I have no idea if it is a problem, but since we have to be so careful online about religious language, I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's OK to market to religious institutions.

I can also tell you that based on our experience, you need to rely on offline resources when you are marketing in small metros. Even in mid sized places like Harrisburg and Allentown, print is still very important. The online search volume isn't as high, even adjusting for population size.

Hello :)

Have you looked at the demographics on your property? Take a look at your residents and where they are employed...is there a particular concentration of people working at the same one or two companies? If so, work on a marketing plan for that particular employer or group of employers. Call your resident(s) and tell them you are showing the love to your residents and want to take them and their friends lunch at their office. (Pizzas are always a fun and cost-effective way to go!) While you are there having lunch with them, take the time to network with their friends, hand out marketing materials, and put a friendly face with the place. You will set yourself apart from everyone else!

Happy Leasing, Andee Beltran

Been there . . .

Contact every church, school district HR, City HR, Hospital and clinic HR within 25 miles. These need housing units to attract and encourage new employees. I have found that folks don't mind traveling up to 25 miles one way.

This has worked for me on FmHA projects in towns of 1,500 in the middle of no-where Texas.

Good luck.

I did suggest that to my supervisor about opening on saturdays and she wants me to do that. I will take monday off and work saturday to see if that helps. I willing to try anything that will generate some traffic.

I just spent the last two hours marketting two community that are having the same problem with Vacancy. You have been lots of great tips for marketting and resident retention. Have you tryed staying open on a saturday when people are generally off? They may becomming but your not open on satudays. Your hours are the same as the working population hours. So how can they come view if you are closed when they get off. We have one property that stays open till 8p.m. durring the summer months one for the residents and the prospects. It is working really well for them. Have a resident fun day on a saturday and invite the community and local bussiness to participate. Build the community relationship.

I am in the office from 10:00am-5:00pm M-F, its a very nice property, grounds well kept, newly renovated units. i advertise on craigslist and mynewplace.com. most of my leades come from stockton, sacramento and other surrounding areas but they call but never actually come in to see a unit. Im so open to any suggestion that can turn this place around. Its a beautiful complex, i'm so amazed that it has a vacancy issue.