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Annual Resident Telesurvey Confirms Service is Key to Retention.


Despite all the money you can invest in the "bells and whistles A slang English term for exceptional features in some product. In the computer field, it typically refers to functions in software that may be greatly appreciated by some users, even though they may not be necessary most of the time. " of resident retention programs, from move-in gifts to newsletters and social activities ... resident retention begins and ends with service. As you will see, a surprising percentage of residents are either unsure about or choose to not renew their lease due to issues which are under the property staff's control. Quite often, as a matter of fact, the staff is the reason the resident will/may not renew! One of the keys to maximizing max·i·mize  
tr.v. max·i·mized, max·i·miz·ing, max·i·miz·es
1. To increase or make as great as possible:
 performance is to identify these controllable issues and to then take action. If you want to know what these controllable issues are, all you need to do is survey your residents ... and listen!

The results from our telesurveys confirm service is the backbone backbone: see spinal column.


The part of a network that handles the major traffic. It employs the highest-speed transmission paths in the network and may also run the longest distances.
 of retention, and all too frequently is the cause of unnecessary and controllable turnover. No matter how high your occupancy Gaining or having physical possession of real property subject to, or in the absence of, legal right or title.

In a fire insurance policy, for example, the term occupancy
 is, finding ways to improve satisfaction and reduce turnover has a direct impact on the bottom line!

In total, over 42 percent of the reasons residents cited for not answering "Very Likely" are issues under the property's control. Want to dramatically improve your bottom line? Focus on your staff and taking care of your residents' basic service needs. By simply providing prompt and professional service you can dramatically impact your bottom line!

Seventeen Seventeen

novel of young love. [Am. Lit.: Booth Tarkington Seventeen in Magill I, 882]

See : Adolescence
 percent of the reasons that residents gave for not answering "Very Likely" when asked if they planned to renew their lease were related to the property's office, maintenance and custodial staff. Nearly one fifth of the reasons were directly attributable attributable

emanating from or pertaining to attribute.


attributable proportion
see attributable risk (below).

attributable risk
 to simply being nice, prompt and capable!

Gift wrapped Gift Wrapped is a greatest hits compilation by the Canadian Comedy Music group The Arrogant Worms, released in 2002 under the Oglio Records label. It is significant in that it marks their official debut release in the United States.  toilet toilet /toi·let/ (toi´lit) the cleansing and dressing of a wound.

toilet

the cleansing and dressing of a wound.

toilet 
 paper rolls on move-in day are not the answer to increasing satisfaction and renewals ... dedicated, pleasant, well trained staff members and a fully staffed property is most effective way to improve satisfaction ... and the property's performance! Compare the staff related reasons in the top 10 with where, for example, social activities falls in the rankings (#50).

Another 25 percent cited reasons for not renewing re·new  
v. re·newed, re·new·ing, re·news

v.tr.
1. To make new or as if new again; restore: renewed the antique chair.

2.
 that quite often are under the property's control, such as apartment and property appearance issues (like the condition of the painting, carpeting/flooring, window treatments), and the rent increase. To change a resident's mind and insure Insure can mean:
  • To provide for financial or other mitigation if something goes wrong: see insurance or .
  • Or you may be looking for ensure or inshore.
 a renewal, wouldn't would·n't  

Contraction of would not.


wouldn't would not
wouldn't would
 you be willing to shampoo shampoo

a cleaning agent, usually liquid, for hair; usually consists of a detergent and perfume. Some, usually referred to as medicated shampoos, contain therapeutic substances such as parasiticides, antimicrobials, ketatolytic agents, and antiseborrheic compounds such as selenium
 the living room carpeting? Many of these issues can be addressed with a basic renewal rewards program which offers a menu of relatively inexpensive in-unit improvement options, with the value of the options increasing the longer the resident has lived at your community. Regarding rent increases, in today's tight markets the only question is "how much is too much"? When 9 percent of residents cite this as a reason for not renewing, one must find the balance between aggressive increases and forcing turnover. These issues are critical given that each move-out costs the property $2,000 in turnover and vacancy VACANCY. A place which is empty. The term is principally applied to cases where an office is not filled.
     2. By the constitution of the United States, the president has the power to fill up vacancies that may happen during the recess of the senate.
 related costs.

When reviewing the responses to the question "How could the community be improved?", the answers were equally enlightening en·light·en  
tr.v. en·light·ened, en·light·en·ing, en·light·ens
1. To give spiritual or intellectual insight to:
. A focus on the basics is what residents are looking for Looking for

In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with.
 ... the ability to park their car, live in a clean building, working laundry Laundry can be:
  • items of clothing and other textiles that require washing
  • the act of washing clothing and textiles
  • the room of a house in which this is done
History of laundry
Before industrialization
 facilities, courteous/capable/dependable staffs, safety, the appearance of building common areas, the appearance and condition of their apartment home, and reasonable rents.

