Marketing Apartments To Pet Owners

@AptChat I think the Stat is that one 65% of American households have pets. I’d call that a significant demographic.

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

here’s the stat: Approximately 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog, and 30-37% have a cat. (Source: APPA) #AptChat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

A1: EXTREMELY important! Millennials are the biggest demo for #multifamily. And they LOVE their pets: https://t.co/hXjCAKXRlh #aptchat

— Respage (@Respage) August 23, 2016

A1: Very important. We see a lot of texts asking if communites are pet friendly and what the breed restrictions are. #AptChat

— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) August 23, 2016

A1: Websites should say pet friendly. Not sure if there are fair housing rules, but also list acceptable breeds on the site #AptChat

— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) August 23, 2016

@RokitNowInc fair housing does not protect pets of any sort. Service animals are NOT pets and don’t fall under the same rules. #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

A1: Extremely important. Especially if you’re one of the few “inclusive” pet communities out there (no breed/weight restrictions). #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

Pets are man’s best friend, its important to cater to people that have pets! Think dog parks, dog social hours and treats for pets! #AptChat

— Modern Message (@modernmsg) August 23, 2016

. @AptChat @AppFolio found that 76% of millennials own a cat or dog, so incredibly important for this demographic of renters! #aptchat

— Places4Students (@Places4Students) August 23, 2016

Pet parks, treats in the office & fountains throughout your community are great ways to show your pet-friendliness. https://t.co/cejUQnxuJH

— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) August 23, 2016

Definitely many positives for being a pet welcoming community. There are some negatives too, like poo on grounds. 🙁 #aptchat

— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) August 23, 2016

@MsMin poo happens. How much does it cost for poo stations or a porter? That # Vs how much lost leases cost. No question #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

I’m just going to say it: breed restrictions are dumb. There is no such thing as an agressive breed. #AptChat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

@artchickhb Agree! Gotta love policies written 20 (or more) yrs ago that nobody has questioned since #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

Also, at #naaeduconf this year, I learned that over 500,000 animals a year end up in shelters due to our industry’s pet policies #AptChat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

@artchickhb Another example of our industry having an opportunity to do SO.MUCH.GOOD. Who is going to capitalize on this first? #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

Breed restrictions are dumb. Also – smaller dogs tend to cause far more property damage than larger more relaxed breeds. #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

@artchickhb Problem with breeds is you’re battling the exposure Pit Bulls have had in the media. Hard to contend & not be liable? #aptchat

— Daniel Redman (@dredman) August 23, 2016

@dredman liability always should rest with the pet owner. Pit bulls are very sweet dogs. You want agressive? Tea cup poodles. #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

@dredman Put a friendly pit bull in your community video ? Risky, but whatever. It’s 2016. People are more knowledgeable. #aptchat

— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) August 23, 2016

@AptChat A2: Pet policies shld be clearly defined especially on the website. Customers shouldn’t have to show up or call 2 find out #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Q2: Lifting restrictions could make a prop more marketable. Wld still have to respond to residents who feel negatively tho #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

@Marketing_Mommy @AptChat We lost some prospects who feared dogs, but we gained hundreds who had big/typically restricted breeds. #aptchat

— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Q2. Years ago I was w/ a PMC w/ no breed/no weight restrictions. A HUGE competitive advantage & we marketed it heavily. #aptchat

— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) August 23, 2016

@StephanieOehler @AptChat Many are afraid to try this but it would be such a great way to get the advantage, esp in a saturated mkt #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

A2: Again, we have to look at Millennials, who have dismissed pitbull myths by and large. They see breed restrictions as outdated. #aptchat

— Respage (@Respage) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Dog theme PAWties are always a huge hit! Think about this fall with a TAILgate or a HOWL-o-ween pawty 😉 #AptChat

— Modern Message (@modernmsg) August 23, 2016

I know a community where the staff actually brings their dogs to work. Another way to show you’re pet-friendly. #aptchat

— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) August 23, 2016

@jasminebrooks44 bringing you pet to work has other long term employee satisfaction and health benefits as well #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

A3: Pet grooming stations on site. RT:@AptChat What are some of the more unique pet-focused amenities or events you’ve seen? #AptChat

— Corp. Suites Network (@csnhousing) August 23, 2016

@csnhousing @AptChat And those grooming stations typically = ancillary income for the community. Win-Win! #AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

A3: We have #furnishedapartments with dog walks/runs on site. #AptChat Which is a must for high-rise in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/ihx1a3f4ax

— Corp. Suites Network (@csnhousing) August 23, 2016

A3: We have clients who have on-site dog parks and dog-wash stations. Lots of front-desks handing out treats. #aptchat

— Respage (@Respage) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Q3: “Yappy Hours”, Community Pet Sitter/Walker. Pet baths/grooming stations are popping up. #AptChat

— Stephanie Oehler (@StephanieOehler) August 23, 2016

A3: I’d love to see in-apt pet amenities added- like built-in crates. #AptChat pic.twitter.com/VmKuIvDQHw

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Last year was 1st time so many were in Student Housing! #AptChat Yes, we did verify.

— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) August 23, 2016

@AptChat ALWAYS VERIFY. everytime. W/out fail. I say this as a fair housing instructor, AND as some1who actually has a service dog #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

A4: How hard is it 2 get an animal documented for emotional needs? Seems 2 b more of those cases. Is this a work around for renters?#AptChat

— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) August 23, 2016

@Marketing_Mommy it’s not hard. But that doesn’t always mean it’s a work around either. Mental health carries a terrible stigma #aptchat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

Pet rent is so past it’s prime. People are sick of buckle and dime fees. Be Southwest, not Spirit #AptChat

— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) August 23, 2016

@AptChat Courts here in IN r overruling m/o charges when Resident is charged a non-refundable fee. Beware. #AptChat

— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) August 23, 2016