Non-Targeted Apartment Shops

I'm doing my first apartment shop this week, non-targeted. It's for Grace Hill/Shadow Agency. It looks pretty straightforward, and the pay's not too bad. It's less than I'd normally take for the distance I have to travel, but I want to get into doing apartment shops (although the targeted ones sound like a PITA).

Any tips on these? I expect it to be somewhat time consuming (when I worked in the office of an apartment complex, I was usually with a prospect for about an hour), but is it overall as relatively simple (not "easy"

as it seems?

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.

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It's not hard. The biggest challenge is that you need to make sure that the leasing professional does most of the talking and that you don't lead him/her in any way.... Do verify with the instructions: For some of this MSC's non-targeted shops, you need to still call and make an appointment. For others, you just show up and work with whomever greets you.

Time: I am generally on-site for 15-20 minutes for these. The report takes 30-40 minutes - though it could take a little longer your first time through.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

The key to limiting your time on site is to "pick and stick." In other words, express an early preference for a particular apartment size and, while on site, use the office time before the tour to narrow down how many units you will be shown. For instance, if the LA says she has 3 of the size you prefer, ask about the view from each or the floor level and say which you would prefer. Once shown a unit, be sure that any objection that you state is something that the LA can counter. Example: I am highly allergic to cats. Has this unit had a cat in it ? That provides an opportunity for the LA to brag about how thoroughly the unit is cleaned/painted/re-carpeted or whatever, between tenants.

If the LA asks where else you are looking you can say that you have appointments to see 2 condos. That can usually prevent the LA from launching into a discussion of how their management company is better than some other one.

But, also, relax. Your first apt shop will probably take longer on site than your third.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Great tips, both of you; thanks! I know what size I want and what floor (if a choice).

For the fair housing question, I thought I'd ask if there are many other single people in the complex that I can socialize with, since you're not supposed to ask about kids (which is what I find most people ask about) or other sensitive demographics.

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.

I have only done a few of these, and it the time at the location has varied from 15 minutes to an hour. One location did not have a leasing office and virtually no amenities so I just took the tour and documents that were given to me. Other locations might be larger and have lots of amenities. I don't know about the evaluation for the MSC that you are doing the shop for, but the evaluation sucks for this other MSC. There are a lot of narratives and on your best day it will take an hour to complete. I will not travel to do one and won't even think about doing them until the fee is at least $50. I will probably continue you to pass on them because I can do a lot more shops in the time frame it takes to do the apartment shops and make a lot more money. For me, there are too many other options. I am curious how it goes for you. I haven't signed with the MSC you are doing the shop for. Maybe it's a lot better.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2020 06:59AM by 1forum1.

My objection is mostly about handicapped parking, then about the view because it is usually on the ground floor. I haven't done one for this MSC yet but I have asked for one or two but has not come through on any yet.

Birdy,

1-Targeted shops can indeed be a PITA, but only if the MSC forbids asking for the specific agent.

2-A recorded call also can be a PITA, as, although there is a record of what transpired, a written report is still necessary and the call must be from you to the target, as opposed to leaving a message.

3-I would guess my shortest report at 45 minutes, with the longest at 1 hr. 51 mins. The reason I know that time was on my first job for a new client, I would always note to determine my rate for the future.

4-If you are satisfied with the fee, that is what matters. I completed my first community in 2005, but as many have frozen or even reduced fees, I have not completed a regular apt. shop in 3 years; I shifted to individual living retirement shops that were willing to pay my charges.

The fee is lower than what I would normally take to do a shop in this location, but I'm hoping if it goes well, I'll be able to get more jobs from this MSC. They occasionally have shops closer that pay well, but I never have been able to get one. They also have many apartment shops that are further away, but if I get on their good side, I would hope to ask for bonuses on those (which they do offer as deadline looms nearer!).

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.

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