You need a place, I need a sale. Between the two of us, we are both anxious. However, we shouldn't be, because when we act in this way, one of us might do or say something that might cause us to miss out on what we both want.
I think of all of the new residents who were eager to get a place when they walked in my office some years back, and I recall how later they were disappointed after moving in. Their disappointment may have been due to a lack of funds, the apartment location, a nosey neighbor, something overlooked in the contract, and other things that caused that once smiling face to turn upside down.
No one is to blame. Feelings take over and you just want that coveted place now. Sometimes desperation exuding from a apartment shopper would make me second guess whether he or she would be a good resident. Other times, I was the one guilty of moving too fast with the interview to close the sale.
A few words of caution: take the time to go over that vacant apartment with a fine tooth comb, so to speak. Read and re-read the contract. Bring a second set of eyes with you when you look for an apartment. Most of all, sleep on it. If it's meant to be, it will be there the next day.
Nicholl McGuire
Saturday
Resident Retention
In the apartment industry, the words “resident retention” are very important. To define it simply in my experience, it is a process to keep a resident happy in the apartment community, so that he or she will not want to move.
When discussing resident retention goals, behind closed doors, management and staff are brainstorming on ways to keep residents at their apartment communities. It costs much money to the landlord when a resident moves out. He or she is losing profits daily when the apartment remains vacant not to mention the expensive marketing mediums the landlord must pay to get people to come see the unit.
So when a resident gives a notice to move, then another, and another too often and too soon in between, someone should be paying close attention to this and looking for ways to slow these numerous departures.
One way is by surveying the residents. The apartment management may host a meeting, post surveys on doors with a small incentive, or walk door to door asking residents if there is anything they need done in their apartment and/or like to see changed in the apartment community.
Based on feedback, management and staff will accommodate their residents needs; therefore, keeping them around a little longer. Some apartment management will usually pay closer attention to resident needs during lease renewals which I personally feel is too late. Resident retention efforts should be made daily.
At least once, sometimes twice a week, there is always something going on at one apartment community I worked, because I was the one who initiated it. I wanted residents to feel like we cared and many with tears in their eyes, mind you, was most appreciative. I didn’t just keep the previous managers’ punch and cookies routine, but what I did do, was work with local businesses to get the residents the things that they needed. It was a win for everyone. Residents got discounts from local businesses, businesses got exposure, apartment visitors got to partake in some of the festivities as well. Eventually people were telling others, “My apartment community has really changed. There is a lot going on around here.”
I believe as I write that if it wasn’t for the support of management when it came to my ideas regarding resident retention we would have lost a lot of people. The previous landlords were not good and left many residents with a sour taste in their mouths. The resident retention numbers of those leaving the community were bad (in the double digits) when I came on board. There were more people going then staying and someone had to do something.
By Nicholl McGuire
When discussing resident retention goals, behind closed doors, management and staff are brainstorming on ways to keep residents at their apartment communities. It costs much money to the landlord when a resident moves out. He or she is losing profits daily when the apartment remains vacant not to mention the expensive marketing mediums the landlord must pay to get people to come see the unit.
So when a resident gives a notice to move, then another, and another too often and too soon in between, someone should be paying close attention to this and looking for ways to slow these numerous departures.
One way is by surveying the residents. The apartment management may host a meeting, post surveys on doors with a small incentive, or walk door to door asking residents if there is anything they need done in their apartment and/or like to see changed in the apartment community.
Based on feedback, management and staff will accommodate their residents needs; therefore, keeping them around a little longer. Some apartment management will usually pay closer attention to resident needs during lease renewals which I personally feel is too late. Resident retention efforts should be made daily.
At least once, sometimes twice a week, there is always something going on at one apartment community I worked, because I was the one who initiated it. I wanted residents to feel like we cared and many with tears in their eyes, mind you, was most appreciative. I didn’t just keep the previous managers’ punch and cookies routine, but what I did do, was work with local businesses to get the residents the things that they needed. It was a win for everyone. Residents got discounts from local businesses, businesses got exposure, apartment visitors got to partake in some of the festivities as well. Eventually people were telling others, “My apartment community has really changed. There is a lot going on around here.”
I believe as I write that if it wasn’t for the support of management when it came to my ideas regarding resident retention we would have lost a lot of people. The previous landlords were not good and left many residents with a sour taste in their mouths. The resident retention numbers of those leaving the community were bad (in the double digits) when I came on board. There were more people going then staying and someone had to do something.
By Nicholl McGuire
When the Landlord Has to Enter Your Apartment
Those days will come where one's apartment dwelling will be visited by management. State laws require that a landlord give notice before entering one's unit. But unfortunately I have heard my share of stories of apartment management, maintenance and others not always giving at least a 24 hour notice. Most often when this happens it is due to an emergency.
