Our First Q & A...

Since Saturdays & Sundays are Q&A days, I thought I would start off with a question that I think we have all asked ourselves at any given time:

QUESTION(S):

Why did you become a Property Manager? And why do you continue to be a Property Manager?

MY ANSWER(S):

I became a Property Manager almost twelve (12) years ago. At the time, I did it out of necessity...I was a single mom and needed a job.

As the years passed, I found I did enjoy doing this type of work. Don't get me wrong, I still have days when I wish I were doing something else, but all-in-all this job has given me experiences that I would never have gotten anywhere else. The days are never the same and my Residents keep me on my toes.

I have met some wonderful people (other managers) who have become great friends and that makes the job worth it (at times)...grin...

So what about you? Want to share your story with us?

The Leasing Notebook

Since this is the very first post, I thought I would take a minute to explain what THE LEASING NOTEBOOK is all about. This is a site that will hopefully help make your job a little easier.

I have been in Property Management for almost twelve years. I have a very poor property, so I have had to find ways to keep my residents happy so they will stay put. I

Being a poor property, I can't afford expensive parties and/or gifts, so I have had to figure out a way to make things look expensive, but cost my budget very little. These are the types of things I will be sharing with you, along with tips on motivating your staff with some other useful tips thrown in along the way.

Our complexes can't operate without our Residents, so each Monday, I will post a new idea on how to make your Residents feel special and how that will help keep your apartments rented.

On Tuesdays, I will share ideas on how to make that new move-in happy they chose your complex and hopefully they will spread the word and your wait list will be thicker for it.

Wednesdays, I will give you some neat, inexpensive ways to entertain your residents. From newsletter ideas, to parties that cost very little.

Motivating your staff will be the Thursday topics. These will consist of ideas that, again, are inexpensive, but will help keep your staff motivated and working.

Fridays are for fun. I will be sharing fun (funny) things that have happened to me over the years and I hope you will share your stories also.

Saturday & Sundays are all about the Q&A's. I will come up with polls and questions that I hope will help you with situations you may be having at your complex and who knows, maybe your answers will help another manager with a problem they are having. I will post a Question on Saturday or Sunday so you have the weekend to answer...

I hope that you will share your ideas, problems and questions with me and the other PM's that might read this blog. The Leasing Notebook is here to help you. I know, from experience, the amount of work that we managers have and I'm hoping this blog will be the light at the end of the workday for you.

Welcome and please jump right in with your comments.