How Important Are Resident Activities to you and your community?

Resident Activities are very important selling tool for us! I remember four years ago when I was on the apartment hunt looking for an apartment community that was going to be home for my self and three children I wanted something that I could find living in a neighborhood but with in an apartment community. I must have look at ten different community's and left each one disappointed. Several times I ask what do you do for the residents and got oh well we have these great amenities. I wanted to feel connected to my community and get to know my neighbors. I know its a crazy thought but I really wanted that.

See I was a single mom going out on my own for the first time sense having kids and previously had only lived in student housing(which trust me there are lots of activities going on it was allot of fun) so I knew that I would need the connection to others and hopefully find a friend or as Anne of Green Gables states, a Kindred Spirit. I finally found what I was looking for in the community that I currently live and work for. I was blown away by the fact there were kids outside playing and the amount of resident activities they had.  I knew right then and there that was where I wanted to be. It also helped that it was close to my employer at the time. As you can see having regular resident activities can make a difference to a prospect. For myself it was very important in the decision making part of where my family and I would live.

Every time I show our community or any community that I'm on for our company I start off showing our resident clubhouse or activity board.  I give the prospect a calendar of the activities that we have going on and invite them to come out to the next one so they can see how much fun we have. I guarantee if you do this then your closing ratio will increase. Having regular resident activities will also help with resident retention. People more than ever want to feel connected to where they live. They want to know that this is a great place to be. So why not start setting yourself apart now from everyone else by offering more resident activities that appeal to your residents. Take a survey ask what they would be interested in. Make them part of the process like they have a say in what you are planning. Start a resident activities committee...oh I really like that idea...just pop into my head. This will also take some of the stress off of you in the office.  Here are just a few idea's for some resident activities to try out:

Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer Festival ( Have local vendors or businesses help sponsor email me if you want a layout for this)

Game Night: Bingo.Bonco,Cribbage,Uno, Phase 10

Hamburger Cook Off: Make this an annual event play it up

Chili Cook Off: Make this an annual event play it up

Breakfast On The Go: Simple Breakfast Items maybe check with your local breakfast place see if you can get a special on items. Also Starbucks will do taste test at your community for Free.

Ladies Night: Make this a feel great about your self event talk to some makeup distributors set up different tables of different local business let them have samples to give. Have a nice dinner

Mystery Dinner Theater: I know they use to sale these years ago but check out a themed mystery dinner.

Movie Night at The Pool

Tutoring For Kids: Contact the High School or Colleges Offer Free Tutoring

Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts: Set up a chapter at your property


These are just somethings that you can do. I know there are tons of  things we can do. I don't know how else to stress that having resident activities are very important to our communities. It is hard work but the payoff is worth it. You will have more resident retention and higher closing ratio. I love to hear what you have to say or other ideas you have!





This is a picture of an event that we had where one of our residents gave a lesson on snakes! The kids loved it!

Jolene Sopalski
Leasing Specialist
WRH Realty Services

* Originally Posted On Multifamily Insiders Jul 2010*