TOP 10 Traits of a Rock Star Leasing Agent - The List WILL Surprise You!

Or should I have said "The list WILL NOT surprise you??!

There's A Rock Star Leasing Agent ... Then There's Everyone Else!

Everyone else comes to work to luck up on a lease, go to lunch on time just to come back late, do follow up calls just because they're told to do it simply because its part of the process and leave work at 4:55pm with prospects waiting in the lobby.

Rock Star Leasing Agents are simply cut from a different cloth therefore you gain a totally different experience with these people.

Trait #1: They dress for success!
Everyone can see a star shining bright - just like a Rock Star Leasing Agent, it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to spot these people in a crowd.

Trait #2: They are always prepared!
Every noticed why Stacy writes everything down as it comes? Answer: So she can plan her day, week, month and coming months accordingly. As a aspiring successful Rock Star, you are nothing without your trusty notebook. Guest cards simply don't give you the ammo you need to shoot those constant contact bullets.

Trait #3: Positive attitude!
A smile and a "can - do" attitude will always take you further then otherwise.

Trait #4: They understand the art of "relationship building".
Understanding the art of "relationship building" is not an easy task and only a dedicated person will reach that "holy grail", if I may. This road comes with a lot of negative attitude confrontation, a lot of conflict resolution generating and a lot of smiles - think you're ready??!

Trait #5: They are innovative and proactive!
Proactive and innovative leasing is more than simple welcome home move - in gifts, follow - up calls and a super awesome model with cute little framed sayings. Proactive and innovative leasing engulfs more personal outlooks. Always remember your prospects have a name - the name of each individual prospect is different from the last and each with their own personality. So lets begin to think bigger then "prospect" - his name is Jason. Ask yourself, "What would Jason appreciate more, a regular ol' 'thank you for visiting' email or a post card of his favorite football team with your thank you on the opposite site?

For example, apart of our "Constant Contact Train" is instead of sending a simple email, making a simple follow up call, or sending a simple post card, we took it a bit further and stepped outside of the 90's leasing box. We actually send cookies, donuts or whatever else they told us was their favorite snack time food! Isn't that awesome!?!? Just imagine sitting at your work desk or getting home from a tiresome day at work only to find that UPS has delivered you something. For one, surprises are always fun! And for two, when they open it to see that it wasn't a surprise from a friend, co-worker, parent or sibling, but you - can you imagine what such a positive introduction does for the beginning of a new found relationship? The results will simply amaze you!

We could tell you tons of beautiful success stories, but we wont in this article, but stay tuned because its coming!

Trait #6: They are organized!
A dirty, unorganized and scatter-brained work space simply gives away your dark and innermost secrets - that you're dirty, unorganized and scatter-brained! OMG! But even if  by chance you're not, that's the image you portray.
Keep your area organized, clean and ready for anything. Instead of a ton of sticky notes all over your computer screen and guest cards spread all over your desk, derive a better method to stay organized. How you organize and handle adversity says a lot about you as a professional - let's make sure the right message is getting portrayed.

Trait #7: They go above and beyond the call of duty!
Look at your company sponsored job description for a leasing agent real hard , memorize every word on that page then ... ball it up and throw it away! Yep - Really!

The responsibilities, you already know. Your daily, monthly and weekly expectations, you've already organized accordingly, so there is nothing further that you're going to need of that silly piece of paper because what it doesn't tell you is that a Rock Star Leasing Agent goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Instead of outreach marketing ... GO OUTREACH MARKETING!

Instead of just ensuring that the make - ready is complete so your awesome new resident can move in ... ENSURE THAT THE APARTMENT IS COMPLETELY AWESOME FOR YOUR AWESOME NEW RESIDENT!

Go it??!! Good.

Trait #8: They love blowing up balloons!
Balloons make people happy and happy people love blowing up balloons!

Trait #9: They love their jobs and it shows!
Nothing further necessary.

Trait #10 They are committed to the positive goals of the team!
I just had to add this one - you're welcome and you can thank me later.
If you find yourself amongst a Leasing Agent that you know is not a team player, but furthermore, is not on the same positive accord with you as the team leader ... find you another leasing consultant (2nd)! OR, do everything you can as leader to encourage a transformation(1st). This breech will only lead to further problems and it does no justice to the prospect (foremost) whom is looking for a Rock Star Leasing Experience, to your team whom are looking for a Rock Star Team Player, or to you or your company whom deserve a Rock Star Leasing Agent.

5 Step Guide To A Winning Constant Contact System - Really!

If you're reading this article then ... Congratulations! And welcome aboard the "Constant Contact Train". Let's begin! This is going to be fun!

Oh! Wait! Before we begin, lets make sure that you understand that the "Constant Contact Train" doesn't just stop at the "Welcome Home Station" it goes well into the "Resident Renewal Station" and then pulls back around to the "If You Move Out, We're Still Going To Follow Up With You Station" (that's my favorite one too :-).

