leasingtemporaries

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of LMS Training in Multifamily

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:32:02 GMT

Let's have an honest conversation about the tool everyone's using and almost nobody's auditing.

The Learning Management System was supposed to solve everything.

Standardized training. Scalable delivery. Compliance documentation with a few clicks. No more expensive trainers flying in for a day, no more "she said she trained them" with no paper trail.

And look — some of that promise delivered. For compliance-driven training, Fair Housing certification, and onboarding documentation, an LMS is a legitimate tool. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

But somewhere along the way, "we have an LMS" became shorthand for "we have a training program."

It's not the same thing. And in leasing operations, that gap is costing operators real money.

The Good: What LMS Actually Does Well

Compliance and documentation. This is the LMS's strongest lane, and it's genuinely important. Fair Housing laws, sexual harassment training, safety protocols — the legal exposure from undocumented training is real, and an LMS solves for it cleanly. When a discrimination complaint arrives, the ability to pull timestamped completion records is worth every dollar of the subscription.

Consistency at scale. For a company managing 20+ properties across multiple states, it's impossible to guarantee uniform training through in-person sessions. An LMS ensures every leasing agent in every market sees the same content. That matters for brand standards, legal protection, and baseline knowledge.

Accessibility. The multifamily workforce is mobile-heavy and schedule-driven. Leasing agents aren't sitting at desks waiting for training windows. A well-built LMS lets people train between tours, during slow morning hours, from their phones. That flexibility is real and genuinely valuable.

Onboarding structure. New hire onboarding without an LMS is often a mess — whoever happens to be available trains the new person in whatever way they learned it. An LMS creates a structured path that gets people to baseline competency faster. Grace Hill data shows the cost of replacing a leasing employee runs nearly $5,000 per hire, and faster onboarding directly compresses that cost window.

The Bad: Where LMS Falls Short

Completion is not comprehension. This is the dirty secret of every LMS dashboard. A 95% completion rate looks excellent in a report. It tells you almost nothing about whether behavior changed. Leasing agents have become experts at clicking through modules efficiently — answering questions by process of elimination, skipping video segments where the system allows it, completing required courses the day before they're due.

The measurement of success is a checkbox, not a conversation.

The forgetting curve doesn't care about your subscription cost. Research going back to German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus confirms what anyone who's ever sat through a mandatory training knows intuitively: without reinforcement, people forget up to 90% of what they "learned" within a week. An LMS module assigned once, completed once, and never referenced again is not training. It's documentation with extra steps.

Passive learning has a ceiling. Studies on active vs. passive learning show that hands-on learners retained 93.5% of information after one month, compared to 79% for passive learners. An LMS module — even a well-designed one — is inherently passive. Watch, click, submit. That model can build knowledge. It cannot build habits.

And in leasing, habits are the whole game.

It creates an illusion of accountability. Here's the organizational danger nobody talks about: when a property underperforms, the LMS gives leadership a way to say "we trained them" without asking harder questions. Completion rates become a shield. The real questions — Are tours converting? Are follow-up calls happening? Are objections being handled? — stay unasked because the training box is checked.

Online LMS course completion rates can be staggeringly low. Some online learning environments report completion rates as low as 12%. Even well-managed programs often struggle with engagement, which is why platforms like Grace Hill and Edge2Learn have had to build gamification, leaderboards, and incentive systems just to get people to finish what they've been assigned.

That's not an indictment of the platforms — it's an honest description of the challenge.

The Ugly: What Nobody's Saying in the RFP

An LMS trains knowledge. Leasing requires behavior.

This distinction matters more than most operators realize. Knowing that a 24-hour follow-up is best practice is different from actually making that call consistently, even when the day got busy, even when the lead feels cold, even when the manager didn't ask about it.

Knowledge lives in the head. Behavior lives in the habit.

The properties with the strongest leasing performance are not necessarily the ones with the most sophisticated LMS. They're the ones where managers reinforce behavior daily — where the follow-up call is checked, where tour conversion is discussed, where a missed confirmation call gets a conversation, not just a module assignment.

Most LMS platforms were designed to serve compliance, not conversion. The multifamily LMS market — dominated by platforms like Grace Hill, Edge2Learn, and RealPage's EasyLMS — grew out of a compliance need. Fair Housing. Safety. Policy acknowledgment. These are legitimate and important. But they are not the same as revenue performance training.

When an operator uses their compliance LMS as their leasing performance tool, they're using a hammer where they need a scalpel.

The small operator problem. For operators running 200–500 units across a handful of properties, a full LMS subscription may cost more than it delivers. The compliance use case is real, but the ongoing leasing development use case often isn't being served — not because the platform can't do it, but because no one is managing it actively enough to make it work.

The LMS becomes a line item that looks like investment but functions like insurance.

So What Does Good Actually Look Like?

I'm not anti-LMS. I'm pro-honest evaluation.

The operators getting the most out of their training investment are combining tools intentionally. They're using their LMS for what it does best — compliance documentation, baseline onboarding, standardized policy training — while layering behavioral reinforcement on top of it through manager coaching, consistent accountability routines, and real performance tracking tied to actual leasing outcomes.

The question worth asking is not "do we have an LMS?"

The question is: "Is our team's behavior in a leasing conversation actually different because of how we're training them?"

If you can't answer that with data — tour conversion rates, response time metrics, follow-up consistency — then you have training activity, not a training system.

The Bottom Line

The LMS is a tool. Like any tool, it performs exactly as well as the operator managing it.

Used well: it standardizes compliance, protects the organization legally, and creates a foundation for onboarding.

Used as a substitute for real performance development: it creates the illusion of a training culture while the same behavioral gaps that cost you leases last year cost you leases again this year.

The industry deserves an honest conversation about the difference.

Ready to audit what your training is actually producing — not just what it's completing? That's exactly what Revenue Guard OS was built to diagnose.

Shellz | Founder, Shellz Property Partners | Creator of Revenue Guard OS (RGOS) Multifamily Revenue Leak Diagnostics | Behavior-Based Leasing Optimization

Hashtags: #Multifamily #LMSTraining #PropertyManagement #LeasingPerformance

The Real Cost of One-and-Done Training

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:24:45 GMT

Here's what a single annual training day actually costs your leasing operation

Here's what a single annual training day actually costs your leasing operation.

Not the invoice. The real cost.

Small operators in multifamily are doing the best they can with what they have. Limited budgets. Lean teams. One property manager juggling 150 units and a maintenance call at the same time they're trying to onboard someone new. I see you — and I respect the hustle.

But here's the truth nobody wants to say out loud at the regional meeting:

The one-day annual training isn't training. It's documentation.

And we're paying for that distinction every single month.

Let's talk science before we talk dollars.

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve has been studied since the 1800s. The finding hasn't changed: people forget 50% of new information within one hour of learning it. Within 24 hours, that number climbs to 70%. By the end of the week, up to 90% of what was "learned" in a classroom is gone.

Let that land for a second.

You paid for a trainer, a conference room, a catered lunch, and a full day of lost leasing activity — and by Monday morning, your team retained roughly 10 cents on the dollar.

That's not a bad trainer. That's human biology.

And yet, the annual training model asks us to repeat this cycle every year and expect different results.

Now let's do the math for a small-to-mid portfolio operator.

The multifamily industry carries a 33% annual employee turnover rate — nearly triple the national average of 12–15%. Every time a leasing agent walks out the door, it costs an estimated $4,700–$5,000 to replace them (SHRM / Grace Hill data), and that's before you factor in the 60–90 days it takes a new hire to reach full performance.

Scale that across a portfolio of 200–8,000 units and you're looking at 10–80+ leasing professionals across your properties. At 33% turnover, you're replacing anywhere from 3 to 25+ people every year. That's $15,000–$125,000 in replacement costs annually — before one dollar of lost leasing velocity, missed renewals, or occupancy drag while seats are empty.

Layer in this: 52% of property management professionals say their greatest challenge is quickly training new employees. That's not a staffing problem. That's a system problem.

And if your operation only trains once a year, every new hire is working off a degraded version of whatever the last person was taught — because the behavior was never installed in the first place.

Here's where it gets personal.

I spent years in this industry — both placing leasing talent and studying what made properties perform. The properties that struggled most weren't always the ones with the worst staff. They were often the ones with the most inconsistent behavior.

Speed of response. How a voicemail gets returned. Whether confirmation calls actually happen before a tour. Whether "I'll follow up with you" actually means anything.

These aren't skills that get installed in a day. They're habits. And habits require repetition, accountability, and reinforcement — not a certificate of completion.

So who's doing it right? And what does it look like?

The operators who are winning on training share a few common traits:

✅ They treat training as an operating system, not an event. Monthly touchpoints, consistent reinforcement, managers who coach — not just manage.

✅ They measure behavior, not just completion. Anyone can click through a module. Fewer can tell you whether that module changed how a leasing agent handles a price objection on a Friday afternoon.

✅ They connect training to revenue. Not theoretically — specifically. Response time improvements, tour conversion rates, lease renewal behaviors. If your training isn't tracked to dollars, it's a cost center.

✅ They invest proportionally, not perfunctorily. This doesn't mean spending more — it means spending differently. Consistent 15-minute coaching conversations beat a once-a-year training day every time, and they cost nothing but discipline.

This isn't about shaming the one-and-done model.

It exists because budgets are real and time is scarce. But for the small operator, 'checking the box' is a luxury you cannot afford when every lead counts.

The properties I've seen transform their performance didn't do it with a bigger training spend. They did it with a smarter one—by installing an architecture that survives the first 24 hours.

If you are running 1–5 properties and your leasing numbers feel inconsistent, remember: The answer is almost never the staff. It is almost always the system. Stop documenting. Start architecting.

Shellz The Habit Architect | The Industry Standard | The Human-Centric Guardian

Navigating Turnover: Building High-Performing Communities with Leasing Temporaries

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:01:57 GMT

A Reimagined Ecosystem for the Modern Property

In the fast-paced world of multifamily housing, one thing is certain: turnover is inevitable. However, as any seasoned property manager knows, disruption doesn’t have to be. Whether you are facing a "high-turn" season or a sudden staffing gap, the right partner can transform a "difficult period" into an opportunity for growth.

A Reimagined Ecosystem for the Modern Property

Under the leadership of Shelly Gray, a driving force in the industry since 1999, Leasing Temporaries has evolved into a rebranded ecosystem designed to meet every onsite need. This system includes:

• ShellzTheRecruiter: Connecting communities with "Talent That Fits".

• ShellzTheTrainer & Training Shops: Delivering transformative training to elevate onsite performance across the industry.

Why Talent Alignment Matters

The company’s philosophy centers on the idea that communities need more than just a body in a chair—they need Talent That Performs. By focusing on "aligned talent," the company places professionals who bring long-term value and stability to your team. This approach has proven successful for properties nationwide, with clients noting that their temporary staff often show up with "great hustle" and the ability to lease a "good number of apartments" immediately.

Operational Stability During "The Bind"

High-turn periods and sudden vacancies can put properties in a "bind". The sources highlight that Leasing Temporaries acts as a "life-saver" during these times, filling critical roles—from maintenance technicians to leasing professionals —when other agencies cannot.

By providing reliable staffing, the company ensures:

• Operations stay steady even during transitions.

• Onsite teams feel supported rather than overwhelmed.

• Residents remain cared for , maintaining the community's reputation.

A Personable and Customized Approach

Every property has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. Clients have praised the company for providing services that feel "customized to suit my needs" and for an attention to detail that is "second to none". Whether you are a job seeker looking for a "dream career" or a property owner looking for "qualified professionals to support business growth," the goal is the same: providing a smart, kind, and intentional customer service experience.

Property managers can measure the Return on Investment (ROI) of these programs by tracking specific performance indicators across leasing, operational efficiency, and talent acquisition. While the sources do not provide a singular ROI formula, they highlight several measurable outcomes that contribute to a property's financial and operational health:

1. Leasing Performance and Revenue Generation

One of the most direct ways to measure ROI is through leasing volume . The sources specifically highlight that these programs aim to "elevate leasing performance" .

• Conversion Rates: Managers can track the number of apartments leased by temporary staff; for example, one client reported that their temp "leased a good number of apartments" during their assignment.

• Occupancy Stability: By using "Talent That Performs," properties can maintain or increase occupancy rates even during staff transitions.

2. Operational Efficiency and Labor Productivity

The speed and quality of work delivered by onsite staff directly impact the bottom line.

• Task Completion Rates: ROI can be seen in high productivity levels. One manager noted that staff from the program completed projects so quickly they were done "before I could get another one ready," demonstrating high "hustle and knowledge".

• Maintenance Continuity: By filling critical gaps for maintenance technicians when other agencies cannot, managers avoid the costly delays of deferred maintenance or the need for expensive third-party contractors.

3. Reduced Recruitment and Turnover Costs

Because "turnover is inevitable," the cost of disruption can be high. These programs mitigate these costs through: Direct Placement Value: The program helps managers find "qualified professionals" for direct placement, reducing the time and advertising spend usually required to find a "perfect fit".

4. Mitigation of "High-Turn" Losses

During "high-turn" periods, the risk of operational collapse is high.

• Avoiding Disruption: The program is designed to ensure "disruption doesn’t have to be" a part of turnover.

• Resource Availability: Being able to secure staff to get a property "out of a bind" when other resources fail prevents the loss of potential residents and maintains community standards.

5. Resident Retention and Reputation

The programs prioritize ensuring "residents remain cared for" and providing an "intentional customer service experience" .

• Soft Metrics: While harder to quantify, improvements in resident satisfaction and 5-star reviews (similar to those the company receives) can be used as a proxy for long-term ROI, as happy residents are more likely to renew their leases.

By evaluating these factors— leasing numbers, project completion speed, successful permanent hires, and operational stability —property managers can quantify the "long-term value" these staffing and training solutions bring to their communities.

Take the Next Step

Don't let turnover disrupt your community's success. Join a program that is "redefining" the industry standard for multifamily staffing and training.

Ready to elevate your onsite performance?

• Visit us: 470 Olde Worthington Road, Ste 200, Westerville, Ohio

• Call: 614-616-5839

• Email: info@leasingtemps.com

The PropTech Revolution in Multifamily: Who’s Leading, What’s Changing, and Why It Matters

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:00:06 GMT

Why the next decade of multifamily success will be built on smarter systems and stronger data.

The multifamily industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history — a shift driven not by buildings, but by technology. What began as “smart home gadgets” has evolved into a full‑scale digital ecosystem reshaping leasing, operations, maintenance, resident experience, and revenue strategy.

AI, automation, IoT, and integrated platforms are no longer optional. They’re the new competitive edge — and the operators who adopt them fastest are already pulling ahead.

According to CRETI, AI‑powered leasing, predictive maintenance, and smart‑home integrations are the top forces reshaping multifamily in 2025. And senior tech executives from AvalonBay, Greystar, RPM Living, and CAPREIT agree: the future belongs to operators who can unify tech stacks, leverage data, and deploy AI strategically.

Let’s break down the leaders, the innovations, and the challenges shaping the next era of multifamily.

�� The Game Changers: Companies Redefining Multifamily PropTech

1. AI‑Powered Leasing & Resident Engagement

AI has moved far beyond chatbots — it’s now powering full leasing workflows.

Who’s leading this shift

• AI leasing agents & predictive analytics platforms

These tools now handle prospect questions, schedule tours, and predict renewals with personalized insights.

• Greystar & AvalonBay

Both are deploying AI across leasing, fraud detection, and maintenance forecasting.

Why it matters

AI is boosting lead‑to‑lease conversions by up to 70% for operators who adopt it.

2. Predictive Maintenance & IoT

Maintenance is shifting from reactive to proactive.

Key innovators

• IoT sensor platforms monitoring HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems

These tools detect anomalies before they become emergencies.

• Fogelman & RPM Living

Their tech leaders highlight smart‑home sensors and automated access control as major efficiency drivers.

Impact

Predictive maintenance is expected to cut maintenance costs by up to 25%.

3. Smart‑Home & Resident Experience Tech

Today’s renters expect convenience, security, and digital‑first living.