Emergencies may occur in a resident's apartment such as: a water leak, electrical problem, rodent or insect nuisance, or some other problem. When this happens, usually a resident will need to clear the problem area. He or she should also pack up valuables.
There are usually sections within the lease contract that outline when staff may enter a unit including when a resident gives notice to move, so pay close attention to your lease during signing and periodically review it. Some residents are taken by surprise when their unit is already being marketed to the public before boxes are packed and they are already moved out. The inconvenience of having a stranger walk through your apartment can be irritating. One way around this is to compromise on when apartment staff can come view the apartment or simply refuse when staff show up.
I have been on both sides of the fence, the one showing the apartment and the one living there; therefore, I have mixed emotions, but I usually make the right decision when it comes to getting things done in the apartment unit. I tend to be more empathetic for staff then I would have ever been had not worked as a leasing consultant and apartment manager.
One of the biggest issues that maintenance has with residents is when they either don't report a problem or wait until it is so bad that they complain. Whenever there is a leaky faucet, watermarkings on a ceiling, a crackling sound behind a wall, lightbulbs having to be changed often, a bad odor, or frequent visits from bugs, there is a problem. Don't wait simply because you don't want to be inconvenienced, make a phone call, then another until something gets done.
Nicholl McGuire
Emergencies may occur in a resident's apartment such as: a water leak, electrical problem, rodent or insect nuisance, or some other problem. When this happens, usually a resident will need to clear the problem area. He or she should also pack up valuables.
There are usually sections within the lease contract that outline when staff may enter a unit including when a resident gives notice to move, so pay close attention to your lease during signing and periodically review it. Some residents are taken by surprise when their unit is already being marketed to the public before boxes are packed and they are already moved out. The inconvenience of having a stranger walk through your apartment can be irritating. One way around this is to compromise on when apartment staff can come view the apartment or simply refuse when staff show up.
I have been on both sides of the fence, the one showing the apartment and the one living there; therefore, I have mixed emotions, but I usually make the right decision when it comes to getting things done in the apartment unit. I tend to be more empathetic for staff then I would have ever been had not worked as a leasing consultant and apartment manager.
One of the biggest issues that maintenance has with residents is when they either don't report a problem or wait until it is so bad that they complain. Whenever there is a leaky faucet, watermarkings on a ceiling, a crackling sound behind a wall, lightbulbs having to be changed often, a bad odor, or frequent visits from bugs, there is a problem. Don't wait simply because you don't want to be inconvenienced, make a phone call, then another until something gets done.
Nicholl McGuire
Thursday
How Soon Are You Looking to Move?
There are people right now busily surfing the Internet for a new apartment home or duplex, yet haven’t bothered to look at the calendar to find out exactly when they will give their landlord notice, schedule packing days and secure a moving date, and most of all know exactly when they will be arriving at their new location.
Too often a leasing consultant is sitting down with the potential resident helping he or she and family figure it all out. When the leasing consultant picks up the phone to answer a prospect’s question about apartment availability, he or she is also trained to ask the most important question of all, “How soon are you looking to move?” When the prospect stammers and stutters about it, the consultant will most likely help the person settle on a moving date. This is important because he or she doesn’t want the prospect to miss out on a desired apartment. What usually happens at this point is the prospect will say, “I’ll call you back.” But if the consultant is a good salesperson he or she will not let the prospect off that easy. A few more questions might be asked about one’s preference and a contact name and number is usually written down to be called again nearing the future move-in date.
Some apartment shoppers will ask if the desired apartment can be held. Most communities may hold the unit for about 24 hours without any money placed on the home. However, there is a little disclaimer that goes along with the granted request, “I can’t guarantee you that the apartment is yours, because if someone walks in here ready to put money down on it, I will have to give it to that person.” I have personally seen the disappointment in a variety of faces showing up 72 hours later or longer expecting to see the available unit and rent it the same day. There is nothing to do at this point, but show potential residents other suites which usually aren’t what they wanted. They were sold on what the person told them over the phone.
Apartment shoppers should try their best to know exactly what their needs are in an apartment home and when they would want to move-in. Without such important information, it can be frustrating for both the consultant and the shopper. It can also be annoying for the shopper to find something and not have the money to hold the apartment. This happens frequently as well. The shopper is so excited about finding a desired apartment only to be told, “You will need to put down a deposit to hold the apartment which this money goes toward your security deposit. The remaining security deposit amount and first month’s rent is expected within two weeks prior to move in which at this time you will sign your lease.” Unfortunately, some potential residents can’t afford to come up with the money so quickly. They also aren’t expected to pay twice the amount of a security deposit when it is discovered that their credit is bad.