To fully understand marketing, you have to thoroughly understand that marketing is all about relationship building and relationship building never ends. So for you, as a Leasing Professional, the "Constant Contact Train" must never run off the rails.

Step 1. Understand Your Prospects Needs

I can not say this enough - understanding is the key to building every relationship. By understanding your prospect as an individual, you gain a better understanding of their needs, wants and desires. By doing so, you understand the best way to contact them, the best time to contact them and the best approach toward contacting them.

For example: A prospect comes into the office and instead of completing an application, they tell you they're still looking and will come back if they want to do the application.

For one, before that person leaves from your office you MUST know the following - they're the beginning building blocks to your professional relationship: Name and nickname if applicable, date of birth, phone number, email address, facebook, twitter, instagram, projected move date, why they're moving from where the, pets, pets name if applicable, children, children's name if applicable, current employment, single/married/divorced/etc., what activities interest them, what amenities appeal to them more and anything else that comes up that will tell you more about who they are in detail.

With gathering all of your "Constant Contact Highlights" you can better communicate. So now you know that Samantha would prefer to be called Sam, her birthday is next week and instead of calling her on her cell, email her because she works for the government and can never answer her phone. Her emails come straight to her phone so, she can easily reply upon contact.

Step 2. Understand Your Residents Needs

Because you took the time to understand Sam as a prospect, you can continue to build on that relationship now that she's a resident. Compile her a "Constant Contact Folder" and stay committed to relationship building.

For example, Sam has two dogs and so does 75% of your property. Sam's dogs are Toy Poodles named Rainbow and Sherbet. Instead of having a community spa day this month, try having a pet spa day hosted by Pets Essential. Pets Essential gain clients for life and so do you. Win, Win for everybody involved, but especially you for being so thoughtful to coordinate such an event for your community pet owners. How did you know this would be successful? Answer: You understand your residents because you consistently take time to build with them.

See where I'm going with this? Let's continue.

Step 3. Follow Up

In Sam's case, a simple 3- month resident satisfaction survey will do. The purpose of this will be to simply ensure that she is enjoying her new home with you and if by chance she isn't, you can fix that.

In Burt's case, he's still on the fence. Based on your understanding of why he's on the fence you can determine the best mode of contact for him. Ask yourself, is his birthday coming up? You have a community pool party coming up - does he swim? Does he have children? BINGO! That's it!

No annoying type of follow up, please! Make the call subtle, yet meaningful. Instead of: "Hi Burt I was just calling to see where you are in your decision making on an apartment." Try instead, "Hi Burt! It's Jen from Springdale Apartments. How are you? How are Jason and Alex doing in school - I remember when you guys came in, they were both having a hard time making friends. Well, if you're available next weekend, I wanted to invite you guys to our Elementary - Middle School Meet and Greet. I think it would be a really awesome experience for them. How does that sound?"

Can you see the difference? Instead of asking them for something when you follow up - try giving them more reasons to say "yes".

Step 4. Follow Up

In Sam's case, a simple 6- month resident satisfaction survey will do. The purpose of this will be to simply ensure that she is still enjoying her new home with you and if by chance she isn't, you can fix that.

In Burt's case, if for some very odd reason you have yet to close on him - just know you're doing something wrong ... and I do mean very wrong! Just joking - but, not really!? The only good reason for a lacked close on Burt is that he is currently under a lease agreement or in the process of selling a house, otherwise, you should be pulling into the "Welcome Home Station" with Burt on the "Constant Contact Train".


Step 5. Follow Up Some More

Simple ... Follow up some more. Remember sincerity comes in the form of giving oppose to asking for something. From your initial contact with them, you've already told them to complete an application and when they would move in. So now, you're simply giving them reasons via your awesome "Constant Contact System" to do so.

A good "Constant Contact System" begins for current residents 72 hours after move-in and then continues at 3, 6 and 9 months into their lease agreement. The 9 month mark in the "Constant Contact System" should entail proactivity toward contract renewals.

For prospects, a good "Constant Contact System" begins the moment they walk out of your leasing office or from the moment you hang up that phone.

By now, you understand that the "Constant Contact Train" is a constantly revolving station that will consistently deliver you prospect after prospect - your job is to treat them accordingly.

Visit us online: www.leasingangels.net

Top 5 Reasons Why Property Managers Need A Leasing Angel?

Besides the obvious of Leasing Angels being AWESOME ... Lets jump right into it!

1.) No Bad Attitudes - No, just joking! ... Guaranteed Service. Imagine managing your property without the hassling and expensive details of hiring an in - house leasing consultant with no guarantee of their ability. Now a days, it is just as expensive to hire as it is to fire. Let us help you avoid that pitfall.

