VAMA Conference Preview: Speaker Leah Brewer
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
The leasing consultant’s focus and enthusiasm created interest in living in the apartment. The manager who stopped by to greet and ask some getting-to-know-me questions initiated trust in their ability to take care of my apartment and neighborhood. The maintenance technician who took time to smile and say hello in passing produced confidence in my apartment home’s upkeep.
Prospective renters searching for an apartment are searching for a place to call home. Their primary reason for leasing at one apartment community over another is not simply rental rate, special incentives or features. We each choose to live where we feel welcome, accepted, wanted and "at home". Apartment professionals who truly care about their prospects’ housing needs and wants genuinely show this through their conversation, body language, facial expressions, words...and attitude.
I have seen many super-star leasing consultants achieve success through their sparkle and sincerity. These assets are more important and more successful than any training tip or sales secret. I have seen maintenance technicians who knew their residents far better than the office personnel, and went out of their way to make a difference in the lives of those residents. These service skills retain more good residents than renewal concessions or gifts. I have seen managers who lead their team with support, encouragement, empowerment and who lead by example. These positive traits translate to positive feelings and actions by staff towards the residents and prospects.
Lease more apartments, stabilize your resident base and simply have more fun and job satisfaction by putting People first before Product or Profits. The success will follow; it’s all about the people.
