Increase visual appeal, get more leases signed, and highlight your property’s full potential
5 Game-Changing Cleaning Tricks Every Property Manager Must Know
First impressions are everything when connecting with potential tenants. You want them to feel like they’re home the moment they set eyes on a property for rent. Staging a space is the first step in creating a strong impression, but property managers also need a way to maintain that space and ensure the magic doesn’t die.
Here’s what you’ll gain from this article:
- Actionable tips for property managers to help maintain the appearance of model units designed by SouthPark Interiors.
- By implementing these quick tips, you can enhance the overall experience for potential tenants, increase the number of leases signed, and showcase the design to its full potential.
Let’s look at how first impressions matter and five tips property managers can use to maintain visual excellence.
Elevating First Impressions
The condition and aesthetic can impact property tours and be a deciding factor when it’s time to sign a lease. One report from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals shows that staged spaces sell 3 to 30 times faster and at a much higher price (up to 20% more) compared to homes that are not staged. Staging adds a high-end appeal since most staging occurs in luxury homes and can instantly make a space feel cleaner, brighter, organized, and unique.
While you’re not selling properties, you are responsible for filling them—and adding visual appeal can help potential tenants picture themselves living there and inspire them to move forward.
After staging a property, you want to put just as much effort into maintaining it so your efforts can continue to wow prospective tenants. These five tips can help.
Tip #1: Special Attention to High-Traffic Areas
Having a cleaning and maintenance plan in place will help you make the best use of your time. One of your first priorities should be to maintain the areas that receive the most attention during tours. This usually includes:
- The entryway
- Living room
- Hallway(s)
- Floor space in front of porches or balconies
Pay attention to how prospective tenants interact with the model unit. For example, if they’re exploring the main living spaces but only peeking into bedrooms and bathrooms, you’ll focus more of your time and efforts on the main living spaces.
Tip #2: Preserving Staging Furniture and Decor
Although your staging furniture isn’t being used on a daily basis like it would be in a real living situation, it will experience some level of wear and tear. To maintain your staged space, you’ll need to implement some protective measures to safeguard your furniture and space during tours.
These safeguards ultimately depend on the space itself. For instance, if you have hardwood floors, you can add felt pads to the feet of furniture to prevent floor scuffs. If you have carpet, you might add rugs or runners to high-traffic areas to maintain the carpet’s cleanliness (and reduce the need to vacuum).
Other between-tour tips include:
- Keep furniture out of direct sunlight
- Use slipcovers to keep dust and debris off furniture
- Place decorative items like vases in areas where they’re less likely to be bumped or knocked over
Keeping your staging furniture and decor in good condition will help you maintain that shiny, like-new appeal that makes staged homes so impactful.
Tip #3: Equipping for Success
No matter your cleaning frequency, you can reduce the time and effort you spend cleaning your staged space when you have the right tools on hand.
Start by stocking gentle cleaning supplies that protect the integrity of the space. Take into account the various surfaces, fabrics, and textures you’ll need to clean (e.g., stainless steel, tile). This will help you have the right cleaning products on hand to make your space look the best it can be.
Also, make sure you have other cleaning tools readily available in the event of an unscheduled tour. Or worse, a necessary clean-up during a tour. This means having a broom or mop stashed in the closet to clean up messy footprints left behind on a tour during a rainy day, or paper towels to wipe up a spill.
When you can clean as you go, your space will sparkle longer and reduce the demand on you and your staff.
Tip #4: Satisfying All Senses
Visual appeal should include all of the senses, not just the eyes. For instance, if you’re adding ambient light, make sure your lighting elements are lit before tenants walk into the space.
You can also focus on scents that sell. For example, adding aromatherapy that smells like fresh baked cookies, fresh lemons, or pine or cedar will appeal to the olfactory senses, helping to make your tour a memorable experience.
Tip #5: Navigating Challenges with Grace
Remember, no plan is perfect! Messes happen, even in spaces that aren’t being lived in on a daily basis. How you react to maintenance can make a big difference in its appearance.
Take swift responses to unexpected spills, damage, or accidents. If you bring in a prospective tenant and meet a few visual surprises, don’t panic. Instead, focus on the tenant as you make notes about what needs to be fixed. The service you provide your prospects won’t go unnoticed.
Professional Staging Requires Trusted, Ongoing Expertise
Property managers and interior design experts have a mutually beneficial relationship in that they’re working together to get more leases signed. Once the staged unit is installed, property managers play a role in its upkeep, ensuring the work of the designer continues to do the most good.
At SouthPark Interiors, we’re committed to not only designing livable spaces but also helping property managers simplify their maintenance. Contact us today to learn more.