This is my favorite time of year friends! It really is. We have been watching the Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies constantly, we have cinnamon and clove essential oils diffusing in our home and we are looking forward to spending this season with our friends and family!
Your prospects and residents may feel the same way too! And while we traditionally think of this time of year as the “slow season” there are things you can do to maximize the leasing “traffic” you do have and also increase the value that your residents perceive your community to have, which can increase their likelihood to remain your residents.
Idea One-Hot Chocolate Bar: I love this idea for a fun resident event. In a nutshell have an ample supply of hot chocolate available (you can use large commercial dispensers, a slow cooker, even Keurig coffee makers etc.) along with a supply of various accouterments like (peppermint sticks, candy canes, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cookies, whipped cream, that people will love.
Bonus Tip: Create a photo spot where residents can take pictures, or their own selfies(!), and be sure that your community name or social media handles are placed where they can be visible in the picture! Below is a picture of my wife and I at Lincourt Vinyards in Los Olivos, California (no they didn’t pay me for the mention) and they created this picture spot, and as you can see, their hashtag is clearly visible.
You could have a chalkboard sign that says, “Happy Holidays from Santa’s Helpers at The Village Apartments!” Or whatever else you think would work….it’s the Holidays, be creative!!
Idea Two-Donation Drop Off Area: If a local organization is doing a food drive/ toy drive volunteer to be a place that people (residents and guests) can drop off items. Residents will love the opportunity to help others in need during the Holiday season, and prospects will love seeing that you’re involved. While you’re at it, why not offer to waive the application fee for a prospect who donates items?
Idea Three-Santa’s Mailbox: Help Santa at your community by creating (or purchasing) and collecting letters from your younger residents (and the young at heart). Did you know that Macy’s collects letters to Santa, and for every letter received, Macy’s will donate $1.00 (up to a $1 million) to the Make-a-Wish foundation. A link to the details here: https://www.macys.com/social/believe/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-believe-_-n-_-n
Idea Four-Selfie Wall: Let’s face it, we love selfies. Or even if you don’t, chances are good that your residents do. So, create a Holiday-themed selfie wall (similar in idea to the bonus tip above) or area in your office (with your community name easily visible) that residents can take pictures with and upload to their social media networks.
Idea Five-Let It Smell Good! Now is a good time to change the scents you use in your office and model to something Holiday related. Apple, cinnamon, cloves, peppermint etc. are all great ways to usher in that Holiday feeling. If you don’t like the idea of using chemical air fresheners, or are sensitive to them, or have people on staff that are sensitive, I’d recommend using essential oils and a diffuser. This is what we use in our home and it works great! Someone I worked for used to put an apple pie in the oven in the model at very low heat so that it would help the apartment smell like “grandma’s house.” As I mentioned, be creative!!
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