Leading adopters

• Smart locks, access control, and voice‑controlled devices

These features now influence leasing decisions for 78% of renters.

• Southern Land Co. & CAPREIT

Both are integrating smart‑home ecosystems at scale.

��️ The Backbone of Multifamily: PMS & CRM Platforms

While AI and IoT get the headlines, the real transformation is happening at the core systems level — the platforms that run leasing, accounting, operations, and resident management.

RealPage, Yardi, and Entrata: The Big Three

These systems remain the operational backbone of the industry, powering everything from accounting to leasing workflows.

Why they matter

• They centralize financials, operations, and resident data.

• They integrate with CRMs, IoT platforms, and proptech tools.

• They enable real‑time decision‑making across portfolios.

CRM integrations are becoming essential

CRMs that integrate seamlessly with Yardi, RealPage, and Entrata are now a core requirement for operators.

These integrations allow:

• Real‑time syncing of pricing, availability, and resident data

• Unified dashboards for leasing teams

• Automated workflows that reduce manual work

• Better analytics for smarter decisions

Platforms like Funnel Leasing are recognized as leaders in deep PMS integration, enabling centralized operations and scalable automation across large portfolios.

�� New Innovators: Linea and the Next Wave of PropTech

Beyond the major players, a new generation of proptech companies is emerging — companies like Linea, which focus on modernizing workflows, improving communication, and simplifying the resident experience.

These tools are:

• More intuitive

• More mobile‑friendly

• More integrated

• More aligned with how today’s teams actually work

They’re filling the gaps left by legacy systems and pushing the industry toward a more connected, user‑friendly future.

⚠️ The Challenges: What’s Holding Operators Back?

Even with all this innovation, operators face real obstacles:

1. Fragmented tech stacks

Many portfolios still juggle multiple systems that don’t talk to each other — leading to errors, inefficiencies, and lost revenue.

2. Data silos

60% of property managers report monthly financial discrepancies due to fragmented systems.

3. Adoption gaps

Buying tech is easy.

Getting teams to use it consistently is the real challenge.

4. Rising fraud

Application fraud is exploding, and operators need stronger screening tools.

5. Talent readiness

Tech only works when teams know how to use it — and many don’t.

�� The Value PropTech Brings to Multifamily

When implemented well, proptech delivers:

• Higher occupancy through better lead management

• Lower costs through predictive maintenance

• Stronger resident satisfaction through smart‑home features

• Cleaner data through unified systems

• Better decisions through real‑time analytics

• More efficient teams through automation

Proptech isn’t replacing people — it’s empowering them.

�� What This Means for Multifamily Operators

The operators who win in the next decade will be those who:

• Adopt AI to streamline leasing and engagement

• Use predictive maintenance to reduce costs

• Invest in smart‑home tech renters now expect

• Consolidate their tech stack

• Partner with proptech companies — not just buy tools

• Build teams who can use the tech, not just access it

Proptech is no longer optional.

It’s the backbone of modern property management.

�� Ready to Strengthen Your Multifamily Performance?

The future of multifamily belongs to operators who embrace innovation, unify their systems, and empower their teams with the tools they need to succeed.

If you’re ready to elevate your leasing performance, strengthen your operations, and stay ahead of industry change — let’s talk.

The next era of multifamily performance is here.

Let’s build it together.

How One Property Discovered the Solution They Didn’t Know They Needed

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:58:37 GMT

From Temp Agency to Talent & Performance Partner: Why We’re Rebranding to Better Serve the Property Management Industry

When Harbor Pointe Residences, a 300‑unit Class A community in the Midwest, fell behind on its lease‑up schedule, the pressure was immediate and intense. Marketing spend was climbing, traffic was steady, but conversions were flat. The onsite team was overwhelmed, turnover was rising, and the regional manager was fielding daily calls from ownership demanding answers.

They didn’t need more leads.

They needed better talent, better training, and better performance visibility.

But they didn’t know where to start.

Phase 1: The Recruiting Gap

Harbor Pointe had cycled through three leasing consultants in six months. Each hire looked promising on paper, but none had the emotional intelligence, digital‑first communication skills, or sales instincts needed for a high‑velocity lease‑up.

That’s when they found ShellzTheRecruiter.

Within days, they were presented with fully vetted, high‑caliber leasing candidates who not only understood the multifamily industry but were trained to communicate with confidence, adapt to prospect needs, and represent the brand with professionalism.

The regional manager later admitted,

“We didn’t realize how much time we were wasting trying to hire on our own.”

Phase 2: The Training Gap

Even with stronger talent in place, the team still lacked consistency. Tours felt different depending on who gave them. Follow‑up was sporadic. Digital leads sat untouched for hours.

Enter ShellzTheTrainer.

Through a customized 2‑day onsite training intensive, the team learned:

• How to convert online leads quickly

• How to deliver emotionally intelligent tours

• How to handle objections with confidence

• How to follow up with intention and urgency

• How to create a consistent, high‑impact leasing experience

The transformation was immediate.

Prospects felt the difference.

Ownership noticed the shift.

Phase 3: The Performance Gap

Even with better talent and better training, the regional manager wanted proof that the team was applying what they learned.

That’s where Training Shops came in.

Our Signature Mystery Shops provided:

• Real‑time performance insights

• Personalized coaching

• Immediate skill correction

• Clear visibility into strengths and gaps

One shop revealed that a top performer was skipping the value‑building portion of the tour. Another showed that follow‑up emails lacked personalization. These insights allowed the team to adjust instantly — not months later.

⭐ The Results

Within 90 days, Harbor Pointe:

• Increased conversions by 22%

• Reduced vacancy loss by $85,000

• Cut time‑to‑lease by 30%

• Reached their lease‑up target six weeks ahead of the revised schedule

The regional manager summed it up perfectly:

“We thought we needed more traffic. What we really needed was Shellz.”

Harbor Pointe’s turnaround wasn’t luck — it was the result of having the right talent, the right training, and the right performance insights working together. Their story reflects what so many properties experience every day: the symptoms look like marketing problems, but the root cause is almost always people, skills, and consistency.

That’s exactly why this rebrand matters.

ShellzTheRecruiter ensures properties start with the right people.

ShellzTheTrainer develops those people into high‑performing leasing professionals.

Training Shops keeps performance sharp with real‑time visibility and coaching.

Individually, each solves a critical gap.

Together, they create a complete leasing performance ecosystem — the strategic advantage most properties don’t realize they’re missing until they see the results for themselves.

This is the future of leasing excellence.

And now, it’s finally accessible.

From Temp Agency to Talent & Performance Partner: Why We’re Rebranding to Better Serve the Property Management Industry

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:58:35 GMT

The story behind our shift from filling gaps to building stronger, more confident onsite teams.

For years, Leasing Temporaries LLC has been known as a trusted source for on‑site leasing and property management support. But as the multifamily industry has evolved — and as the demands on leasing teams have intensified — it became clear that the old “temp staffing” model no longer served the long‑term needs of property management companies.

And the last five years made that clearer than ever.

During the height of COVID‑19 and the years that followed, temporary staffing played a critical role in keeping communities operational. Teams were stretched thin, turnover was unpredictable, and properties needed immediate coverage just to stay afloat. Temp staffing filled essential gaps, stabilized operations, and helped communities navigate one of the most disruptive periods the industry has ever faced.

But as the industry emerged from crisis mode, a new reality set in.

Communities no longer needed quick fixes — they needed long‑term talent, stronger leasing performance, and teams equipped with the skills to meet today’s renter expectations. Operators began shifting their focus from “Who can fill this seat today?” to “Who can grow our ROI, strengthen our culture, and elevate our resident experience for the long haul?”

The market changed. Resident expectations changed. Technology changed.

And the definition of a high‑performing onsite team changed with it.

Today’s communities don’t just need bodies in seats.

They need high‑performing leasing professionals, strategic training, and real‑time performance insights that drive occupancy, retention, and ROI. They need people who can convert leads, communicate with confidence, and represent the brand with consistency — not just fill a shift.

That’s why we’re proud to announce a major evolution of our brand — one that reflects who we are today and the value we bring to the industry.

We’re moving from a traditional temp‑staffing model to a talent and performance partnership model. One that focuses on placing stronger long‑term candidates, developing their skills through modern training, and supporting teams with performance insights that create measurable results.

Because the industry doesn’t just need staffing anymore.

It needs stronger teams, better training, and smarter performance systems.

And that’s exactly what we’re here to deliver.

We are transitioning from Leasing Temporaries LLC to a powerful, three‑brand ecosystem designed to elevate leasing performance at every level:

⭐ ShellzTheRecruiter — Direct Placement of Top‑Tier Property Management Talent

⭐ ShellzTheTrainer — Elite Leasing Training for Today’s Digital‑First Leasing Professional

⭐ Training Shops — Signature Mystery Shops & Real‑Time Performance Coaching

This rebrand isn’t just cosmetic. It’s strategic, intentional, and built on more than 20 years of leadership in property management, revenue optimization, training, and talent development.

Why We’re Evolving: The Industry Has Changed — And So Have We

The multifamily industry is facing new challenges:

• Higher turnover

• Increased competition

• Digital‑first leasing expectations

• Rising customer service standards

• Greater demand for emotionally intelligent, tech‑savvy leasing professionals

Temporary staffing alone cannot solve these challenges.

Communities need long‑term talent solutions, ongoing training, and performance visibility — not just a temporary fix.

Our rebrand reflects our commitment to delivering exactly that.

Introducing Our New Brand Family

1. ShellzTheRecruiter — Direct Placement Recruiting for Property Management

We connect property management companies with high‑quality, fully vetted, performance‑ready leasing and management professionals. No more hiring headaches. No more costly misfires. Just top‑tier talent aligned with your culture, standards, and goals.

2. ShellzTheTrainer — Elite Leasing Training for High‑Performing Teams

Today’s leasing professionals need far more than the basics — yet many new hires enter the industry without proper onboarding, clear expectations, or the foundational skills needed to succeed. At the same time, experienced agents are expected to master advanced sales techniques, emotional intelligence, digital‑first communication, and ongoing development to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

ShellzTheTrainer bridges both gaps by delivering training that builds confident beginners and elevates seasoned professionals.

ShellzTheTrainer delivers:

• Modern leasing training that strengthens fundamentals for new hires

• Virtual & in‑person workshops tailored to real onsite challenges

• Leadership development for emerging and established leaders

• Follow‑up coaching to reinforce skills and drive adoption

• Performance‑driven curriculum designed to increase conversions and resident satisfaction

3. Training Shops — Signature Mystery Shops & Real‑Time Coaching

Our mystery shops go beyond evaluation.

We provide real‑time, trainer‑led performance coaching that helps leasing agents improve instantly — not weeks later.

Training Shops deliver:

• Real‑time feedback

• Performance insights

• Skill reinforcement

• Customer experience improvement

• Conversion‑focused coaching

The Leadership Behind the Rebrand: Shelly Gray

This transformation is powered by the leadership of Shelly Gray, President and Executive Leader in Property Management & Training. Her career has been defined by one consistent theme: helping property teams perform at their highest level. For more than two decades, Shelly has stepped into organizations during moments of growth, transition, and challenge — and strengthened them through people‑focused leadership, operational clarity, and a deep understanding of what onsite teams truly need to succeed.

Career Highlights That Shape Our New Direction

• Built Leasing Temporaries LLC from the ground up, transforming it into a trusted national partner for staffing, training, and performance support.

• Created training programs that became known for their practicality, clarity, and ability to build confident, capable leasing professionals.

• Strengthened client relationships by helping teams communicate better, convert more consistently, and deliver a stronger resident experience.

• Led revenue management and talent development initiatives that helped communities stabilize, grow, and operate with greater confidence.

• Guided organizations through major transitions — new systems, new teams, new expectations — while keeping people supported and performance steady.

• Delivered leadership development and coaching that helped emerging managers grow into strong, effective leaders.

• Built sales and leasing training modules that became widely adopted because they were simple, actionable, and proven to work in real onsite environments.

This rebrand is not a pivot — it’s the natural evolution of Shelly’s lifelong commitment to developing talent, strengthening teams, and elevating performance across the multifamily industry. Her experience has shown, time and again, that when people are trained well, supported well, and aligned with the right roles, communities thrive.

What This Means for Our Clients

Our clients will now benefit from a full‑service performance ecosystem:

✔ Better Talent through ShellzTheRecruiter

✔ Better Training through ShellzTheTrainer

✔ Better Performance Insights through Training Shops

This is the future of leasing excellence — and we’re proud to lead the way.

Ready to Elevate Your Leasing Team?

Whether you need top‑tier talent, elite training, or performance insights, our new brand family is here to support your success.

The Future Starts Here

This rebrand isn’t just a new look — it’s a new promise. A commitment to helping property management companies build stronger teams, deliver better experiences, and operate with confidence in a rapidly changing industry.

You deserve a partner who understands the challenges, anticipates the needs, and delivers solutions that create real, measurable impact.

We’re here to be that partner.

Let’s build the future of multifamily performance — together.

The Future of Property Management: Why Emotional Intelligence Outperforms Traditional Metrics

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:31:26 GMT

How empathy, connection, and emotional intelligence are redefining success in modern property management.

In property management, success has traditionally been measured by hard numbers: occupancy rates, rent growth, NOI, and turnover percentages. While these metrics remain critical, the future of property management is shifting toward something less tangible but equally powerful — emotional intelligence (EQ) .

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

Property management is not just about buildings; it’s about people. Residents, employees, and investors all interact with communities in ways that go beyond spreadsheets. Leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence — the ability to understand, manage, and respond to emotions — create environments where people feel valued, respected, and engaged.

When EQ is prioritized, three outcomes consistently emerge:

Retention improves: Employees stay longer when they feel heard, supported, and developed.
Resident satisfaction rises: Communities thrive when residents experience empathy and responsiveness.
Revenue grows: Engaged teams and satisfied residents directly translate into stronger financial performance.

EQ in Leadership

Traditional leadership often focuses on compliance and results. EQ‑driven leadership, however, emphasizes connection, trust, and empowerment. For example, managers who actively listen to staff concerns, recognize achievements, and provide constructive feedback foster loyalty and motivation. This approach reduces turnover — a costly challenge in property management — and builds a culture of accountability.

EQ in Training

Training programs that incorporate emotional intelligence go beyond teaching systems and processes. They equip associates with the skills to connect with prospects, empathize with residents, and resolve conflicts effectively. In practice, this means leasing professionals who don’t just “sell” apartments but build relationships that lead to long‑term occupancy.

One of the most powerful outcomes of EQ‑based training is the development of top‑performing associates. When employees feel supported and confident, they consistently exceed expectations — some even achieving $1M+ in annual sales.

EQ and Resident Experience

Residents today expect more than a place to live; they want a sense of community. Property managers who demonstrate empathy during maintenance requests, transparency in communication, and genuine care during interactions build trust. This trust translates into renewals, referrals, and positive online reviews — all of which drive revenue growth.

The Business Case for EQ

Numbers still matter, but EQ enhances them. Consider:

A 25% reduction in employee turnover saves thousands in recruiting and training costs.
Higher resident satisfaction leads to increased renewal rates, reducing vacancy loss.
Empowered teams generate stronger sales, boosting NOI and asset value.

In short, emotional intelligence is not a “soft skill” — it’s a strategic advantage .

Looking Ahead

As property management evolves, companies that embrace EQ will outperform those that rely solely on traditional metrics. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who balance analytics with empathy, technology with humanity, and profitability with purpose.

✨ Closing Thought: Emotional intelligence is the future currency of property management. By investing in people — employees and residents alike — organizations unlock sustainable growth, stronger communities, and lasting success.

Breaking Into Property Management: Top Skills and Traits for Millennials and Gen Z

sgray@leasingtemps.com (Shelly Gray) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:44:43 GMT

Breaking Into Property Management: Top Skills and Traits for Millennials and Gen Z

Property management is a booming industry, and for Millennials and Gen Z professionals, it's more than just a career—it’s an exciting and dynamic field where you can make a tangible impact. From tech-savviness to adaptability, younger generations bring a fresh perspective to property management, transforming how property management staffing companies, temp agencies, and property managers approach the industry. As this sector continues to evolve, what does it take for younger professionals to succeed in property management?

