Welcome to the start of your new role as a community builder! This guide will take you through the basic duties of a leasing agent for Signature Community. We ask that you read this through and direct any questions to Samantha Skrobot at [email protected]
Transcript
1. Welcome to the start of your new role as a community
builder! This guide will take you through the basic duties of a
leasing agent for Signature Community. We ask that you read this
through and direct any questions to Samantha Skrobot at
[email protected]
2. Signature StorySignature Community is a national consumer
real estate brandowned by the New York City based Signature
CommunityInvestment Group. Signature Community properties span
thenation, but each is managed locally so that the breadth and
depthof residential services can be communally tailored to offer
morefeatures and benefits and better customer service than
residentscan find anywhere else for the price!At the heart of the
organization is the commitment to think andact like a competitive
retailer; not a landlord, and to consistentlyprovide extraordinary
customer service to all residents, all thetime. From delivering 24
hour maintenance with a money backedguarantee, through assistance
in moving, receiving and deliveringmailed packages, and special
events, all residents are treated asVIPs at every level of the
business.At Signature Community, it is our goal to insure that
everyresident Love the Place they Live, from the moment theyfirst
meet us, to every day spent living with us!
3. Community Builder Signature Community is a national
community of apartments, the team members that work for them, and
the residents who live in them As a Signature Community leasing
agent you will contribute to the expansion of our national
community. You will represent the Signature brand, the customer
service that sets us apart from others, and the community as a
whole. We dont think of ourselves as just anothermanagement company
because we work hard to be so much more. Dont think of yourself as
just a leasing agent because we rely on you to be so much
more.
4. The benefits of living in a The programs that set us apart
from everyone else are now your tools to success in leasing
apartments!Learn the details of these programs.Know how they will
benefit the future residents you meet with.
5. *Remind your prospective residents that their satisfaction
is our #1concern. We are so confident in our apartments and our
customerservice that we will allow unhappy residents to leave.*This
service is very rarely used because we always insure that
ourresidents Love the Place They Live
6. *For those prospective residents you meet who have busy
lives and areconstantly on the go, assure them that Signature
Community is here forthem! We will sign for and deliver their
packages and dry cleaning!
7. *For the prospective residents that you meet who are
hesitant aboutsigning long term leases, reassure them that
Signature Community hasoptions for people who run into unforeseen
issues during their lease!
8. *Every single prospective resident you meet will LOVE to
know howSignature can save them money, while also allowing them to
help buildtheir community!
9. Our Signature CommunityWebsite allows Residents topay rent
online Remind all prospectiverequest maintenance residents of
theRefer friends and family advantages they willTalk to agents
live, in real time! frequently experience as aOur Signature
Community Signature CommunityMaintenance Staff resident.Are
professional, skilled team membersOffer 24 hour emergency, on
callmaintenanceAre always willing to go above andbeyond! Our
Signature Community Newsletter Features residents who are great
community members Holds a contest every month to give away free
rent! Updates residents on new ways Signature is improving their
living!
10. These Signature Community benefits are offered nationwide.
However, each market offers additional programsand features that
will benefit your prospective residents. Its important that you get
to know the Signature Communitymarket you work in and fully
understand all that it has to offer. Take the time to learn
everything you can from the propertymanagers and team members in
your market. Know what will benefit YOUR future resident the
most
11. Resident In Signature Community Apartments across the
nation, we lease units to residents not tenants. Using the term
tenant gives the impression that we see those who reside in our
apartments as nothing more than income, a person to pay us rent. We
refer to individuals that make Signature Community their home, as
residents.At Signature Community, we lease to residents not
tenants.
12. Marketing CHALLENGEThe language we use and the programs we
offer are not the only thingthat set Signature Community apart from
other management companies.How we treat our residents is an art we
are continuously perfectingHow we find new residents is a creative
marketing challenge that we areplacing in your hands.
