Hi Leigh. We are putting in Gaga Ball pits at a few of our garden-style communities. Anyone with children ages 4-15 knows that the new rage is Gaga Ball. I've attached a photo of a community garden also. We have seen that you don't necessarily need fancy amenities to attract and keep residents. We have a property in FL which has community events twice a week and their rents and occupancy are outpacing the new development properties in the area. Some the events resident pay on their own such as food truck Tuesday. Here's a quick video: www.grandpeaks.com/florida/solero/lifestyle/

Another low-cost amenity for urban areas and college towns is a TransitScreen of realtime transportation information. It shows a live feed of bus, rail, subway, bikeshare, carshare, rideshare, etc. Not only are you promoting people to use mass transit, you are showing potential renters how easy it is to live in your building without a car.

More at www.transitscreen.com

Hi, I was wondering if you happen to have any pictures of the outdoor "rooms" with the firepit setups. I have no amenities where I am, and I'm in the process of submitting my business plan to include picnic areas, etc throughout my community.

The company I used to work for Pacific Living Properties has installed a community garden at a property in Chico, CA. From what I know it has been very well received by the mostly college student residents. Contact the leasing office for more info - www.pacificliving.com.

Thanks Bruce. Sounds like a great idea if you have the space.

I've created outdoor "rooms" with covered seating areas and firepits at several properties and they have been a great positive attribute.