This blog post will highlight the top skills and traits that Millennials and Gen Z bring to property management roles, the current trends in the industry, and how Leasing Temporaries , a leading property management staffing agency, can help you leverage these traits to build a thriving career.

1. Tech-Savviness: Navigating the Digital Landscape

One of the most significant advantages younger generations bring to property management is their tech-savviness . As more property management tools and platforms move online, from virtual tours to automated maintenance requests, Millennials and Gen Z are uniquely positioned to adapt to these innovations.

Property management software like AppFolio and Buildium is revolutionizing how property managers track leases, manage finances, and communicate with tenants. Younger professionals are more comfortable with these technologies, often learning them faster than older generations. They also understand the importance of data analytics and how it can improve decision-making in property management.

Being tech-savvy isn't just about using software. It also extends to understanding the power of digital marketing , social media, and online presence. With a strong understanding of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, Millennials and Gen Z can elevate a property’s brand awareness, increase leasing inquiries, and engage potential tenants in ways traditional methods can't. Property management staffing companies are increasingly looking for candidates who can navigate these digital landscapes and use them to their advantage.

How it helps : Millennials and Gen Z can streamline property management processes, help properties gain online visibility, and boost tenant engagement. These skills make them valuable assets to companies looking for innovative, future-forward solutions.

2. Adaptability: Thriving in a Changing Industry

The property management industry is constantly evolving, and adaptability is key to thriving in this environment. For younger generations, the ability to adapt to changes in technology, market trends, and tenant expectations is ingrained in their work culture.

Whether it's adjusting to a remote work environment , hybrid office models , or the integration of new property management solutions, Millennials and Gen Z are accustomed to change and are eager to stay ahead of the curve. Property management staffing companies, like Leasing Temporaries , value this adaptability as it ensures that employees can navigate challenges without missing a beat.

Moreover, younger generations are more likely to be open to temp-to-hire roles or temporary positions, which provide them with the flexibility to explore different career paths while gaining valuable experience. This is particularly important in an industry where property management needs can fluctuate, and having adaptable, flexible staff ensures smooth operations during peak leasing seasons.

How it helps : Adaptable employees help property management companies stay resilient and prepared for market shifts, whether it’s the implementation of a new property management training program or adopting a new tech tool.

3. Communication Skills: Bridging Generational Gaps

In property management, communication is everything. From dealing with tenants to negotiating with property owners and contractors, effective communication can make or break a property manager’s career. Millennials and Gen Z are not only skilled communicators but also experts in bridging the generational gap.

They know how to communicate across various channels, including email, text, and social media, and can interact with a range of people, from older tenants to younger prospective renters. Their ability to personalize messages and use emojis, GIFs, and other digital communication tools makes them more relatable to millennial and Gen Z tenants, who expect fast, transparent communication.

In temp agency roles, excellent communication ensures that younger workers are able to express their needs, adapt to the office culture, and collaborate effectively with a diverse team. Whether in temp-to-hire assignments or direct hire roles, strong communication skills are always a must.

How it helps : Excellent communication leads to happier tenants, more successful interactions, and higher tenant retention rates. Millennials and Gen Z professionals can help property managers streamline tenant relations and improve customer service, making them indispensable in any property management staffing scenario.

4. Social Media Savvy: Shaping the Property’s Image

As mentioned, younger generations are social media natives, and their familiarity with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even TikTok has made them key players in online property marketing. For property management companies, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it's essential. This is where younger professionals excel.

By showcasing properties through high-quality photos, virtual tours, and engaging posts, Millennials and Gen Z can create online marketing campaigns that generate leads and attract potential tenants. They understand how to tailor content to specific platforms, whether it’s creating short, attention-grabbing TikToks or professional posts on LinkedIn to connect with other industry professionals.

How it helps : Social media-savvy property managers or leasing agents can boost a property’s online visibility, attract a wider audience, and maintain a consistent brand image. This is especially helpful in a competitive rental market where properties need to stand out.

5. Emotional Intelligence: Building Relationships

Property management isn’t just about managing buildings—it’s about building relationships. Emotional intelligence (EI) is an important trait for property managers, as it enables them to empathize with tenants, resolve conflicts effectively, and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, contractors, and property owners.

Millennials and Gen Z are often recognized for their high emotional intelligence, which is an invaluable asset in property management. Whether dealing with frustrated tenants, coordinating repairs, or managing a team of contractors, being able to read people, understand their emotions, and respond appropriately is crucial to success.

How it helps : Property managers with high EI can de-escalate tense situations, foster a positive environment for tenants, and create a supportive, inclusive workplace for staff. This emotional awareness helps companies attract and retain tenants while also improving overall team dynamics.

6. Entrepreneurial Spirit: Bringing Innovation to Property Management

Finally, many Millennials and Gen Z have a strong entrepreneurial spirit , often demonstrated through side hustles, startup ventures, or innovative problem-solving. This mindset is a huge advantage in property management, where innovation is key to staying ahead of industry trends.

From launching an online leasing portal to finding creative solutions to property maintenance, younger generations are motivated to improve efficiencies and drive results. They bring fresh perspectives to property management training and can quickly identify areas for improvement, whether it's streamlining operations or implementing new technologies.

How it helps : Property management companies benefit from employees with an entrepreneurial mindset who are proactive, resourceful, and willing to take risks to improve processes and drive profitability.

Conclusion: Building a Thriving Property Management Career with Leasing Temporaries

As the property management industry continues to evolve, the skills and traits that Millennials and Gen Z bring to the table are more important than ever. From tech-savviness and adaptability to emotional intelligence and an entrepreneurial spirit, younger generations are uniquely positioned to lead the way in property management.

Whether you’re considering a career in property management or you’re already working in the industry, Leasing Temporaries is here to help you navigate the process of finding the right job fit. With temp-to-hire and direct hire services, we can connect you with property management companies looking for young professionals who can bring fresh ideas and energy to their teams. If you're looking to build a career that allows you to thrive in an ever-changing environment, consider working with Leasing Temporaries for all your property management staffing and training needs.

By leveraging your natural skills and learning new ones through property management training, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling career in property management.

How Mystery Shopping Can Boost Leasing Performance

sgray@leasingtemps.com (Shelly Gray) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:44:39 GMT

The property management industry is evolving rapidly, and the expectations placed on leasing agents have never been higher. In an increasingly competitive market, providing excellent service is not just a goal—it’s a necessity. One of the most effective ways to ensure consistent performance and exceptional customer service is through mystery shopping.

Whether you’re a property manager looking to enhance your team’s skills or a property management staffing company like LeasingTemps , mystery shopping offers invaluable insights to improve leasing performance.

What Is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping is a tool used by businesses to evaluate the customer experience. In property management, a mystery shopper poses as a prospective tenant to assess leasing agents’ professionalism, knowledge, and ability to close deals. This service provides an unfiltered view of how your team interacts with prospects and highlights areas of improvement.

The Benefits of Mystery Shopping in Property Management

1. Evaluate Customer Service Skills

Leasing agents are the face of your property, and their ability to engage with potential tenants can make or break a lease agreement. Mystery shopping:

Identifies strengths in communication and rapport-building.
Pinpoints gaps in service, such as missed follow-ups or lack of enthusiasm.

2. Assess Leasing Skills

A well-trained leasing agent knows how to highlight a property’s features and address tenant concerns effectively. Mystery shopping evaluates:

How well agents promote the property.
Their ability to handle objections and guide prospects toward signing a lease.

3. Ensure Policy Compliance

From fair housing laws to company-specific guidelines, compliance is crucial. Mystery shopping ensures:

Adherence to legal requirements during interactions.
Consistent application of internal policies and procedures.

4. Boost Team Morale and Accountability

When done constructively, mystery shopping isn’t just about identifying problems—it’s about celebrating successes. Sharing positive feedback can boost morale and motivate agents to maintain high standards.

How Mystery Shopping Works

The process typically involves these steps:

Customized Evaluation Criteria : Define what you want to measure, such as communication skills, property knowledge, or sales techniques.
Shopper Assignment : Mystery shoppers visit your property or conduct inquiries via phone or email, mimicking real prospect interactions.
Detailed Reporting : After the visit, you’ll receive a report detailing the shopper’s experience, including areas of strength and opportunities for growth.

Real-Life Success: The Impact of Mystery Shopping

Consider this scenario: A property management company noticed their leasing rates were declining despite steady traffic. After implementing mystery shopping, they discovered:

Leasing agents were not asking closing questions.
Prospects were not being offered additional services, like virtual tours.

With targeted training based on mystery shopping feedback, the team improved their lease conversion rate by 20% within three months.

Why Choose LeasingTemps for Mystery Shopping?

At LeasingTemps , we specialize in mystery shopping for the property management industry. Here’s why our clients trust us:

Tailored Evaluations : We understand the nuances of leasing and create custom evaluations to fit your needs.
Experienced Shoppers : Our team includes individuals familiar with the industry, ensuring detailed and accurate assessments.
Actionable Feedback : Beyond reports, we offer training solutions to address specific challenges identified during mystery shops.

Take Your Leasing Team to the Next Level

Mystery shopping is more than just a performance review—it’s a tool for continuous growth. By identifying areas for improvement and celebrating successes, you can create a leasing team that excels at every interaction.

If you’re ready to improve your leasing team’s performance and enhance your property’s reputation, check out our training and mystery shopping services . Together, we can make every tenant interaction a success.

The Future of Property Management: Embracing Technology

sgray@leasingtemps.com (Shelly Gray) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:52:46 GMT

The Future of Property Management: Embracing Technology

In recent years, technology has been revolutionizing the property management industry, making operations more efficient and enhancing tenant experiences. As we look toward the future, embracing these technological advancements is crucial for property managers to stay ahead of the curve. Here, we explore some of the latest innovations that are transforming the field.

Smart Home Devices

One of the most exciting advancements in property management is the integration of smart home devices. These gadgets not only provide convenience for tenants but also help property managers monitor and maintain properties more effectively. From smart thermostats that adjust temperatures based on occupancy to security cameras that can be monitored remotely, smart home devices are becoming indispensable tools in the industry.

Tenants benefit from the convenience and energy savings, while property managers gain real-time insights into property conditions, reducing maintenance costs and improving response times to issues. The adoption of smart home technology is a win-win for both parties, fostering a more connected and efficient living environment.

Virtual Tours

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of virtual tours, and this trend is here to stay. Virtual tours allow prospective tenants to explore properties from the comfort of their homes, making the leasing process more accessible and convenient. By offering 360-degree views and interactive walkthroughs, virtual tours provide a comprehensive understanding of the property without the need for physical visits.

For property managers, virtual tours reduce the time and resources spent on showings, streamline the leasing process, and attract a wider audience. They also enable managers to showcase properties to potential tenants from different geographical locations, broadening their market reach.

Property Management Software

Property management software has become an essential tool for modern property managers. These platforms offer a wide range of features, from rent collection and maintenance tracking to tenant communication and financial reporting. By automating routine tasks, property management software saves time and reduces the likelihood of human error.

The software also enhances transparency and accountability, as both property managers and tenants can access important information and track the status of requests in real-time. With features like automated reminders, online payment options, and centralized documentation, property management software significantly improves operational efficiency and tenant satisfaction.

Enhancing Tenant Experiences

Beyond operational efficiency, these technological advancements are focused on enhancing the overall tenant experience. Smart home devices provide tenants with greater control over their living environment, virtual tours offer a seamless and convenient leasing process, and property management software ensures prompt and transparent communication.

By embracing these technologies, property managers can create a more appealing and competitive offering in the market. Tenants are more likely to stay longer and recommend the property to others, leading to higher occupancy rates and better overall performance.

The Road Ahead

The future of property management is undoubtedly tied to technological innovation. As new tools and devices continue to emerge, property managers must stay informed and adaptable to leverage these advancements effectively. Embracing technology not only streamlines operations but also sets the stage for a more connected, efficient, and tenant-friendly property management experience.

In conclusion, the integration of smart home devices, virtual tours, and property management software is transforming the industry. By staying ahead of these trends, property managers can enhance their services, improve tenant satisfaction, and ultimately achieve greater success in a competitive market.

The Importance of Customer Service in Property Management Staffing

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 23:57:57 GMT

In property management, the success of any business is closely tied to tenant satisfaction. A positive relationship between tenants and property managers plays a pivotal role in ensuring long-term occupancy and reducing turnover, ultimately leading to higher profitability and fewer vacancies. One of the most effective ways to foster these relationships is through top-notch customer service. When property management staff are customer service-oriented, they create a welcoming, responsive, and supportive environment that significantly impacts tenants' experiences.

This blog post explores why customer service is vital in property management staffing, how it contributes to tenant satisfaction, and the benefits it brings in reducing turnover.

Why Customer Service Matters in Property Management

Property management is unique compared to many other industries because it involves maintaining ongoing relationships with tenants, often over several years. These tenants rely on property managers not only to provide them with a functional and safe living environment but also to address concerns and needs quickly. Every interaction between tenants and property management staff impacts the overall experience, making customer service a central component of success.

There are several key reasons why customer service plays a crucial role in property management:

1. First Impressions and Onboarding

The first interaction a potential tenant has with a property management team sets the tone for the entire relationship. A friendly, informative, and helpful staff member can make a significant difference in whether a prospective tenant chooses to rent from that property. From answering questions to facilitating tours, customer service during the onboarding phase is crucial. A smooth and welcoming experience not only attracts tenants but also makes them feel confident in their decision, starting the relationship on a positive note.

2. Building Trust and Rapport

Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, including that between tenants and property management staff. When tenants trust their property managers to handle issues professionally and promptly, they are more likely to feel comfortable and satisfied with their living situation. Building trust comes from consistent, reliable communication and responsiveness. Staff who show empathy and understanding when handling tenant requests or complaints contribute significantly to the tenant's overall sense of well-being.

3. Effective Communication

Communication is central to any relationship, and property management is no exception. Clear, respectful, and timely communication fosters a sense of trust and reliability. Property managers who take the time to explain procedures, update tenants on maintenance work, or provide information about property policies make tenants feel valued. Proactive communication—such as notifying tenants in advance of scheduled maintenance or changes in policies—demonstrates that the management is attentive to their needs. Tenants are more likely to stay when they feel informed and heard.

4. Resolving Issues and Handling Complaints

In any rental situation, problems are inevitable—whether it's a maintenance issue, a billing question, or a noise complaint. What sets a great property management team apart is how they handle these problems. Tenants appreciate prompt, effective resolutions to their issues, and the speed and professionalism with which complaints are handled can either strengthen or weaken the tenant-manager relationship. Customer service-oriented staff understand the importance of listening to tenants' concerns and taking swift action, preventing small issues from escalating into larger disputes.

5. Creating a Sense of Community

Properties are not just buildings; they are homes where people build their lives. Property management teams that focus on customer service contribute to creating a sense of community among tenants. Organizing events, communicating about community activities, and encouraging a respectful, harmonious living environment make tenants feel more connected. This connection often leads to higher satisfaction and a desire to stay within the community longer.

How Customer Service-Oriented Property Managers Reduce Turnover

One of the biggest challenges in property management is tenant turnover. Each time a tenant leaves, property managers must invest time and resources into preparing the unit for the next occupant, including marketing, cleaning, repairs, and screening potential tenants. High turnover can quickly drain resources, while tenant retention can lead to steady cash flow and lower operating costs.

Here’s how customer service-oriented property management staff can significantly reduce turnover:

1. Enhancing Tenant Satisfaction

Happy tenants are more likely to stay in their units. When property management teams provide excellent customer service, tenants feel appreciated and valued. This leads to higher levels of satisfaction and a lower likelihood of tenants leaving at the end of their lease. Studies show that tenants are more willing to overlook minor inconveniences or higher rental costs if they feel they are being treated well. In contrast, even a perfect property in terms of physical maintenance won’t hold onto tenants if the management staff is rude, unresponsive, or dismissive.