13. Part of being a Signature Community leasing agent
andcommunity builder is thinking of new and inventive ways tofind
new residents.During your time with Signature Community you will be
giventhe tools to market in new and fun ways while also
beingchallenged to discover new marketing techniques.You are who
Signature Community has on the ground, youknow your market better
than anyone, and you have anability to find and create new ways to
bring residents in.That is why we are constantly going to challenge
you to Think OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
14. Using Social Media and the InternetYou will be required to
post Ads frequently, and on a daily basis on socialmedia networks
and popular search sites like Facebook, Twitter,
Craigslist,Apartment Finder, and more. REMEMBER*While posting Ads
remember to offer available apartments withaccurate and up to date
video tours and pictures of the apartments*Use your Signature
e-mail as a contact.*Highlight any move-in specials that are
currently being offered bythe Property Mangers in your marketNever
offer a special that has not been approved by your supervisor or
market Property Manager*Remember that you arent the only people
using these sites to findprospects and dont be afraid to think
outside of the box!
15. Marketing on FootOne thing a Signature Community leasing
agent and community builder willnever have is nothing to do.In
between posting ads, showing apartments, and following up with
prospectsyou should be OUT ON THE STREET, IN LOCAL RESTURANTS,
ANDVISITING LOCAL COLLEGES.You will be supplied with a mass amount
of marketing materials that includepalm brochures, flyers, and even
more. Dont underestimate putting in facetime and using printed
marketing materials REMEMBER*Always dress professionally, and be
prepared to represent SignatureCommunity*Use marketing materials in
the most effective way possible. Usingthem where they will be seen,
where they will spark conversation*Think outside the box! Dont
limit yourself to the typical use ofmarketing materials
16. Following UpYour efforts mean nothing if you cant follow up
and follow through on the leadsyouve made while marketing
REMEMBER*Communicate with your prospects by using the tool that is
mostconvenient for them whether it be e-mail, phone, or in
person.*ASK THEM WHATS IMPORTANT TO THEM*LISTEN to your prospect.
Listen to their needs and wants so thatyou can offer them informed
and personal information that effectstheir decision making, rather
than just another sales pitch*Make them feel like they are in
control. At Signature Communitythe resident is the boss, and that
starts the day they meet you.Speak with them when its convenient to
them and scheduleappointments that work best for them.*GET THEIR
INFORMATION!!!!!
17. Every person you speak to whether it be in person, on the
phone, or on theinternet must have their information gathered onto
a guest card.These guest cards are specifically structured to the
ones found in our Yardi systemand will be used to enter your
prospects information into that systemDONT FORGET TO WRITE IN YOUR
NAME SO WE KNOW WHO ISWORKING WITH THEM!*these cards should be
turned in and entered in at the end of every day
18. Once you have met the prospect and scheduled the
appointment itstime to put your sales skills to work and.
LEASE
19. Ultimately your success lies your hands, but these
guidelines toleasing will help you keep in mind the keys to
successfully leasingat Signature Community The Look of you and what
you sell The Experience you create The Approach you take The
Signature brand you sell The Expectations you leave them with
20. The Look of you and what you sell Always dress for success.
Signature Community leasing agents andcommunity builders should
dress professionally in clean suit pants (or
appropriatelylengthened skirts) or kakis with a collared shirt Walk
the unit you are preparing to show PRIOR to the actualappointment.
Insure that the outside and common area of the building is cleanand
presentable Prep the apartment. Open the windows, or turn on the AC
to make sure theapartment is at a comfortable temperature level.
Make sure the apartment smellsgood by spraying a freshening product
or using a scented outlet cover Never show an apartment that is not
market ready. Do not show anapartment that is not clean, or is
under any form of constructionIf there is an issue, make sure you
bring it to the attention of a propertymanager or Signature
Community team member
21. The Experience you Create From the moment the prospective
resident arrives at the property,insure that they are comfortable
and at ease. Offer them a beverage, askthem how they are, show them
that you are there to help them find their new home, notjust sell
to them Allow the resident to walk ahead of you, while politely
directingthem around the grounds, the building, and the apartment.
Allow themspace to walk around and get a feel for the environment
while observing their bodylanguage and responding appropriately to
their physical responses to things. Let them ask you questions
while you are inside the apartment so youcan use the surrounding
environment to your advantage and you can point to physicalbenefits
(a great view, wonderful closet space, convenient parking.etc)If
they ask a question you dont know the answer to, DONT MAKE
SOMETHING UP orjust tell them what they want to hear. Tell them you
arent sure but that you willfind out before they leave. If you can,
offer them a place to sit after the tour that is in acomfortable
environment where they can ask any lingering questions and fill
outan applicationHAVE FUN! Engage with the prospective residents,
get to know themand let them get to know you!
