As the landlord or property manager for military service members and their families, you are uniquely suited to help your new-to-the-area tenants make their new community feel like home. Being proactive as a local expert establishes a positive relationship from the get go that will return dividends through happy, satisfied tenants!
A digital welcome
Wow potential tenants from their first contact with you by offering those who inquire about your homes a digital welcome packet that includes general information about the local area. A great place to start is with fun activities for kids, great local restaurants and practical information about how utilities work in your area. Your familiarity with the area offers you the opportunity to establish yourself an incredible resource from the get go for individuals and families that are already juggling too many balls as they move.
In many counties, the local Chamber of Commerce prepares a package for new residents with coupons and advertisements geared to getting to know the area. Since you are likely your tenants first local contact, check in with your local Chamber of Commerce to see if you can provide each new tenant with one of these packets.
Offer School Help
Military children face both academic and social challenges when they switch schools. Creating a transition that’s as easy as possible is a priority for parents. For each of your properties, provide information about school registration (who to contact) and any district-wide policies or handbooks available. For some districts, this could be as simple as an email with links to the appropriate school websites – but be specific by linking directly to contact pages or handbooks so your tenants have to do as little searching as possible.
Service Providers Every One Needs
With every move, your tenants are having to find new stylists, mechanics, doctors and similar service providers that you typically discover once you’ve been in an area for a while. Be the local resource and compile referrals from word of mouth recommendations you hear in the course of every day life for your tenants!
Be A Local Tourist
Every local area has fun secrets to discover. Create a list of those things that are within an easy day’s drive of your properties. For an easy way to share, create a Pinterest board full of ideas that you can even send out in an email newsletter. Don’t forget to remind tenants who have been in the area for a year or more that there may still be more to discover!
Want to help more than just your own clients? We’re collecting recommendations of your favorite businesses at each duty station to share with AHRN.com members!