2. Addressing Problems Before They Lead to Turnover

Often, tenants leave properties because their concerns are not addressed in a timely or satisfactory manner. It may be a chronic issue with maintenance, unresolved noise complaints, or general dissatisfaction with management's responsiveness. Customer service-oriented staff actively listen to tenant concerns and work to address them before they escalate. By staying proactive, they can resolve potential issues before they cause frustration and lead to a decision to move.

3. Fostering Long-Term Relationships

Personal connections matter in any service industry, and property management is no different. When property managers know their tenants' names, remember important details about their living situation, and show genuine concern for their needs, tenants feel more attached to the property. This sense of connection fosters loyalty, making tenants more likely to renew their leases. Staff who go the extra mile to ensure tenants feel comfortable and appreciated make a lasting impact.

4. Creating a Stable Living Environment

High tenant turnover disrupts the stability of a community. When tenants constantly come and go, it can create a transient feel, making it difficult for long-term residents to feel settled. Customer service-focused property managers help to maintain stability by cultivating a community atmosphere where tenants feel at home. This sense of continuity encourages tenants to stay longer, as they feel secure in their surroundings.

5. Positive Word-of-Mouth and Referrals

Satisfied tenants are often the best advocates for a property. When tenants have positive experiences with management staff, they are more likely to refer friends or colleagues to the property. Word-of-mouth recommendations reduce marketing costs and attract quality tenants. Additionally, positive online reviews can enhance a property’s reputation, drawing in prospective renters who value excellent customer service. This referral cycle leads to lower vacancy rates and fewer resources spent on acquiring new tenants.

Best Practices for Customer Service in Property Management Staffing

To ensure property management teams provide excellent customer service, it is essential to implement best practices that promote tenant satisfaction and retention:

1. Training and Development

Property management staff should receive regular training on customer service best practices. This includes communication skills, conflict resolution, empathy training, and problem-solving techniques. Investing in staff development ensures that they are well-equipped to handle the various challenges that arise in property management.

2. Creating a Customer-Centric Culture

Management should foster a culture that prioritizes customer service at every level. From the front desk staff to maintenance teams, everyone should be aware of the impact they have on tenant satisfaction. Encouraging a customer-centric mindset ensures that staff consistently strive to exceed tenant expectations.

3. Implementing Feedback Systems

Actively seeking feedback from tenants allows property management to understand what is working and what needs improvement. Implementing regular tenant surveys or providing easy ways for tenants to share their thoughts helps management teams stay proactive. Addressing feedback in a timely manner shows tenants that their opinions are valued and taken seriously.

4. Setting Clear Expectations

Tenants should know what to expect from their property management team. Clear communication regarding maintenance schedules, office hours, and response times sets the standard for interactions. When tenants are aware of what to expect, they are less likely to feel frustrated by delays or misunderstandings.

5. Utilizing Technology for Better Service

Technology can enhance customer service in property management. Online portals for rent payments, maintenance requests, and communication provide tenants with convenient and efficient ways to interact with management. Streamlining these processes improves the tenant experience and reduces frustration.

Conclusion

In property management, exceptional customer service is more than just a "nice-to-have"—it is a vital component of building lasting relationships with tenants and reducing turnover. Customer service-oriented property managers help create an environment where tenants feel valued, heard, and supported. These positive interactions lead to higher satisfaction levels, which directly translates into lower turnover rates, fewer vacancies, and a more stable community.

By prioritizing customer service in property management staffing, businesses can not only improve tenant retention but also enhance their reputation and profitability in a competitive market. In the long run, the investment in building strong tenant-manager relationships pays off in the form of long-term loyalty and financial success.

Direct Placement and Recruitment: Streamlining your Hiring Processes

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:44:09 GMT

Save Valuable Resources with a Trusted Recruiting Partner

It’s no secret that the underlying fees and time commitment involved with hiring can add up rather quickly, especially if you have a large property with multiple positions to staff. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of direct placement and partnering with a recruiting firm to ease your staff-related stress.

Lower cost to your bottom line: If we hash out all of the costs you’ll accrue from online job listings, onboarding fees, negotiating and training, it’s clear to see why having a recruiting partner will ultimately save you much-needed budget dollars. SHRM clocks the average hiring cost per employee at an average of $4129 —If you’re looking for a permanent hire to transition smoothly onto your team and to avoid temporary employees, consider direct placement and invest those resources elsewhere!

Saving precious time: We are well aware of the limited hours allotted daily for the plethora of tasks thrown at property managers. Do you really have the time to waste on below-average interviews, or worse, no-shows? And what about all those resumes you have to sift through just to find a few gems? It’s time to let a qualified recruiter take over. Our thorough vetting and screening processes are tried and true to ensure that we send you only the best candidates tailored specifically to your needs. Outsourcing direct placement services enables you to divide your time and attention to other areas of your occupation that you may have been neglecting.

Access to Top-Tier Talent: On that note, it’s worth repeating that the most time-consuming aspect of hiring is simply finding the right fit. Recruiters like us work directly with you or your HR/hiring team to specifically determine your ideal candidate. From there, we take over the rest! Rest assured that the options given to you will result from intensive interviewing and screening. Yup, no more awful interviews. Quality talent recognizes other quality talent, and recruiting specialists who pride themselves on their industry knowledge can better curate candidates for your open positions. Additionally, established recruiting firms have more connections and insight into the local talent pipeline, so the return time on candidate requests will be speedy and efficient.

Dedicated Support: Recruiting specialists will readily communicate crucial information and updates every step of the way to reduce any room for error. In addition, follow-up is generally offered to ensure that the placed candidate is performing up to expectations and adhering to the standards set by your company. Rest assured that the choice is ultimately up to you, and if at any point in the recruiting process you are not satisfied with the presented candidates, we will go back to the drawing board.

For a low one-time fee, direct placement will add priceless long-term value to your team. Nexus IT Group also attributes direct placement to higher employee retention: “The long-term nature of a position filled by direct hiring methods will encourage employees to become more engaged with their work. This higher commitment will lead to higher employee retention and higher returns.” No more revolving-door maintenance staff or short-term leasing agents!

Ready to make the switch?

Leasing Temporaries partners with properties as their trusted recruitment partner in the Columbus area, and our experience speaks for itself. Contact us today to discuss your hiring needs and let us help you build a stronger, more dynamic workforce.

The Rise of the Build-to-Rent Market & Single-Family Homes

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 20:12:46 GMT

Comparing Single-Family & Multi-Family

2024 is predicted to see rising interest in single-family home rentals rather than homebuying, and companies like Zillow are calling them the “new starter homes.” Let’s dive into some of the underlying reasons why the demand for single-family is dominating the rental market into 2024 and some comparative predictions for multi-family as well.

With such a low supply and high demand for housing last year, it’s no wonder that multiple people have turned to renting. And, Zillow says, renters that have more exuberant amenities in mind are now turning to single-family rentals/BTR communities instead of spending the time tracking down the perfect multi-family unit. Single-family homes are considered to be more long-term and affordable than multi-family, without the commitment of homebuying. CBRE remarks on millennials’ and empty-nesters’ gravitation towards BTR communities; millennials still paying off college loans whilst preparing to start a family and new retirees downsizing to enjoy the flexibility and decreased financial burden of renting versus homeownership.

Renters are looking for more bang for their buck after the rental market’s asking prices peaked and affordability hit an all-time low. Harvard’s Joint City for Housing Studies emphasizes the number of cost-burdened rental homes in the nation after the statistic capped out in 2022 at 22.4 million—That’s a growth of 2 million households since 2019 that are spending 30-50% of their income on rent and utilities. For those with larger families, single-home units are becoming more and more attractive.

Some other favorable features of build-to-rent/single-family homes are as follows:

• Privacy: No other tenants above/below

• Taller ceilings and more space than traditional multi-family with more dedicated outdoor space

• “Neighborhood” community feel

• Easily maintainable materials such as faux-wood vinyl floors

• Multiple community amenities like walking trails and rentable equipment

• Front-street entry and attached garages

(full list of detailed features here )

66.8% of new house starts were single family homes in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—The southern region topped the charts with almost 64% of their starts being single-family. In Columbus specifically, 2022 saw 84% of homes purchased being single-family detached and another 8.8% being single-family attached.

Multi-Housing News writes that the single-family BTR market generally reflected multi-family in 2023, and “unless there is a substantial decline in interest rates and the economic environment suddenly improves,” we should prepare for the same conditions in 2024. Additionally, we must factor in the increased supply conditions in both markets: “Demand numbers and low vacancy rates also stem from a lack of availability, a struggle that, while exacerbated by supply-chain slowdowns, has been ongoing for a decade and a half,”—which could change entirely this year due to the predicted influx of completions in the multi-family market especially. Zillow’s report on multi-family performance so far in 2024 notes a slight downtrend from last year (more on the multi-family market in our blog, here: )

While the demand for multi-family will not be eradicated entirely by any means, it’s important to consider how the heightened desire for single-family will affect the asking prices for rents. The $4.4 trillion single-housing/BTR sector saw asking rents last year more than surpass 2022’s and is expected to remain semi-constant into this year depending on the regional market. Zillow reports that single-family rents increased at 2.1% YoY compared to multi-family’s 1.5%. Experts are still unsure what to fully prepare for in this ever-changing market, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as usual.

Why Having a Fully-Staffed Maintenance Team During Winter is So Important

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:00:14 GMT

Keeping Tenants Warm and Happy = Reupped Leases Come Spring

It’s undeniable that a well-prepared maintenance team is important at any time of the year or season, but winter is by far the most crucial. We’ll first discuss a few common winter maintenance issues and how, when left unattended, they can cost you big-time bucks in the long run.

HVAC Systems

It’s a good idea to have your heating systems looked at earlier on in the season; preventative maintenance is the way to go here. However, making sure that you have certified guys on your team that can diagnose any issues as they arise will save you the time and headache of needing on-call fixes (No “My heater doesn’t work!” emergency calls at 3 AM!)

Ice Damming

We know that any fixes related to roofing are never cheap. This is why we recommend having your maintenance team check your properties thoroughly for any air leakage paths in roofs, to avoid any leaking from ice damming. Excess ice and snow build-up can cause shingles to break, water damage, and other costly issues. Preventative maintenance is key!

Debris Damage

How many trees does your property have? How close are they to windows and cars? Ice and snow are heavy; don’t let breaking branches cost you thousands in repairs! Have your maintenance guys trim before the heavy winter hits.

Frozen Pipes

It’s crucial to have any cracks fixed ASAP (optimally before winter season begins) to prevent any bursts. There’s multiple preventative maintenance options to avoid this when the temps start to drop below freezing. This can also prevent any unnecessary water damage from leaky pipes.

So, preventative maintenance aside, how else can your maintenance team impact your winter season?

Finishing Incomplete Turns: Don’t get stuck with vacant floorplans all winter long! Make sure your techs are taking care of all make ready services ASAP so that you can schedule seamless and quick move-ins, especially during slow season.

Grounds: With Ohio’s indecisive weather, three inches of snow on your property grounds can easily be a monsoon of mud and slush by the next day. Keeping your team staffed is crucial to maintain excellent curb appeal and attract potential renters all season long! Keep parking lots and sideways clear of precipitation build-up so that your tenants can navigate your property with ease.

Service Requests: There’s no one unhappier than a tenant who has no water, a broken heater, or a drafty apartment in the middle of winter. Being short-staffed can substantially extend repair wait times and add unnecessary stress to your workday. When comparing the costs of permanent weather damage to your property and frustrated tenants declining to re-up their leases come springtime to the costs of a new maintenance hire, the choice is clear to us. However, if you’re stressed about this quarter’s budget, utilizing a temp agency like us can actually help lower your hiring costs and save you time (more on that in our previous blog, here)

Additionally, winterizing your community is dependent on tenants following clear instructions. Check out this article where Rentec Direct offers some more helpful tips for apartment communities in the snow season!

Do You Really Know What’s Happening Inside Your Leasing Office?

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:00:07 GMT

Addressing Personal Experiences with Leasing Faux Pas

For property management companies with offices based in different states than some of their properties, we know it can be difficult to keep tabs on the ins and outs of every leasing office under your umbrella. However, we think it’s important to discuss some of the leasing faux pas we’ve experienced within the last few months… remember, your leasing agent is the first face that a possible new tenant sees when they walk through the office doors.

We already covered why having an accessible and clearly-marked leasing office is crucial in our blog here , but it bears repeating. There’s nothing more frustrating than circling around a property looking for a leasing office, especially when all the buildings in the complex look the same! On top of that, the relief of locating the office is quickly stolen by locked doors, shuttered blinds, and closed signs. No matter the time of day, at least one out of five offices we’ve visited had a “Will return later” sign tacked to the door, whether it be for a lunch break (at 10AM?) or just not having enough office coverage during the listed hours of normal operation. Also, we understand that a lot of leasing offices require everyone entering to be buzzed in, but not having clear directions on how to do so is frustrating. Why is it so hard just to get in?!

So, when we finally find the leasing office and make our way indoors, not being greeted immediately is the second red flag. Additionally, sometimes the office seems to be completely empty. We’re not saying that your leasing agent has to be glued behind their desk all day long, but staying in the general vicinity would be advised. Otherwise, potential tenants may turn around and walk right back out. We’ve been flat out ignored by leasing consultants more times than I can count on one hand, and that would put a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Understandably, a lot of times the consultant may be on the phone or talking to other tenants, but a simple “I’ll be with you in just a moment” really goes a long way. Acknowledgement is key here.

The worst experience I’ve personally had in Columbus was at an upscale off-campus student complex. I walked in and the only person in the office was the property manager, who was on the phone discussing maintenance repairs. I was completely understanding of their situation, knowing how difficult it is to deal with the endless responsibilities that accompanies their occupation, and waited very patiently. Not only did they not acknowledge me after seeing me clearly standing by the door, but they actually walked away and went out onto the patio. I stood there for over fifteen minutes before I washed my hands of the situation. If I was a current tenant or a potential tenant, I would never recommend that property to anyone, and we all know that word-of-mouth is the most powerful form of advertising in this industry.

Let’s discuss general attitude and overall demeanor. Look, we understand that it’s hard to stay cheerful when you’ve got rent delinquencies, maintenance call-offs, and countless service requests. It’s a lot to handle at times, but that should all be left on the table when a possible new resident walks in the door. Not only have I had leasing consultants act annoyed when I walked in the door or asked them a question, but I can hear their irritation in their voice and see it in their body language that they’re not overly enthusiastic. Why would I want to engage in further conversation? A good salesperson in general should be excited and knowledgeable about what they are selling. It’s unfortunate when a leasing person doesn’t seem to like their job, because that translates as them not liking the property… so why should the customer? Why not take their business elsewhere? If you put yourself in their shoes, would you want to rent from someone who looks unhappy and uninterested?

Unprofessionalism is also very prevalent in this industry. I’ve seen leasing consultants walking around the office with no shoes on, on the phone with friends or family, taking selfies, and the like. It’s fine to have fun at work! But as a brand ambassador of the community, it’s important to represent your brand with a sense of pride and excitement. At the end of the day, your leasing consultant is the main point of contact for all future and current tenants, and it’s important both for acquisition and retention that they feel valued and heard.

In conclusion, we recommend that you spend time ensuring that your leasing office is fully staffed and operational with top-notch leasing consultants who are trained thoroughly in all aspects of the leasing process. It’s important to keep up to date with what’s going on in your leasing office. We highly recommend utilizing one of our property shops to gauge your leasing consultants’ expertise and professionalism. Or, let us find the perfect leasing consultant for you! We have a wide pool of talent and high standard vetting and hiring processes to determine a candidate perfect for you and your property’s custom needs.

How a Temp Agency Can Save You Time this New Year!

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 17:15:00 GMT

Let a Temp Agency Do the Work for You in 2024

New year, new you! If one of your resolutions for your property in 2024 is better time management, look no further. We understand that as a property manager, you wear many hats and are generally spread thin across multiple responsibilities. Therefore, your time is extremely valuable! In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the ways that a temp agency (like us!) can save you time and free up your focus for other core property functions.

