Apartment Living Popularity Is Trending Up

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

Accommodation-1While rental houses are still sought after by a lot of people, more apartments are being built in greater numbers because there is a rising demand for that type of living. Approximately 2 million new renter-occupied households were added in 2014, while the number of owner-occupied households decreased by more than 350,000, according to report from the U.S. Census Bureau in early 2015. As people choose apartment living in greater numbers, there is also a growing need for property managers to help work with owners and tenants. That’s good news for property managers, since it can help keep their companies profitable and growing into the new year and beyond. It’s also important information for people who are looking for a place to rent, and investors who are interested in buying more rental properties.

Why Is Apartment Living So Popular?

There are many reasons that apartments are popular. The idea of a more communal style of living can appeal to people who are alone, or to those who like to make friends and want to have interactions with others. If they have friends or family who live in an apartment complex and enjoy their time there that can also lead them toward the idea that they want to choose an apartment to rent, as well.

Another reason that apartment buildings are becoming even more popular today is due to the idea that not everyone wants to have a house where they have to worry about upkeep. In an apartment complex, maintenance and cleaning needs are limited to the inside of the apartment. That frees up time to do other things, and makes it easier for people who may not be able to care for a yard and a home’s exterior as easily. Whether someone chooses an apartment for convenience (ease of care, close to work, etc.) or because of the social aspects, the popularity of apartment buildings continues to rise.

According to Axiometrics, the job market is affecting apartment popularity, too, with more low-wage jobs (for example, serving and food preparation jobs) being created and more workers needing places to live. It’s also partly due to millennials delaying homeownership.

Are People Still Renting Houses?

People are still renting houses. There will generally always be people who don’t want to live in an apartment, for a variety of reasons. Some people think that apartments are too constrictive, or too noisy. They may really enjoy having a garden or taking care of a yard. Or maybe they have pets and need a yard for their dog, or need more space for their growing family. It’s certainly possible to find a rental house where a garden can be grown, or where a dog can have the run of the yard. With that in mind, people do continue to rent houses instead of apartments, just not in the large numbers that were seen in the past. The landscape of rentals is shifting, and property management companies must shift along with it.

What Will Future Trends Show?

Future trends indicate that the popularity of apartment living is going to continue to grow. People are moving back into downtown areas in many cities instead of living in the suburbs, and as they do that the largest option open to them is an apartment complex. With the convenience these complexes offer, along with all the perks and amenities that can be found in a number of them, it’s very likely that more people will continue to choose a rental apartment instead of a rental house in the future.


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money.  Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.

Hug Your Haters: How to Turn Bad Reviews into Your Competitive Advantage

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

550c5547c10ff478a5-45284322When it comes to customer service and online reputation management, the absolute worst thing you can do is to do nothing at all. Negative feedback is inevitable, regardless of your business and what you sell. Your response to negativity, however, will determine the success of your property management business.

Consider a situation where a frustrated customer writes a bad online review of your business. Responding with a sincere apology and willingness to listen increases customer advocacy in a public forum. Not only will this mitigate the complaint, it will positively portray the level of customer service that your business offers.

80% of Americans trust online reviews as much as they trust recommendations from friends and family, so publicly responding to criticism is crucial.

Negative feedback comes in two forms: public criticism on blogs and review sites, or private messages from dissatisfied customers in the form of emails and phone calls.

90% of customers sending private messages expect a formal response to their complaint while their public counterparts do not expect much.

Currently, ⅓ of all complaints are made on public websites or social media platforms. This number is expected to increase as younger generations grow up immersed in the internet and social media. Respond to any and all negative feedback, no matter the venue or the complaint.

