Nevada property managers seek education alternatives

Nevada property managers say they would like the advantage of distance or Internet courses is to fulfill new educational requirements.

A public hearing was held Monday at the Grant Sawyer Building to review new rules for property managers, who beginning July 1 will be regulated for the first time in Nevada.

While many applauded the requirement, there was equal call for flexibility. Managers say the option of using two-way televised classes, correspondence courses or class offerings over the Internet would make it easier to obtain the 24 hours of education needed to apply for the permit and the three hours per year required to renew the permit. The permit is required on top of a real estate license.

Managers in rural areas, where education opportunities are limited, especially favored distance learning options.

Property manager Barbara Holland suggested at least offering basic courses in such forums.

"The Real Estate Division can still inspect them for quality," Holland said.

Others said such education alternatives would not only make class scheduling more flexible, but could make some people learn better.

"Not only do we have rural areas, but students have different learning abilities," said Cynthia Weber of ABC Real Estate Schools.

While the Real Estate Division is exploring possibilities of allowing such classes to be taken on-line or otherwise, that probably won't be a possibility when the new regulations take effect July 1, said Gail Anderson, division director of information and education.

Speakers at Monday's hearing were also concerned about a mandate that should a property manager leave a firm, a permitted replacement would be needed in 30 days. Many thought that time frame too short, in part, because these managers often have to be recruited from elsewhere.

"With growth as fast as it is and the talent pool in property management being slim, there's a lot of people being recruited from out of state," said Trina Fierre.

A longer time-period, like 60 or 90 days, would be needed to get these incoming mangers permitted under the new regulations, speakers said.

The Real Estate Commission is scheduled to finalize the regulations in June. The rules stem from legislation passed in 1997.

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