New-Hire Processes

One of the most time-consuming aspects of bringing on new talent (whether it be a maintenance tech or a leasing consultant) is all the necessary steps it entails. We’ve got you covered! We offer the following:

Recruitment & Direct Placement Services: Don’t worry about posting all those hiring ads and spending hours reviewing resumes. We will vet the perfect candidate personalized to your and your property’s needs within our talent pool. A brief consultation with you will yield information such as how many hours you need your new employee, the tasks they’ll be performing daily, as well as the timeline for their placement. In addition, we offer temp-to-hire if you feel that they are a valuable asset to your team. The flexibility and low-commitment nature of temporary employment are great tools to have when you are overwhelmed with responsibilities.
Payrolling Services: Our Try-B4-U-Hire Payrolling Services give you the option to “test-run” a possible candidate without the burden of having to onboard them beforehand. We take care of the payroll so that you can focus on gauging whether or not this potential new-hire is a good fit for your team, and you receive an invoice for the hours worked in addition to a flat fee.

Keep in mind that the itemization of our hourly rates factor in the time spent vetting your candidate, their 401(k), benefits, liability, PTO, and all other employee costs that you would be paying instead. We complete the background checks, obtaining their personal information such as ID and direct deposit, reviewing HR paperwork and handbooks, and all other time-consuming aspects of hiring. Then, your employee will receive the information and training necessary to impress your tenants on day one, all at no extra cost to you. Sound good?

Turnover

Retaining employees in this industry is not a simple task. We know how important it is to always keep your property operational, and being short-staffed in any aspect can significantly disrupt day-to-day functions. So, if you seem to have a revolving door when it comes to staff, finding an A-player can make all the difference. The stress and time-consuming nature of empty leasing offices and unmet service requests piling up can be solved by the right employees, and we know what it takes.

For example, a qualified and experienced lead maintenance supervisor could make a world of difference with regard to properly managing and executing a competent maintenance team, which would free up a plethora of your time. A shiny new leasing consultant who has been trained in all aspects of Fair Housing, property management software, and comprehensive leasing fundamentals can not only decrease the amount of time you spend stressing over vacant units, but also allows you to be out of the office more. It’s time to have a team of individuals who you can trust with some of your responsibilities and who will effectively uplift and represent your community.

Your tenants deserve the best – our people make the difference.

Ohio's 2023 Rental Market — The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 18:39:56 GMT

A Brief Summary of Ohio's 2023 Rental Performance

As we near the end of 2023, it’s time to briefly recap Ohio’s fluctuating rental market and discuss some aspects of 2024’s forecast.

Affordability and Accessibility

The Ohio Housing Finance Authority’s annual Housing Needs Assessment gave us great insight into some aspects of Ohio’s unpredictable rental market. We saw the lowest recorded rental vacancy rates in 2021 (4.0%), and then 6.2% at the end of 2022. The rate reported as of the end of 2023Q2 varies slightly depending on the source, but we’ve seen a consensus that hovers around 5.1%. It’s no secret that finding affordable rentals is difficult, but the lack of available units may be attributed to the extreme buy-ups of properties for “seasonal, recreational, or occasional use” (think of Airbnbs and the like.)

When you pair the lack of available units with the rising rent costs and a stagnant income level, the outcome will never be positive. Keep in mind that, at the time of writing this, Ohio does not currently have any rent caps or rent-control laws. The OHFA reports that over 700,000 people in the state’s rental households are severely cost-burdened, which means that half or more of their monthly income is spent on their rent. Average monthly rents in Ohio this year (again, vary across sources):

Overall: $1,050.60

One Bedroom: $824.40

Two Bedroom: $1,063.60

Cleveland and Akron markets saw some of the highest rents in Ohio this year; however, average incomes could not match the increase in rental costs. A report from the Low Income Housing Coalition revealed that the average renter brings home about $18.47 an hour (reminder: Ohio minimum wage is still $10.10) and with one in three Ohioans renting rather than owning, common job wages are not keeping up with the rent increase. In Columbus, rents have jumped 5% higher after inflation than the national average, and Franklin County incomes are lower than the country’s average.

Multi-Family Units

RealPage’s industry research has suggested that the decrease in construction of multifamily starts is more than likely 3-4x higher than the U.S. Census Bureau’s previous estimate of 12%--this could be attributed to a plethora of issues, as revealed by RealPage:

1. The American Institute of Architects documented “15 consecutive months of declined billings for multifamily,” signaling a steep drop in interest in residential apartment construction from multifamily-specific businesses

2. Delays in development—a collective lack of construction financing

3. In tandem with #2, a substantial amount of bank lenders have added more restrictions to lending standards for construction in 2023 ( Nearly 3/4 of U.S. banks! )

4. So, what happens when these roadblocks perturb equity investors’ ability to build assets? RealPage suggests that they are choosing to buy cheaper, existing assets instead of waiting around on ground-up development.

The multifamily market saw a shift from supply to demand this year and throughout 2024 and can expect vice versa in 2025-2026. More multifamily construction projects are being completed than kick-started this year, and we can expect to see deliveries top off through 2024. Starts are not projected to expedite in a considerable way, so RealPage warns that we will probably see lower supply through the next few years.

While this is a national analysis, it heavily applies to Ohio’s multifamily market. Multifamily News’ most recent report of Columbus’s market, via metrics from Yardi Matrix, showed a .2% growth in demand for multifamily units during a three month period.

Cincinnati, on the other hand, saw itself rise to the top of the nation’s rental ratings in 2023. Multiple articles from sources such as Yardi and RealPage have reported on the Queen City’s exceptional numbers, including its rankings as the 43 ^rd largest multifamily market (116,828 completed units; 25,827 in development) and 36 ^th in year-over-year rent growth, and is projected to maintain its presence as a top rental market into 2024. However, only time will tell! Be sure to check our website and social media platforms for updates and insights into this ever-changing industry.

Maintenance On-Call: How You Can Streamline After-Hours Services and Reduce Turnover

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:05:49 GMT

Analyzing Obstacles for Property After-Hours Services

A crucial amenity for tenants now is the security of knowing there is a maintenance team to handle any after-hours dilemmas. Easier said than done! Between keeping maintenance staff that are willing to be on-call, budgeting for possible outsourcing, and possessing a reliable dispatching service, we know that these services can be complex to maintain.

Finding reliable maintenance staff is hard enough as is—much less finding reliable on-call staff that are willing to respond to emergency calls in a prompt manner. You’re placing these staff members in your community, with your tenants’ trust, during vulnerable times—overnight, holidays, etc.—and trusting that they’ll handle the problems without needing to involve your daytime staff.

This brazen article from Dirty Maintenance Nation discusses the issues with the lack of individuals in the industry and how to solve turnover in your maintenance crew due to on-call grievances. Their frontmost recommendation?

Outsource it.

If it’s feasible within your budget, a lot of properties find success by utilizing an outside on-call maintenance crew or handyman service to handle after-hours calls. It eliminates the burden of being on-call for your techs, who are more than likely spending time with family after their regularly scheduled 8-10 hour workday, or asleep. This, in turn, is more likely to encourage these reliable staff members to stay with your team:

“Their maintenance staff absolutely loves it and the maintenance positions are no longer a revolving door.”

In an industry that has a maintenance turnover rate of 39.2%, allowing your onsite techs work-life balance is crucial. Remember, there’s a reason that this rate is higher than an any other multifamily position (the industry average is 32.7% !) You can avoid burnout by partnering with another business’s on-call crew. This company may provide you with the emergency services that they respond to, or work with you to customize services based on your property’s needs. Trying to anticipate every call is exhausting and counterproductive; let your outsourced team provide your tenants with what constitutes an emergency and what doesn’t.

Following the decision to outsource is the modality that calls are received. Do you use an after-hours call center? Do you pay your on-call tech a flat rate for being available to answer calls after regular service hours? Or do partner with your outsourced crew to take the calls and follow up with you after the situation is handled (hopefully when you’re awake!)? These are all things to take into consideration when strategizing your on-call model.

How much money would you save?

Let’s hash out the comparative value between what may seem to be an expensive on-call outsourcing budget with regards to the cost of heavy maintenance turnover:

So, your guys are exhausted and frustrated from being on-call, and they begin to slack during their normal hours: Turns aren’t being completed, curb appeal is dropping, they’re calling off, etc. How much is that costing you?

When they quit, you have to run more ads for hiring, pay your leftover guys OT rates to pick up their slack and unfinished projects, and spend more valuable time vetting and onboarding (we can help with that, BTW). How much is that costing you?

Your tenants are becoming frustrated with unanswered service requests due to the decline in your daytime staff. Vacancies are increasing as leases aren’t being reupped. How much is that costing you?

Not to say that turnover in general will vanish by relieving your team of on-call duties, but it will certainly give them a reason to want to stay.

A few other reasons to outsource (if you need more encouragement):

Flexibility & labor quality: We briefly discussed the valuable time and money you’d save by not needing to invest as much into vetting the proper OCM staffing skillsets. An outsourcer will have quality protocols in place for selecting and employing OCM staff that meet your property needs. This expertise “provides the flexibility to utilize specialized services as needed, instead of incurring the cost of developing in-house competencies that are not needed on a permanent or continuous basis” ( Manafacturing.net )

No More Personnel Headaches: The outsourcing company is handling all that paperwork and time-consuming documentation; we’re talking HR, payroll, labor relations, 401K, PTO, etc. (If you’ve utilized temp staffing before, you definitely know how helpful it is). This also includes any disciplinary action and liability/insurance issues. The OCM employees will have their schedules, timesheets, and contracts reviewed with them so that they’ll be ready on Day 1 to assist your properties.

Equipment & Tech: The OCM staff provided to you will be trained in the newest and most necessary technologies required to handle emergency calls swiftly and efficiently, eradicating the need for your company to provide training to your in-house team (and the cost of acquisition of said equipment!)

Finally, perhaps the most important advantage of outsourcing is that this is one less thing on your shoulders. You’ll be able to funnel more of that much-needed energy into core business operations and effectivity, so that your property and its personnel can perform at its best.

Humans vs. AI: Are We Obsolete Yet?

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:54:28 GMT

Reviewing the Effects of AI in the General Workforce & Property Management

Are we obsolete yet?

The short answer? No, not yet.

As we all know, AI has been on the rise in the workplace for the last several years. According to a 2022 global study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the adoption of AI for at least one business function has more than doubled since 2017. But what does this mean for the future of job security? Business Insider discusses how most experts agree that AI poses a threat to a handful of jobs, specifically white-collar positions: “It could do so by automating mid-career, mid-ability work.”

Most of the population is aware of what AI is, but what can it do? And what are the incentives for employers to replace employees with this technology? Anu Madgavkar, a partner at the MGI, reminds us that "We have to think about these things as productivity enhancing tools, as opposed to complete replacements.” However, it’s up to each individual business to decide how and at what capacity to integrate AI into their models.

A few pros (out of many) of AI for business models ( via TechTarget )

“Data-driven” decision making: AI’s ability to predict outcomes void of biases and human intuition, thereby coming to accurate conclusions, is highly favorable for a business model.
Minimizing costs: AI’s ability to complete time-consuming and repetitive tasks at a much larger scale (beyond human capacity!) allows businesses to allocate their funds into more important departments and individuals.
Reducing the risk of costly human errors: AI’s ability to improve upon its algorithms and take on tasks prone to administrative error can save businesses thousands of dollars. Not only is AI increasing the quality of the output, but it’s doing so at a pace unmatched by humans. BetterUp predicts that AI has the potential to “lower supply chain costs and drive a 7% increase in global GDP, with market opportunity worth an estimated $6 trillion over the next decade.”

What can’t be replaced by AI?

Due to the unpredictability of human behavior, AI can never fully replace our thinking and skillsets. According to the Department of Labor’s most recent data, soft skills can help us maintain our job security as they will remain in-demand for next ten years. For example:

How we respond to challenges: Innovation, critical thinking, creative approaches to tasks
Interpersonal relation: Think about it—what does a machine lack? BetterUp says “emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and conflict solution” (HR folks, your job security’s looking good!)

In addition, recall that we possess the ability to listen to our clients and coworkers, craft thoughtful responses, and use our nonverbal communication skills to effectively relate with other people. Thus, our cooperative skills will be in high demand. And, despite not being commonly associated with the employment field, empathy and emotional intelligence will elevate us above AI.

Here are five jobs that (probably) won’t be replaced by AI any time soon, based on data from the World Economic Forum:

Agriculture: With a projected growth of 30% in the upcoming 5 years, this is not to say that agriculture roles aren’t utilizing upcoming technologies to enhance their output, but the physicality of the job safeguards it from automation and generative AI.
Human Resources: Calling back to the need for human empathy, motivation, and emotional intelligence; AI is being developed to assist with eliminating some of the repetitive onboarding and hiring processes, but the need for a humane skillset persists.
Medical roles: Undeniably reliant on the many advances in technology, the medical field still requires highly trained individuals who posse that desire to help others, good bedside manner, and the ability to quickly handle unpredictable circumstances.
Psychiatrists/Psychologists: With increased awareness of the mental health crisis in our nation, the thought of a robot counseling something as fragile as an individual’s emotional wellbeing is not preferred. This is another employment field that depends heavily on humans’ empathy and critical thinking skills, which cannot yet be programmed.
Creatives: Artists and writers have been vocalizing their resentment towards AI due to multiple interfaces being programmed to generate art, screenplays, and the like. However, AI lacks “creative complexity” and the ability to approach ideas with uniqueness and individuality.

Don’t fall into one of these categories? Don’t worry. Check out the U.S. Career Institute’s list of 65 Jobs With the Lowest Risk of Automation by Artificial Intelligence and Robots and don’t forget to sharpen up those soft skills!

What does this mean for Property Management?

Firstly, we can all agree that the need for a fast-acting and reliable maintenance team will outlast most if not all AI developments in the coming years. We will always need handymen, contractors, and the like due to their hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, and adaptability. Physical labor like make-ready services and groundskeeping simply cannot be replaced. However, there is new technology that could help simplify a ton of property managers’ daily tasks, so that they can focus more on tenant satisfaction and retention.

DoorLoop's article about AI in the P.M. industry lists the tasks that are benefiting from automation the most as following:

Prospective tenant screening
Rent collecting and optimization (researching market trends to set appropriate rent prices)
Organizing lease agreements and paperwork
Sending reminders about renewals
Providing tenants with a one-stop “portal”
Filling vacancies more efficiently by managing rental listings
Utilizing chatbots for FAQ’s, scheduling showings and appointments, handling complaints, and maintenance requests

These few features (among many) are to be used in tandem with a property manager’s cheerful demeanor and skillset, not to replace it. Automation is being implemented to save time, reduce overhead, and predict tenant/property needs.

Those shopping for apartments are still expecting to be greeted by courteous and helpful leasing agents in your property’s lobby. However, we have seen an increase in properties utilizing AI Leasing Agents, such as the chatbots introduced by LeaseHawk : “If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution to ensure every prospect call, chat, and text is answered, then it’s time to look at a virtual leasing assistant.” Said to help with calls and voicemails when the physical leasing team is busy (lunch breaks, helping residents, after-hours), this AI can book tours, collect tenant/guest information, and ask pre-qualifying questions. However, it is described more as a helpful tool rather than an employee replacement option.

Property management in general has seen a surplus of emerging technologies and software to assist each individual role with the onslaught of tasks required daily, bu t the consensus from experts is that the industry’s security and workforce outlook remains firm.

Ohio Homeownership: Rental Demand & Price Growth

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 19:22:30 GMT

Recapping Ohio's Trends within Single-Home Ownership & Housing Availability

Based on numbers in July of this year, homes in Ohio experienced a 19.9% decline in sales (compared to July of 2022). Research of Ohio’s market has attributed this decrease to multiple facets, such as “higher mortgage interest rates and historically low inventory levels of homes available for sale” (Norada.com, 2023).

In addition, we have seen the average sales price of an Ohio home undergo a 5.4% increase with reference to July of last year—we’re talking almost $290,000 on average for a house. People are still buying homes despite this increase, most likely due to the desire for housing as an informed long-term investment. Realtors are adding emphasis to supplementing additional guidance to uncertain home buyers during these rocky trends. The demand is there—realtors should recognize the need to adapt accordingly.