How to “Hug Your Haters” to improve your online reputation management skills:

  • Never respond to a “troll” more than twice. Politely end the conversation and suggest they contact you offline.
  • Answer every complaint, in every channel, every time.
  • When someone posts a positive comment, reward them with a gift card if they bring in a new customer!
  • Respond to positive comments as well as negative. Show your reviewers you are listening and appreciate them.
  • Reviews impact your search engine results in a major way – the more positive reviews the more visibility you get in Google.
  • Don’t take reviews personally, even when the negative reviewer makes it so. Remember, they might be having the worst day of their lives so recognize and empathize.
  • Respond fast! How quickly you respond is important in satisfying the “hater” and keeping the thread from spiraling out of control.

View and listen to the webinar here!


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money.  Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.

When You Know It’s Time To Go

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

evictionYour applicant sails through the screening process with flying colors, moves in, pays the rent in a timely manner and treats the rental with loving care. All is well in your world! Yes, all is well. That is, until:

  • His car suffers a major, expensive repair issue
  • He gets laid off, or loses his job
  • He becomes ill or has an accident that requires hospitalization
  • He goes through a divorce
  • He develops alcohol or other addiction problems
  • He gets into credit problems and has to file bankruptcy

All of these events have a negative effect on your tenant’s ability to earn income and pay the rent. When these things happen, the proverbial “writing is on the wall.” He may feel he can get caught up, and ask for some time to remedy the situation. So, what do you do?

I have a friend in the business whose tenant suffered an illness causing loss of work > loss of income > loss of rent for my friend. Mark agreed to give his tenant time to catch up on the rent. Three months later, he’s only seen $300 of the $1000/month rent he is supposed to be collecting on that property. (Whaaat?)

IF you’re willing to allow time for your tenant to catch up on monies owed, make a written contract signed by both of you, detailing time and amounts of payments to be made, and consequences (eviction) of missed payments. And be prepared to get them out quickly if they don’t deliver on the contract!

When eviction is imminent, I tell my tenants that if they can be out before the court date (two weeks following the day I file, here in Indianapolis) and leave the property clean and empty, I won’t pursue the case through the court system. If they don’t owe me much money — and I always file BEFORE it gets to that point! — it saves me time and money if I can get them out early. Quick exit on the tenant’s part, quick turn-around for the unit, and I’m back in the money. And in the case of a good tenant who has just had a terrible turn of rotten luck, it saves them having an eviction on their record. A win/win for all.

So, when it’s time to go, make a written plan to make things right quickly, or make the move to get them out. Although we’re witness to a myriad of sad situations, this is an income-producing business — first and foremost — and our decisions have to focus on that priority.

– See more at: http://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/property-management/landlord-quick-tips/know-time-go-2/#sthash.g2TUbAZz.dpuf


logo_aaoa American Apartment Owners Association | Company Website |

At the American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA), our mission is to serve the interests of landlords, real estate brokers, property managers, real estate owners and apartment building owners nationally.  Visit www.AAOA.com for more information about membership details!

Marketing Your Properties through Body Language

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

lenguaje-del-cuerpoNow that we’ve surpassed the future Doc Brown and Marty McFly laid out for us in the 1985 film, “Back to the Future”, it’s becoming apparent that we’re a lot more stuck in the Stone Age than we thought. Whether it’s showing interest in a listing or expressing boredom during a tour, your potential applicant’s body language shows it all. With this crash course on body language, you will learn how to exude the right physical ques to make your potential applicants feel right at home.

Body Language Applications and Why Should I Learn This?

We’ve all seen it in movies. It’s the slow close-up of Superman’s face as he’s flying through the sky or the pan between two cowboys itching for a showdown, emphasizing their nonverbal body language. It’s the famous “Spielberg face”, as Fandor coins it, which has been used in famous films like “Jurassic Park” and “Indiana Jones” to express emotions like shock, dread, and awe nonverbally. And, more precisely, it’s your potential tenant’s intent.

