Name: Class A Management
Address: 8701 W Bedford Euless Rd, Hurst,, TX, 76053, United States
Telephone: 817-295-5959

Oct 23 No Comments

The Ultimate Apartment Management Companies’ Guide to Renting to College Grads: 10 Tips

Author: cl@ss

Categories: Property Management Tips,Property Marketing,Sustainable Living

Image of a recent college graduate lifting his diploma in a salute to the city skyline in the background, an image for the apartment management companies guide to renting to college grads.

Marketing apartments to recent college graduates poses unique challenges and opportunities for savvy apartment management companies. Fresh grads are members of the fastest-growing contingent of renters nationwide, with 4.5 million entering the rental market in the past 5 years.

Gen Z renters have specific preferences, communication styles, and even shopping styles to consider. If you’re going to attract them in this competitive market, you must know how to speak their (online) shopping language and appeal to their social life and values.

These are our favorite top 10 trending tips for marketing apartments to recent college graduates.

1. List Properties on the Right Sites

Two highly popular apartment listing websites among Gen Z renters are Zillow and Apartments.com.

Zillow, with its user-friendly interface and extensive apartment inventory, allows grads to browse various listings, filter according to location and budget, and contact property managers directly. Apartments.com, known for its modern design and detailed listings, provides comprehensive information on amenities and nearby attractions, making it a preferred choice for Gen Z.

Apartment management companies without a large management portfolio and self-listed rentals should consider investigating which listing site is the most popular with younger renters in their market.

2. Emphasize On-Site Amenities in Ways That Connect

Younger renters want apartment communities that offer more than just living spaces. When you create ads or website content, add virtual tours of highly desirable community features such as fitness centers, study rooms, rooftop lounges, and communal spaces.

3. Prioritize Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Features

Gen Z graduates are increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability. Promote your community’s green initiatives, such as renewable energy sources, recycling programs, and energy-efficient appliances. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability will strongly resonate with this environmentally conscious demographic.

4. Market Apartments with Open Floor Plans to Younger Renters

Young tenants prefer open floor plans that promote a spacious and modern living environment. Focus on listing images and virtual tours that emphasize open-plan flexibility and a seamless blending of living, dining, and kitchen areas. This layout caters to Gen Z’s desire for multifunctional spaces that can be used for work, relaxation, and entertaining friends.

5. Optimize Your Community’s Social Media Presence

To effectively engage with first-time renters, establish a strong social media presence on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Post visually appealing content that showcases your community’s unique features, events, and resident testimonials. Be responsive to inquiries, encourage user-generated content, and use these platforms to build a sense of virtual community.

6. Highlight Local Attractions and Connectivity

Recent college graduates often prioritize lifestyle amenities and proximity to entertainment, restaurants, and public transportation. Illustrate your community’s convenient location, walkability to local attractions, and easy access to public transit routes. Showcasing your apartment community’s connectivity will resonate with Gen Z’s desire for an active social life, with or without a car.

7. Know if Your Property is in a High-Growth Market

When marketing to those who’ve just taken their first job out of college, high-growth markets will offer the most opportunity to target recent graduates who are moving to where the jobs are. Cities such as Austin, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, and Nashville provide vibrant job markets, cultural opportunities, and a youthful atmosphere that appeals to young renters. If your property is in a similar location, focus your marketing efforts on attracting Gen Z graduates moving to the area.

8. Leverage Virtual Tours and 3D Visuals

We can’t say this enough: offering virtual tours and captivating 3D visuals of your apartments is essential for connecting with today’s online shoppers. Provide potential residents with an immersive experience by showcasing floor plans, amenities, and community spaces. Utilize technology to cater to Gen Z’s digital expectations and empower them to explore your community remotely.

9. Facilitate Seamless Digital Communication

Young renters prefer seamless digital communication methods such as online chat, email, and text messaging. Ensure your community’s website and online portals are user-friendly and mobile-responsive. Streamline communication channels to maintain prompt and efficient communication, ultimately enhancing their renting experience.

10. Offer Flexible Lease Terms and Move-In Incentives

Younger renters value flexibility and control. Consider offering flexible lease terms and move-in incentives like reduced security deposits or waived application fees. Flexibility and affordability are key considerations for this demographic, and these offerings can help attract and retain Gen Z renters.

The Right Apartment Management Companies Create Vibrant, Youthful Communities

Effectively marketing apartment communities to recent college graduates requires an understanding of their specific preferences and needs. By leveraging popular listing websites, highlighting desirable community features and amenities, understanding ideal apartment layouts, targeting high-growth markets, and embracing digital communication preferences, property managers can attract and retain Gen Z renters successfully.

