Advancement potential for a Community Maintenance Technician

What Sets Continental Apart?

We don’t just build buildings;we build communities.

Are you a Fit?

Continental Quick FAQs — Multifamily Community Career

The Path to Success Can Begin at Home

Take the Next Step in Your Career

Ready to explore the possibilities?Fill out the form below!

We don’t just build buildings;
we build communities.

Ready to explore the possibilities?
Fill out the form below!