Humans can produce over 700,000 signs, over 5,000 distinct hand gestures, over 250,000 facial expressions and over 1,000 different postures. And that’s not all; the preexisting micro expressions are always changing and evolving to signal new emotive forms of intent. While this might seem overwhelming, according to Gengo’s research, there are six universal signs that you can look out for: happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, anger, and fear. With these universal signs, you can use body language to your advantage in any type of field. Take print advertising for example, Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral investigator, points out in her article that body language can be used to show people where to look or emphasize certain products or action buttons. So why not use it for reeling in more applicants?

How to Walk the Walk (Nonverbally)

When it comes to body language and speaking, the Stanford Grad School of Business says it best: the audience is the superhero and as the speaker, you have to keep that hero on their journey. By making body language your superpower, you utilize your body position, body movements, and your observations of your partner’s movements and positions to help create a good impression and lead the potential applicant towards finding what they want – your property.

According to Gengo, it takes just 7 seconds to make a judgment about a person when first meeting them, so it’s important to learn how to create a confident and welcoming atmosphere through your body language. Stanford graduate Colin Bailie recommended assuming the appropriate body position for the situation. This means you shouldn’t approach a potential applicant with your arms crossed (a position that signals that you’re closed off) or with your hands on your hips (a position that can signal overconfidence to potential renters and make them feel small), but have an open and neutral position that shows your hands.

In addition to how you position yourself, you should also be aware of your body’s movements. In Stanford’s educational video, Jeong Joon Ha touched on using hand motions to drive your point home. While many of us who’ve taken a speech class know that hand motions are essential, it’s important to note that some hand motions are more effective than others. According to Allan & Barbara Pease, referenced in Jeon Joon Ha’s presentation, people comply to directions made with the presenter’s palms up 84% of the time, palms down 52% of the time, and pointing 28% of the time. Disneyland already uses this technique by requiring all of its cast members to gesture directions either with the whole hand or with two fingers.

Finally, observe your potential tenant’s body language. Try to mirror where there hands are positioned and even how they stand. This will not only make them more comfortable speaking with you, but make them more open to what you have to say.

For more tactics on how to read your potential tenant’s facial expressions go to Business Insider to view a quick illustrative video.

Don’t Overthink It

As body language contributes to 55% of the overall effectiveness of how we communicate, it’s extremely important that we take the time to understand how we present ourselves in our day-to-day lives. That being said, as property managers and business owners, you’ve already got a lot on your plate. According to Forbes, the trick to enhancing how you use body language is to simply not overthink it. Most of the time you already recognize when an applicant is or is not interested and that feeling is usually attributed to that person’s “vibes” or a “gut feeling”. Simply take that gut feeling one step further by adjusting your body position to that person’s. After all, while the vibes you might be feeling may seem attributed to specific response (like excitement over the amenities or fear over the rental price), it more often signals the applicant’s intent, and that can be persuaded to be positive.

Understanding your body language is good for communicating with current residents, interacting with applicants, and for your everyday personal life. Staying confident and calm can be difficult all the time, but as Amy Cuddy said in her TED Talks, by spending just two minutes in a high power pose (like the Superwoman pose) your body language will help you develop a naturally more confident mindset, which in turn will leave a lasting impact on potential renters. While we may not have hover boards and time travel yet, maybe that’s a good thing. Communication is complicated as it is.


Becky Headshot_ProAbout the Author

Becky Bower is a writer for ResidentScreeningBlog.com and a communications intern at Contemporary Information Corporation (C.I.C), a nationwide tenant & employment screening company.  She has also spent several years in compliance and auditing.  Becky holds a degree in English with a focus in creative writing from CSU Channel Islands and is a published writer.


image001About CIC

Founded in 1986, CIC is a leading provider of tenant and employment screening solutions for the multifamily housing industry. CIC offers full service background checks, credit reports from all three major bureaus, the nation’s most comprehensive eviction records database, complete nationwide criminal records search, full verification services and other specialized screening products. For more information, please visit www.CICReports.com.

