Buy a property management book for reference or background information Add to your professional library with property management books that contain reference information at your fingertips.

I recommend:  Order Landlord's Kit: A complete Set of Ready-to-Use Forms, Letters and Notices to Increase Profits, Take Control and Eliminate the Hassles of Property Management, if you're just starting out. The 2007 revised edition by Jeffrey Taylor gives landlords and property managers every form or checklist needed to communicate with tenants to help ensure timely receipt of rent, long-term resident retention and proper property maintenance. Purchase Landlording on Auto-Pilot: A Simple, No-Brainer System for Higher Profits and Fewer Headaches, by Mike Butler. The 2007 book focuses on cash flow and tax benefits and offers useful information to both new and seasoned property managers and landlords on all aspects of managing rental properties.

Add a property manager magazine to the list of resources at your fingertips You'll find an abundant supply of current information in trade magazines. Property management articles will give you detailed information regarding all aspects of the industry, in addition to helpful 'how-to' instructions for various tasks you must accomplish.

I recommend:  Bookmark Buildings.com, the online magazine for building owners and facility managers. The monthly property management publication delivers information on the development, construction, modernization, management and operation of buildings and all that's needed to support them. Order a subscription to Journal of Property Management, a bi-monthly magazine aimed at asset and property managers in the U.S.

Search among property management journals and reports for in-depth information Keep up with the newest research affecting your industry by reading a real estate or property management journal or report.

I recommend:  Order the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management, an American Real Estate Society publication. The journal delivers information useful to real estate management, development and finance decision makers, among others. Consider a subscription to the Journal of Real Estate Literature, another American Real Estate Society publication. This journal includes working papers, dissertations, articles and book reviews on specialized topics within the real estate industry. Order the 2007 research report titled, Accredited Residential Manager: Profile and Compensation Study. This report provides residential property managers with everything they need to stay competitive in terms of compensation and fringe benefits for those with the ARM certification. Purchase the 80-page report titled, Insider's Tips to Operating a Successful Property Management Company. Published in 2007, the detailed report offers practical information on successful staffing and company organization strategies, instructions for composing a management proposal, maintaining ethical practices and professional standards, incentives and leasing commissions, advice on managing new accounts and expanding profitability.