Apartment shoppers may want to plan to save money prior to calling a consultant to schedule a tour. This way they won’t miss out on possible specials. Sometimes there is a discount given to those who sign a lease within a certain period of time. There are also discounts an apartment shopper may not know about. Some communities offer employer discounts for residents who will be working in the local area.
Too often a leasing consultant is sitting down with the potential resident helping he or she and family figure it all out. When the leasing consultant picks up the phone to answer a prospect’s question about apartment availability, he or she is also trained to ask the most important question of all, “How soon are you looking to move?” When the prospect stammers and stutters about it, the consultant will most likely help the person settle on a moving date. This is important because he or she doesn’t want the prospect to miss out on a desired apartment. What usually happens at this point is the prospect will say, “I’ll call you back.” But if the consultant is a good salesperson he or she will not let the prospect off that easy. A few more questions might be asked about one’s preference and a contact name and number is usually written down to be called again nearing the future move-in date.
Some apartment shoppers will ask if the desired apartment can be held. Most communities may hold the unit for about 24 hours without any money placed on the home. However, there is a little disclaimer that goes along with the granted request, “I can’t guarantee you that the apartment is yours, because if someone walks in here ready to put money down on it, I will have to give it to that person.” I have personally seen the disappointment in a variety of faces showing up 72 hours later or longer expecting to see the available unit and rent it the same day. There is nothing to do at this point, but show potential residents other suites which usually aren’t what they wanted. They were sold on what the person told them over the phone.
Apartment shoppers should try their best to know exactly what their needs are in an apartment home and when they would want to move-in. Without such important information, it can be frustrating for both the consultant and the shopper. It can also be annoying for the shopper to find something and not have the money to hold the apartment. This happens frequently as well. The shopper is so excited about finding a desired apartment only to be told, “You will need to put down a deposit to hold the apartment which this money goes toward your security deposit. The remaining security deposit amount and first month’s rent is expected within two weeks prior to move in which at this time you will sign your lease.” Unfortunately, some potential residents can’t afford to come up with the money so quickly. They also aren’t expected to pay twice the amount of a security deposit when it is discovered that their credit is bad.
Apartment shoppers may want to plan to save money prior to calling a consultant to schedule a tour. This way they won’t miss out on possible specials. Sometimes there is a discount given to those who sign a lease within a certain period of time. There are also discounts an apartment shopper may not know about. Some communities offer employer discounts for residents who will be working in the local area.
Tuesday
10 Hot Household Items You May Need this Summer
What typically happens during the summer? The children are out of school and complain of boredom, unexpected relatives show up, and the sun shines more brightly in your home exposing one’s dirty carpet, outdated curtains, stained furniture, and other ugly yard. It may be time for a thorough house cleaning and not the kind where you take a paper towel and wipe off a table kind either!
Look around your home and what do you see? Are there some old, broken items that have to go? Have you been putting off buying some things to get your children yet another toy? It’s time to put the bored children to work and give your home a makeover with some of these hot items that are often on sale year after year!
Outdoor patio furniture
The major discount stores have all kinds of sets. From rust free aluminum frame dining sets to in expensive resin patio sets. Whatever your taste or budget, it’s time to invest in some outdoor furniture for those upcoming parties!
Pool and Beach towels
Your children may be climbing the walls, worrying you about going to the pool! They will need towels for the community pool. But you may have a small yard behind a duplex, you may be allowed to include a simple blow up type on the property. Ask your landlord first.
Flowers & Plants
Make your home an inviting, happy place! Decorate the indoors with everything from plastic plants to real indoor houseplants. Then go outside and start planting some seed! Many of your packaged flower seeds are inexpensive. If you don’t want to get down and dirty purchase flowering hanging baskets.
Indoor furniture
Those uninvited guest just might pop over for a visit and if you have furniture that you are ashamed of, this might be a good time to pitch it! Love-seats, sofas, and recliners are always on sale. Some of the cheaper furniture is a bomber jacket style, soft as suede microfiber. Of course if you have more money to spend, you may want to decorate your living-room with durable, stylish wood furniture in a variety of colors. A little more money add a storage ottoman to complete your set.
Airbeds
When out of town guests come you may want to save them some hotel money by offering to let them stay at your place. If so, you may not have an additional bed. However, there are ways around spending a wad of cash. Airbeds are good to sleep on for overnight visitors. They are comfortable enough for a short visit, any longer and they will send anyone packing!
By Nicholl McGuire
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