How to Write a Great Lease When Self Managing

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

186108363As a landlord of 7 single family homes, soon to be 8, the lease is my bible. It is my key to success and the reason why I can self manage my houses anywhere. I have signed leases on a ferry between Finland and Russia in the Baltic sea. I have managed a Break Lease Fee on my last day in Abu Dhabi and through the trip back. I have handled countless repairs and other issues all over the US and through every Murphy’s Law moment that exists.

The reason for my success has been my lease. As the pillar of my single family rental success, I even wrote an entire book with my 37 addenda to help others write a great lease. It is sizable and able to scale up from a single family bible to a multi family lease bible too!

Below are the 37 Addendum that I include in my lease:

  1. Appliances included with the Rental
  2. Month to Month
  3. Direct Deposit
  4. Late Fees
  5. Pet Fees
  6. Utilities
  7. Assignment and Subletting
  8. No Smoking
  9. Maintenance
  10. Entry By Landlord
  11. Extended Absence By Tenant
  12. Termination on Sale of Premises
  13. Lease Termination Provision for Military Personnel
  14. Tenant Assumes Responsibility for Maintenance
  15. Battery Operated Device(s)
  16. Filters
  17. Steam Cleaning Carpets
  18. Professional Cleaning
  19. Landscaping
  20. HOA
  21. Keys, Garages/Gates
  22. Damages
  23. Renter’s Insurance
  24. Break Lease Option (Buy Out)
  25. Alterations
  26. Pest Control
  27. Home Businesses
  28. Attic Storage
  29. Renting Site Unseen
  30. Appliance Maintenance
  31. Fees/Violations
  32. Duct Cleaning
  33. Plumbing
  34. Changing Locks
  35. Play Structures, Trampoline, Pools and Other Large Outdoor Equipment
  36. Roommate
  37. As-Is Appliances

The key to my addendums for single family homes has been to create a clear and concise rulebook. The same will be my goal for multi-family homes. You will need to edit/add/delete if your units are laid out as apartments or townhomes. I have learned the hard way if an issue comes up and it is not covered in your lease, then you are SOL unless it is covered by local, state, or federal law.

When scaling up my single family leases I plan on creating addendums to address these additional issues that would come with a multi-family home:

  • Noise – I will establish a quiet hour with expectations and a financial penalty if not followed.
  • Parking – I will address parking and expectations regarding guest parking.
  • Trash – I will address where trash is to be placed.
  • Laundry – If there is a common laundry I would address rules and regulations on use and financial penalties for misuse.
  • Pets – Importance of cleaning up after them with a fine if residents don’t immediately clean up. This too would have a fine.
  • Use – If I paid water, trash or if the location had prized parking, etc., I would be ultra strict on who can use the premises. The last thing you want is all of your tenant’s friends/family bring over their laundry to wash it at your house or have randoms using your dumpsters.

3 Lease Tips

  1. Always have a fine: I have learned the hard way so I impose a fine in my lease when it is legal. It is important to follow your local and federal laws here but imposing fines allows direct punishment. Otherwise, our only option is to evict! Eviction is a costly, sometimes lengthy process and who knows if the tenants will continue to pay rent once notice to evict has been served. On the other hand, If you have a fine, you can charge them money and still let them stay in the home.
  2. Always Review the Lease with Your Tenants: The point of my bible is to have an operating agreement where each side, both the tenant and the landlord, agree. Therefore, I review it in detail. I set aside an hour to go over everything with tenants.
  3. Leave the Lease Blank: My lease is blank. I have my tenants fill in a blank lease. This way their handwriting is throughout the entire lease. It allows there to be no misunderstandings or later– “I didn’t know that…”

Being a property manager has its up and down moments. For me the goal is to maximize my financial benefit while making real estate as passive as possible. That is possible through a strict all encompassing lease. It prevents the “Can we talk about x?” It is right there in the tenant’s own handwriting.