Meet them where they are and show them the home and community where everyone their age will want to live. Follow these tips, and you won’t have any problem improving occupancy with the latest generation of energetic young professionals.

Oct 01 No Comments

Rental Property Management: The Top 10 Amenities Renters Want (Survey)

Author: cl@ss

Categories: energy-efficient living,Property Management Tips,Property Marketing,Sustainable Living

Rental property management top 10 amenities list image showing a smartphone looking for a wifi signal.

At Class A Management, we know it’s crucial to stay ahead of current rental property amenities trends and understand the evolving expectations of renters. According to the results of a recent survey by Apartments.com, here are:

The top 10 apartment community amenities renters are looking for in 2023 and beyond

Reliable Cell Reception. More residents than ever work from home, so a great cell signal and wi-fi are necessities for most. With 86 percent of respondents ranking this as a top priority, it is crucial for apartment communities to have strong cellular connectivity. Property owners should consider implementing technologies that enhance signal strength, such as distributed antenna systems (DAS) or wi-fi calling options, ensuring no resident faces dropped calls or connectivity issues.
Secure Self-Service 24/7 Package Access. The convenience of online shopping has skyrocketed in recent years, making secure, self-service, 24/7 package access a crucial amenity for renters. By providing dedicated lockers or securely monitored package rooms, property owners can alleviate concerns about missed deliveries, theft, or inconvenient pick-up times.
Swimming Pool. More than 73 percent of renters surveyed said a swimming pool is still important. This classic amenity remains highly sought-after in Dallas-Fort Worth communities. Including a well-maintained pool area with comfortable seating, shaded lounges, and a vibrant atmosphere can attract potential renters, particularly during summer months when residents seek relief from the Texas heat.
Controlled Property/Amenity Access. Safety and security are paramount for renters in Dallas-Fort Worth. Implementing controlled access systems, such as key cards or secure digital codes, for entry into the property and its amenities is vital. More than 70 percent of residents surveyed agree.
Non-Smoking Buildings. In an era focused on health and wellness, 70 percent of renters surveyed prioritize non-smoking buildings. Offering a smoke-free environment contributes to a cleaner living experience and ensures non-smoking residents are not affected by second-hand smoke.
Fitness Center. With an increasing emphasis on personal fitness, a high-quality fitness center is an essential amenity that appeals to 70 percent of renters. Outfit your fitness center with modern equipment, weight rooms, and dedicated spaces for yoga or group classes to cater to the diverse needs of your residents.
Property-Wide Recycling. Environmental consciousness continues to grow, with 69 percent of renters desiring property-wide recycling services. Providing easy access to recycling bins scattered throughout the community encourages sustainable practices, reduces waste, and attracts eco-conscious renters.
Covered Parking. Covered parking was listed as a desirable amenity for almost 70 percent of renters surveyed. For renters dealing with the Texas heat and unpredictable spring weather (or even ice storms), having covered parking in DFW shields vehicles from harsh elements, improving residents’ overall experience. It could be a great selling point for your property.
Dedicated Visitor/Guest Parking. Sufficient visitor/guest parking is crucial to maintaining harmonious relationships between residents and their guests. Allocating dedicated parking spaces for visitors ensures convenience and prevents potential disputes over limited parking availability.
Controlled Access Parking. Renters value the added security of controlled access parking, with 68 percent expressing interest. Gated parking areas, keycard access, or even license plate recognition systems contribute to higher tenant satisfaction and peace of mind.

Rental Property Management Requires Knowing What Renters Want

Staying attuned to the ever-changing preferences of renters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is essential for property owners looking to attract potential residents and retain existing ones. By highlighting rental property amenities such as reliable cell reception, secure package access, and swimming pools, apartment communities can tailor their marketing efforts to appeal to what renters are looking for in a community. Contact Class A Management if you need a team that can provide you and your residents with all the services and top amenities they want and deserve.

Sep 22 No Comments

How Top Rental Management Companies Manage Bad Reviews

Author: cl@ss

Categories: Property Management Tips,Property Marketing,Rentals

Rental management companies checklist for handling negative online reviews: blog image of a woman reading a negative review on a smartphone.

Today’s potential renters heavily rely on online reviews, especially when it comes to reviews of rental management companies. Negative feedback can significantly impact your business and deter potential tenants from considering your property.

How you handle negative online reviews can also be an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Here’s a practical, step-by-step guide the best rental management companies use to successfully manage negative online reviews.

Step 1: Monitor and Respond Promptly

Regularly monitor review platforms and social media channels where people tend to express their opinions about your property. Promptly responding to negative reviews demonstrates your attentiveness and willingness to resolve issues.

