What qualities are required to work in real estate management? As a representative director of INA, I would like to consider the ideal candidate for a property management position from the perspective of observing the field on a day-to-day basis. In this article, I will discuss some of the important points, as well as the reasons why they are important and what we do at INA.
In property management operations, it is extremely important to have personnel who are skilled in managing numbers. There is a wide range of figures to be handled, such as rent income, management fees, and repair costs for each property. For example, if you are in charge of multiple properties, you are responsible for accurately grasping the income and expenditure status of each one and reporting it appropriately to the owner. Failure to check rent arrears or manage expenditures not only undermines the owner's trust, but can also have a negative impact on INA's management.
This demand for numerical management skills is because property management is a business directly linked to profitability. Personnel with strong numerical skills can make a significant contribution to increasing the value of properties by optimizing the balance of income and expenditure and proposing cost reductions. Also, people who are good with numbers can make accurate judgments when planning long-term repair plans and cash flow simulations. In fact, in one case, when one of our managed properties was experiencing sluggish revenue growth, our staff analyzed income and expenditure data in detail and proposed a review of rent settings and optimization of repair expenses, which led to an improvement in the owner's revenue. This is an episode that was made possible by INA's strength in numbers, and was greatly appreciated by the owner.
INA has also introduced a system to propose appropriate rents by utilizing the latest data analysis. The ability to read and understand data and make decisions based on numbers is essential in order to analyze vast amounts of market data and make well-reasoned judgments. A person who is bright with numbers will be a reliable person to make persuasive proposals to owners and maximize the revenue of properties.
In the field of rental management, the ability to coordinate among stakeholders is also indispensable. Property management involves many stakeholders, including property owners, tenants, and subcontractors responsible for cleaning and repairs. With each party in a different position and with different expectations, it is necessary to be a good coordinator in order to ensure that things proceed smoothly. For example, when a resident requests a repair, you need to coordinate the schedule with the contractor on site, and carefully explain the cost estimate and necessity of the repair to the owner.
Coordination is important because it connects people with different interests and leads to the best overall result. If only one party's needs are prioritized, there will be dissatisfaction somewhere, and a long-term relationship of trust will not be built. A property manager must be able to understand the other party's point of view and communicate with them to find a compromise that is acceptable to both parties. Property managers must be able to strike a balance between maximizing asset value for the owner and providing a comfortable living environment for tenants. A person with excellent coordination skills can prevent problems before they occur and realize stable management operations based on trust.
With the current wave of legal revisions and technological innovations, property managers are required to continuously learn and be adaptable to changes in the environment. Laws and taxation related to lease contracts are reviewed on a regular basis and can have an impact on both owners and tenants. For example, new knowledge is constantly being created that you should be aware of, such as legal changes that allow for electronic contracts, and changes in guidelines surrounding security deposits and restoration of original conditions. If you remain unfamiliar with these latest laws and regulations, you run the risk of unknowingly violating them or responding to them later.
INA is also working on the introduction of digital key management systems and customer management tools to increase operational efficiency and improve service quality. INA is also working to improve operational efficiency and service quality by introducing digital key management systems and customer management tools. In order to make the most of these tools, an interest in new technologies and a willingness to learn are essential. Those who are able to continuously learn and keep up with changes in laws and technological evolution are able to constantly evolve their work in the best possible way and increase the value they bring to the organization.
Property management work is characterized by the fact that it provides services by standing between two parties, the owner and the tenant. Therefore, it is very important to be customer-oriented and provide value to both parties. Property owners are important customers for a property management company, but the tenants with whom they come into contact on a daily basis are equally important. Stable rental management is impossible without tenant satisfaction.
A person with a strong customer orientation will think from the perspective of both tenants and owners. For example, when they receive a call from a tenant about a defective facility, they respond quickly and politely to solve the problem, thereby gaining the tenant's peace of mind and satisfaction. As a result, the move-out rate will decrease and the reputation of the property will improve, which in turn will contribute to the long-term profitability of the owner. We can also demonstrate our value as a trusted partner by providing owners with not only reports on current conditions, but also suggestions for improvement based on market trends and ideas for vacancy countermeasures. Those who are close to both tenants and owners, and have a viewpoint that benefits both parties, are the best suited for property management positions.
How does INA evaluate and nurture people with the above qualities? In our evaluations, we focus not only on the achievement of numerical targets, but also on process contributions such as the aforementioned numerical management skills, coordination skills, learning attitude, and client orientation. For example, we also evaluate the ingenious efforts to improve the income and expenditure of properties for which they are responsible, their ability to make appropriate adjustments when problems occur, and their proactive sharing of information at internal study sessions. This comprehensive evaluation allows employees to steadily advance in their careers while developing their strengths and overcoming their weaknesses.
INA also invests heavily in human resource development. We provide training programs for new employees to ensure that they acquire expertise in property management and INA's philosophy. We also have a mentor system in place for employees after they are assigned to a position, creating an environment where they can easily ask for advice on issues they face in the field. The entire company supports the growth of employees by reviewing their goals and helping them improve their skills through periodic interviews. In addition, to keep up with the latest legal changes and technology trends, we have established a support system for participation in outside seminars and acquisition of qualifications, and the company supports an attitude of continuous learning. INA views its employees as "human assets" rather than "human resources," and the management itself is committed to investing in human capital so that each and every employee can be active over the long term.
So, what makes INA an attractive place to work for people with the qualities required of a real estate manager? First of all, INA's management is based on a clear philosophy. If you share this philosophy, you will find it very rewarding to know that you are contributing to society through your work.
Secondly, INA's culture of emphasizing investment in human capital is also attractive. We believe that employees are not an "expense" to the company, but an "investment" in the future, and we place particular emphasis on education and training, support for qualification acquisition, and career development opportunities. We have a system in place to evaluate not only performance, but also process and motivation, so you can feel that your growth is directly linked to the company's growth.
The company's open corporate culture, in which the voices of the frontline are reflected in the strategies, is also conducive to a comfortable work environment. INA has a culture where information is shared openly and everyone can take initiative to take on challenges in an environment where opinions can be exchanged frankly regardless of position or department. We are able to leverage each other's strengths to create creative solutions from a variety of perspectives. This diversity and collaboration is one of INA's unique strengths.
INA is also characterized by its long-term perspective in its business and organizational development. Rather than focusing on short-term profits, we aim for sustainable growth by developing strategies that look five to ten years into the future.
This allows each employee to build a career while deepening his or her expertise from the ground up. INA has the flexibility to take on new challenges based on a stable foundation, and because INA is not limited to the property management business, but is diversifying its operations to include technology and consulting businesses, it is possible to gain a variety of experiences and expand growth opportunities. With the two pillars of long-term management andproactive investment in human capital, IN is a safe and secure field in which you can demonstrate your abilities.
I have described the characteristics that make a good candidate for a real estate management position, but these are not things that can be acquired overnight. What is important is a willingness and attitude to grow and develop these qualities. As a manager myself, I am more than happy to see my employees grow, and at the same time, I feel that this is the driving force for the development of the company.
INA provides an ideal stage for human resources who share our philosophy and continue to improve themselves. We are looking for people who can share in the success and joy of our clients, people who are willing to learn new knowledge and skills, and people who value teamwork and the ability to work in harmony with others to achieve great goals. We welcome each and every one of our employees as an irreplaceable "human asset" and do our utmost to support them in reaching their full potential.
If after reading this article you feel, even a little, that you would like to work for INA, please come and knock on our door. Together with us, let's create new value in the real estate industry and move toward a future full of smiles and connections.