Don’t forget the KEY!!! This is the golden ticket:

YOU MUST HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE

It doesn’t matter how great a lease is if you do not enforce it and hold their feet to the fire. I always follow my lease and it makes things much easier. The only times I have had regrettable consequences were the times were I did not follow my lease to the fullest extent.

Author’s Note: I am nothing other than an experienced-aka-jaded landlord. I am not a lawyer or anything certified. This is not legal advice. Always check your state and local laws as regulations can differ.

– See more at: http://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/property-management/landlord-quick-tips/write-great-lease-self-managing/#sthash.hu3xST5e.dpuf


logo_aaoa American Apartment Owners Association | Company Website |

At the American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA), our mission is to serve the interests of landlords, real estate brokers, property managers, real estate owners and apartment building owners nationally. Visit www.AAOA.com for more information about membership details!

 

3 Maintenance Tips to Prepare Your Properties for Winter

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

house energy efficiency conceptProperty management companies employ maintenance teams to ensure the safety and comfort of residents. They do more than keep lawns maintained and change old light bulbs; maintenance staff fix damaged railings, shovel snow, and perform a variety of functions to make sure the building not only looks great but also stays safe all year round. But when cold weather arrives, building maintenance can be challenging. While many of the cosmetic upgrades aren’t needed, there are tasks that are required and may be hard to perform in a snowy, windy, or icy climate.

One of the best ways to keep up with building maintenance in winter conditions is to know what needs to be done before cold weather sets in, and prepare your property, residents, and staff early. Here are some tips for getting your properties ready for winter.

– Make a list and check it twice. Keep track of what work needs to be done long before winter arrives. Base the list on what issues you encountered in the past and assess if they were handled effectively. If not, readjust your processes to avoid any reoccurring issues. One suggestion is in Column 1, make a list of quick-fix items that you can do early to prepare (like check smoke alarms, chimneys, heaters, gutters). In Column 2, write items that might take a little more time, but are necessary (replacing roofs, railings, broken steps, faulty windows). In Column 3, write out all the worse-case scenarios you can think of and evaluate if you are equipped to handle these emergencies (flooding, roofs collapsing, trees falling). In the final column, make a list of service requests you foresee coming in during the cold months that can’t be done in advance (like clearing the daily snow, frozen pipes, etc.) With unpredictable weather, you never know what will happen and it’s better to be ready for what could happen.

Complete the maintenance early. Cleaning the gutters, addressing any concerns with the roof, and stocking up on items that will be needed for winter, such as bags of salt for walkways and driveways, gasoline for snow blowers, and any other things that maintenance workers may be required to have when the weather becomes snowy or icy, is a good idea. These items can be found during the winter months, of course, but they may be harder to find and more expensive. They may also be in short supply during some periods (such as right before or after a significant snowfall event or a blizzard). An important area for winter weather maintenance is heating. Common areas and resident units need to have heat that works properly and consistently. If the building uses natural gas heat, the furnace also needs to be serviced to make sure it’s safe to operate. Not taking care of gas furnace maintenance can put residents at risk of more than just being cold. If your homes have chimneys make sure they are clear and work as expected. With heat that works properly and walkways and parking lots that are clear and free of ice and snow, your property management company will have fewer resident complaints and less accidents.

– Fix things quickly. As for actual maintenance that will take place during winter weather, keeping the walkways, driveways, and parking lot clear will take up a lot of the maintenance department’s time and energy if the area gets significant snowfall. Residents who slip and fall on snowy or icy patches, or who can’t safely get into or out of the parking lot and driveway because of ice or accumulated snow, may file a complaint with the property management company. An accident like a slip and fall may also be something a resident could sue over, requesting compensation for injuries sustained and financial damages acquired. With proper maintenance, a lot of the risk of that can be removed and the building will be better protected from damage and lawsuits. (This is now a good time to make sure your insurance and your tenants’ insurance is in place.)

