Overcoming Acrophobia with Colossians 3:23

A heavenly view of your property starts from above. Imagine with me the view of the community you manage from a hovering helicopter at about 10,000 feet. For those who suffer from acrophobia (like me) imagine your property from a Google Earth view. What stands out the most? Surrounding nature, streets and Matchbox sized cars? Do you realize that under the many tiny roofs are the precious residents that have decided to make your property their home? What an awesome responsibility we have. From this view its clear God can only truly give this opportunity. Don’t take it lightly, don’t take it for granted, but rather take it seriously enough to embrace the blessing. God has chosen YOU with the task of representing him in all that YOU do to take care of homes that he has blessed so many with.

Consider Colossians 3:23 “Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master.” Lets make a list that not only includes the most obvious components of the property like tennis courts, irrigation, pest control etc. - lets add extras like the condition of door mats? Flowers by units not just at the entrances, leasing office or models? Are your residents in need of bike racks? Or how about leash holders in units rented by pet owners? The idea is to be inspired by our awesome responsibility and deliver extras! As in Mathew 5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Go the extra mile! Reach higher! Don’t let a fear of heights limit what you do on the ground; together lets overcome our limited views! Rise above ordinary property management and receive all the benefits that come with managing and serving your residents from The Highest view.

Start your property tour from Within

Begin with an inner light check! Meaning, how is your mood? Are you grateful for the day? Are you appreciative for your staff and co-workers? Did you thank God for your occupancy, prospects, leases and ideal retention rate? And most importantly are you heading out to tour with a servant heart?

This will only take you moments, but will have a lasting impact on your perspective as you inspect the nooks and crannies of breezeways, patios and your properties overall curb appeal.

A Property Manager with a servant heart has an open heart. Which translates to open eyes, open ears and a nose that can smell into the future. All the traits that your most demanding residents seem to all share…. especially when its time to renew. As I mentioned in my last post the bottom line is love - it never fails…. As in 1 Corinthians 13:7 - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…. So always remember start your property tour from within.

David Borden Interview

David Borden Interview: Where is the Rental Listing Pricing Model Heading? from Dave Dugdale on Vimeo.

The Bottom Line… Is Love.

One of the best Property Management nuggets can be traced back to the ancient idea of Love Thy Neighbor, found in the Bible in Matthew 22:39. You can’t go wrong with this. It can resolve a multitude of problems before they ever reach your inbox, voicemail or leasing office. And as this advice goes for neighbors it can also apply to the property staff and residents - Love Thy Residents. As radical as this sounds, this too is an idea you cant go wrong with. It can transform a properties closing ratio, retention percentage and decrease turn over with the least effort. For example: becoming proactive instead of reactive ~ Instead of waiting for residents to make appointments with us managers to discuss an emerging concern or problem, lets make an appointment with residents to discuss how we can best serve them. The option to decline will be theirs, but I have faith, that the effort if sincere enough will go along way$. Reasonably affecting the bottom line.

I love the example of Octavia Hill, a pioneer in Property Management that I can’t help to be inspired by. Learning about her efforts in the London, multi-housing industry over a century ago has proven to me that when the bottom line meets love everybody win$!

A New Year brings new idea$!