Higher interest rates:

Now over 7%, interest rates are frightening away a plethora of buyers—Toledo realtor Eddie Campos reminds buyers that "People aren’t out there as much as they would have been because we are now at 7 percent. So, you can always refinance in the future because there is an anticipation by the first quarter, we will see interest rates come down."

The Ohio real estate market is still a seller’s market, but the likelihood of prospective buyers’ offers being approved has increased alongside the elevated rates.

What factors could be contributing to these trends?

Job growth: The state of the economy and increased job opportunities can directly and indirectly affect real estate purchasing power. As of today, the unemployment rate is 3.3% (down .5% from last September).
The economy: Ohio’s gross state product has been slightly increasing at a rate of 1% over the last five years, topping off last year at $620.7 billion. Higher confidence in the economy induces homeowners to spend more for an increase in housing value, amongst other reasons.
Census: More people = more houses. In the long run, an expanding population inspires a greater demand for housing, thus strengthening the real estate market. Ohio has seen a constant growth at an average of .2% per year within the last decade, which leads us to the next topic of discussion: The decrease in home availability, and how this has influenced rental culture.

Ohio’s Lack of Single-Family Homes

According to the Northwest Ohio Realtors July Housing Report, “new listings decreased 29 percent for single-family homes and 27 percent for condo-villa homes since last July.” Additionally, the Pew Research Group reveals that institutional investors purchased nearly 33,000 single family homes in Ohio in 2021 alone—21% of all housing sales within the state (this doubled from 2020.)

Ohio has seen an increase in a new concept deemed “build-to-rent,” brand new subdivisions of single-family rental homes. Thought to be “the solution” to Ohio’s housing crisis by large real estate companies, these homes would offer the aspects of homeowning desired by families who cannot afford the rising mortgage interest rates. Chief Economist at National Association of Home Builders Robert Dietz explains “We know that as a result of COVID, a lot of people wanted a single-family structure. They wanted more space. We estimate that probably about a third of the workforce is working at home, at least a few days a week. All those factors drive demand for the single-family structure. But of course, not everyone can afford those costs.”

These build-to-rent homes are convincing new tenants with their streamlined in-house maintenance, accessible customer service, online rent payment, and growing lists of amenities.

Ohio is nowhere near the brink of a real estate market crash, but potential homebuyers (and realtors!) should keep an eye out for changes in major trends in the market and adjust their expectations accordingly.

Where the Heck is your Leasing Office?!

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:11:34 GMT

Is your Leasing Office a Needle in a Haystack?

From our experiences within the last two weeks, we have come to one conclusion: Columbus area apartments’ leasing offices are often inaccessible or downright closed.

A few days each week, we drive around to Columbus apartments to drop off information regarding our services, especially if we know that they are currently in need of maintenance staffing. So, we set out on the road, generally between 10AM-2PM, during more boring weekday hours to avoid traffic.

So, why is your leasing office closed at 1PM on a Tuesday, despite being listed online as open from 10AM-6PM M-F?!

We have seen mail piled up in front of locked leasing office doors, lights on inside (but locked regardless), and inaccurate “Will Return Later” times more than we care to count. Not only is this a bad look for your properties, but it tells current (and potential!) tenants that you’re not accessible. In addition, we have encountered multiple properties with seemingly hidden or missing on-site leasing offices. While we understand that it’s not always possible to have the office at the forefront of your property, proper signage and descriptions online/over the phone regarding how to find the office are crucial.

Prime example: A prospective tenant calls you about setting up an appointment to view vacant floorplans. This is the perfect opportunity to make them feel valued, as you can save them time driving around the complex by simply giving them a landmark to look for near the leasing office. Wouldn’t you be more inclined to sign a lease in this scenario?

Property managers: Lacking leasing consultants does not send a good message to possible renters. Absent office staff in general poses questions for renters like:

→ Who am I supposed to call for work orders?

→ What if I have questions about rent or amenities?

→ Who is the point of contact about rental-related issues?

Unanswered questions oftentimes point your prospective tenants into the leasing office of another property.

Scenario #2: A traveling worker is moving to a new city and is interested in your apartment complex. They decide to drive over an hour to the leasing office, which is listed as open on your Google Business Profile and website. However, your only leasing agent called off for the day. Your prospect finds an empty office and feels that their valuable time is wasted, so they drive to a neighboring property instead. In addition, they are more likely to not recommend you to their friends and additional coworkers who are relocating.

We’ve driven around in circles during our time marketing, trying to find accessible parking or any signs pointing us to a leasing office. There have been multiple times where we gave up and drove away. Your tenants will feel that their needs are unimportant to you, and what’s stopping them from choosing another rental instead of reupping their lease at the end of their contract?

Your staff.

The right person in that leasing office chair during the hours necessary to serve your tenants is what will differentiate you from other properties. An accessible and welcoming leasing office is how you will attract more tenants. We have seen how much these principles have been neglected in the community, and it truly reflects on their businesses!

If you're struggling to find trained, quality staffing, we are here to help! Use the contact page above to reach out for information regarding our staffing services and training shops.

Property Management Marketing in 2023

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:51:05 GMT

Adapting New Marketing Trends to Property Management

Like most other industries today, the approach to marketing within the property management industry has changed significantly. 2023 has seen rentals grow in popularity due to consumers’ eagerness to travel, change jobs, and relocate; it’s time to employ new marketing strategies that can elevate your properties above the competition.

Social Media Presence: The Key to Building Brand Recognition

Consider any first-time renter: What do you picture? The most common market for potential tenants is young adults emerging into the workforce or pursuing a degree at a university. In 2022, 18-year-old teenagers consumed social media for more than 8 hours a day. How many times could they have scrolled past an ad for your property during this time, and how much would your content influence their decision for a new apartment?

Creating a strong brand image across all rentals will promote memorability and customer retention through logos, similar colors and themes, and marketing materials. In addition, the likelihood of your content being seen across platforms such as Instagram and Facebook can increase with the use of trendy music/audio, aesthetically pleasing imagery such as interior designs, relevant hashtags, and customer testimonies. The ease with which a young adult can forward a ten second TikTok video of a prospective property’s amenities and tenant benefits to a future roommate can elevate your listings to the top of their consideration.

Keep in mind that especially young adults expect fast and accessible information about listings at their fingertips, so avoid overly complex content and confusing webpages. Make sure that you highlight what differentiates you from other local competitors or communities and offer reliable customer service.

Customer Reviews: Protect your Reputation

Tenant acquisition and retention across all age demographics can now more than ever be affected by negative customer reviews, so making a great first (and last) impression is crucial for word-of-mouth recommendation and return renters.

Approximately 74% of all renters read between one and ten reviews before reaching a decision on their new rental – 64% said that they would pay more for a property with high reviews. Try to handle bad reviews courteously, customizing your responses to each unique situation and reaching a solution with your unhappy tenant, before a future renter decides against your property due to a negative review. The obvious here is that practicing proactivity—handling any issues as they arise, before they escalate to negative reviews—is the best policy. Any persisting reviews should be handled with urgency and importance: The only thing worse than a negative review is one that remains unanswered by the property.

SEO & Buzzwords

On top of pushing out consistent and attractive media, maintaining a website and socials with relevant content can expand the reach of your properties. Similar to hashtags, key phrases and buzzwords in your content increases the likelihood of your brand being suggested or shown within search engine searches. Utilize a blog space on your website or social media captions to include content that is trendy or popular within the rental market while focusing on which audiences you are trying to target. Don’t forget to utilize Google Analytics or Meta (Facebook & Instagram) for Business to better comprehend your outreach—this will help you and your team to understand which aspects of your strategy to tweak in order to achieve desired outcomes.

Keeping up with the current marketing trends in property management will enable you to expand the scope of your outreach for new renters and increase your chances of returning clientele as well.

How the Apartment Industry Has Changed During the Pandemic

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:12:28 GMT

How The Pandemic Changed the Apartment Industry

The Pandemic has changed the way that many business industries run. While some businesses can easily adapt to this change, others are having a harder time and even though it may seem like things are getting back to normal, covid is far from over. The apartment industry had to adapt to social distancing during the pandemic and while many leasing offices are up and running again for now, they have definitely changed. Below are a few ways that the pandemic has changed the apartment industry and how you can make sure your community can stay afloat during these hard times.

Leasing Style

Before the pandemic there were not very many communities that had online leasing and touring options only. When non-essential workers were put on lockdown, leasing agents were no longer in the office and while some were able to work from home, others were laid off and went on unemployment. Instead of prospective residents being able to go to communities, speak with an agent, and tour their future home, they could only do it over the phone and the tours were on their computer screens. Now that leasing offices are open again, many communities do not have the number of staff that they had before. Prospective residents are coming to communities to speak with agents but might have to wait an hour before they find someone available to talk to, yet alone tour. This can be very off putting, and these prospects will most likely move on before your agent has the time to get to them, leaving you with more and more vacancies as the months go on.

Hiring more agents may seem like the easy answer to this problem, but that is a struggle in its own. Many apartment complexes are trying to hire the same experienced leasing agents that you are, and it can be very time consuming and draining to compete for the small number of applicants there are. With a lot of people opting to stay on unemployment, even the pool of unexperienced applicants is hard to obtain any interviews and real leads. If you can get a leasing agent that is experienced that is fantastic, however, that will be unlikely. Therefore, training is something that will have to be a priority and with the low number of staff communities have and how time consuming it can be, that doesn’t seem to be something they are heavily focusing on. You may think that an untrained agent is better than no agent, but untrained agents can turn off a prospective resident just as quickly as waiting for someone to help them can. A good solution to your problem in the interim while you look for qualified agents would be to hire a temporary staffing company that specializes in leasing. Leasing Temporaries is an apartment staffing company that trains all their agents, so you don’t have to, and they even have temp-to-hire options if you find someone that is a great fit. Hiring an agent temporarily can decrease vacancies while you look for your permanent agent.

Maintenance Technicians

The amount of maintenance technicians in the apartment industry have been decreasing for some time, however, the pandemic led to a lot of people leaving the industry and staying on unemployment. While maintenance techs were considered essential workers, many were still laid off and now communities are scrambling trying to find people to finish the piling work orders their property has. Not having enough maintenance workers can lead to very unhappy residents, slower apartment turnover and more vacancies. It is a difficult task to find qualified maintenance workers since you definitely need individuals with experience and training. Leasing Temporaries can also be a solution for maintenance workers since they temporarily staff apartments with these trained technicians as well. While your apartment might be able to get by without leasing, maintenance is something that needs to be continuously staffed. Using Leasing Temporaries to help keep up with work orders, get apartments move in ready and keep your grounds looking clean and beautiful while you look for your permanent hires is a great way to keep things running smoothly at your multifamily residences.

While the apartment industry has changed during the pandemic, and finding staff has become a much harder task, that doesn’t mean that your complex is doomed to suffer. Even though it is ideal to find your own permanent staff, its okay to get help when it comes to the survival of your business. If you temporarily staff your multifamily residence with Leasing Temporaries’ leasing and maintenance, your vacancies can go down and you can get back to the thriving community you had before the pandemic hit.

Leasing Temporaries LLC

(614)987-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

How a Toxic Employee Can Sink a Business or Team

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 14:43:54 GMT

How a Toxic Employee Can Sink Your Business

There are many underlying causes that can lead to the failure of a business or team. While many may be obvious to the business owner, there are some that might not catch their eye as an issue that could derail the success of the entire company. Toxic employees are one of the detrimental aspects of a business that an owner may not see as a catalyst for their failure until it is too late. Toxic employees create a bad atmosphere for the entire business by lowering morale, creating tension between workers and their boss, and reducing employee productivity. Business owners need to make sure their managers are aware of toxic employees and report their behavior so it can be dealt with in a timely manner.

There are different types of toxic employees, and each should be dealt with in a different way. Below is a list of common types and how they should be handled.

The Grumpy Nay-Sayer

This is an employee that you must watch out for because they are hot-tempered and completely detrimental to the morale of everyone in your company. Even though they spend most of their time trying to find something to complain to their co-workers about, they get extremely defensive when management questions their productivity. If you notice an employee exhibiting these behaviors, you may also notice a decline in effort and job enjoyment from the people around them. If you wait too long, this employee will try to get others on their side and taint the good employees that you once had.

The best way to handle this employee is have a meeting with them as soon as this behavior is noticed. Make it clear that this behavior is intolerable and put them on probation. If the behavior continues, this type of employee must be terminated. If they are terminated quick enough, you should notice an almost immediate improvement of morale.

The Gossiper

To get through the day, this employee spreads scandals throughout the workplace to her colleagues. Everyone knows they can’t be trusted with secrets, but they always seem to find them out anyways. This employee is usually harmless but can be dangerous if they spread rumors that lead to conflict in the office. Most gossipers are trying to pass the time and don’t spread anything with malicious intent, the ones who do are terrible for the company.

A good way to handle a gossiper is to talk to them privately and let them know that they can talk, but they also need to spend more time worrying about their work rather than their colleagues personal lives. This should improve the work of the harmless gossiper. If the gossiper has other toxic traits and is malicious, there might have to be a conversation about termination if it affects those around them. Malicious gossipers will say anything they hear and even make up rumors for their enjoyment, this can negatively affect everyone involved in their time-passing game.

The Overachiever

You may think that having an overachiever on your staff is a good thing, but it can negatively affect your company if they are not handled correctly. This employee will take on every project that you have, meet deadlines, and does fantastic work. While they themselves are great employees, the other employees tend to have less workload and have a harder time learning new skills since the overachiever always takes them on. The other employees feel demotivated by their competitive attitude and tend to stop trying to keep up with them at all.

To offset the problems that come along with having this employee on your team, you need to make sure to be aware of the workloads that each employee is taking on and give everyone equal opportunities to progress. There are many strengths to having someone like this working for you, but the effect it has on the other employees needs to be taken into consideration as well for the success of your business.

The Excuse Making Procrastinator

The excuses for why their work is never done seem to pile up until you realize something can’t be right here. When they turn in their work, late as usual, it never seems like they spent much time on it at all. They are the “my dog ate my homework” of the workforce and after a while you stop giving them big projects because you know it will not get done on time or correctly.

While this employee doesn’t usually effect those around them, they have to be dealt with since they are still on your payroll. Schedule a performance review with them and talk to them about the expectations they aren’t meeting. If you don’t see improvements being made, this employee will most likely have to be terminated. Unless you are fine with giving someone a paycheck for nothing, these employees have got to go if they don’t change.

The Bully

Sometimes it is hard for management to spot a bully because they tend to hide their actions from those that can reprimand their behavior. Bullies will usually demean their coworkers and throw them under the bus so they can get promotions, they want to be in a position of power. These workers will make the other employees miserable and effect office morale. They are especially toxic when they get promoted and begin to bully the employees they now manage. The bully will diminish and insult everyone they can and get away with it if it isn’t stopped.

It is your responsibility to stop this behavior in its tracks if it is ever seen. If you witness a manager bullying employees, they must be reprimanded immediately. These employees can turn physically violent, so the behavior cannot continue, or it may reach that point. When dealing with a bully it is important to get HR involved, you do not want to handle this person alone if they are dangerous. Bullies will most likely have to be terminated, their conduct should not be tolerated, or you will have an unsafe working environment. However, on the lower end of the bullying scale, such as snide comments, this can be fixed by having a conversation about how to treat those they work with. Make them aware that you noticed this behavior and that they should be respectful of their colleagues’ ideas, this should stop this kind of bully from continuing this behavior.

Have a Positive Outlook

When you have one toxic employee, it is easy to start scrutinizing the behaviors of every employee you have. While it is good to recognize the toxic traits employees may exhibit, it is important to not be on the hunt for anything that can deem an employee toxic. This can lead to a bad work environment and cause the employees to have a negative view of you and your company. Dealing with toxic employees is very important, but don’t let it consume you to the point of driving out the good employees you have. The toxic employees usually show their true colors eventually, so stay positive and the good ones will stick with you.

