Category: announcements

Making a great impression with prospective applicants is critical to success!  Here are some important reminders related to putting your best foot forward on property tours.  Along those lines, below is a blank shopper report for your review, so you’ll know what we ask them to look for when they shop your properties.

Additional information related to safe tours and other tips is available on the e-exchange at:  https://cresapts.com/eexchange/cambridge-university/leasing/leasing-2/tours/

Greeting

1. Always ensure you are dressed professionally to ensure you make a great first impression
2. When your prospect arrives at your office, stand up and warmly greet them. If at all possible, greet them at the door. Introduce yourself with a smile on your face.
3. If you are busy initially, at least acknowledge the prospect.

Be Prepared

1. Always know the apartments available to show and lease, the size of those apartments and other relevant information such as pricing and lease terms.
2. Before the day begins, inspect your “marketing corridor”, which is basically anything the customer sees on the way to a rent ready vacant apartment.
3. All resident common areas must be absolutely spotless including your office as well as the pathway leading to the vacant unit you intend to tour.
4. Show your property’s amenities with enthusiasm.   Sell to your strengths by highlighting these features when demonstrating the apartment.
5. When walking to the apartment, walk next to the prospect, if possible. Chat along the way and keep your prospect involved in conversation; questions about your prospect help to keep the conversation flowing.

Closing

1. While in the apartment, guide the prospect.  Ask the prospect to open cabinets; appeal to the 5 senses: Taste, Touch, Smell, Sight and Sound. Sell “feelings”, not things.
2. Point out the many features in the apartment and look to the prospect for a response.
3. According to Cambridge policies, vacant apartments can only be shown if they are rent ready.  Further, we discourage you from showing the occupied units of other residents unless previously and specifically approved by your supervisor.
4. For safety reasons, generally show apartments during daytime hours only.  Where exceptions are necessary, consult your supervisor.
5. Take advantage of the walk back to the office to “close” the prospect!  You can be subtle, by asking “yes” questions, involving the prospect with the tour. You can also be direct, by asking for the application, asking the prospect to choose an apartment, or setting the move-in date.   Other managers find closing the prospect with applications in the actual vacant apartment — yes, including a pen to complete the application, can be very effective!

Follow Up

1. Mail a “thank you” note that includes a business card on the same day a prospective applicant comes to visit.
2. Place a follow up telephone call or email within 24 hours of the prospective applicants visit to your community. Inquire with the prospective applicant if they’ve made a decision.  Invite them back to your community for another visit if they have not.

Conventional Shopper Report

Tax Credit Shopper Report

It looks like it’s going to be a hot one today. And tomorrow. In the Portland area, temperatures are expected to hit 108 degrees by tomorrow. Our coworkers in Oroville are expecting the same temperatures. We’re feeling envy for the relative coolness that our friends in Meridian ID are experiencing at 102 degrees today. The site staff at our southernmost property in Perris is working today in temperatures reaching 105 degrees.

So, it’s hot. Really hot.

And on that note, let’s all take a moment to focus on heat related illness, it’s symptoms, and how to avoid it, by reading this little reminder that we like to send out every year around this time.

Heat illness is caused by excessive heat, which brings on dehydration. Heat illness can range from mild heat exhaustion to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a dysfunction of the central nervous system that makes the body stop sweating and organs stop working.

Before a heat stroke, patients will experience heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, headache, malaise, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, fainting, and a rash called prickly heat.

When these symptoms occur, drink plenty of water, and rest in a cool place. Seek medical attention if the symptoms do not go away.

Symptoms of heat stroke are dry skin, dizziness, headache, confusion, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness, and a high body temp above 104°F. This is a medical emergency. Lower the body temperature immediately by moving the victim to shade, removing their clothing, bathing them in cool or cold water, and fan to increase cooling.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of medicine, and in this case prevention can come in the form of a bottle of water. Please have water available, and be insistent that your maintenance staff is drinking plenty of it. Avoiding alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and soda pop during these peak times of heat will also decrease the chances of dehydration and heat illness. Wear loose clothing and avoid direct sunlight or even being outdoors when possible. Pay particular attention to urine color, as dark urine is an indicator that the body is not getting enough fluids.

Remember, hydration is the name of the game for the next several days, and through the rest of the summer.