NYARM: education for today's managers

Real Estate Weekly, August 14, 1991 by Richard Stone

NYARM: Education for today's managers

Trade associations offer several reasons for joining, be it social, educational or for the networking opportunities. Whether you're looking for a new supplier, a new client, or simply a way to improve your company image, you'll find it in a trade association. The question, therefore, is not why to join, but which one to join?

For the real estate industry, the answer is simple. Today's property managers, contractors and suppliers are no longer satisfied with just the social aspects of belonging to a trade association, they want something in return--an education. They need a way to stay abreast of financial, legal, and environmental trends in the industry as well as the various issues that affect the "health" of the building they're managing or servicing. The New York Association of Realty Managers (NYARM) recognized this need in 1958. Over thirty years later, it continues this tradition.

Founded both by and for New York property managers, NYARM is dedicated to the advancement of the real estate management profession. With over 500 members from all areas of the real estate industry, NYARM provides a steady flow of information for members through its monthly newspaper and other publications; seminars and lectures; dinner meetings and other special events such as, holiday parties, auctions, etc; an annual trade show; a Vendor Clearing House, where contractors receive pre-qualification on the basis of their past performance; a Technical Information Network, which provides solutions to management problems via telephone; and currently in the development stages, RESCU (Real Estate Services Credit Union). In addition, NYARM is currently working on a handbook for real estate managers, the first of its kind.

While NYARM provides a milieu where managers can meet and exchange ideas with their peers it also provides formal classroom training. In association with the Apartment House Institute, a division of New York City Technical College, NYARM provides a certification program that educates managers, building owners, supervisors and maintenance personnel in building management, tax laws, finance, supervision, the physical plant and renovations. Upon completion of the course requirements, each candidate is granted the title of "nyarm" (New York Accredited Realty Manager), which is recognized and approved by both the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

In today's highly competitive real estate market, building owners and condo/co-op boards increasingly demand more from their manager. Being certified helps the real estate manager provide the correct answers. NYARM certification assures an owner or co-op/condo board of directors they are hiring an informed, experienced and educated property manager.

In conjunction with certification, NYARM has initiated a bill in the New York State Senate that would require that all New York property managers be licensed. Licensing would provide a standard level of professionalism, an established industry-wide standard for evaluating educational achievements and experience.

To this end, we are working closely with New York Senator Donald Halperin, who introduced the bill this past May. We are currently looking for Assembly representation. If approved, New York would be the sixth state to have such legislation.

The concept of licensing is in the best interest of the industry. All other real estate professionals such as brokers, architects, engineers, etc. require a license and consequently, demand a level of professionalism and credibility. The licensing procedure would combine both educational credits and lifetime career experience. A licensing board consisting of government officials, educators, and representatives from management firms and self-managed properties, would provide a set of universal standards and policy.

NYARM is among the most effective associations in New York working to meet the needs of the New York property management profession. Aside from providing an opportunity to network with other managers, meet and speak with industry leaders, and receive specific training in a particular area, it encourages the involvement of all real estate professionals.

For more information on joining NYARM, contact Executive Director Donna Klein at 800-244-NYARM; outside New York call (718)983-6331; or write NYARM 98 Sideview Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314.

Richard Stone President New York Association of Realty Managers (NYARM)