All apartments are the same right? Each apartment is just a box, four walls with a kitchen and a bathroom, right? From building to building, unit to unit this is the common misconception, but it is WRONG! Each apartment is different, it has its own unique space and deserves its own unique renter to make it home. Even within the same building each unit is going to vary from the next and have its own personality. Maybe this unit is on the first floor, and that unit faces east, maybe another unit just got new carpets or paint, and another unit has different cupboards or an updated oven and range unit. Each of these traits makes a unit different, makes it not just like every other unit in the building. The sizes and layouts may be similar, each unit may have similar elements but they are not the same. Read More→
Apartment managers are the heart and soul of any complex. Managers have daily contact with the residents, both current and future, they know the ins and outs of the buildings, and what needs to be done, and often how to do it. They have the power to help a business thrive or fail depending on the power they are given. 
It may seem sometimes that the property manager’s job is unpredictable. It can be hard to even schedule one single day in hopes of getting certain things done. Current tenants drop in with problems or just to chat, maintenance issues come up, potential tenants call and stop in to talk about the units, vendors who sell or want to sell you things call in, and weather events in all seasons cause clean up and require time and energy. And, all of this comes on top of the daily chores that need to be taken care of, like paperwork and accounting etc. It may seem amazing sometimes that anything gets completed.
When potential renters walk into your office, that is your chance to make a great impression and really sell your property as their best option for renting. It seems like an easy thing but I have found many get it REALLY wrong!
As a property manager your potential tenant often calls you. They want to gather more information about your property to determine if it is the one for them. It is really easy to let them ask all the questions and control the conversation. But, by following a few simple steps you can take back control and start qualifying the potential renter, as well as gathering the information you need. These 4 easy steps will help you ensure that the potential renters you meet are truly the tenants you want, by weeding out those who can’t afford your property, or have pets for your non pet community and other issues that may come up. 
As a manager you work extra hard to make sure you treat everyone fairly and respond to all questions and concerns in a timely fashion. Customer service is one of you top priorities! But is that true of all your employees? Your maintenance techs actually spend more time with tenants and in tenants apartments than you do. How well do they represent the property and management company? Are they leaving muddy footprints on floors, are they communicating with tenants respectfully or just trying to get their job done? Just like any other member of the property staff the maintenance techs should be trained in customer service and best practices for dealing with tenants.
Many of us are fortunate to have a job where we punch in on time, work our normal shift, punch out and we are done for the day. However, there are many jobs out there that aren’t as fortunate. Some jobs require that you stay longer, or have to take work home with you and put in extra unpaid hours. For a landlord or property manager, there really isn’t much of a break. They probably have the 8 to 5 office hours to handle phone calls and showings, but that is just the beginning. Filling the shoes of a landlord comes with a lot of extra responsibility at all hours of the day! 
When you meet someone new what is the first thing you notice? Perhaps it is how they look, what they’re wearing and how their hair is done, their smile, or lack there of. You notice the appearances before they ever open their mouths to welcome you. This is true of renters as well. When they walk into your office the first thing they see and judge is your appearance. This fist impression can make or break an interview and showing. 
There are many benefits of keeping your tenants happy in your rental community. No landlord wants to have unsatisfied tenants. At the same time, you don’t want to sacrifice your business income by giving a free month’s rent in order to make your tenants like you. Instead, apply a few of these ideas in your role as a landlord and your tenants will not only be happy, they will feel as though their landlord actually cares. And in the end, they will become long term tenants that will give your community a good reputation as well as recommending you to others.
