Jared Miller RedPeak

Tamera Greene Watermark Residential

Darren Everett BLDG Management

Jennifer Henderson Echelon Property Group

The wants of today ’ s renter have been altered by the pandemic , but it remains to be seen what the long-term impact will be . At RedPeak , we are seeing incredible demand across our portfolio , but there has been a more noticeable change at communities with outdoor spaces – whether private or a large community space . The pandemic has also exacerbated shifts already happening in how prospective resident want to interact with us . Virtual and self-guided tours became the norm and we are still seeing sight unseen leases well above historical standards . The future resident may have toured virtually , but move-in day is often the first time they see their new home . The move- in experience we deliver just became that much more critical .

I think today ’ s renter is very smart and savvy . They have done their homework and research on what is important to them . Our industry has provided so many valuable resources and platforms virtually , mobile apps , and self-guided tours allowing them to be more intentional in where they move . We have helped them determine what ’ s important to them as it relates to their lifestyle , job location and overall well-being . We hold the secret key to their happiness and I am proud to be apart of an evolving industry that makes such a grand impact on people ’ s lives .

Our observation is , no matter how much in rent you are paying , today ’ s renter increasingly wants customer service without friction . Meaning they want a quality resident experience without hassle . Renters want this because many industries are already creating a customer experience that is both efficient and still customer-service focused . From buying a car , to buying groceries to ordering a pizza , the customer experience has changed quickly over the last 24 months and renters are wanting the same where they choose to live .

This is an interesting time as the generations renting today is really quite diverse . There is one need / want that does crossover all those generations and that is the desire for an apartment where noise is not a large issue . This is obviously a hard item to overcome in existing communites but I strongly urge all new developers to really think about the long term value that soundproofing homes can add . For existing communites , consider sound dampening underlayment for floors , solid core doors when permissable , and sealing any holes where common plumbing and venting may be . I am confident that when online reviews start to mention how quiet a community is the leasing velocity will be unstoppable .

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JUNE 2021 TRENDS | 21