To win as many renters as possible, apartment communities commonly offer an array of amenities and services, from WiFi lounges and dog parks to yoga classes and package delivery. However, it’s no secret that many of those perks are, at best, underutilized.
This week’s #AptChat centers on what apartment dwellers don’t use, what they actually want, and what’s expected — not a bonus— today. These are the highlights. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: What are you seeing as the most desired amenities in your market today? What are renters asking for?
- Q2: What are amenities and amenity spaces that residents don’t ask for or use? What amenities have you *stopped* including?
- Q3: How about resident services? As residents expect more, are there new services that you’re providing that you haven’t before?
- Q4: What other amenities do residents gravitate to now? What used to be amenities but are now just expected utilities?
What are you seeing as the most desired amenities in your market today? What are renters asking for?
@AptChat #AptChat – Extensive #fitness centers especially Yoga Rooms.
— Corcoran Management (@CorcoranMgmt) July 26, 2016
@AptChat have not jumped into ondemand – but we do have a local instructor come in and teach #yoga!
— Corcoran Management (@CorcoranMgmt) July 26, 2016
@CorcoranMgmt @AptChat do you find that residents are actually use them or just like the idea?
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@ortizwastaken @AptChat residents do use them at a moderate usage, but certainly the “idea” of having one is a major draw
— Corcoran Management (@CorcoranMgmt) July 26, 2016
@CorcoranMgmt @AptChat I think the key is making spaces flexible so they can change w/the trends of what residents want #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy LOVE. Must keep spaces flexible. Marketing should be more involved in construction IMO. @CorcoranMgmt @AptChat #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
Agreed! Flex Spaces that can evolve are key to keeping up with changing trends. #AptChat https://t.co/3yHCjBhoQ0
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
I read package delivery management is #2 amenity after fitness centers. #aptchat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@AptChat @ortizwastaken The list from NMHC during my NAAEduConf session on package management as an amenity. #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
@ortizwastaken I would think it’s pretty high up there. Frustrating to get home & can’t get a pkg b/c office is closed. #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
We are always trying to figure whether PMs prefer lockers or sofrware #aptchat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
Some thoughts from @rhaugheyNMHC on what renters are looking for today – https://t.co/c22LFsIR6X #AptChat
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) July 26, 2016
The most desired “amenity” seems to be convenience: close to work or public transit, zipcar, food & package delivery services Q1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
@AptChat I’d say it’s a mix. If we can get ZipCar, we’ll go with that. Package notification system? We might use industry vendor. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
What are amenities and amenity spaces that residents don’t ask for or use? What amenities have you *stopped* including?
I think clubhouses are just something that adds the cool factor to the property. How often do you see residents use them? Q2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
@AptChat @jasminebrooks44 Adding or remodeling your fitness centers and remodeling you leasing offices! #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
Computer labs are now coffee lounges with wi-fi access and cool highboy tables that help create that coffeehouse feel. Q2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
Traditional fitness centers are being converted into spin studios and are being equipped with virtual fitness on demand programs Q2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
#aptchat @AptChat I see clients converting Bball courts to 2-floor fitness cntrs, remodeling leasing offices, landscaping then raising rents
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
@CraigMeddin @AptChat Residents like where they live to look polished and nice. Good landscaping and décor go a long way. #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
@MsMin @CraigMeddin Yep, we’ve had lots of conversations with clients about ways they can help residents “look cooler” to friends. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) July 26, 2016
Friends are sources for referrals! #AptChat https://t.co/b5aKqUADyJ
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
@MsMin @AptChat Recently ran into client at Michaels buying new decor for model. She changes it every 2-3 months, little at a time #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
#aptchat @AptChat Also, not new, converting tennis / racquetball courts into onsite mini-dog parks.
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
How about resident services? As residents expect more, are there new services that you’re providing that you haven’t before?
@AptChat Dry cleaning lockers, dry cleaning delivery into your closet, dog walking, package delivery into your unit… for a fee. #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
@AptChat Either via PMS integrated apps or direct to the resident with set-up with their credit / debit card. #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
@CraigMeddin We have to get away from “PMS-integrated” apps. Too confusing to send residents to multiple places for each service. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) July 26, 2016
@30lines You can’t discount the little guys, that’s where innovation is born! The big PMS aren’t great everything. #aptchat
— Craig Meddin (@CraigMeddin) July 26, 2016
@CraigMeddin Not discounting at all. Just saying separate apps lead to poor customer exp. Need extendable modules in a central app. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) July 26, 2016
@30lines @CraigMeddin the problem we see consistently is that when apps try to be everything, nothing is awesome. #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@ortizwastaken @CraigMeddin Totally true. But “Welcome to the community. Here are 6 apps you need to download” isn’t good, either. #AptChat
— 30 Lines (@30lines) July 26, 2016
@30lines @CraigMeddin I agree. Resident facing portal should be unified. Integrated options should work w/in that. #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@AptChat Haven’t done it here, but more regarding pets: dog walker, grooming, training classes, agility training … #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
@AptChat Depends on company. Lots aren’t visionaries. I work with local trainers and vets, would love to team with PetSmart. #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
@AptChat I see local delivery services trending. Shopping, food, dry cleaning, etc. #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@AptChat Hmmm… Not anything special I can think of, but I am curious to see what everyone has to say. Q3 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 @AptChat I want cleaning service. Can I get 1x/mo apt cleaning or touch up? I’d take that over a social event!#AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @jasminebrooks44 Count me in for that. #AptChat
— Mike Whaling (@mwhaling) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @jasminebrooks44 @AptChat good idea. Think you can include that as a fee or higher rent? #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@ortizwastaken @jasminebrooks44 @AptChat I would pay higher rent. And prob could get a deal w/property’s cleaners #Aptchat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @jasminebrooks44 @AptChat you should test that theory. You may be on to something. #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
@ortizwastaken @jasminebrooks44 @AptChat There are a lot of saturated markets & lease up sites who could try this to differentiate #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @ortizwastaken @jasminebrooks44 @AptChat Cut down on hoarding, bugs, & increase longevity of carpet, etc.! Win-Win #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
@mwhaling @jasminebrooks44 Prob won’t ever happen, but apt cleaning & free meals wld win me over (maybe I need a nursing home?) #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
@Marketing_Mommy @mwhaling ? hey this is an entitled generation we’re serving so i think it’s very possible #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
What other amenities do residents gravitate to now? What used to be amenities but are now just expected utilities?
@AptChat accepting pets is almost a given these days. If you don’t, it is like you’re not accepting leases.
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) July 26, 2016
@AptChat package delivery management for sure is an expected amenity not considered one before. #AptChat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) July 26, 2016
It looks like we’re slowly bldg a gap btwn the amenities that come w renting versus those that come w owning. #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
One amenity I would like is SOUNDPROOFING. #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) July 26, 2016
See. We’re getting toward houses. RT @MsMin One amenity I would like is SOUNDPROOFING. #AptChat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminebrooks44) July 26, 2016
@jasminebrooks44 Bound to happen given that home ownership has been declining. Time for #multifamily to seize the opportunity! #AptChat
— Kristi Fickert (@Marketing_Mommy) July 26, 2016
Our next #AptChat is slated for Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern, and we’ll be discussing quick wins to get last-minute leases. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!