LOL :laugh: But didn't it feel doing something nice for your residents? A little hard work probably went a long way with them.

My last managing job I organized a weekly neighborhood clean up and we walked, bent over picking up cigarette butts and trash for two hours. I was sore, but many of us met 30-minutes later at the hot tub and we soon forgot about the pain. Everyone appreciated that I helped instead of handing out the trash bags and letting them do all the work. Gave me credibility and showed that I was not all talk...

We had a car wash once. It cost me less than $20. Residents really love the idea of their landlord washing their car, but it was hard hard work for me. I'm used to sitting at a desk doing paperwork. After several hours of washing cars, I still had to catch up on my regular duties too. :ohmy:

For something different, contact a local pet groomer and ask them if they could set up at your property and offer free basic grooming for your pet 'resident's.

Buy lottery tickets and make a card saying 'We're so glad you gambled on living here~~we love having you as a resident. Put in envelopes and hang of your residents doors!

And if you are looking for other fantastic ideas just go to the top of the page, click on 'MORE' and go to "Apartment Party Ideas'. There's almost 100 great ideas there that can be used through out the year!! :cheer:

How about a good, old-fashioned CAR WASH? A few buckets, some liquid soap, a couple of hoses and lots of old towels and employee volunteers! This would be a great way for the staff to give back to the people who rent from them... Have a couple extra $$? Hot dogs, buns, condiments, water, sodas and chips will be less than $200!

Whatever you do PROMOTE the event and make sure every tenant who comes to the office gets asked, "Are you coming to the Car Wash next Sunday?"

Finally, after the event, post some pictures from the event and thank everyone who got their car washed! That's right, part of being a great host is thanking people who attended an event that you worked your tush off for...

How about a good, old-fashioned CAR WASH? A few buckets, some liquid soap, a couple of hoses and lots of old towels and employee volunteers! This would be a great way for the staff to give back to the people who rent from them... Have a couple extra $$? Hot dogs, buns, condiments, water, sodas and chips will be less than $200!

Whatever you do PROMOTE the event and make sure every tenant who comes to the office gets asked, "Are you coming to the Car Wash next Sunday?"

Finally, after the event, post some pictures from the event and thank everyone who got their car washed! That's right, part of being a great host is thanking people who attended an event that you worked your tush off for...

I have always had great luck with resident events. Even on a small budget you can make all your residents feel like they live at the best apartment community in the country. It is all about the enthusiasm that you have for your property!! I have found businesses that I advertise for in my move in packets are eager to contribute to property functions! The main objective as we all know is making your residents feel special. Even the smallest things such as.... Taking their garbage to the dumpsters for them or complementary car washes on a Saturday. I have in the past bought flowers and potted them for my residents with a my business card attached and a note for each resident. If you contact the newspapers you advertise with they will sometimes give you free papers to pass out to your residents. I have bought bushels of apples and delivered them to residents in small brown bags that say My residents are the apple of my eye. Small magnetic picture frames are a great idea too saying Our residents are Picture Perfect. As always a great source for suggestion is your residents ask them want they would like to see happen on the property.