To make sure everyone has a happy and safe winter, make sure you are staffed with the right people and tools to handle any incidents during harsh weather. Inform all your residents about your winter hours, holiday schedule, and the best way to contact you in case of an emergency. It also helps to provide them with tips on what they can do to stay safe this winter.

If you are concerned that you might not be well-equipped this winter to handle the influx of requests, consider AppFolio’s Maintenance Contact Center, a 24/7 property management answering service to answer all your maintenance requests and dispatch vendors when needed so your residents always feel safe and taken care of.


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money. Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.

Nontoxic, Natural Pest Control Ideas (They Actually Work!)

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

130620100832_1_540x360Skip the chemicals and get rid of those creepy-crawly houseguests the natural way.

As the weather turns cold, gone are the mosquitoes and flies that bugged us all summer. In their place come the cold-weather critters (think mice and moths) that can wreak havoc on our homes (and closets). Sure, ’tis the season for holiday guests, but if yours are of the rodent or insect kind, you’re probably hoping to be less than hospitable (especially if you’re selling your home).

But you don’t have to break out the harsh chemicals. Whether you’re defending real estate in Seattle, WA, or Philadelphia, PA from those pesky would-be roommates, these natural pest control remedies will do the job and are safe for kids and pets.

Store firewood far away from your house

You see a woodpile, rodents see a warm shelter from the cold — and it’s only a short while until they migrate to your abode. Another reason to keep piles of debris away from your home? They’re a prime breeding ground for spiders.

Use soap and water

And not just for hand-washing. If you have an ant issue, wipe them away with a paper towel doused in soap and water. Doing so will remove the ants’ chemical trail, which can keep their friends from following their path. For good measure after cleaning, sprinkle some cayenne or black pepper near entry points, which will also repel those little workers.

Make use of mint

Mice abhor peppermint, so soak a few cotton balls in peppermint oil and leave them where you suspect the mice are entering. Replace these often, as the mint oil tends to dry out. For a longer-term fix, plant mint near the foundation of your house to discourage entry.

Bring on the peanut butter — as bait

Even rodents can’t withstand the temptation of this delicious treat (it beats cheese!), so if you’re using mousetraps, dab a bit on the trap to ensure a catch.

Stock up on sachets

Wrap rosemary, lavender, or thyme in a cloth sachet and place it in your closet or drawers to keep moths at bay. Moths also hate the smell of cloves, so wrap them in tissue paper or cloth and store them in your pantry to keep food from becoming infested.

Store sweaters in the freezer (really)

This is especially helpful if you think you have a moth problem. The cold air kills any remaining larvae, so put your sweaters in a plastic zippered storage bag and give them a deep freeze for a couple of days.

Embrace garlic

And not just in your cooking. While you may love the stuff, it turns out that stink bugs can’t stand the stench. Sprinkle garlic powder in hard-to-reach areas or make a spray of 4 tablespoons of powder and 2 cups of water. Spray it on doorways or plants near your house (stink bugs live on leaves and then mosey on inside) every two to three days.

Cue the citrus oil

Spiders, which taste things with their feet, are not citrus fans, so dab a few drops of orange or lemon oil around the house (especially in dark corners) to discourage their stay. Bonus: Your house will smell fresh and clean!


Source: Trulia.com

The Best Ways to Market Your Properties in the Winter

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

al007_frosty-grassIt can be hard to see a property’s best features through the thick haze of snow and fog. Marketing properties during the cold and wintry times takes some ingenuity, but it can certainly be done. If you want to keep residents interested in the properties you have available and convince them to reach out to you during the winter months, there are some things you can do to make your available properties more attractive. Whether it’s an apartment in a large building or a single-family house you’re trying to rent out, consider the following to generate interest during the winter.

1). Keep walkways, pathways, and common outdoor areas clear. Anyone thinking about renting in the winter probably has enough to deal with. They don’t want to pull up to a possible rental and see the driveways and walkways covered with snow and ice. Make sure you keep them clean, salted, and as dry as possible, so it’s easy for people to get to and from the unit. If there are common areas that people use outdoors in the winter, they should also be taken care of properly. The more inviting and the safer the property looks, the better the chances that those who look at it will want to rent it. When they see that the property is taken care of, and snow and ice aren’t allowed to pile up, they can feel a lot better about renting from you.

