Page 95 - AAGLA-JUNE 2022

Property Management
“Best of Dear Kari”
Marketing 101: Getting Back to Some Basics
By Kari Negri, Chief Executive Officer, SKY Property Management
IDear Kari, How can I rent my vacant units faster? Alyssa C., Sherman Oaks
every 3 months and make small upgrades or changes so that your property stays relevant (important to neighborhood appeal) and noticeable. This can sometimes lead to a waiting list for any upcoming rentals.
Signage: Make sure to put “For Rent” signs with bright colors to attract the eye, banners, balloons, flags and open house signs. This is especially important for properties in high traffic / walkable areas. Something special or different like balloons around a sign or even a bush trimmed to look like an animal can make a huge difference and draw attention to your rental sign for very little money.
Landscaping & Exterior: Once your sign has grabbed the attention of a potential resident, look at the rest of the exterior of the building. This includes exterior paint, condition of the gates and rails, the landscaping and how well it is maintained, as well as the safety of the structure and all the factors that may affect it. Do not underestimate the importance of the first impression on a potential resident who may be driving by or be in the neighborhood for one reason or another.
The New Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is now often called an online review. Talking about a property doesn’t necessarily mean a resident speaking to a friend anymore - we have the internet to thank for that. With online platforms, past, present and future residents or applicants can review your services. Remember that potential renters ALWAYS check reviews.
Yelp!: We are all guilty of leaving some good and some bad reviews at our favorite spots. As a property, you must keep an eye out for both. On occasion tenants feel as though their
think with all the options out there, it is sometimes easy to forget some very basic things that are vital to renting your vacant units. One of the most important things you can do to rent your vacancies faster is to answer the phone. If you love your building, answering phone calls always comes across positively, and is one of the biggest reasons a person will rent from you – sometimes it’s just about how you handle incoming calls.
Answer the phone in person, be ready to give great reviews of the neighborhood and talk about specific places, know your building and unit amenities and when it will be available to look at. You should also let them potential applicants how long it normally takes to have maintenance addressed at your property as people often move when maintenance is not addressed. Last and not least, be sure to establish and follow your rental criteria and send to any prospect up-front so that you are not wasting their time or yours. Bottom line: be professional and train anyone showing your apartments to be professional in their communications, actions and appearance.
Curb Appeal
Before we had the luxury of posting everything online, your property had to speak volumes for itself, and that is still true today. How your building looks when a prospective tenant pulls up to it is essential because they can take one look and drive away. It is imperative that it is at a minimum always neat and clean. Make a critical inspection of your property
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