Apologize for any inconvenience caused;
Acknowledge their concerns; and,
Provide an invitation to discuss the matter further offline, emphasizing your commitment to addressing their problems.

Some reviewers may be known troublemakers who have no interest in resolving an issue or may have posted a fabricated story, but that’s not the point of responding the same way to every negative review. Your response will be seen by potential renters, and they’re the ones who need to see your professionalism and concern in your responses.

Step 2: Investigate and Gather Information

Take the time to investigate the issue mentioned in the review before you respond. Speak with staff involved and collect all pertinent details to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of what transpired. This investigative process will help you respond more effectively to the reviewer and handle the situation professionally moving forward.

Step 3: Answer Publicly with Empathy and Transparency

Publicly address the reviewer’s concerns in a polite, empathetic manner. Avoid generic or “canned” responses and demonstrate that you genuinely understand their dissatisfaction. However, avoid engaging in public arguments or sharing confidential information. Instead, move the conversation offline and provide alternative channels to address their concerns privately.

Step 4: Take the Conversation Offline

Respond to the reviewer’s comment by providing your contact details or suggesting alternative methods of communication, such as phone or email. By moving the conversation offline, you can delve into the issue more thoroughly and offer a personalized solution. This step showcases your commitment to customer satisfaction and allows for a more private discussion to resolve the matter. Privacy is important to tenants, so prospects will appreciate your discretion.

Step 5: Resolve the Issue and Provide Feedback

After connecting with the reviewer privately, actively work toward resolving his or her concerns. Offer solutions, whether it’s offering a discount, addressing maintenance issues promptly, or providing extra assistance if necessary. Not only does this help resolve the immediate problem, but it also demonstrates your dedication to improving your property and services.

Additionally, consider asking the reviewer to update or remove his or her negative review after all concerns have been satisfactorily addressed. Remember to follow up with a new reply to the review after you’ve spoken with the reviewer, to show you’ve followed through and resolved the issue.

Step 6: Learn from Each Review

Every negative review offers an opportunity for growth. After resolving the issue, evaluate the feedback and look for common themes or trends. Use this information to improve your property management practices, address recurring issues, and enhance customer satisfaction moving forward. Taking proactive steps to rectify issues highlighted in negative reviews can lead to positive changes in your property’s reputation.

Top Rental Management Companies are Proactive About Negative Reviews

Dealing with negative online reviews requires tact, empathy, and a proactive mindset to protect and enhance your apartment’s reputation. Adopting the steps outlined above in a standard operating procedure will enable you to effectively handle negative feedback while demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction. By viewing negative reviews as opportunities for improvement and growth, you not only rectify problems, but also enhance your property’s overall reputation.

Sep 18 No Comments

Apartment Reputation Management: Nurturing Positive Online Interactions

Author: cl@ss

Categories: Blog,Property Management Tips,Property Marketing,Services

Apartment reputation management blog image of someone using a smartphone to read reviews.

Apartment reputation management is more important than ever. Did you know that an impressive 69 percent of prospective renters rely on online reviews and ratings to guide their housing decisions?

In today’s digital age, apartment hunters turn to online platforms to gather insights, make informed decisions, and ultimately choose their next home. We’ve put together a comprehensive 5-step guide to help you navigate the fast-changing world of online reputation management.

5 Essential Reputation Management Tasks for Apartment Managers

Task 1: Monitor and Respond to Reviews Promptly

The first step toward successful reputation management is regular monitoring of your online presence. Actively track various review websites, social media platforms, and online forums where tenants may discuss their experiences.

By being diligent, you can quickly address any negative sentiment and respond promptly, showcasing your dedication to resolving issues. Engage in meaningful conversations, provide solutions, and demonstrate empathy while handling feedback professionally.

Task 2: Encourage Positive Reviews

Create opportunities for satisfied tenants to share their positive experiences. Implement a streamlined process where tenants can easily leave reviews on websites such as Google, Yelp, or specific apartment listing platforms. Consider providing a QR code in the office, on social media posts (in some cases), and on property manager business cards.

Encouraging these reviews can not only enhance your online reputation, but also serve as an effective marketing tool to attract potential residents. When you know you have a loyal and satisfied tenant, just ask them for a review! You’ll be amazed at how many will be willing to leave a great, five-star review for an apartment community they love.

Task 3: Engage with Tenants on Social Media

In today’s digital landscape, a strong social media presence is indispensable. Dedicate efforts to nurturing social engagement through strategically crafted content. Share engaging stories, insider tips, updates on community events, and highlight tenant success stories.