Leasing Temporaries LLC

(614)986-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

Why Having Trained Leasing Agents is Essential

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:01:49 GMT

How Having a Trained Leasing Agent Can Help Your Apartment Community

There are many important aspects when running an apartment community that landlords must be on top of to keep the residence profitable. One of the most important is keeping vacancies low. To do this, there needs to be more tenants coming in then there are leaving. There are numerous factors that affect the vacancy percentage, but one of the biggest is the people who fill your leasing agent positions. Leasing agents are a huge part of signing new leases and renewing current ones. The success of your property heavily relies on how good your leasing agents are, so it is important for them to be thoroughly trained.

What is a Leasing Agent?

A leasing agent is an employee at a multifamily residence that interacts with future residents and tries to get them to sign a lease with the property. The agent should know how to correctly communicate over email, phone and in person with the future resident. When an agent is trained, they have knowledge of how to close leases that many other agents do not have. It is vital that the agent makes the future resident feel comfortable and safe with them and the community to get them to sign the lease. Having a great leasing agent can significantly decrease the vacancies within your property. However, having a bad leasing agent can lead to an increase in the vacancies, which means much less revenue your property can generate.

How a Trained Leasing Agent Can Improve Your Community

Less Vacancies

It is the job of the leasing agent to fill the vacancies within your apartment community. How your leasing agent performs their duties effects how well your property will do. Therefore, having trained leasing agents can decrease your properties vacancy rate and lead to more profit. Trained leasing agents will know how to talk to future residents on the phone, in person and take them on a tour of the property in a way that makes the future resident feel safe, comfortable and welcome. Having leasing agents that know how to treat the future residents and make them feel like your property could be their home is necessary for any property owner that wants to make sure that they are able to fill vacancies.

More Revenue

Having a leasing agent that is trained can greatly increase your properties revenue. This is because there will be a decrease in vacancy loss. Annual vacancy lost is an estimate that property owners can take into consideration to make sure that they preserve their bottom line. The national vacancy rate average is 6.6%, and depending on how your property is run, this percentage can be much higher or lower. For example, if the annual gross income of a property is $1,000,000 then the average vacancy loss for that apartment community would be $66,000. That vacancy percentage is not set in stone year to year at your property, so having trained leasing agents can help to keep the vacancy loss as low as possible for a given year. If your property has agents that don’t know what they are doing, that vacancy rate can get much higher, which will significantly decrease the revenue that your property is bringing in. The good news is, if you need to work on your vacancy rate, having trained agents is an easy implementation that you can make.

Training Leasing Agents

There are options when it comes to getting leasing agents that are trained. Below are a few ways that you can have trained leasing agents at your property.

Train Leasing Agents Yourself

One of the ways that you can have trained leasing agents at your property is by hiring someone to train your agents or training them yourself. It can be time consuming and expensive, and having someone on payroll to train the agents might not be feasible. A good option instead would be to have your agents trained by an outside company that has a training program already set up. Leasing Temporaries is a company that can train your leasing agents, both in person and online. This is a great option for anyone that needs to train their leasing agents since you would not have to come up with the curriculum and you can train agents at different times during the year.

Hire Trained Agents

Another great way to have trained agents at your multifamily residence would be to hire agents that have already been trained. Leasing Temporaries is a temporary staffing agency that trains all their agents before they come to your community. They have temporary and temp-to-hire options, making them a great resource to help your residence get staffed with trained leasing agents.

Having trained leasing agents is vital to a property owner of a multi-family residence. Not having trained agents can lead to more vacancies and less lease renewals, making your property much less profitable than it could be. Vacancy loss is an occurrence that is expected in any apartment, however, your leasing agent plays a significant roll in the percentage of vacancies there are. If you are an owner of a multi-family residence who needs to decrease vacancies, one of the first steps that you should take is getting a trained leasing agent in your office so they can use their knowledge to close leases for your apartment community.

Leasing Temporaries, LLC

(614)986-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

How to Combat the Maintenance Shortage at Your Multifamily Residence

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 14:54:50 GMT

How to Combat the Maintenance Shortage at Your Apartment Community

Maintenance technicians are vital for the sustainability of any apartment community, and the shortage of these workers is a problem that is not easy to solve. Apartment maintenance handles the upkeep of multifamily residences. This can cover a wide range of repair work, including plumbing, HVAC, appliance repair, grounds keeping, pest control and much more. The overall goal of maintenance at a multifamily residence is to make sure that the buildings remain livable, safe, and comfortable for the residents. The lack of maintenance technicians in the industry can lead to major issues in these residences since they rely on these workers to keep their community running. In the past 20 years there have been many generational, societal, and economic factors that have contributed to the decline of people going into this profession. This can cause a huge burden on apartment communities and lead to major problems that can affect the success of the property. Even though this issue can take more time to solve then apartment property owner’s have, there are some solutions that can help the communities stay sustainable and increase the rate of worker’s going into the profession in the future.

Reasons For the Shortage of Maintenance Technicians

Below are a few reasons why there is a shortage of maintenance technicians for apartment communities to hire.

College Promoted over Trade Schools

Newer generations are now brought up to believe that the best thing to do once they are out of high school is to go to college and get a four-year degree. According to PBS NewsHour , the U.S. is now in dire need of tradespeople because of the lack of people entering the workforce going into this profession. With the effort that has been put into encouraging high school graduates to go to college rather than for training in industrial and other trades, many fields are facing major worker shortages. Now that there is such a great shortage, there are campaigns trying to revive the vocational education reputation. For example, California is spending $6 million on a campaign and $200 million to improve the delivery of it.

Since there have been a lack of promotion in trade schools in recent years, finding maintenance workers for apartment communities is becoming increasingly difficult. Technical programs that focus on training those individuals graduating from high school provide the skills that these apartment’s need to keep them running. Even though states are trying to remedy the reputation of going to trade school, that does not change the lack of people in this industry today and the negative affects it has caused for apartment communities across the country.

Lack of Interest

Since there was such a push for people to go to college rather than trade school, it has created a disinterest in going into the maintenance industry. Maintenance technician roles have been presented to new generations as less lucrative and secure than jobs that require a 4-year degree. This misconception has created a bad reputation for trade schools. Also, with the advancement of technology, many are not willing to have a job that is so physical and would rather work in other sides of business. Therefore, it makes it much less likely for recent high school graduates to consider going into maintenance.

Retire Rate higher than Rate of New Prospects

Another reason that there is a shortage in maintenance for multifamily residences is that many people in the industry are at retiring age. So, there is not only a lack of new prospects, but the experienced people in the industry that make up a lot of the workers are on their way out. This is a huge factor in the lack of trade workers because the inflow and outflow rate of people can not meet the needs of all the communities across the US.

Solutions for Apartment Communities in need of Maintenance Technicians

Even though there is a problematic shortage of maintenance technicians for apartment communities, there are solutions that can help your residences combat this situation.

Technical Training

While it may be an expensive endeavor, having a system where you train new hires to work maintenance for your community could help to increase the likelihood of your residences having sufficient maintenance technicians. The upfront costs may not seem feasible, but it may be worth it if finding maintenance is a constant struggle for your community. In the long run, having constant maintenance workers can increase tenant retention rate, which in turn means more profit for your property.

Hire Retired Maintenance Technicians as Trainers

If training maintenance technicians seems like a good option for your property, then hiring a retired maintenance technician is a great way to train these new hires. You can even keep your senior maintenance technicians on by offering them this role when they are about to retire. These technicians will end up being a great asset to your property for not only training, but consulting since they will have many years of knowledge to pull from.

Temporary Maintenance Staff

A really good option to combat the maintenance shortage would be to use a temporary staffing company to fill your maintenance technician positions. It would be important to find a staffing company that specializes in maintenance, there are even companies that are specifically centered around apartment maintenance! Maintenance is a very important part of having a safe apartment community, so it is imperative that you do research on the company that you are planning on receiving temporary maintenance workers from. Leasing Temporaries is a temporary staffing company that places temporary leasing agents and maintenance technicians into multifamily residences, they even have temp to hire options! This is a great example of a good staffing agency for filling apartment maintenance workers because all their workers are trained before they come to your community. There are even ways to convert these technicians to your payroll full time if they fit well with your property. This is a good option because you can take time looking for permanent technicians instead of having to hire one quick. Your property deserves the best, and when you have to rush to hire technician, they may not always be high quality.

The maintenance technician shortage is causing a lot of issues for multifamily residences across the country. There are many reasons that the shortage exists, but also many ways to make sure your community finds technicians so that your residents stay safe and comfortable.

Leasing Temporaries, LLC

(614)986-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

Why it is Hard to Find Good Employees

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:22:16 GMT

No matter the industry, finding talented and qualified employees can be a difficult task for many companies. The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the difficulty of this essential aspect for many businesses. This unprecedented situation has severely impacted finding workers by limiting the pool of applicants, especially qualified individuals. This can put a huge burden on employers and hurt their business greatly. Below are a few ways that Covid-19 has made finding good employees even harder.

The Effect Covid-19 Has Had on Employment

Unemployment Benefits

Many people were placed on unemployment during the pandemic because their company was unable to conduct business. Now that businesses have been opening back up, many people are choosing to stay on unemployment because of the benefits rather then go back to work. People who work 40 hours a week on minimum wage make around $400 a week. However, these people can make $525 a week on unemployment, causing unemployment to be much more attractive for these entry level individuals. Even people that could make more by working decide to stay on unemployment because not having to work for their income is more convenient. This can put a huge strain on employers and finding good entry level employees is much more difficult at this time. Employers are either having to raise their wages to attract good employees or accept anyone who is willing to work for them.

Experience

The pandemic has created an immense gap in employment for many people. A full year of work can develop a lot of knowledge and experience for employees, those who could not work during this time have lost this experience. Employers are now getting applications from people who have not worked during this time and it creates a lower level of talent across the board. Inexperienced workers can cause companies to have to spend more time and money on training them so they can be efficient in their position. Since so many people now have this gap, it puts a burden on these companies to hire more inexperienced workers then ever before.

Workplace Environment

During quarantine, there were many companies that moved to a remote work environment. While this works well for many people, not every employee is going to be as efficient from home. Now, many companies are choosing to stay remote and not every good worker is going to be able to adjust to this environment. This places a new burden on employers because not only are they having to help the workers they currently have who are struggling with working from home, they now have a smaller group of people they can hire because they need to find people who can work from home efficiently.

How a Staffing Agency Can Help

Covid-19 has made finding good workers even harder than before and having to tackle these obstacles is very taxing and can negatively affect a lot of companies. However, there is a way that employers can combat this! A temporary staffing agency can send trained, experienced workers to your business and fill needed positions until you find someone new to permanently hire. Some staffing agencies even have temp-to-hire options so that you can permanently hire their staff if they fit well in the position they filled. The following are ways that staffing agencies can help businesses find good employees.

Save Time

With less people in the work force, it can take more time to find good employees. Staffing agencies already have employees that are ready to work for you. This can save you time because you will not have to worry about filling the position quickly. Staffing agencies help you to find the right employee to permanently hire because you can take your time and evaluate multiple candidates with the right experience. Staffing agencies that have temp-to-hire options can save you even more time if you decide to hire the temporary agent permanently.

Save Money

Do you know that the recruitment process can cost you a lot of money? The average cost to replace a salaried employee is six to nine months of the employee’s salary. That is why it is essential that you choose an experienced one. A staffing agency will save you from background and screen-testing costs. You can fully depend on the staffing agency to get skilled and trained employees. This is an advantage for you since you will save on the training costs. The staffing agencies have workers who are experienced in performing the training. This is where companies like Leasing Temporaries can be beneficial as they will train those employees before placing them with you.

Research

It is important to make sure that you research the staffing agency before you pick them because not every staffing agency will be the same. There are some staffing agencies that are specialized and others that can be placed in multiple industries. When using a staffing agency that fills roles in different industries, it will be more likely that they are not experts in the field that you need them for. Therefore, choosing a specialized staffing agency is necessary if you want a temp who is proficient at their job. However, not every specialized staffing agency is equal. Many agencies treat their agents as warm bodies to be placed and they will not take the time to train them properly. Choosing a temp from a staffing agency that trains all their employees to be experts in their industry is important to gain the benefits of using a temporary staffing agency. Leasing Temporaries is a property management staffing agency that trains all their employees so they can better serve their clients’ needs and perform above and beyond the other agencies. With the difficulty of finding good employees becoming a huge burden, let staffing agencies help your business, you will not regret it!

Life as a Leasing Agent

Mon, 17 May 2021 14:18:26 GMT

Life as a Leasing Agent

Life as a leasing agent is never boring. With a combination of working in an office space and touring rental properties, this working environment creates new experiences every day. Working as a leasing agent is a great job for anyone wanting a career in the real estate industry, especially property management. The leasing agent is responsible for leasing apartments and rental properties to prospective agents. There are many tasks that the leasing agent must know how to perform adequately to fulfill this objective. Working for a temporary agency that trains leasing agents, such as Leasing Temporaries, is a great way to start as a leasing agent. Leasing Temporaries will set you up for success by giving you in depth training before you ever step onto a property as a temporary leasing agent.

The property management industry in the United States generates about $88 Billion in revenue and there are roughly 281,345 property management companies in the U.S. With an employee turnover rate of 33%, far higher than the national average of 22%, property management is a great industry to have a career in. Starting as a leasing agent will help you to gain significant experience that will propel your career in this field. If you are someone with great communication skills, enjoy talking to people, have a positive attitude and want to get into property management, working as a leasing agent could be an amazing opportunity for you.

What Do Leasing Agents Do?

The main objective of the leasing agent is to get prospective residents to sign a lease for the rental property. Seeing every prospective resident as a future resident is key. Working at a temporary staffing agency that trains their leasing agents to be proficient in their closing skills is the best way to learn how to do the job properly. Leasing Temporaries trains their staff to be efficient leasing agents and know how to conquer any circumstance that comes their way. Below are daily facets of the job that any leasing agent should be trained in:

> Handling Telephone Inquiries

While in the office, a leasing agent should expect to get phone calls daily. While some will be from current residents who have questions, need maintenance, etc., the leasing agent has the responsibility of handling calls from future residents. A leasing agent needs to know how to talk to future residents on the phone to get a close on a lease. There will be many telephone inquiries from interested future residents wanting to know more about the property. The main objective for the leasing agent while on a call with a future resident is to “close” on an appointment to show them the property. Proper telephone etiquette training can teach the leasing agent how to get appointments for the future resident to come see the property, which is essential to close on a lease.

> Replying to Email Inquiries

Another task that a leasing agent should be expected to have to perform daily is replying to emails from future resident. It is important for a leasing agent to be trained in replying to email inquiries. Future residents that contact a property via email are highly interested in the property, yet 70% of these leads are never contacted! Replying to these emails as soon as possible is crucial to getting a close. When online future residents are called back within an hour the closing success rate is 93%. After just 8 hours, the rate falls to an 84% failure rate. This is why it is so important to get in touch with these leads immediately and be trained in proper email etiquette. Setting an appointment, closing on a lease, getting relevant information and much more can be done with a future resident using email communication and the internet, making it a key learning objective for leasing agents.

> Showing the Property

When a future resident arrives for an appointment, the leasing agent is expected to tour the property with them. No matter if the property is residential or commercial, a leasing agent must know how to show the property so they can close on the lease. Leasing agents need to be prepared for the possibly of tours every day, whether appointments have been set for the day or not. This is important because you never know when a last-minute appointment will be set or when you will have a walk in. Knowing which unit(s) will be shown and making sure that they are clean and presentable is a responsibility of the leasing agent and they should check these units every morning for proper upkeep. Being trained on how to plan your tour route, property curb appeal, showing your target units, and getting the property market ready is pivotal for any successful leasing agent. Some critical success factors when showing a property include being on time, looking presentable, making sure the property is presentable, and having extensive knowledge on the property.