2). Decorate for the holidays. Keeping things cheerful around the holiday season is important for current renters, and for potential residents, as well. While you don’t want to overdo it on religious themes that might not appeal to everyone, there are plenty of more low-key or neutral options for winter holiday decorations. They keep an apartment complex or other rental looking very happy and cozy—a great place to call home. It also shows that the property management company wants to help everyone who lives there feel welcome and that can make potential residents feel like they will be valued and appreciated.

3). Provide warm-weather photos. Helping potential renters see what the property would look like in the summertime can make their decision easier. Without snow or ice on the ground, these pictures can help anyone considering the property see the beauty of the grounds and the common outdoor areas. If there is a playground, a pool, an area for grilling, or other amenities that can’t be used in the wintertime, add pictures of those things to your marketing materials. That will give potential renters a better idea of what living in your property will be like.

4). Showcase the natural beauty of winter. Winter can be very beautiful, and you want potential residents to see that as it relates to your property. If there are winter activities that take place on the grounds or nearby, make sure you provide that information when you market the apartment or house you’re trying to rent. That can help remind potential renters that there are some great things about winter, and that they can enjoy those things if they rent your property. Knowing that there are activities to get involved with all throughout the year may be just what an interested renter needs to make his or her rental decision easier.


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money. Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.

How to Take Your Building From Pet-Friendly to Pet-Loving

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

Happy-Dog-On-BedThere are a lot of property management companies that advertise their buildings as “pet-friendly.” But what exactly does that mean? Does the building offer pet socials? Will a building favor the pet owner if there is ever a complaint against their beloved pet? Instead of advertising your building as “pet-friendly” you should let pet owners know that your building is “pet-loving.”

Defining a Pet-Loving Building When a building is pet-friendly it will often have a strict set of rules involving pets. This list could include:

  • Pet breed or weight restrictions
  • Additional pet rent policies
  • Pet security deposits
  • Limitation on the type of animal that can be kept in the building
  • Limitation on the number of pets per residence

After quickly glancing through the above list, suddenly the “pet-friendly” building doesn’t seem all that friendly. But where did the property manager go wrong? It all started with not letting residents know that the building’s management actually loves pets. To further illustrate the importance of this point, here’s an all too common story of pet owner vs. annoyed neighbor.

The Tale of Pet Owner vs. Annoyed Neighbor in a “Pet-Friendly” Building

When you own a pet you tend to think of him or her as your world. You buy toys, take them to the vet for regular health check-ups, and put-up with their bad habits just as a parent puts up with a child’s occasional temper tantrum. However, when you don’t own a pet you tend to be less inclined to forgive and forget.

A “pet-friendly” building has to accommodate the needs of both pet owners and other non-pet-owning residents. This means that when a pet owner is playing with his or her dog and the dog begins to happily bark indoors (as is the case when a pup plays fetch), the building has to decide if they will side with the neighbor who complains about the noise or the pet owner who is playing. This type of conflict can occur when you try to answer the following questions:

  • Should leashed pets be allowed on the roof deck?
  • Should owners have to pay a non-refundable deposit for their pet?
  • Should pets be allowed in the common areas?

Answering these types of questions is a hard task when you are trying to appeal to two types of residents. By advertising your building as “pet-loving” you can attract residents who have pets, as well as residents who don’t have pets but are understanding of their unique set of needs.

Transitioning to a Pet-Loving Building in 3 Easy Steps

Transitioning from pet-friendly to pet-loving can be accomplished in three easy steps.