Active social media management helps create a sense of community amongst your residents, fosters a positive online conversation, and showcases your apartment community as a desirable place to call home. It’s an essential element to add to you apartment reputation management daily checklist.

Task 4: Leverage Testimonials and Success Stories

Harness the power of tenant testimonials and success stories. These narratives provide prospective renters with real-life examples of positive experiences within your community. Showcase these testimonials on your website, marketing materials, and social media platforms to build trust and credibility.

By sharing compelling stories, you strengthen your online reputation and encourage potential residents to visualize themselves as part of this thriving community.

Task 5: Keep Improving Apartment Reputation Management Practices

Reputation management is an ongoing effort. Utilize the insights gained from online feedback to continually improve your services. Actively address recurring issues to show potential renters you care about maintaining a high-quality living experience. By demonstrating your commitment to resolving problems, you build a strong reputation and create a foundation for long-term tenant satisfaction.

Exceptional reputation management goes beyond just maintaining a positive online presence; it reflects your commitment to creating a vibrant and welcoming community. With diligence, responsiveness, and dedication to continuous improvement, you can enjoy long-term success and foster lasting relationships with your residents. Improve your reputation, and great tenants will start seeking out your in-demand property.

Class A Management handles the day-to-day operations of your multifamily investment property, including apartment reputation management and effective marketing solutions. Let our team of seasoned pros start building relationships with your tenants to improve and maintain your property’s reputation.

Jul 24 No Comments

The Importance of Apartment Staging

Author: cl@ss

Categories: Blog,Property Marketing,video

Image of a beautifully decorated gourmet kitchen with flowers, an image for the blog on Apartment Staging Property Marketing.

Did you know that apartment staging can fill a vacant unit an average of 80 days faster than in a community that doesn’t have a staged apartment? Staging a home or an apartment can help prospects envision themselves living in the space, and any marketer knows that vision is tied to emotion, and emotion drives people to make decisions.

Use apartment staging to drastically shorten your vacancies and improve occupancy rates. We’ll tell you how, but first thing’s first.

What is staging?

Staging a home, or arranging it with furnishings and accents to make it appear lived-in, is a popular tactic and one that real estate agents everywhere tend to invest their time and money into. So, the logical thought is this: If staging does so much for selling homes, why can’t it do just as much for rental homes and apartments?

Why apartment staging works

Imagine walking into a unit you’re interested in renting, or seeing a virtual tour video online. The unit is empty. There is nothing in the rooms except open space and bare walls. While some managers make the mistake of thinking that open space is a blank canvas for a prospective renter to view their future, this is most often not the case. A prospective tenant may, in fact, find him or herself overwhelmed at the very thought of trying to imagine how furniture will fit and how certain things will look.

Now, imagine walking into a unit that is moderately furnished and arranged to look as though it is lightly lived in and every space has a well-designed purpose. You can see how beds fit in the bedrooms, get a feel for the living room space and how well your stuff will “go,” and you’ll even get a feel for color palettes.

This is because apartment staging does two things:

Helps prospective renters see all that is possible in the space
Allows the presentation of certain features while minimizing other features that aren’t as desirable

Want to get units rented quickly?

We’ve got a strategy for apartment staging that works every time. Here’s how to do it right:

Find the Space. It may not be economical to bring in a staging crew and materials for every vacant unit. In these cases, try to reserve one unit for the purpose of staging. Many managers use the staged unit as the office if there is not an actual office space on the property. Either way, you can always look into writing a staged unit off as a marketing expense.
Rent. If you have the ability to stage individual units, renting furniture may be your best bet. This way, you have a great design for the exact amount of time you need it. As an added bonus, many rental stores deliver.
Invest. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a long-term solution, remember that you don’t have to buy brand new, brand name furnishings. Lightly used and well taken care of items will definitely suffice. So, keep your eye on Craigslist and any area Buy-Sell-Trade Facebook pages where people tend to list some very affordable furnishings and designs.
Mind the Color. To get the most from staging, you need to pay attention to color schemes and trends. Just because you are getting a couch from Craigslist and chairs from the newspaper doesn’t mean you can just throw whatever into the space and produce a hodge podge layout. The power of staging is in the ability to make a unit look like the best version of itself.
Watch for Details. Throw pillows, window coverings, art work, and a small number of knickknacks should all be on your list. But, again, don’t go broke over the details. Some of the best stores for highly desirable home décor that won’t break the bank include Home Goods, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Ross.

Rather leave it to the pros? We love staging, and we love getting the properties under our management to maximum occupancy even more. Contact us today to see how we can work together. Call 817-295-5959 or email us at info@classamgmt.com.

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The Ultimate Apartment Management Companies’ Guide to Renting to College Grads: 10 Tips