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Home Insider Blogs Kim Andreadis's Blog Sincere Professionalism vs Hype?
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Feb 21
2009

Sincere Professionalism vs Hype?

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Posted by: Kim Andreadis on Feb 21, 2009 01:00

 Lately I have been shopping apartment communities for clients who want to know what their competitors are doing. A lot of apartment communities are offering discounts, incentives and a whole range of gimmicks to win over the apartment shopper.

On one call I made  a very excited Leasing Consultant told me that if I came in for a tour I would be able to put my name on the Wheel of Fortune and win something. She went on to say that there was some FREE rent, some waived fees, and maybe even a reduced security deposit if I had good credit.  What she neglected to tell me was why I would want to live there and what made the community better or different than the competitors; (don't you usually get a reduced security deposit when you have good credit?).

 I visited another apartment community that was giving away a trip to the islands. As I entered this really beautiful clubhouse, there was this mound of sand with a couple of beach chairs, an umbrella, sunglasses, etc.  I left with a wide brimmed beach hat with the name of the community on it and a plastic glass with pink flamingos on the side. (I'll bet that cost them). There were no apartments available to show, even though they had this big promotion going.

When I visit a community, I want to learn about the area. I want a Disneyland tour but one that reveals all of the day-to-day real wonders that I will encounter when I live there. Like transportation and distance to places that are important to me.

I want to know that the management will be there when I need them. I am interested in services, rents, comfort, how the heat works. I'd like to be told that the management is thoughtful and experienced and feel as if they really care. It may even be important to me to know how I can meet the neighbors and where the sun sets and rises. I like to see photographs of the community in every season; the more product information the better.

As a shopper, poised as a renter, it is a rare and wonderful occasion when I encounter the gifted and trained sales professional who works hard to understand my needs, is sincere, develops rapport, is professional, knowledgeable, proud of their community and company and is really friendly and interested to help. I am looking for a community tour that reveals that everything is clean and well cared for. I want to see and feel that sense of pride in the attention to detail. I expect hospitality. I want one fair price. It is usually clear to see when a company is aware of their competitors and offer s a price or fee advantage.

What do you think? Am I being old fashioned?

 

 


Comments (3)Add Comment
67
written by Mark Juleen, February 21, 2009
Kim, I don't think you're old fashioned. A couple things come to mind for me after reading your thoughts and inspired my next post. Thanks and enjoy.

Mj
748
written by Gabriele Preston, February 23, 2009
Kim,

I wholeheartly agree with your points. It's what I teach all the time. If most of our competitor's did this it would be a lot harder to compete.

Gabriele Prestonsmilies/smiley.gifsmilies/smiley.gif
143
written by Scott Schneider, June 01, 2009
I no longer rent, but when I did I was always annoyed when the leasing office didn't know my name, especially if it was someone whom I had met several times. I hated just being a number to them. How can someone care if my air conditioner is on the fritz if they don't even know who I am? I think every leasing professional should make it a point to knock on the doors of their tenants just to see how things are going every few months.
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