As the saying goes, first impressions are everything – this holds true when you are trying to find new tenants. If they show up to a rather unimpressive leasing office, you're going to have a harder time convincing them to move in. With these tips, you can ensure that your leasing office – which is one of the first places your potential tenants will see when they come for a tour – makes an excellent first impression.  

Infuse the office with the scent of freshly baked cookies.

Real estate agents often recommend that homeowners bake some cookies before an open house because the inviting aroma of freshly baked cookies makes visitors feel at home. You can do something similar at your leasing office. If you have a place to plug in a small toaster oven, try baking some pre-made, frozen cookies throughout the day. You can offer the cookies to visitors as they enjoy the welcoming scent. If actually baking cookies is not an option, a cookie-scented candle or air freshener, paired with some store-bought cookies, can do the trick.

Hide the clutter.

Chances are, there's plenty of paperwork stashed in your leasing office. This should never be visible to your visitors. Keep it in a back room, in filing cabinets, or somewhere else out of sight. The rooms your potential residents see should all be clutter-free and nicely organized, as this not only promotes feelings of relaxation, but also gives off the impression that your business values organization and order.

Designate a comfortable waiting area.

Make sure there is somewhere for visitors to rest while they await their appointments or the arrival of the person scheduled to give them a tour. If you have a small community, this can be as simple as two chairs with a small table between them. On the table, leave some information about restaurants, shops, or other attractions in the area, so they can learn more about the place they're thinking of living while they wait.

For a larger community with a larger leasing office, you can designate an entirely separate room for potential residents who are awaiting service. A coffee area, a television, and pamphlets about things in the community will give them something to do.

When potential residents walk into a leasing office that smells of fresh cookies, is well organized, and offers somewhere comfortable to wait, they are sure to be impressed with your attention to detail. They'll look forward to enjoying the same attention to detail when they become your residents.

For further assistance, contact local property management professionals, such as those from Management Services.