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Everything I need to know about property management, I’m relearning with my daughter

Everything I need to know about property management, I’m relearning with my daughter

Episode 1:rainy day.jpg

I have a 1 year old. She is awesome, smiles all the time and loves everybody. Every day is a new adventure for her and I find learning opportunities in everything she does and everything that we happen upon on our days out to the park, to the store or to grandma’s house. I realized recently that she could probably teach my teams a great deal about property management. I mean you always hear about ‘returning to the basics’, well how much more basic are the lessons that I’m teaching her daily?

Let’s take this weekend for example. I live in the great city of Houston, Texas, where you leave to work in the morning with a parka and rain boots and you return in a cover up with your bathing suit on because the Mother Nature has a special place in her heart for us Houstonians and she frequently fools us. So it had rained all weekend and out of nowhere the sky cleared and the sun shone just a bit in between some fading grey clouds. “This is it” I told her! I put on her shoes, ran around the house trying to find the dog’s collar and leash, grabbed a sippy cup of water and a few yummy snacks (a mother is ALWAYS prepared) and loaded up the stroller and we were out for a much needed walk after 3 full days of rain! We noticed many others walking as well – everyone seemed to be trying to get a little fresh air before the next down pour; however, the others walking were taking short cuts and seemed to be in a big hurry to get back. They were just walking around the block, but NOT US, we are going to take advantage of every minute of sunshine, so we started on our 4 block walk. All is well and then as you may have guessed, about 3 blocks into our walk, the sprinkles started… then the downpour. I shove the dog in the stroller with the little one and start my jog home. We pull into the garage, dog soaked, mom soaked and 1 yr. old – laughing and moving back and forth (I’m just guessing that meant faster and more mommy, but I’m still learning 1 yr. old English).

We come in and dry off and I proceed to teach my daughter about pressing your luck. You see sometimes the sky looks clear; things look like they will be clear for a while and we feel secure to take a much needed break. So rather than take a small walk and return home safely and then take another walk later - we pushed our luck and tested fate with a long walk and POW - soaked!

Don't be the community that is stable at 90% occupied with steady traffic and notices covered; you figure the busy season is coming and all is well. DON'T PRESS YOUR LUCK!! Rather than complete small marketing efforts consistently people stop marketing completely. The community doesn't partner market (outreach market), they don’t remind residents weekly of the great referral programs, they forget to follow up on a few leads, they don’t update specials, don’t update their locators and maintain those relationships. Guess what? Traffic dips, notices increase and the supervisor is asking what the heck happened? Don't make your team scramble with flyers and marketing, don't make them call all the locators in a frantic plea, don't make them throw together a resident party and offer the dreaded $99 move in. Don't PRESS THEIR LUCK because you will suffer. Remember even when the skis seem clear the rain can come in an instant and make wet rats of all of us! Better said, YOU NEED TO MARKET, WHEN YOU DON’T NEED TO MARKET!!

HAPPY LEASING!! Stay tuned for more lessons from my little one!

 
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So happy to see your smiling face on multi-family insiders newsletter! It's Alpha!

  Alpha Esser
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I totally agree! When going over a lease it talks about conduct. I basically tell incoming residents that they should go back to what they learned in kindergarten. Share, play nice, don't hit anyone, be nice to your neighbor, and don't take anything that doesn't belong to them. This is something that folks can relate to.

  Carol White @ Charleston Hall Apts in Smyrna
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Great Article! Very true.

  Joslyn Brown
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Great article.. and very true.. our kids remind of of all the small things that count in huge ways.. everyday is q new opportunity to reach out to your residents and prospects.. my son has taught me that a smile is free and everyone should receive one.. keep them coming ..

  Yoanna Giron

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