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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Property Intern

💰 Varies by market, typically hourly

Real EstateInternshipProperty ManagementCommercial Real EstateAsset Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Property Intern is an entry-level, developmental role designed to provide aspiring real estate professionals with comprehensive, hands-on exposure to the full lifecycle of property and asset management. This position is a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the industry from the ground up, working alongside seasoned experts in leasing, operations, finance, and acquisitions. You'll be at the heart of the action, contributing to the daily management and strategic oversight of a real estate portfolio. This role is not just about observing; it's about doing. You will be tasked with meaningful projects that directly impact property performance, tenant satisfaction, and investment returns, providing a robust foundation for a successful career in commercial or residential real estate.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

This internship is a key talent pipeline for future full-time roles within our organization and the industry at large.

Entry Point From:

  • University students actively pursuing a degree in a related field.
  • Recent graduates seeking their first immersive experience in the real estate sector.
  • Career changers with a demonstrated passion and aptitude for the property industry.

Advancement To:

  • Property Coordinator or Assistant Property Manager
  • Real Estate Analyst or Financial Analyst
  • Leasing Associate or Tenant Services Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Facilities Coordinator
  • Real Estate Marketing Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

A Property Intern's day is dynamic and varied. You will be entrusted with responsibilities that span the breadth of property management and real estate analysis.

  • Assist property management teams with the day-to-day operations of a portfolio of commercial or residential properties, ensuring a high level of tenant satisfaction.
  • Conduct in-depth market research and analysis to support leasing, acquisition, and disposition activities, including compiling rent and sales comparables, vacancy rates, and demographic data.
  • Support the lease administration process by abstracting key lease terms, tracking critical dates (expirations, renewals, rent escalations), and ensuring data integrity in property management systems.
  • Participate in the financial management of properties by assisting with the preparation of annual operating budgets, monthly variance reports, and CAM (Common Area Maintenance) reconciliations.
  • Help prepare detailed property-level financial models, pro-forma analyses, and cash flow projections to evaluate property performance and potential investments.
  • Aid the asset management team in preparing quarterly and annual investor reports, summarizing property performance, market conditions, and strategic initiatives.
  • Conduct regular physical inspections of properties to assess building conditions, identify maintenance needs, and ensure compliance with safety standards and curb appeal.
  • Respond to and track tenant service requests in a timely and professional manner, coordinating with maintenance staff and third-party vendors to ensure resolution.
  • Support the due diligence process for potential property acquisitions by gathering and organizing financial documents, leases, service contracts, and physical property reports.
  • Assist the leasing and marketing teams by preparing marketing materials, tracking prospective tenant leads, and helping to coordinate property tours for brokers and potential tenants.
  • Review, code, and process vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy and adherence to approved budgets and contract terms.
  • Maintain and update critical information within property management software platforms such as Yardi, MRI, or AppFolio.
  • Assist with the coordination of tenant move-ins and move-outs, which includes preparing documentation, conducting suite inspections, and managing security deposit dispositions.
  • Support senior managers in the vendor bidding and contract management process for services such as landscaping, janitorial, and security.
  • Shadow senior team members in key meetings and negotiations with tenants, vendors, and brokers to gain practical exposure to high-level real estate transactions.
  • Help track capital improvement projects by monitoring budgets, maintaining project schedules, and assisting with communication between contractors and property management.
  • Update and maintain meticulously organized tenant, vendor, and property files, ensuring all documentation is current and easily accessible.
  • Analyze property utility consumption and assist in the implementation of sustainability and energy-saving initiatives.
  • Prepare professional presentation materials, including charts, graphs, and maps, for internal strategy meetings and external client presentations.
  • Contribute to special projects as assigned by senior leadership, providing analytical support and a fresh perspective on business challenges.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis from various teams, including asset management, leasing, and acquisitions.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes and documentation within the property management team.
  • Attend industry networking events and internal training sessions to build professional connections and deepen your understanding of the real estate market.
  • Provide general administrative support to the property or asset management office as needed to ensure smooth team operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

We look for driven individuals who combine technical aptitude with strong interpersonal skills. A successful intern will be a proactive learner who is eager to contribute from day one.

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Advanced ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets, use formulas (VLOOKUP, IF statements), build financial models, and create charts/graphs.
  • Financial Acumen: A solid understanding of basic finance and accounting principles (NOI, Cap Rate, IRR, NPV, P&L statements).
  • Market Research: Skill in gathering, synthesizing, and presenting market data from sources like CoStar, LoopNet, and economic reports.
  • Lease Abstraction: The ability to read, interpret, and summarize complex legal lease documents to extract key business terms.
  • Financial Modeling: Experience or coursework in building basic real estate financial models is highly advantageous.
  • Real Estate Software Familiarity: Exposure to industry-standard software such as Argus, Yardi, MRI, or AppFolio is a significant plus.
  • Report & Presentation Building: Competency in creating clear, concise, and professional reports and presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: Foundational knowledge of preparing operating budgets and analyzing financial performance against those budgets.
  • Due Diligence Process: A basic understanding of the components involved in evaluating a property for acquisition.
  • Data Analysis: The ability to analyze datasets, identify trends, and draw meaningful conclusions related to property performance.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: A sharp, inquisitive mind capable of dissecting complex problems and identifying viable solutions.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and professionally to tenants, vendors, and colleagues.
  • Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to work, ensuring accuracy in financial data, reports, and lease abstracts.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: A strong work ethic and the initiative to seek out new tasks and responsibilities without constant supervision.
  • Time Management & Multitasking: The ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Team-Oriented & Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative spirit and the ability to build positive working relationships with a diverse group of people.
  • Eagerness to Learn: A genuine curiosity about the real estate industry and a strong desire to absorb knowledge and skills.
  • Professionalism: A high level of maturity, reliability, and integrity in all interactions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

  • Currently enrolled and in the Junior or Senior year of a Bachelor's program, or pursuing a Master's degree (MBA or MSRE).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Real Estate
  • Finance
  • Business Administration
  • Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years. This is an entry-level role designed for those with limited or no professional real estate experience.

Preferred: Prior internship experience in a related field (e.g., finance, accounting, real estate brokerage) is a plus but not a requirement. A demonstrated, passionate interest in the real estate industry, shown through coursework, extracurricular activities, or self-study, is highly valued.

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