Halloween Safety Tips for Property Managers

Halloween is fast approaching, and property managers should ensure the properties they manage are kept safe and are running smoothly. To ensure that all residents enjoy a safe and happy holiday, read the following Halloween preparation tips.

1. Keep Pathways Clean and Well-Lit

Free walking paths from leaves and other debris, to ensure trick or treaters can see where they are going and safety navigate your pathway. In addition to cleaning your walkways, consider adding lights to ensure trick or treaters can clearly navigate your pathway without any trips or accidental falls.

2. Keep Pets Indoors

The frantic high energy of Halloween combined with children running around creates an uneasy situation for most pets. While many pets may feel calm amongst trick or treaters going from door to door, it is best to keep pets inside to lower the risk of pets behaving erratically and potentially harming someone. Property managers should advise residents to keep pets indoors on Halloween night.

3. Check Smoke Detectors

Check smoke detectors prior to Halloween to ensure the detectors are working properly, and replace batteries as needed. Residents tend to burn more decorative candles around Halloween, and with candles comes the risk of accidental fires. Furthermore, property managers should recommend flameless candles to their residents. Flameless candles accomplish the ultimate goal of illuminating apartment decorations without the risk of fire.

4. Test Door Locks

Property managers should recommend their residents check their door locks are working properly prior to Halloween night. Halloween brings high frantic energy and a higher volume of people walking around, thus your residents should take extra preventive measures to ensure their belongings are kept safe. Property managers should also make an effort to make any vacant apartment units on their property appear "lived in", to discourage break-ins.

5. Remind Renters of Property Rules

Holidays can bring excess amounts of people in apartment units due to parties and get-togethers. Property managers should take the time to remind residents of property rules and regulations, to ensure an enjoyable and safe Halloween for all residents. Send out a notice reminding residents of trick or treating hours, and outlining applicable property rules such as noise level regulations and visitor regulations. 

How Property Owners are Using Mobile Technology to Attract Residents

Mobile technology continues to evolve across the globe, affecting all aspects of life, including complex business operations. Mobile technology tools have the power to transform the way real estate companies conduct business, and new survey results show companies are starting to discover real value through incorporating social business tools into daily operations. Mobile technology includes activities building connections between customers, employees, and information through property management software, social media engagement, and mobile technology infrastructures. The power of mobile technology is revolutionizing the real estate industry, placing importance on communicating with customers and employees through different social media outlets and software infrastructures.

Innovative property managers recognize the power of mobile technology to attract new residents and build stronger relationships with current residents. Mobile technology advancements make it possible to engage with residents throughout the entire leasing process. When choosing a mobile technology infrastructure for your property management company, find a diverse property management software compatible with various operating systems and devices. Find a property management software which is employing the newest technology, and stay up to date on software updates to support all types of users and their various devices. 

Implementing mobile technology will improve connectivity among potential residents, which leads to increased engagement and improved conversion numbers. To attract potential residents, implement mobile advertisements, coupons, and online invitations to open houses. Furthermore, pursue mobile leasing application options with online signing features to swiftly close deals. 

Properties should be marketing as technology driven communities, where paying rent online and submitting maintenance requests is a simple online process. Implementing text alerts and mobile access to resident portals encourages residents to pay rent promptly, and saves residents valuable time. 

Mobile technology produces higher performance ratings and productivity among employees as well. Incorporating mobile applications into annual inspections encourages workflow efficiency and improves overall organization among employees. 

Globally, mobile technology is improving business operations, and leveraging the power of mobile technology into your real estate management improves success and workplace productiveness. 

7 Ways To Prepare Your Home For Fall

The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter as fall is quickly approaching. Now is the time to complete any late summer maintenance projects and prepare your home for fall. Follow our easy steps to properly prepare your home for the colder days ahead in New England.

1. Turn off Outdoor Plumbing Systems

Outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems should be properly drained and covered, to protect them from freezing temperatures approaching.

2. Fix Cracks in Asphalt and Concrete 

Depending on where you live, these may be the last few weeks of the year where the weather will be warm and sunny enough to permit driveway repairs and concrete crack maintenance. This will improve the exterior beauty of your home.

3. Plant Bulbs for Spring-Blooming Flowers 

A beautiful sign of Spring approaching is when tulips and daffodils start vibrantly booming. As soon as the soil has cooled down in October, plant bulbs, and your yard will be blooming in beauty next Spring. Ideally, select a spot to plant bulbs in your yard that the sun fully hits during the day. 

4. Clean Fireplace and Chimneys

Clean out the fireplace and ensure the flue is operating correctly, and that the doors and shield are secure. If necessary, have the chimney professionally swept to ensure complete cleanliness.

5. Complete a Home Safety Check

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and Carbon Dioxide monitors for safety precaution. Construct a family safety plan, or review the one already set in place. Assemble emergency preparation kits so your family is prepared for winter power outages.

6. Build a Mudroom 

Now is the proper time to assemble and stock an entryway that will serve as a "mudroom" area for freezing and damp weather, even if your home does not include a dedicated mudroom area. Place a durable indoor rug to ensure the floor is properly protected. Consider assembling a shoe rack, coat rack, or a storage bench for your dedicated mudroom area.

7. Properly Insulate Your Home  

As fall approaches, it is important to keep the warm air inside your home and the cold air outside your home. Carefully check your doors and windows for weather stripping. To properly check weather stripping, place a piece of paper in the entryway and shut the door. The paper should be unable to slide back and forth easily. If it does, consider investing in new weather stripping to protect your home from the cold weather approaching. Also, now is the right time to re-caulk around doors and windows as necessary. 

5 Simple Ways to Boost Resident Retention in the New Year

Keeping residents satisfied and improving resident retention is an immensely important part of property management. Although many residents leave the area entirely or look for a house to buy when their lease expires, there is still a substantial amount of residents who want to be long-term renters. By treating residents properly and keeping them satisfied, you can highly increase lease renewal rates. Discover 5 simple ways for property managers to increase resident retention in 2018.

1. Embrace Technology

As society becomes increasingly dependent on technology and rapid responses, property managers must adapt to technology's growing prevalence. Allow residents to text, leave messages, and contact property managers through your website. Consider optimizing your property management website for mobile, since most residents contact property managers through cellular devices. By adapting to technology while still offering older methods for residents who don't desire change, you will give your residents both flexibility and options.

2. Keep Your Staff Consistent

It's not always possible to retain every employee, however property management companies which maintain a robust staff tend to draw higher retention rates. Residents become comfortable with property managers, and excess change can cause discomfort and confusion. When residents feel confident about their property manager, their entire living experience will improve.

3. Keep Properties Exceptionally Maintained

Residents are more likely to renew their lease when their rental is exceptionally maintained and sparkling clean. When property managers apply increased effort into maintaining rental properties, residents feel confident they are living in a safe, clean, and comfortable environment. Producing a beautiful and safeguarded place to live increases the property management's chances to retain long-term residents.

4. Be Responsive

Residents expect rapid responses to issues, and desire a property management company willing to assist them instantaneously and address their concerns. Even if a property management company is unable to make a requested change for a resident, giving them respect and acknowledging their concerns will increase chances of higher resident retention rates. Property managers should be responsive by quickly answering phone calls and messages, and ensuring maintenance requests are quickly handled.

5. Keep Residents Updated

Ensure residents are always informed about any property maintenance or construction being done in or around the property. Send out newsletters, emails, and text messages, to keep residents properly informed and up-to-date. When residents are consistently informed about important changes or property construction, they will feel more comfortable and at ease in their living environment.