Focus on your community
When your community feels invested in your property, it’s easier to avoid those pesky problems. The better your tenants feel about their living situation, the more likely they are to take good care of their unit. Showing interest in your tenants goes a long way: Make sure to respond quickly to tenant requests, talk with them face-to-face whenever possible, and even attend community events at their request. With an engaged community on your side, you have all of these extra eyes watching out for potential problems!
Routine maintenance
This is all about keeping your units looking their best, maximizing tenant satisfaction, and providing a sense of pride to you as a property manager. Simple tasks such as changing light bulbs (and keeping spare bulbs on hand), making sure doors close properly, replacing batteries in smoke detectors and thermostats—or ensuring that these fixtures are even working—can make a big difference in how your property looks to prospective tenants.
Advertise accurately
Accurate advertising is critical for attracting the right tenants to your rental property. You don't want to over-promise and under-deliver, so be honest about what your property has to offer. Be sure to include photos that accurately represent the space, as well as any amenities that are available. If you have a pet-friendly policy, be sure to mention that in your ad. Finally, be clear about your rental terms and what is included in the monthly rent.
Think mobile first
In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to think mobile first. That means creating a website that looks great on mobile devices, as well as making sure your content is easy to consume on the go. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Create catchy headlines – Headlines should be bold and concise so they can be read easily on a small screen. The headline should entice the reader to click through.
- Include links – Include links in each post so readers can explore related topics or even return to other posts in your blog without having to search around the site.
- Make it scannable – Short paragraphs with lots of white space make the text easier to read on smaller screens.
Set Protocols and Policies; Remain Consistent
From the very beginning, it's important to set protocols and policies for your property management business and to remain consistent with them. This will help you maintain a good relationship with both your tenants and your landlords. If you're working on finding or filling vacant units, make sure to find out about any existing agreements that are in place so that new renters don't get into trouble with their current lease. If one of your properties is going up for sale, inform your residents before they hear from another source. Even if you have an excellent manager in place, it's still a good idea to check in periodically to make sure everything is running smoothly without any issues coming up.
Make communication a core competency
As a property manager, one of your core competencies should be communication. After all, you need to be able to communicate effectively with your tenants, your staff, and your clients. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you hone your communication skills You need to show up on time when meeting with someone else; stay on topic; avoid negativity or drama in your interactions; never assume anything; speak in terms that the other person can understand (unless they ask for jargon); make sure you have an answer for every question that's asked; don't be afraid to repeat yourself if necessary (sometimes people miss things the first time).
Present a well-prepared, clean, and tidy property
A well-prepared, clean, and tidy property is the first step to impressing potential tenants and landlords. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- First, take the time to declutter and deep clean your space. This will make it look more inviting and welcoming.
- Next, make sure all of your appliances are in good working order. No one wants to move into a new place with a broken fridge or stove.
- Once everything is clean and in its place, add some personal touches to make the space feel like home. A few strategic pieces of art or some cozy throw blankets can go a long way.
- Finally, don't forget about curb appeal!
Keep a Positive Attitude
It's not always easy to keep a positive attitude, but it's important to remember that your attitude is one of the most important things when it comes to property management. After all, your attitude will be contagious and will set the tone for how your tenants and employees interact with you. Here are a few tips to help you keep a positive attitude
Get control of your calendar
Are you struggling to keep up with your property management duties? If you feel like you're always playing catch-up, it's time to get control of your calendar. Put a few minutes aside each day (or more if necessary) to handle the things that are waiting for you. Tackle the hardest tasks first, then work down the list until everything is done!