"How Likely To Renew Lease"--Rank Order of Reasons Given for Not Answering "Very Likely"
Bought Home                                    10%
Rent Increase(**)                               9%
Relocation                                      7%
Moving Home                                     4%
Office--Courteous, Professional(*)              3%
Convenience-Work(*)                             3%
Neighbors                                       3%
Maintenance--Responsive, Dependable(*)          3%
Maintenance--Work Quality(*)                    3%
Community--Cleanliness(*)                       3%
Cannot Afford(**)                               2%
Apartment--Appearance(**)                       2%
Parking(**)                                     2%
Office--Responsive, Dependable(*)               2%
Kitchen Cabinets(**)                            2%
Kitchen Appliances(**)                          2%
Apartment--Need Different Size(**)              2%
Apartment--Space, Design                        2%
Community--Quality                              2%
Maintenance--Courteous, Professional(*)         1%
Halls/Lobbies(**)                               1%
Found Better Deal(**)                           1%
Utilities                                       1%
Flooring(**)                                    1%
Apartment Painting(**)                          1%
Safety--Community                               1%
Safety--Neighborhood                            1%
Neighborhood                                    1%
Laundry(**)                                     1%
Roommate Change                                 1%
Carpeting(**)                                   1%
Marital Status                                  1%
Custodians--Responsive, Dependable(*)           1%
Safety--Building(**)                            1%
Heating under                                   1%
Building Exteriors(**)                    under 1%
Windows                                   under 1%
Custodians--Courteous, Professional(*)    under 1%
Pets Not Accepted                         under 1%
Lost Job                                  under 1%
Air Conditioning(**)                      under 1%
Landscaping(**)                           under 1%
Community--Construction                   under 1%
Services(**)                              under 1%
Eviction                                  under 1%
Window Treatments(**)                     under 1%
Illness/Medical                           under 1%
Recreational Facilities                         1%
Other Facilities                                1%
Social Activities(**)                           1%

"How To Improve"--Rank
Order of Top 20 Suggestions Given

Parking                                         8%
Better Residents                                7%
Community Cleanliness                           5%
Lower Rent                                      5%
Maintenance--Responsive, Dependable             4%
Safety--Building                                3%
Safety--Neighborhood                            3%
Laundry                                         3%
Office--Courteous, Professional                 3%
Recreational Facilities                         3%
Office--Responsive, Dependable                  3%
Halls/Lobbies                                   3%
Maintenance-Work Quality                        2%
Kitchen Appliances                              2%
Carpeting                                       2%
Apartment Appearance                            2%
Apartment Painting                              2%
Kitchen Cabinets                                2%
Social Activities                               2%
Maintenance--Courteous, Professional            2%

Average SatisFaction Scores--Ranked
(1-5 Scale:

1 Extremely Dissatisfied,
3 Average,
5 Extremely Satisfied):

Maintenance-Courteous, Professional           3.98
Office-Courteous, Professional                3.96
Safety/Security                               3.82
Office-Responsive, Dependable                 3.77
Exterior Curb Appeal                          3.76
Maintenance-Work Quality                      3.75
Apartment                                     3.60
Maintenance-Response Time                     3.56
Building Interior Curb Appeal                 3.44
Overall Average Score                         3.73
Maintenance Problems Still Exist               42%
"Very Likely" To Renew                         49%
Would Recommend                                81%



The starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting point
terminus a quo

commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the
 to identifying where attention is needed is to perform annual resident surveys. These help to identify issues, plus quite often give the ultimate rationale rationale (rash´nal´),
n the fundamental reasons used as the basis for a decision or action.
 needed to get specific property improvements approved. Ask your residents what their issues are ... and listen. Then take action and communicate.

(*) Staff Related, Under Staff Control

(**) Other "Reasonably" Controllable Reasons

Doug DOUG Dumb Old Utility Guy  Miller, co-founder of SatisFacts Research and President of The Miller Marketing Group, has over 15 years of experience in the multifamily housing industry. SatisFacts, a joint venture of The Miller Group and The Apartment Connection, offers a wide variety of surveys for the industry.
COPYRIGHT 2000 National Apartment Association
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2000, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Author:Miller, Doug
Publication:Units
Date:Sep 1, 2000
Words:942
Previous Article:Three Easy Ways to Know Thy Apartment Competitor.
Next Article:Toward a More Balanced Housing Policy.



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