  1. Make it easier for owners to bring pets to your building. Refundable security deposits for pets is a sure-fire way to protect your building’s assets, while simultaneously attracting pet owners. If a pet does damage to the unit or the common areas, then you will have the extra funds needed to make repairs; and if the pet doesn’t damage any areas, then the owner will be happy to receive their full deposit upon move-out.
  2. Host resident and pet socials. One of the best ways to avoid conflicts between pet owners and non-owners, is to host social events that encourage co-mingling. People who love pets, but who don’t own one, are more inclined to forgive their infractions if they actually know the pet. For example, meet Blake the 25 pound beagle who likes to howl for five minutes after his owner leaves the condo. Now, meet Jill the next door neighbor who is not exactly thrilled about the howling. Introduce a friendly pet-social, and suddenly Jill can meet Blake, talk to the owner in a friendly environment, and learn that all she has to do is say, “Blake quit it,” and he will stop howling.
  3. Prominently display residents’ pets on social media and your building’s website. When you actively promote your building’s pets on your website, blog, and social media accounts you are letting future residents know that your building loves and takes care of its pets. From pictures to videos to pet-friendly contests, you can easily create an environment that is pet-loving, while simultaneously attracting like-minded future residents to your building.

With these tips in mind, you can all too easily transform your building from pet-friendly to pet-loving. The result will be a building filled with residents who love pets, understand their needs, and can exist in harmony whether or not they currently own a pet.


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money. Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.

Technology to Keep Your Property Owners Happy and Profitable

Written by Apartment Management Magazine on . Posted in Blog

Important-Features-of-a-Profitable-Rental-PropertyAs a property manager, your priorities might change each month—in June it’s fill the vacancies left by graduating students, in November maybe it’s improve response times and communications around the holidays. But your ultimate endgame is always to fill rental properties and fast. To add even more to the pile of responsibilities, you need to fill those properties while also ensuring that your owners earn the highest return on investment possible. Easy enough, right?

It can be that easy if you know what property owners expect, and pair those expectations with the best property management software for owners to meet these expectations.

The Basics: What do property owners want?

  • Clean, readable property owner statements
  • Insight into work order progress updates
  • Proof that units are being occupied quickly and efficiently
  • Monthly proceeds directly deposited to the bank account of choice
  • Instant online access to monthly and year-end tax statements

How can the right technology make your property owners happy?

Property management software with owner portals, where all the pertinent information is accessible in one place, can make a huge difference in building positive manager-owner relationships, as well as optimizing your daily processes to save time and money. Really, anything you can do to free up some time to market your properties will put smiles on your property owners’ faces and more money in their pockets.

Here are some of the features that when incorporated into your business can improve not only the renter experience, but also the owner experience (and make your life easier, too!).

Leasing dashboards: Provide your owners with a quick-glance summary of the state of all the properties in their portfolio.

Vacancy postings: Quickly list vacant units in multiple places so your owners don’t lose money on empty properties.

Rent comparison calculators: Always ensure that you’re charging the right rental rate for your geographical area to maximize profits.

Mobile applications, leasing, payments and inspections: Make it simple and easy for people to apply to live in your units, pay rent, and move in/out quickly, while saving your staff man hours and your owners money.

Robust screening tools: Bring in quality people to your properties to avoid high turnover and avoidable issues with problem residents.

Maintenance requests/work order tracking: Keep customer service levels up and properties well maintained to avoid headaches and extra costs for your owners.

Text messaging: Effectively communicate important updates and notices to renters and owners.

For the most part, property owners don’t want to focus a lot of their time on the ins and outs of the business—that’s essentially why they hire property management companies. They want to know that their properties are in good hands, and having the best property management software in place awards them the confidence they need to let you, as the property manager, do your job while they focus on the bigger picture.


appfolio Appfolio | Company Website | LinkedIn Connect |

AppFolio, Inc. develops Property Management Software that helps businesses improve their workflow so they save time and make more money. Appfolio submits articles & blogs including topics of Resident Retention, Improved Owner Communication, Time Management, and more.