By Tami Siewruk The staff at a retirement home became puzzled when one of the residents began gargling with Listerine.They asked her why but all she would say was that “something had happened at the post-office.” This is what actually occurred. The old lady, who rarely ventured out, had visited the post office to post […]
A guarantee is a powerful tool—for marketing, leasing and quality service —for five reasons: A guarantee forces you to focus on residents. Knowing what residents want is the sine qua non in offering a service guarantee. A community has to identify its residents’ expectations about the elements of the service and the importance they attach […]
“YOUR COMPETITION COSTS LESS” This is the objection most likely to strike fear into the hearts of an unprepared leasing consultant. First, be certain that the future resident is really considering value, rather than just comparing price. Guide them through a fair “apples to apples” comparison of features and benefits that shows where you have […]
We have found that communities across the country have the idea that rent increases in $ 50 and $70 increments are effective because they are easily to remember, and the accounting team will have an easier time with those numbers. Unfortunately, rent increases like our rental rates, cause an adverse reaction when they are in […]
The last time you played “let’s pretend,” chances are you were only concerned with the three R’s (reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic). This time, we’re going to play a grown-up game of let’s pretend, where you get to be the Resident or Future Resident -and we’ve got four R’s to contend with (Rentals, Renewals, Retention, and […]
WIN! The Grand Prize is a complementary event registration and 3 hotel nights! One of the fabulous benefits of attending Brainstorming 2012 is that by way of collective intelligence, you’re going to hear the very hottest leasing, marketing, and management trends and ideas of the year and share the EXPERIENCE of everyone who attends. Of […]
By the Smart Girls, Dawn Ford, Megan Orser and Paige Perry of Smart Apartment Solutions Do you recall the memories of some of the most important events of your life, graduating high school, going away to college, landing your first job, getting married and becoming a parent? In recalling these memories, what also comes to […]
If paid referral incentives are legal in your area, consider increasing your reward just before the holidays, when residents are likely to be inspired by the idea of extra cash. Each year, we use thousands of doorhangers to promote holiday referrals, and also attach a reminder to every service request in order to keep the […]
It’s probably happened many times – someone comes into your leasing office and you think, “No one could lease to that person!” Well, in today’s competitive apartment leasing environment, you have to be able to lease to anyone. And, believe it or not, it can be done. All it takes is the right information and […]
Essential Steps of the Leasing Process 1. Effectively handle all requests for information about your community, including telephone,email, Internet and regular mail inquiries, with the goal of developing a relationship in order to persuade the future resident to visit the community personally and ultimately lease. 2. Meet and greet future residents (at the front door […]
Anyone Can Lease Apartments If you can read this, you can lease. If you have the desire to, you can lease. If you learn, practice and apply the necessary skills, you can lease! Leasing is just like riding a bike, playing tennis, and swimming, using a computer or any other skill that can be acquired. […]
Are your communities hearing from friends, coworkers and family of former residents? You should be, but it takes a powerful referral strategy to make that happen. Imagine this likely scenario: John Doe leased an apartment, and two years later, he purchased a home. Two months later, his brother called to find out about an apartment, […]