Redecorating?

The Interior Designer is arriving on Thursday and will be at the properties on Friday. It’s exciting to think of how a Designer might view changes in the Clubhouse(s) and Models. I doubt my input will be sought, but I am still excited to think of the possibilities. And just in case, he/she asks me, here are my thoughts.

1.       Murphy beds in the Studios (Wouldn’t it be a great space expander to have this option in our 225 square foot units????

2.       Forget the USB chargers – how about installing wifi charging stations on tabletops like bedside tables or coffee tables?

3.       How about stand-up desks instead of regular student desks in bedrooms? Or, even better, build a workstation in treadmills in first floor units (and charge a premium for being on the first floor? Everyone worries about being on the first floor here because of a possible break-in, so maybe this would be an incentive!)

4.       Online leasing kiosks in the Clubhouse? I would love that. I honestly think in student housing there is no reason to have a boatload of community assistants and part time leasing consultants.

5.       Install Bike Lockers!!!! Need them so much at the property that is only minutes away from the other community and campus but the students could ride bikes instead of always driving to campus.

6.       As always – parcel lockers! Now that we have worked out a more acceptable arrangement with the local post office, we do not really need the Package Room if we could get those lockers.

7.       Definitely install the plank flooring we started installing when I arrived. The kids like it; the parents like it and they are way more durable. 

8.       Install a real community kitchen in the Clubhouse where the kids can cook together if they want.

9.       Choose furnishings that offers flexibility: comfy chairs instead of couches in the common areas. I never understood how you can roommate match people and only have a couch in the living area. What if you need personal space?

That’s my two cents worth ….

If Not Now, When?

I’ve had an epiphany. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this before now. Our properties are going through the Due Diligence phase of a sale. The new proposed Owners keep scheduling walk throughs with their vendors, with management company execs, with contractors, and, what is so bothersome for me, is that the onsite teams are never included. Sure, we can send a Manager or a Maintenance Tech or Supervisor but their only role is to open doors. 

Recently, they came with a contractor and the management company’s Acquisition and Operations people and brought their sample boards. They walked around and discussed moving the leasing offices elsewhere, create a business center area here, and place the game room items there. But they did not include anyone onsite in their conversations. It was at that moment that I realized why I have such a problem with the Sale Process. It really isn’t that the properties are being sold; it’s that the properties are moving forward without any input from the current team.

When new owners, even those who plan to keep the onsite team in place, exclude the team on these visits, it is as though they are saying, “Thank you for being here today and performing your duties, but we don’t need any of your input. Your opinion does not matter. Carry on!” 

If their opinion does not matter now, will it ever in the future?

More Sunday Funnies in Student Housing

Every Leasing Office everywhere can provide funny stories that prove this is the best industry in which to work. Honestly, though, Student Housing has to be the funniest genre! Even when our students are trying to be funny, they inevitably are. Here’s few more.

A girl walks into the office carrying an envelope. I ask how we can help her today and she responds, “How do I close this? I need to mail it?” Huh? “Oh, do you need a stamp or help addressing the envelope?” She shakes her head no. “How do I close it?” Oh. Wait. I tell her there is sticky stuff on the flap. You wet it and press down to seal it. She looks at me and says, “I have nothing. I have no sponge to wet it.” I have to actually show her that you can lick the flap and when she looks horrified, I offer to tape the envelope for her. She nods profusely. Kid you not.

One of our residents who has always paid rent on time with a check inadvertently forgets for the month of January, which is not so far-fetched since most students leave for a month over winter break. He is notified of his delinquency and upon return, he sheepishly brings in his check, apologizing for being late. Nothing more to be said … until he returns a couple of days later carrying a pound cake warm from the oven, which he baked himself. He tells us, “Here’s your Christmas present. It’s late too!”

In the property email account, I read the following: “Hey, XXXXXX Village! Can you send the guy to look at my toilet?” No name, no apartment number, no description of what is the matter.

Another one came from the resident who reported there was something wrong with her “Trash Compactor.” Except there are no trash compactors. Apparently she thought the Garbage Disposals were a trash chute and she was shoving everything down it. (Okay, maybe not so funny.)

We notified all the student residents of a contractor’s need to enter their apartments. Most of the students never responded. A couple went ballistic about demanding an exact time of entry (law school students, Go Figure.) One person responded with “It is my pleasure to help you and the contractor. Please let me know what else I can do to assist you.”

Got to admit – the last one is my favorite. :-)