This week’s #AptChat fell right in the middle of the 2016 NMHC OPTECH Conference & Exposition, so we thought it was the perfect time to talk about how tech trends are impacting apartment marketing.
The discussion covered a lot of ground, from virtual reality to plain ol’ Wi-Fi; these are the highlights. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: 35% of renters expect a response “in a few hours or less” when contacting a property. How can tech help reach prospects faster?
- Q2: We know people want to see where they’re going to live. Are you using Virtual Reality today? Are you looking at using it soon?
- Q3: What have you seen about smarthome tech for apartments? How will that impact the industry? How might it impact apt marketing?
- Q4: Lots of talk about tech at the property. Car chargers, solar, wi-fi, fiber, etc. What are you seeing prospects respond to most?
35% of renters expect a response “in a few hours or less” when contacting a property. How can tech help reach prospects faster?
Bots? RT @AptChat Q1: 35% of renters expect a response “in a few hours or less”… How can tech help reach prospects faster? #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Definitely, but I haven’t looked into it much bcause I’m a fan of human interaction. I just know that Facebook offers them #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Do the other 65% expect it immediately? ?#InstantGratificationSociety #aptchat
— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Their expectations are unrealistic and childish, and I won’t form my company around the desires of such people.
— Peter Lohmann (@pslohmann) November 15, 2016
@AptChat 1 biz day
— Peter Lohmann (@pslohmann) November 15, 2016
@AptChat @pslohmann The rest of the world serves customers in an instant. Their expectations are rooted in what is entirely possible.
— Kate Good (@kategood) November 15, 2016
@pslohmann @AptChat Our prop leased 50 apartments in 50 days and the only thing we changed was the way we respond to leads. #speedtothelead
— Kate Good (@kategood) November 15, 2016
A1: Property management teams can set up text alerts from leads and also monitor social media to reply more quickly to prospects! #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
@AptChat It often helps to have multiple alerts in case team members are out of the office or away from their computers!
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
2 votes so far for more VR … are we going to be viewing Zillow through a pair of glasses soon? #AptChat #OpTech2016
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) November 15, 2016
Tour models, corporate apt & virtual @CORTFurniture showroom NOW. Powered by @engrain @Matterport #AptChat #OPTECH2016 #sharedeconomy https://t.co/a9cvG561IJ
— Tamela [:] ) Coval (@TamelaCoval) November 15, 2016
We know people want to see where they’re going to live. Are you using Virtual Reality today? Are you looking at using it soon?
@AptChat Considering it. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
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@AptChat for the tougher markets. BUT considering the cost of VR, I feel there are alt impactful tactics you can do for same price #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@AptChat If I were considering VR, for 1/2 the cost, I could do a popup shop, sponsor a restaurant for a day. Something guerrilla. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 if you download google cardboard camera app you can create some VR using your phone. Need cardboard viewer thiugh #aptchat
— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Hard to get that going when current mgmt. is JUST NOW implementing online leasing! #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) November 15, 2016
@MsMin @AptChat I feel your pain and know others do too. How do we get from Flintstones to the Jetsons in this industry? #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) November 15, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Show them how it’s done and make it cost effective to their bottom lines! #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) November 15, 2016
@MsMin @AptChat It always comes back to the almighty dollar! #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) November 15, 2016
@MsMin I’ll say a prayer for you. I know the struggle LOL Our industry is a late adopter of tech trends only because we can. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @MsMin We need to watch the early adopters though – I do think they win the leasing wars just about every time #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) November 15, 2016
A2: I’m not using VR now, but I’m open to it! Once there’s greater access to it, I’d be interested to explore the possibilities #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
@AptChat That’d be one of the best applications of VR! We’d also love to see how VR could show assets to owners and managers #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
VR’s in MultiFam test mode currently. Lennar, Monogram, CF Real Estate Svcs among toe-dippers. International adoption leads US. [:] ) https://t.co/2URhcooOcj
— Tamela [:] ) Coval (@TamelaCoval) November 15, 2016
What have you seen about smarthome tech for apartments? How will that impact the industry? How might it impact apt marketing?
A3: Smart home technology might become a more prominent amenity depending on what residents look for! #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
Lots of talk about tech at the property. Car chargers, solar, wi-fi, fiber, etc. What are you seeing prospects respond to most?
@AptChat Plain ol’ INTERNET ACCESS lol that’s easy to log on to. If you don’t have that, they’ll complain in online reviews. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
A4: We’re still seeing that wi-fi and convenient internet access is huge for residents #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Business intelligence is a big trend for technology! Our CEO will be moderating the Scalable BI panel at 2:30! #AptChat
— InfoTycoon (@InfoTycoonNews) November 15, 2016
@AptChat @InfoTycoonNews Let’s see more Actionable BI not just FYI BI #aptchat
— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Snapchat spectacles? #aptchat
— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) November 15, 2016
@AptChat Staff-less leasing offices. Just use credit card to get key, tour. Just an idea. Not trying to put anyone out of work! LOL #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @AptChat It could work! Some customers sell themselves, buy online b/c they don’t want a salesperson. #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) November 15, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat Kind of like being able to bypass the car rental office by pre-booking online
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) November 15, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @Marketing_Mommy The tech to do this exists right now. Single-family property managers are already using it! #AptChat
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) November 15, 2016
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern, and we’ll be discussing how to capture more renewals. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!
