6 Reasons Why You should Give...

As a property manager, you have many opportunities to make the lives of your residents significantly better while, at the same time keeping your occupancy rates as high as possible. Utilizing targeted moments to present gifts that show your recognition of the moment, the occasion, and/or the person is a favorable way to seize those opportunities! Watch as happy residents appear and occupancy rates soar as by-products of your forethought and consideration.

It is safe to say that you begin retaining residents the minute they sign the lease. And, quite possibly, retention begins with the great first impressions you make with prospective residents. All that goodwill you built up in convincing them to sign a lease carries over when it comes time to renew…so be aware at all times that you are “retaining residents.”

Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.

Remember singing that song as a child? We joined hands, sang, and believed the words… because they are true! Those words are true as well if you replace the word “friends” with “residents.” If you value new silver friends (prospects or new residents) they will eventually become those golden old friends (retained residents!). Gotta love them both!

Here is the beginning of our list of 12 opportunities to retain residents by thoughtfully providing gifts:

1. Turn Walk-Aways into Walk Backs
Here’s where first impressions can be made better with a gift. Do not let visitors to your leasing office leave without a gift to remind them of their visit…their good feelings are formulating! Make sure your phone number is included so they can call back with questions. Is the gift memorable? Does it speak to your intended audience? Does it ask them to come back and sign a lease?

Gift suggestion: The Mason Jar Bag - Prospect | $4.99 each



2. It's Move-In day...
…and in less than 12 months your new residents will be up for renewal. Why wait? Start retaining them immediately with a memorable and helpful welcome gift. Delicious snacks and beverages are always welcome on busy move-in days and so are clean-up essentials, first-night bath items, and basic household set-up tools. Choose gifts with one of these types of items or a gift with a sprinkling of all and you begin the development of loyalty (retention) in your new residents. Your attention to the resident as an individual is a harbinger of how they will be treated throughout the entire term of the lease. A gift that represents a resident’s hobbies and interests, desires, or lifestyle will also be a memorable move-in gift.

Gift suggestion: New Leaf Kitchen Tower | $17.99 each

3. Take care to take care.
Does a resident need some help? Are they under the weather? Disabled in some way? Has a resident suffered a loss? These are all real opportunities to let residents understand that their property management cares about their wellbeing. Sometimes caring is as easy as giving a gift, a card, or a caring message.

Gift suggestion: Jolly Well Appreciation | $3.25 each

4. Maintenance is the Message
The happiness of residents is often the result of quick and efficient responses to their maintenance needs. You put time, energy, and dollars into the best maintenance team available. When that team is utilized let the benefited resident know that you performed a valuable service on their behalf. Then, thank that resident for their patience while the maintenance service is performed. A small but meaningful gift left on a kitchen counter or at their front door will go a long way.

Gift suggestion: Maintenance to the Rescue | $0.85 each for 250+

5. It's the little things that mean a lot!
Participate in life and celebrate along with your residents. Let them know that you share their community spirit! Perhaps you sponsor their tennis team or an after-school program. A gift is a tangible memory of that good deed. Make sure you acknowledge a winning season or a child’s progress. Gifts enhance the happiness of both situations! A bag of snacks, a key holder with your property logo imprinted, pens and pencils can be given out to all! How can a resident leave a community that feels like home?

Gift suggestion: Resident Sunbeams | $1.89 each

6. Every day is a holiday...
…but some more than others! Acknowledge the seasons and special holidays with gifts that create the warm sense of home and community for your residents. Perhaps you are the only one that has remembered your resident at these special times. A delivered gift goes a long way toward warding off loneliness. Residents will remember those warm and fuzzy feelings when renewal comes around.

Gift suggestion: Coffee 'til Cocktails | $46.99 each

Check back on Friday for the remaining 6 opportunities
to retain residents through gift giving!