Our guarantee is simply, either we deliver you qualified applicants that lease or you do not pay a dime for using our service. We offer Virtual Leasing Angels and Temporary Placement Leasing Angels all on a contractual basis for the following services:

• Assistance with special promotions
• Residential retention events
• Coverage for staff meetings or training
• Community Lease-Ups
• Holidays and days off solutions
• Vacation, FMLA & illness coverage, etc.
• Don't see your service needs here? Visit us online for further details at: www.leasingangels.net

2.) Less Expensive. With Leasing Angels, you save money not just on office space, furnishings or equipment because every Leasing Angel is considered a Virtual Leasing Angel unless designated by the client's need otherwise as a Temporary Placement. You also save on wasted salaries, unnecessary commissioned fees, lost revenue due to lost closes, expensive benefits packages, etc.

Just think of the possibilities for your company if you had a Leasing Angel that yields guaranteed results for one flat fee ... Visit us online for further details at: www.leasingangels.net

3.) Stress- Free. Need I really elaborate??

4.) Professionally Trained. With Leasing Angels, Inc. you retain a Certified Professional backed by our company's guaranteed contract leasing agreement. All Leasing Angels are required to complete the Leasing Angels Internal Training Program and participate in company sponsored continuing education programs. The due diligence taken to ensure Expert Leasing Angels in turn ensures that our clients are satisfied with guaranteed results.

5.) Marketing Experts. For our team of experts, marketing is understanding in detail your market, thoroughly analyzing the competition and devising a plan based on research to ensure your success.

We have a track record for success because every property assigned is a priority. Every property is attained thorough marketing research, its own property specified marketing plan and a team of experts working diligently to ensure that your specific property goals are met.

Whether it be a Virtual or a Temporary Placement Leasing Angel, the need is clearly evident of our Angel's need in the market anytime you walk into a leasing office and are not properly greeted by a leasing professional, you do not have a constant contact plan in place, your resident renewal rates are dreadful, you have more vacant than budgeted for, you have a leasing professional that currently does not have at least a 95% closing ratio, etc.

Visit us online at: www.leasingangels.net.

#1 Rule In Rock Star Leasing ... Building Relationships - Duh!

So what???!!! Your Community is beautiful - so is everyone else's. You have 4 swimming pools, 3 fitness centers and 2 playgrounds - Awesome! Soooo does everyone else.  And you know what everyone else has too ... 1 Leasing Consultant at the front desk that doesn't stand to greet you with a smile or thank you for coming in because you didn't have to or ask you how your day was - You got where I'm going with this yet?


Prospect walks through the door ... Your most important task at hand now? Answer: Deliver something that no one else is guaranteed of - Rock Star Customer Service by building a relationship. You can't sell the difference between you and every other community down the block if you don't know nor understand the needs of whom you're selling to.


1st Step:  Stand, Smile, and Go Meet Them At The Door!

Positive initial engagement is key toward setting your stage for closing the deal. Greet every everyone genuinely.  Make your guest feel valued, at home and welcomed.


Making someone feel comfortable is key toward relationship building. By understanding the needs of your prospect and building a relationship atop your understanding of their needs as a single mother, single father, animal lover, business owner, etc. ensures that both you and your prospect win.


Always Remember:  Rock Star Customer Service will always be the key that sets you apart from the competition. The amenities to a community are great, but surveys show that for the most part, they are simply that - great to want oppose to a great necessity to have. So, your job is to replace their wants with their needs and deliver it to them in a nicely wrapped present. Over 70% of your community will never step a foot into a hot tub nor a tanning bed nor onto a tennis court ... its simply great to want. How do you go about understanding what fits where for your prospect, you ask? Answer: By building that relationship, silly! And it all begins from that initial contact - via phone, email or actual walk-in.

2nd Step: Be Proactive

For example, if you're the 5th community on a street of 10, what is going to be the hardest part for a prospect in choosing the right apartment for them? Answer: Understanding the difference and if such a difference meets their needs. Go ahead and do some homework on your competition and complete a "50 Reasons To Move To Springdale Apartments" - Trust me, making the choice a simplified one is a win for everyone involved.

 

3rd Step: Listen

One thing that gets my goat is having to repeat myself. I, like most people, simply want to be genuinely heard and genuinely guided when in need of a guide aka leasing consultant. Make the effort to focus on the conversation at hand. Let your prospect talk, then show them that you are listening by responding accordingly.

 

4th Step: Conflict Resolution
As a leasing consultant you do more than just lease apartments, you lease solutions. Find out what your prospects problem is and work diligently to help them solve it.

 

5th and Final Step: Close 
Welllll ... technically closing isn't just the 5th step, its step 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. For example, a good closer in the 1st step is "Hi, Stephaine and thank you so much for making the time to come in. I really appreciate you allowing me to show you around your new home. Now after we get done here, I've already set up some goodies along with a checklist of items I'll need from you to bring back once you complete your application so that we can get you approved to move in - sounds good?" 

Courtesy of : Leasing Angels, Inc. "We help you build the relationships needed to ensure your success."  www.leasingangels.net