22. The Approach you Take Remember that you are representing
Signature Community,where the resident is the boss. Be polite,
helpful, upbeat and SMILE! Make sure the prospective resident is
always attended to andtheir questions are answered in a
professional and informativemanner If the resident seems
disinterested GET THEM INTERESTED if they seembusy BE AWARE OF THE
TIME if they seem shy ENGAGE THEM ALWAYS, ALWAYS , ALWAYS LET THE
APARTMENT, SIGNATURE, AND YOUR PERSONALITY SHINE!
23. The Signature Brand You Sell Pay attention to what is
important to the prospective resident andtell them how Signature
will best benefit them. Talk to them about more than the building
and the unit. Talk tothem about what makes Signature Community so
different andwhy they will Love the Place they Live Assure them
that the customer service they experience with youwill continue
every day that they live with us
24. The Expectations you Leave them with Make sure the final
price you offer is the correct and approvedmarket price of the
apartment Make sure you describe the specials being offered in a
detailed andinformative manner. Allow them to ask questions. GIVE
THEM YOUR BUISNESS CARD and insure them that you are available
toanswer any questions they may think of later on Never let a
prospective resident walk away without a piece ofSignature
Community printed material in their hand wither it be abrochure, a
pen, or a flyer with specific notes youve made on the back that
arepersonal to them and their apartment. Direct them to visit our
website where they can talk to live agents, learnmore about
Signature Community, and APPLY FOR THE APARTMENT THEYVESEEN!!
25. More Follow UpNot every apartment you show will
automatically turn into anapplication and then a lease.FOLLOW UP
WITH THE PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS YOUVE MET* Ask them if they have any
lingering questions* Ask them if they have given any more thought
to the SignatureCommunity apartment they saw* If they have decided
to go in another direction, politely ask themWHY.
26. Application Never run, or turn in an application that has
not yet been paid for Never accept money or personal check for an
application. It mustalways be in the form of a money order or other
certified funds Always write a receipt for the application and make
sure it is paidseparately from any holding or security deposit fee
All applications must be signed by the applicant or
applicantsbefore being run Verify that all state IDs and social
security cards of applicantsmatch the information on the
application before it is run Let all prospective residents know
that the application process can takeup to 48 hours. Never promise
that it will take a shorter amount of time. NEVER take an
application outside of the leasing office
27. Holding Fees and Security DepositsIn some markets a Holding
Fee of $100 will insure that an apartment is reserved for an
approved applicant, in other markets it will be the full security
deposit Write a receipt Never turn in either payment for deposit
until an applicant has beenapproved Fill out and give the future
resident a welcome letter that details whattheir rent amount is,
how they can get utilities turned on in their name, andwhat their
new address will be!ALL HOLDINGS AND DEPOSITS ARE ABLE TO BE
RETURNED (IN FULL)WITHIN 72 HOURS OF PAYMENT IF THE PROSPECTIVE
RESDIENTCHANGES THEIR MIND.*After the 72 hours is up, the payment
becomes non-refundable(unless its a Security Deposit that will be
returned in full at the conclusion of the lease)*To be considered
the leasing agent and receive commission on a lease youmust be the
agent to both show the apartment and collect the holding orsecurity
deposit.
28. Signing the Lease In most markets you will need to be the
one to enter in lease informationand draw up the lease contractIf
you are not the one to enter the information you must be present
for this, to insurethat the information you offered to the resident
is what is in their lease. Schedule a time that works both for
yourself and the new residents tosign the lease BUILD THE RESIDENT
FILE they way you were shown by the marketProperty Manager and make
sure it includes the application and guestcard. Make sure the lease
contract is approved and signed off by a PropertyManger before it
is brought to a resident to be signed KNOW THE LEASE be able to
walk a resident through the lease and beable to answer an questions
they may haveOnce the lease has been signed, shake your residents
hand andthank them for choosing..