For those of you who live in the colder climates, as I do, you are more than ready for spring to be here! If we are ready so are your prospective residents and your current residents. Here are some great ways to brighten your community for spring and retain residents as well as appeal to new prospects:

1. Brighten up your curb appeal. Think outside the box and get creative. Curb appeal is so important and what is better than bright vibrant colors to attract new buyers as well as giving a shiny hello to your current residents! It may be too early to plant flowers but you can always brighten up things with new signs, flags, and pinwheels. Welcome Home America has great spring ideas!
2. Brighten up your office.  There is nothing more welcoming then entering a room with fresh cut flowers!  At a minimal cost you can put spring right in your office with simple bouquets purchased at your local grocery store or flower shop.  Some local flower shops will give you discounts or free flowers if you promise to advertise their flower shop in your community newsletter or if you allow them to put promotional material in your office.  A win for everyone!
3. Dress in bright colors.  As property managers we tend to dress in more neutral colors, or at least the majority of the ones I know do, so update your closet with some great colors for spring.    Add light pinks, blues, greens, and my favorite lilac!  Men especially could always use a little color; there is nothing more appealing than seeing a guy dressed nicely with a splash of color in his tie!
4. Change your phone greeting and voicemail message to give your callers a little spring in their step.  Answer your phone with a nice short limerick such as “thank you for calling ABC Properties where specials are always in bloom; this is Chrissy how may I help you?”  How can that not make your prospect smile?  You can also use the same limerick in all print advertising!
5. Update your community’s Facebook status to something cheery.  Remind your residents that it is spring and find a great article that allows them to take advantage of the beautiful weather and post the link to your community’s Facebook page.
6. Update your model for spring.  Put a pair of flip flops next to the door or an umbrella and rain jacket by the hall tree.  Replace the blankets on the beds with lighter linens as well put away throws.  Update your throw pillows to a quiet pastel to match the theme.  Put aside the coffee machine and serve lemonade on the patio or balcony.  Replace those fake flower arrangements with fresh fruit from the market!  If you have an aromatic plug-in change the scent to something light and fruity!
7. Update your giveaways.  Print out floor plans on bright vibrant paper.  Purchase seed packets and print out your specials on colorful paper to give to prospects with your favorite spring limerick, like the one above “ABC Properties where specials are always in bloom”.  Buy flip flop note pads to give away or flip flop key chains, both can be purchased relatively cheap at Oriental Trading.
8. And finally… Don’t forget to share the spring fever with your maintenance personnel and other employees.  Purchase new shirts for them as well as plan an employee appreciation event for them to let them know they are appreciated.  Nothing puts a spring in their step or a smile on someone’s face better than letting them know they are appreciated.