Senior Property Leasing Tips That Work!

Senior Property Leasing Tips

Full blown marketing plans are a must have when it comes to leasing up senior properties.  Senior properties can be challenging.  Having a plan in place outlining a step by step process is the key to success.

Incorporate these proven methods into your senior marketing plans in exchange for great results.

1) Make the seniors your allies

This is how it is done:

Pick a few of the outgoing senior residents and make them your best friends (do a little checking around and make sure that they are trustworthy first).  Make certain that they know that they are very important and are key players in making not only the property but
their homes even better.  Talk to them and find out their ideas and make sure that you utilize some of them.  Talk to the other residents as well.  Send out a survey and determine if they are happy and if they will be staying with you for many more years to come.  If not, find out why and fix the problems if any.  If yes, show them appreciation and ask them to help you to help them turn their friends and family into their neighbors.  Senior residents are usually happy that you are taking the time out to inquire about them and will do their best to maintain a long lasting relationship.  That relationship includes making sure that everyone is happy!

2) Implement a coupon book.Think about it.  A lot of seniors are on a fixed income and use coupons in their everyday life.  They are always, like most of us of
all ages, looking for the best deal.

This is how it works:

Reach out to all of your area merchants and vendors and ask them to participate.  They will need to pay a small fee that you determine and provide their artwork (you can charge them more if you design the coupon yourself).  Explain to them that this is a way to generate business for their companies and that the cost is only pennies per customer.  Compile all of the artwork from the merchants, vendor and a few free coupons off of the internet into a nice coupon book.  Design a few different coupons for your property and include them in the book as well.  Have them printed up (make sure that the cover identifies you as the developer so that people know that you are concerned about the community) and leave them with your sponsors, in stores and all of the other places that the seniors frequent.  Before you know it you will start getting calls and tours from prospects.  The only thing you will have to do is close the deal!

*Remember to include an expiration date on your coupons in order to create a sense of urgency.  Each of your property coupons
inserted in the book should have a different expiration date*

**This marketing campaign should pay for itself if performed correctly and sister properties can join in too!

Good luck!  Feel free to contact Occupancy Heroes Incorporated if you have any questions or need assistance.
www.occupancyheroes.com / 1-888-OHEROES / 704-944-3539

Overcome All Challenges

A word to the wise……

Nobody can claim to be a champion without a good challenger.  When a challenge comes up in your life don’t shrink from it……

CONCUR IT!

Raincoats and Rentals

RAINCOATS AND RENTALS

Times are improving but we all know that it is still raining on the rental industry.

We all know that recently national apartment occupancy rates went on the decline for the first time in over 5 years. Across the country, renters are choosing to stay in smaller, less expensive apartments instead of moving.  High unemployment figures and smaller paychecks have helped bring apartment rents down.

Though rental income may not increase, costs still do.  It’s more important than it ever has been to reach potential renters.

You wouldn’t go out in a downpour without a raincoat!  Don’t weather a tough rental environment without help from a professional full-service leasing firm.

Now is the time you want results.  You want guarantees – not empty promises.

We can keep you from getting soaked when the rains come.  We are your single source for the services you need to boost your occupancy rates.

Our experienced Occupancy Heroes have a MINIMUM 94% closing ratio.  They learn directly from me through intensive training – and are now my polished, professional leasing and marketing “army”.

RAINBOWS

While some companies choose to “run inside” during a shower by cutting back on things like advertising, those who succeed will know that it’s better to weather the storm.

“I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind

as the quality of perseverance.  It overcomes everything, even nature.”

John D. Rockefeller

So, think of us your raincoat, you’ll face the weather with no worries.

Occupancy Heroes Inc. is exactly who you need now.  We are committed to success and we produce extraordinary results.  We specialize in all types of markets.  And we do more than improve your occupancy rates:  we provide marketing, training, compliance specialist, maintenance, cleaning and other supplemental services to give you a complete package and the best return on your investment.

We call our agents Heroes for a reason – they don’t shrink back from a challenge.  They will provide you with SUPER results!

We’re here to help.

Occupancy Heroes Incorporated / 1-888-OHEROES / 704-944-3539

Your Attitude is Showing. Is it welcoming?

Here’s a Top Ten list that is no joke! There are many reasons why renting is a better option than homeownership. Here are just ten of the best that you can share with your current and prospective tenants:)

1. Remind Renters that Apartments are Easy!

Compared to owning a home, renting is easy!  Apartments dwellers escape the chores of yard work, the responsibility and expense of owning and maintaining equipment (those snow-blowers aren’t cheap!), and freedom from the property maintenance.  You can assure them that you will take care of everything.

