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"Some strange man is in the back bedroom and he won't come out," a Clinton property manager recalls in her recently released book, which explores the stigmas and strange situations that accompany a landlord.

The man Rosemary Banks was referring to had come to look at a model home, disrobed and was repeatedly calling her from the back of the house asking for a toothbrush.

This was just one of the many nearly unbelievable true tales Banks examines in her book, "Resident Manager: A job truly underestimated by most," after 28 years as a local property manager.

"I don't think people have an idea or a clue of what really goes on," Banks said. Her day-to-day tasks as resident manager include maintenance, public relations and taking care of inspections.

In her book she describes many strange but true instances of a car slamming into an apartment building and ending up in someone's living room and a crazed war veteran who began shooting a gun for no reason from his apartment balcony.

"You have to be strong and have thick skin," she said.

In 1979, Banks spotted an employment ad in the newspaper for an experienced leasing consultant for an apartment complex in Hillcrest Heights. Even though she lacked real estate experience, Banks decided to apply anyway and landed the position with a starting wage of $3.50 per hour.

After 11 years and various positions, Banks was promoted to resident manager.

"I was offered the position several times over the years but refused to accept after witnessing all of the verbal abuse the managers preceding me experienced," Banks said in "Resident Manager."

In writing "Resident Manager," Banks said she drew from three decades of notes and memories outlining the disrespect and harassment from residents that she said is so common in her industry.

About three years ago she started organizing her notes and began writing "Resident Manager," which was released Dec. 13 by PublishAmerica in Baltimore.

"You have to stay on top of your game," Banks said. "You have to care about people."

Residents can get angry at the smallest thing she said, referring to one of many common problems – the "chronic late rent-payers," who would throw a fit when they were hit with a fee because of their late payment.

Banks is courageous to come forward and "tell it like it is," said property manager Alicia D. Stukes of Largo, who was trained by Banks.

"She basically gave me the nuts and bolts of property management," Stukes said.

Stukes said Banks taught her simple things, such as how to collect rent and how to handle disgruntled tenants, after she transitioned into a new career in realty after she was laid off from a government sector job.

"I totally believe that had she not been the one who guided my career… it may have gone a different way and I might not still be in the business 10 years later."