Do you work in the property management industry? Are you struggling to find renters for your apartments or having a hard time juggling all the different tasks associated with managing your team?
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the apartment management world and looking for pointers or just need help to keep your business running smoothly. Either way, we can help. Listed below are seven practices that every apartment manager can implement to make their job easier and bring in more renters.
1. Marketing
One of the best things you can do if you want to succeed as an apartment manager is to have a solid property marketing strategy in place. If you don’t have a plan for how you’re going to market your apartments and get people interested in them, you’re going to struggle to find renters and bring in the revenue you need to grow your business.
There are lots of ways to market your apartments more effectively, including the following:
● Use high-quality images to show off your apartments
● Use 3D renderings to showcase features instead of flat, black and white floorplans
● Focus on location, price, and amenities in your listings (these are the top things that renters tend to value)
● List your properties on a variety of sites to cast a wider net
2. Time Management
To be successful in just about any industry, you need to be able to manage your time well. Apartment managers are no exception to this rule. The better you are at prioritizing your to-do list and managing your time, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel, and the easier it’ll be for you to get things done each day.
A good starting point for a lot of apartment managers is to make sure you’re waking up early each day. Give yourself time in the morning to review your schedule, plan your day, and figure out which tasks need to be accomplished.
Be sure to use a planner or online calendar to keep track of appointments and deadlines, too. That way, you won’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute because you forgot you needed to be across town at a specific time for an apartment showing.
3. Team Communication
The most successful apartment managers work with a team. They know that it’s almost impossible to build a strong business alone.
It’s not enough just to have a team in place, though. You also need to stay in touch with your team members and share what’s going on with them on a regular basis. If your team members are always in the dark, it’s going to be hard for them to do their jobs effectively and give you the support you need as an apartment manager.
Pick a communication method that works well for everyone on your team. It could be email, text, or a chat app like Slack.
4. Accessibility
Whatever communication method you choose, be sure to check in regularly. Make sure your team knows that they can reach out to you if they have questions or concerns.
Team communication is important, but it needs to work both ways. Your team needs to be able to connect with you easily.
If you set regular office hours and are accessible to your team, it’ll be easier for you to learn about potential problems and get ahead of them before they escalate. Don’t get so focused on your end of the business that you forget to hear what your team has to say.
Remember to be accessible to your tenants as well. The people who rent your apartments deserve to have access to their property manager if they questions or concerns. Share your office hours with them and let them know the best ways to get in touch.
5. Technology
There are lots of tools and technologies that apartment managers and their teams can use to keep the business running smoothly. If you’re not using property management software to keep track of documents, manage your schedule, and store communications between you and your clients, you’re likely making life a lot harder for yourself, your employees, and your tenants.
Property management software gives everyone easy access to the information they need to do their jobs well. Many platforms also have apps attached to them, too. They’re accessible anywhere, even when you or your team members are on the go.
6. Continuous Learning
Good apartment managers are lifelong learners. They know that they won’t be able to grow their businesses if they get complacent. They also make sure they’re regularly taking steps to learn about how the industry is changing.
It doesn’t matter if they’re taking researching new property management software options or reading about the best property marketing techniques. Regardless of how they do it, the best managers are always trying to learn and make sure their business keeps evolving.
7. Competitor Analysis
Finally, successful property management professionals keep an eye on what their competitors are doing. They pay attention to how other apartment managers are marketing their properties, networking, and building their businesses.
Remember, the goal here isn’t to copy your competitors. However, if you have no idea what they’re doing, it can be harder to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
By conducting analyses of your competitors’ websites, listings, etc., you can get ideas for steps you can take in your own marketing and management strategies. You can also find out about mistakes they might be making so you can avoid them yourself.
Try These Property Management Tips Today
As an apartment manager, you’ve got a lot on your plate. If you keep these seven tips in mind, though, you’ll have an easier time marketing your properties, managing your team, and making sure your renters are happy.
Of all these tips, good apartment marketing is one of the most important to implement if you want to attract more renters to keep your business running smoothly. If you need help with leveling up your property marketing, we’re here for you.
We create 3D apartment renderings that will help you showcase your apartments’ best features and get people excited about living there. Contact us today to learn more about our services.