2.  Rent is still cheaper than home ownership.

Urban city dwellers have already learned this.  They can have a beautiful place, a terrific view and the convenience of walking to work for less than the cost of a condo!

3.  There are costs hiding in homeownership!

Depending on their mortgage payment and other deductions, homeowners may not get a tax benefit for owning a house.  And, with the cost of borrowing money, most homeowners spend the first five years of owning their home simply making payments on the interest!  Renters don’t
need huge down payments, mortgage costs, and they don’t have the hassles of buying and selling.

4.  Apartments are better places to meet people.

It’s a lot easier to get to know your neighbors and make friends when you see them in the halls everyday, or bump into them at the
mailboxes.  Some homeowners never even see their neighbors!

5.  With referrals, renters can even choose their neighbors!

Most companies offer payment for referrals or some other incentive.  It’s a win-win for the renter. Homeowners don’t get THAT benefit!

6.  More perks!

Many apartment complexes offer pools, spas, fitness rooms and clubhouses for gatherings.  It’s rare that a home can hold as many people as a clubhouse – and apartment dwellers don’t have to clean the apartment if the party is at the pool!

7.  Renters can share expenses.

Splitting the rent with a roommate or two is a great way to save money – not to mention you have someone to come home to!

8.  Apartments provide flexibility.

Our society is a transient one.  People seem to be constantly on the move — often due to changes in jobs or family situations.  Renters can easily leave at the end of their lease contract without worrying about when or IF their house will sell and for how much.

9.  There’s safety in numbers.

Apartment dwellers always have neighbors close by.  Knowing someone is right across the hall when you need them can be very comforting.
Many complexes offer gated access.

10.  Convenience.

Many of the amenities offered to today’s renters’ aim at making life renting more convenient than owning a home.  The availability of laundry rooms and no-hassle utilities like cable and Internet access make for a stress free lifestyle.

Top ten reasons to use the experts at Occupancy Heroes: results, results, results, results, results, results, results, results, results, results!

You provide the space that meets renters needs and we’ll do the rest.  Call us today to find out how we can help you!

www.occupancyheroes.com /  1-888-OHEROES /  704-944-3539

Preventative Maintenance Ideas for Management Firms and Property Owners

After a tenant signs a lease and moves in, do you provide maintenance on an as-need basis or do you have any preventative measures in place?  Practicing preventative maintenance when managing a property can help property owners, managers and even tenants avoid unnecessary expenses.

What are the most important preventive maintenance measures?  For starters, when a tenant first moves into an apartment, the unit should be in a “move-in ready” condition based on industry’s standards.  Upon signing a lease agreement, most tenants do a walk-through of the apartment to identify any issues and report them to management so that subsequent repairs can be made.  These components are essential when dealing when preventing maintenance issues, but what more can a property manager do?

Here are top suggestions that will help you partner with your tenants to keep costs down and anticipate serious maintenance issues.

• Security Deposit:  This sounds like a dreaded topic, but in truth, it’s far from it.  The security deposit protects the owner’s investment and helps safeguard the tenant’s compliance.   Setting the right dollar amount is an imperative preventive measure that can help keep your costs down plus motivate your tenants to assist with caring for your property.

 

• Watchful eyes:  Helping tenants identify and report maintenance issues is critical with preventing maintenance issues.  Provide tenants with a copy of an apartment maintenance overview which details how they should maintain their unit.  Be sure and highlight certain problems to watch out for especially remind them which issues require a maintenance call.

 

• Utilities’ cost savings:  Providing your tenants with cost saving tips to save on electricity or water can be a way to help quell expensive repairs with (HVAC) AC/heaters, plumbing and other appliances.  For example, for AC/heaters, recommending changing air filters regularly and watching for proper ventilation can save the tenant money and alleviate a potential problem.

 

• Cleanliness:  Written and verbal cleaning guidelines or sanitary expectations are essential when wanting to prevent serious maintenance issues like bug infestation.   Offering your tenants discounts on a local or in-house cleaning service can be a simple way to ensure cooperation.

 

• Schedule bi-annual maintenance checks.  Some property owners schedule brief maintenance checks in order to arrange proper upkeep.  This helps both parties monitor potential problems and make quick or necessary repairs.

Creating preventative measures and instilling expectations with your tenants is your first step towards preventative maintenance.  Following these suggestions can help you reduce maintenance costs for you and your tenants.  For more information on some of the checklists, outlined above, please sign
up for our Occupancy Heroes newsletters. Or, if you’re in need of additional support with your maintenance projects, visit our Maintenance Heroes
section of our website.