Listen!

I purposely placed this in the #1 spot because to me it’s the most important tip of all. Whether it’s during your phone call with a prospect, during the 1st tour, while having a conversation in the office when a prospect drops by to hand you paperwork, all the way up until the day they move out. Listen to them. It’s the best way to ensure you’re meeting all of their needs. You can learn a lot about a person by giving them the time to talk and express their wants and needs as well as the things unimportant to them. Because we know our communities so well, we can easily become robotic when describing our apartments and listing move-in requirements. Take the time to let them talk and you’ll be surprised how much you really can accommodate and provide a customized living space just because you now know them. 

Love what they love!

Have you ever noticed when you pet your resident’s puppy, it makes your resident happy? Prospects work the same way. Ask to see a picture of the pet they listed, and fall in love with it! Talk to the baby they brought in the office and compliment how adorable and sweet they are. Find a hobby you have in common with their Mom who came along for the ride to look for an apartment. When you engage the people and pets your prospects love, it makes them feel at home before they even sign the lease.

Be Personable!

Ask them what their favorite food is and point them in the direction of the best restaurant in your city that makes their favorite dish. Later on, call that restaurant and see if they’re handing out coupons or promo codes that you can offer. This personal touch is guaranteed to warm the hearts of every future resident, generate amazing reviews, and most of all, they will tell everyone they know about their awesome experience. Word of mouth remains the #1 most effective marketing tool.

In my experience, most people lease apartments because of the community team and the way they were treated. Building a bond with your prospects will create a trusting relationship that will turn into a leased apartment. Maintaining that bond solidifies lease renewals.

Christine Simpson

Community Manager – Eagles Crest Jack Miller – Clarksville, TN