> Gathering Information on Site

The most important part of the job of any leasing agent is when the front door opens and a future resident walks in. From the time the future resident enters the community, their impression of the property, management company and employees depend on the leasing agent. Seems like a lot of pressure, right? Don’t worry, being properly trained on greeting future residents will prepare you for when they come through the door. After greeting the future resident, it is important to have them fill out a guest registration card. The guest registration card will provide the information needed to determine the future resident’s needs, ensure they meet the rental qualification criteria, and serve as documentation for fair housing. Knowing how to properly gather information from a future resident while they are coming to see the property is necessary to be trained in so the future resident can have a comfortable experience while meeting with the leasing agent.

>Overcoming Objections

While interacting with future residents, a leasing agent can expect to come across objections that the future resident has with the property. An objection is any obstacle or concern that can prevent the closing of the lease. Objections occur when there are doubts or unanswered questions in the mind of the future resident. Knowing how to handle objections and ease the mind of the future resident is something that every leasing agent should be expected to get trained in. If trained properly, a leasing agent will know many types of objections and how to talk through them with the future resident in a way that removes the objection as an obstacle for the closing of the lease.

> Closing

From the first moment a leasing agent makes contact with the future resident (whether it be on the telephone, through email, or on site), closing begins. Everything done during the leasing process is leading to the close. With training, a leasing agent will acquire key knowledge that enables them to become a successful closer. Knowing different closing methods and how to converse with future residents is essential. Closing leases is the leasing agent’s job, extensive training on the closing process and the steps leading to the close will help you to excel as a leasing agent.

How to Become a Trained Leasing Agent

Now that you know what the daily life of a leasing agent entails, you probably realize that being trained for this role is pivotal for success. While some companies will accept temporary or even full-time leasing agents with little or no training, training can help you stand out from other leasing agents, keep your job, and even move up in the property management industry. One of the best ways to start as a leasing agent is to work for a temporary agency that specializes in property management. A temporary agency will help you to gain experience and network with many different properties since you will be placed at different properties regularly. When looking for a temp agency that specializes in property management, it is important to ask them if they train their leasing agent. Surprisingly, a lot of companies view their temporary leasing agents as warm bodies to place in properties with very little or no training. However, Leasing Temporaries is a company that values their staff and clients, so they make sure every leasing agent gets paid training before they place them into any property. Leasing Temporaries even offers training services to properties that want to train their current leasing agent(s). Becoming a trained leasing agent is important to close leases with future residents and fulfill the responsibilities needed for any leasing agent to excel.

Start Your Life as a Leasing Agent Now!

If the exciting life of a leasing agent seems like a great fit for you, there is no reason to wait. The sooner you apply for a temporary staffing agency or full time leasing agent position, the sooner you will start your dream job. Just remember, training is the key to success and growth within this industry, do not sell yourself short. The only thing standing in the way of you having this amazing position is you, start today!

Leasing Temporaries, LLC

Managing Owner: Shelly Gray

(614)986-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

A Career in Property Management

Fri, 07 May 2021 17:49:05 GMT

If you are looking to break into a new career, property management could be the right direction for you.

If you are looking to break into a new career, property management could be the right direction for you. A property manager is a person that specializes in ensuring that rental properties are operating efficiently within the guidelines given to them by the property owner. Property managers not only have to fulfill the needs of the owner, but also the residents. Making sure to know everything about the property, whether it is commercial or residential, is essential for the success of any property manager. There are roughly 281,345 property management companies in the United States, making it a career with ample opportunities for anyone willing to put in the work.

With an annual employee turnover rate of 33%, well above the U.S. national average rate of 22%, there are ample opportunities to prosper in this field. As of December 4, 2020, the average annual salary for a Property Manager in the United States is $47,036. Sounds like a great career to get into, right? If you are someone with drive, a good attitude, great communication skills, and are willing to get the experience needed, property management could be the right career for you.

What Do Property Managers Do?

The main goal of any property manager is to make sure that everything is operating smoothly within the rental property daily. There are many aspects that must be taken care of by the property manager to keep the property running. The following is a list of some of the tasks you can expect to be responsible for as a property manager:

> Take Care of Residents

Making sure that residents are taken care of is a crucial part of being a property manager. If a resident has faulty equipment or they need a repair, the property manager needs to make sure that they have maintenance fix these inconveniences so the resident can use the amenities in the property. Keeping the property presentable is also key to keeping residents happy. Maintaining flowers, keeping the grass mowed and making sure there is no trash on the property will help cultivate a good relationship with residents.

> Closing on Future Residents

Depending on the size of the property, the property manager might also take on the role of a leasing agent. Usually, if the property has more than 200 residents, the property manager will focus on the duties needing to be done after the lease is signed. However, in smaller properties, property managers might have to secure future residents. To close on future residents, you must know how to handle telephone inquiries, reply to emails, get appointments to show the property and show the property to the future resident. When starting out in property management it is important to get trained in these areas. Leasing Temporaries is a great example of a company that trains their staff before they ever get a temporary job as a property manager or leasing agent.

 Handling Telephone Inquiries

The objective of a successful property manager while handling telephone inquiries from a future resident is to gather information, establish a relationship, and set an appointment for the future resident to come and see the property. To meet these objectives, the property manager needs to be professionally trained in telephone etiquette, have a positive attitude and have extensive knowledge on their property.

 Replying to Email Inquiries

It is important for a property manager that also handles leasing to be trained in replying to email inquiries. Future residents that contact a property via email are highly interested in the property, yet 70% of these leads are never contacted! Replying to these emails as soon as possible is crucial to getting a close. When online future residents are called back within an hour the closing success rate is 93%. After just 8 hours, the rate falls to an 84% failure rate. This is why it is so important to get in touch with these leads immediately and be trained in proper email etiquette.

 Showing the Property

No matter if the property is residential or commercial, a property manager knowing how to show the property is key to closing on the lease. Being trained on how to plan your tour route, property curb appeal, showing your target units, and getting the property market ready is pivotal for anyone wanting to have a successful career in property management. Some critical success factors when showing a property include being on time, looking presentable, making sure the property is presentable, and having extensive knowledge on the property.

 Closing

From the first moment that you contact the future resident, closing begins. Everything done during the leasing process is leading to the close. With training, a property manager can acquire key knowledge that enables them to become a successful closer. Knowing different closing methods and how to converse with future residents is something that property managers should be trained on if they want to have a good career in this field.

> Setting Rent

One of the most common jobs that the landlord passes to the property manager is setting the rent. As a property manager, you must know the property, the area and prices of the comparable properties that are close. Having this information allows you to make an informed decision on what the rent should be to draw in tenants and make a profit.

> Collecting Rent

Setting up an appropriate system for collecting rent from residents is a task the property manager must handle. Usually there is a collection date the residents must pay their rent by and it is the property manager’s job to make sure everyone pays their rent. Evictions are the responsibility of the property manager as well so keeping track or rent payment and knowing eviction laws is prudent in this career.

> Managing the Budget

A property manager must manage the budget for the property and make sure to keep important financial records. Being able to manage the budget is crucial for turning a profit on any property. Property managers should have knowledge in accepted accounting practices for accurate bookkeeping, tax and investment purposes. Records kept by the property manager should include all income and expense; a list of inspections, signed leases, maintenance requests, complaints, records of repairs, cost of repairs, maintenance costs, and a record of rent collection.

How to Become a Property Manager?

Now that you know what a property manager is and the responsibilities you would have to take on, it is important to know how to become a property manager. Qualifications can vary depending on the property and the employer’s needs. Below are a few ways you can build your resume and stand out from other applicant’s when applying for a role in property management:

> Take Real Estate Courses

Going to a vocational school and taking real estate classes can help develop your credibility as a property manager. Getting a certificate, such as a real estate license, can help to boost your resume and signals to the employer that you know what you are doing.

> Experience

Having previous experience with jobs related to property management, such as a leasing agent, can help you break into the property management world. Gaining experience helps you to develop knowledge about property management and build a network of people that you know within the industry. Temporary property management staffing agencies, such as Leasing Temporaries, can give you great experience and training that will help your career path.

> Education

Some employers will hire a property manager with only a high school diploma, some will not. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, it is ok! That is where experience, training and taking real estate courses can help push you further in this industry. Starting out as a temp and Leasing Temporaries can give you the training, experience and network needed to succeed in the industry. Having a degree can help, but experience, a vast network and in-depth training can put you above the rest.

Get Started Now!

If property management seems like the career for you, do not wait. The sooner you start gaining experience, the sooner you will become a property manager. Starting as a temp at a place like Leasing Temporaries can help kick start your career in this industry. Apply to other related jobs and build your network. With high turnover rate, you can become a property manager quickly if you take the right steps. The only person standing between you and your dream career is you, start today!

(614)986-7590

info@leasingtemps.com

www.leasingtemps.com

Benefits of Using a Property Management Staffing Agency

Fri, 07 May 2021 17:34:07 GMT

Benefits of Using a Property Management Staffing Agency

Owning and investing in rental properties is a great financial endeavor as the ROI can be quite phenomenal. The U.S. property management industry generates about $88 Billion in revenue annually. If you are a new investor, do you want to take on the day-to-day management of that investment? In most cases the answer is no. There is good news though! You can hire a property management firm to take care of your property and the tenants. Property managers can manage everything from single-family residences to apartment complexes, shopping malls, and private business buildings—basically any type of building that the owner does not have the ability or desire to look after in person. Choosing the right management company is not easy. The process requires skill and experience to ensure that the tenants follow the rules and regulations and that you get that return you are looking for on your investment. How can you know that a specific company has the experience needed to handle the property? Or where can you find a good firm to manage the property? There are roughly 281,345 property management companies in the United States.

The annual employee turnover rate in property management stands at 33%, far higher than the average national rate of 22%. You may not have been aware of these statistics, but they are worth mentioning because combined with the fact that the average property manager is nearing retirement at 50 years old, it is not an exaggeration to say that our industry is heading towards a serious talent crunch. Property management companies are struggling to find and retain good skilled employees today. 7 out of 10 apartment communities are reporting that they have at least one opening on their team. Many are looking to staffing agencies to help fill that gap. The Staffing agencies work by connecting potential candidates with clients who do not have enough time and money to get the job done right. By providing the goals and needs of your property, the staffing agency will recruit property management staff based on your criteria.

Who Is A Property Management Staffing Agency?

A staffing agency is an organization that helps property owners to recruit the best candidates for managing their properties. In other words, the agency acts as a middleman between the property owner and the candidates who offer property management services. Imagine reviewing hundreds of applications, interviewing, and negotiating the salaries with the candidates. It can be a difficult and time-consuming task. That is why it is good to work with a staffing agency.

Working with the staffing agency is easy. The process involves:

> Contacting the staffing agency

First, you need to be sure that you are working with a staffing agency that understands property management. Then, you will need to contact the agency, and inform them about the timeline to hire new candidates and your salary rate. This is where an agency like Leasing Temporaries can save you time and money.

> The staffing agency will create a job description

The job description will allow the agency to advertise your property and job opening. They can present it on various platforms such as social media and job search engines. Potential candidates will then send applications.

> Screening of the candidates

The screening process is not easy. The staffing agency will review the applications and conduct interviews. Qualified and experienced staff will be presented to you.

Why Should You Consider Working with A Staffing Agency?

The number of candidates who are in search of a property management job is increasing. Thus, making it challenging to source and screen candidates for the position. That is why hiring a staffing agency is essential. The agency will conduct the recruitment process for you. They will identify potential candidates and check their references and choose the short-listed candidates. The staffing agency will work on your behalf.

Here are the benefits of working with a property management staffing agency.

> You Will Save Time

The job market is changing, making it challenging to find potential candidates. The way people are handling interviews has changed over the past few years. Imagine advertising a property management position and receiving thousands of applications. Where can you start? How can you know the right candidate for the job? This process requires experience.

Staffing agency have been in the field for many years, they understand the latest trends to help and recruit candidates according to the present state in the industry. In other words, the staffing agency will save you the time of handling the wide choice of candidates.

> You Will Save Money

Do you know that the recruitment process can cost you a lot of money? The average cost to replace a salaried employee is six to nine months of the employee’s salary, Remember, you want a staff member who will handle your property with care and ensure that you get the right tenants. That is why it is good to essential that you choose an experienced one. However, you do not have to spend a lot of money to get the right property management staff.

A staffing agency will save you from background and screen-testing costs. You can fully depend on the staffing agency to get skilled and trained employees. This is an advantage for you since you will save on the training costs. The staffing agencies have workers who are experienced in performing the training. More than half of property managers have said there simply are not enough hours in the day to receive or give the training and professional development they need to get their teams up to speed. This is where companies like Leasing Temporaries can be beneficial as they will train those employees before placing them with you.

> You Will Get Experienced Property Management Staffing Quickly

You have a well-designed rental property and have incorporated all the essential requirements. But how can you get the right tenants? No one would like to see their property with high vacancy rates for extended periods of time. The right onsite property management team members can work fast and diligently to fill those vacancies quickly. This is where experience matters and is the #1 benefit of a staffing agency. Also, the agency can handle the recruitment process quickly, speeding up the time of hiring and screening employees.

> Reduce New Hire Turnover

Employee turnover is expensive. Turnover in the property management industry averages about 33% annually. It can be quite costly as well as time intensive and utilize lots of resources to fill onsite job openings. It can impact your customer service on your properties and moral of the remaining team members. That is why it is important that you hire a reliable candidate that will offer long-term services. Working with a staffing agency who conducts a thorough screening process can lower the risks of turnover.

The staffing agency allows the candidates to learn about the job requirements by coming on board temporarily before they get a permanent position. Many staffing agencies like Leasing Temporaries also offer their candidates training to enable them to learn about property management and its environment. With this, you will reduce the company turnover.

> You Will Have the Flexibility of Hiring a Staff Member Anytime You Need One

At times, you might decide to manage the property by yourself. Although it might be challenging, some factors such as costly management fees can force you to hold back on hiring a property management company. You then face the challenge of finding your own personnel to place onsite. Sometimes it may be best to use a staffing company such as Leasing temps that offers fully trained short term and long- term placements for your onsite teams.

The good thing about working with a staffing agency is that you can contact them anytime you require hiring an onsite team member. They will search and recruit the best candidates for you. In case you need a direct-hire candidate, they will offer you a hiring strategy.

> Staffing Agencies Have an Extensive Network

If you want to get onsite staffing quickly, it is good to hire a staffing agency. Many agencies have a large network, meaning they have often themselves worked in the industry and have built a large network of contacts to find candidates quickly and easily to fill that job opening much faster than you would doing it yourself.

> You Will Eliminate Some Responsibilities

There are many responsibilities involved in hiring onsite staffing. From training to providing insurance coverage, the services of the onsite property management team come with some financial risks. With a staffing agency, you will eliminate these liabilities. The firm will maintain full responsibility for the personnel, thus, saving you money and avoiding dealing with legal liabilities of hiring onsite staff.

Hiring a staffing agency is a good decision. Saving time and money during the recruitment process is a dream of every property owner. However, when it comes to finding the right staffing agency, the process might be challenging. It is important to select a staffing agency that will ensure that you get an experienced and skilled onsite property management team, it is good to have a plan.

A plan will help you choose a staffing agency that matches your property’s needs. So, how can you enhance your experience of working with a temporary staffing agency?

> Choose the Right Staffing Agency

There are many staffing agencies options to choose from. There are general agencies work for any industry while other agencies focus on a specific sector. If you want to get the most out of the staffing agency, it is good to choose one specializing in a particular niche to get the best candidate. Also, select an agency with good communication that will provide you with feedback anytime would be your best option.

> Perform Research

You want a staffing agency that fits your needs, right? Thus, you need to take your time and perform research. You will find many staffing agencies on the internet. However, not all will provide you with the best results. How will you select the right staffing agency? You can look at the reviews to see what other clients comment about the firm. It is always good to consider your budget before you select a staffing agency. With this, you will choose an agency that will match your needs get you the right property manager to fill your open position.

Leasing Temporaries, LLC

Managing Owner: Shelly Gray

(614)986-7590

sgray@leasingtemps.com

leasingtemporaries

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A Career in Property Management

If you are looking to break into a new career, property management could be the right direction for you.

Benefits of Using a Property Management Staffing Agency

Benefits of Using a Property Management Staffing Agency