TRADE EXPO

“Make sure you clearly communicate your expectations for how you want your renters to be treated.”

for their community, employees and renters? If so, that’s an excellent sign you’ve found the right property manager. “Look for those that are involved in local charities or give back in other ways,” said Jennifer Spinelli, founder and CEO of Watson Buys. “These are the types of managers that will go above and beyond to make sure your property is well-cared for.”

It’s also essential that your property manager be a superior communicator. You need to know how they manage communication with renters. “Read online reviews from past and present clients,” said Copeland. “This will give you an idea of what type of experience other people have had with the company. Finally, schedule a meeting with the property manager to get a sense of their personality and communication style.”

You can also lead the charge in communication, too. “Make sure you clearly communicate your expectations for how you want your renters to be treated. If you expect them to be treated with respect and dignity, make sure that is included in your lease agreement. This will give the property manager a clear understanding of your expectations and help ensure that they are met.”

“Customer service in property management is about being proactive, and service matters,” said Jon Sanborn, co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Relationships don’t happen overnight. They require time and communication. Many property managers use skills such as empathy and open communication to navigate tricky situations.”

You will want to ask questions about communication tools used to stay in touch with renters. “Property managers should proactively communicate with renters,” said Spinelli. “This could include sending out monthly newsletters or letting renters know about upcoming maintenance or repair projects. By keeping renters in the loop, they will feel more comfortable and confident that their needs are being met.”

ABOVE AND BEYOND

While the suggestions made above reflect what you should consider the basics, the company you select to represent your interests, should be the one that demonstrated a real commitment to renters and the community they live in. The average property manager probably does some or all of the things just shared, but what should you look for to differentiate one from the other?

Ask about what the property manager does to create a sense of community. “One way a property management company can create a more community-like feel is by hosting events for renters,” said Spinelli. “This could include BBQs, holiday parties or other gatherings. This is a great way to get to know your renters and make them feel like they are part of a community.

“Another way to create a sense of community is by offering amenities that encourage social interaction,” she added. “This could include a community garden, a dog park, or a common area for renters to gather. By providing these types of amenities, you can help create a more tight-knit community feel among your renters.”

There are a few things that property management companies can do to create a more community-like feel with their renters. “First, they can encourage renters to interact with each other,” said Shaun Martin, Business owner and CEO of Denver Home Buyer. “This can be done by hosting events or creating common areas where renters can gather. Second, property management companies can create a sense of pride in the community by maintaining high standards for the property. This includes keeping the grounds clean and well-maintained. Finally, property management companies can show that they care about their renters by being responsive to their needs and concerns.”

Sometimes, though, it’s the little things that put that extra touch on the renter experience and shows that a property manager really cares about how the renter feels. “One of my clients moved from a different city and everything was new for them,” added Sanborn. “After renting a property, they were feeling out of place and not at home. The property management company that was handling their residential unit went out of their way to make the new renters feel welcome. Since they were managing the entire building, they were able to convince other renters to host an event to welcome their new neighbors. The company also participated and helped the new renters feel a part of a community and build strong relationships with them.”

And there you have it, a blueprint to finding a property manager with heart.

Cambria Risley is a bay area writer.

Meet Our Exhibitors

EBRHA 360 ANNUAL TRADE EXPO - 2022 EXHIBITORS

GOLD

Quake Bracing Manufacturing Company West Coast Premier Construction

Owens Real Estate State Farm - Kelly Lux Fire & Damage Recovery Edrington & Associates Kasa Properties

SILVER

BRONZE

EBRHA supports our growing membership of 1,500+ housing providers who own/manage/maintain more than 43,000 rental housing units across Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Place yourself at the center of this lucrative market by exploring opportunities to exhibit, sponsor, and/or advertise with EBRHA!

Why EXHIBIT at EBRHA 360 Annual Trade Expo?

• Make a lasting impression with added credibility • Develop meaningful relationships with top industry professionals • Advertising and membership promotions are included in your Gold or Platinum package. • Exclusive brand promotion through July 2023 to new and existing members • Priority consideration for article publication, advertising promotions, webinar opportunities, and more!

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Sponsorships are a long-term marketing strategy that provide lasting brand awareness and sustainable results. Our Sponsorship partners receive ample exposure for years as we continue to promote from past events with Sponsor logos. EBRHA 360 Annual Trade Expo - 2022 Sponsors THANK YOU Exhibitor Packages and Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Become an exhibitor and/or sponsor today!

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Trade Expo TICKETS ON SALE THROUGH OCTOBER 11 - EBRHA 360 - TRADE EXPO 2022

Join us on Wednesday, Octoberr29, 10am-3:30 PM, at the Pleasant Hill Community Center for our 15th Annual EBRHA 360 Trade Expo. The beautiful Pleasant Hill Community Center is the perfect backdrop for housing providers, suppliers and vendors to interact, share rental housing best practices, and understand the latest legislative policies impacting rental property owners and managers.

Tickets

Complimentary tickets:

• Standard Members (2) • Advanced Members (4) • Enterprise Pro Members (6)

Any Additional Guest: $25 Affiliate Subscribers: $25 Non-members: $50

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Discover new solutions to rental housing challenges, expand your network of like-minded professionals, and elevate your knowledge on current rental housing policies and practices, all under one roof in an action-packed Trade Expo event.

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Access to our expansive indoor-outdoor expo floor, featuring a comprehensive list of suppliers and vendors serving the East Bay rental housing community. Quality one-on-one time with a variety of exhibitors, including attorneys, insurers, contractors, builders, remodelers, lenders, community partners and others.

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A light breakfast and lunch will be provided

Added Attractions

LIVE Roundtable with Waye Rowland Legislative panal discussion

Meet Our Exhibitors

Quake Brace Manufacturing Company Bay Area Bin Support West Coast Premier Construction, Inc General Roofing Story by JP Morgan Owens Real Estate Precision Concrete Cutting State Farm - Kelly Lux Yardi Breeze Home Depot Fire & Water Damage Recovery Edrington & Associates Kasa Properties