The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey has sold over 20 million copies. Chances are you’ve also heard about this book or even read it yourself. But did you know that as a property manager, you can also develop habits that will help you succeed in your business?
In this article, we share our take on the 7 habits that make property managers highly effective. And if you want to be a successful property manager in this fast-paced and highly competitive industry, it might be time to start practicing these habits today!
1. Communicating Regularly
As a property manager, you are the primary contact for everyone involved with the property. When tenants encounter issues, they turn to you. If the owner needs updates on the property, they’ll call you. Moreover, when the maintenance team needs approval for significant repairs, you are the decision-maker.
Managing these communications effectively can be challenging when you're juggling multiple responsibilities. This is where a virtual assistant for property management can become invaluable. Competent remote staff can not only manage inquiries and update schedules efficiently but can also help you establish more streamlined communication processes, ensuring that no message is missed.
This consistent, reliable flow of information is crucial for building trust and ensuring operations run smoothly. It also prevents misunderstandings that could lead to conflicts. Moreover, incorporating a property management call center can ensure that calls are handled 24/7, preventing any calls from going to voicemail during nights, weekends, or busy periods.
2. Excelling in Property Marketing
A highly effective property manager knows that securing reliable tenants swiftly is vital to minimizing vacancy periods. If you want to be a successful property manager in this digital age, you must excel in creating compelling property listings too. Sometimes, this can include immersive virtual tours and SEO-optimized descriptions to attract the ideal audience.
Here are the benefits of SEO-optimized virtual tours:
Pre-Qualifying Potential Tenants
Virtual tours help pre-qualify prospects. Potential renters can view the property without traveling, reducing the need for unnecessary showings. Only those who are genuinely interested will book an in-person visit. This increases the likelihood that a showing will result in a rental, making your process more efficient.
Boosting Online Presence
Optimizing these virtual tours for search engines also boosts your online presence. It gives your property a high chance to appear on the top of search engine results, attracting more potential renters.
Increasing Your Reach
Additionally, virtual tours allow people from different areas to view your properties, including those planning to move into your location. They can thoroughly explore the property, helping them feel confident in their choice without needing to visit in person.
By incorporating our Virtual Showing Service into your marketing strategy, you save time and resources. This also ensures that your listings consistently stand out, allowing your business to thrive in a competitive market.
3. Working Smarter, Not Harder
Managing properties involves many repetitive tasks. The key to managing them effectively isn't just hard work; it's working smart. This is where hiring a property management virtual assistant comes in.
Your remote staff can help with scheduling repairs, answering inquiries, managing your emails, and other day-to-day property management tasks, making your workflow smoother. Delegating these tasks reduces stress and saves valuable time. It lets you focus on more important matters too, like growing your business and enhancing customer satisfaction.
4. Learning Continuously
The property management sector is ever-evolving. Staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is vital. Engage with the community through newsletters, webinars, and networking to stay informed. Join conferences, invest in training, and follow experts in the industry. This commitment to learning and innovation can significantly enhance your services and keep you ahead in a dynamic market.
5. Delivering Exceptional Customer Service
Outstanding customer service is crucial in property management. While you may excel in marketing your listings, never underestimate the importance of stellar customer care.
A common cause of negative reviews is the inability to reach property managers. This is especially true for property owners who, if unable to contact you, may switch to another management service. Ensuring that all calls are answered professionally is vital to maintaining client satisfaction and loyalty.
Here’s how to do it:
Hire a Call Center
By managing all incoming calls, a call center ensures that every client communication is addressed promptly, reducing the risk of missed calls and unhappy clients.
Incorporate a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant can handle emails and other administrative tasks, helping property managers like you stay organized and responsive. Imagine having a dedicated professional to manage your client interactions, ensuring no inquiry goes unanswered.
Here are some additional ways to improve customer service in property management:
- Regular Updates: Keep property owners informed by always answering their calls and responding to their emails.
- Personalized Service: Tailor your services to meet the specific needs of each client, showing them that you understand and value their unique requirements.
- Maintenance Requests: Respond quickly to maintenance requests by hiring a virtual maintenance coordinator to track and manage these issues efficiently, ensuring tenant satisfaction and quick resolutions.
- Feedback Loops: Implement a system for collecting and acting on client feedback, showing clients that their opinions matter and are taken seriously.
- Virtual Tours: Offer virtual tours for prospective tenants, making it easier for them to view properties remotely, saving time and enhancing their experience.
- Appointment Scheduling: Allow your remote staff to manage appointment scheduling for property viewings and meetings, ensuring that no opportunity is missed.
- Document Management: Let a virtual assistant for property managers handle the organization and management of important documents, ensuring that everything is easily accessible and up-to-date.
- Emergency Response: Set up protocols for emergencies where your call center can provide immediate assistance, giving clients peace of mind.
Don't let the demands of property management hinder your ability to provide exceptional service. Take the first step towards superior customer care—hire VirtuallyinCredible for call center and virtual assistant services today!
With us, rest assured that every communication will be handled with the professionalism that they deserve. Take it from one of our satisfied clients Jake Blakeney of Edgerow Property Management.
My experience with VirtuallyinCredible so far has been FANTASTIC. I’ve actually had clients and vendors, when they call in and when they get the call center, they’re like your call center is AWESOME. We don’t have any trouble understanding them. They’re super clear! They’re very polite.
You've kept the level of professionalism and customer care that I am wanting to implement and have as our standard.
6. Mastering Time Management
Great property managers excel in time management. With numerous tasks to juggle, knowing where to start can be challenging. Creating a daily or weekly list helps prioritize tasks, ensuring focus on what matters most.
Delegating tasks is another key aspect of managing your time well. Hiring a virtual assistant prevents property managers like you from being tied up on tasks anyone else can do. They can respond to emails, handle scheduling, and tackle other routine tasks, giving you more time for your essential responsibilities.
A call center for property management also provides valuable support. They can handle your leasing, mainline, and emergency calls. This frees you to address more critical issues.
Better time management doesn’t mean reducing the workload in your business. Instead, it involves delegating tasks to focus on priorities. This allows you to manage properties smoothly, keep tenants satisfied, and maintain strong relationships with property owners.
7. Prioritizing Self-Care
Providing excellent customer care to tenants and owners is fundamental in managing properties, yet understanding the importance of self-care is also crucial for long-term property management success.
Effective stress management and maintaining a healthy work-life balance enable you to perform at your best consistently. This might involve setting boundaries, managing your time wisely, or partaking in activities that alleviate stress.
Think you don’t have time for this? With VirtuallyinCredible, you can enjoy stress-free property management. Our virtual assistants can handle your day-to-day tasks for you - from managing your emails and handling leasing inquiries to coordinating maintenance and scheduling showings so you can have more time for self-care.
Your Partner in Becoming a Highly Effective Property Manager
Are you ready to become a highly effective property manager? Embrace these habits and see the difference. Successful property managers partner with virtual staffing companies like VirtuallyinCredible for call center and remote assistant services to streamline their tasks and enhance their client interactions. Don’t wait—take the first step towards excellence in property management now! Schedule a demo to learn more!