Virtual leasing is the practice of renting an apartment when either the prospect or leasing agent is not physically present. Agents must rely on digital tools to build relationships with their prospects and showcase their apartment communities.
COVID-19 has made virtual leasing the new normal due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing practices. It has also caused a significant decrease in apartment leads across the country. This means that virtual leasing and delivering on every prospect touch point is more important than ever.
If you’re a leasing agent struggling to close your leases during this time—remember to keep calm and lease on. We hope these virtual leasing closing techniques can help you convert your leads to leases during this difficult time.
Many communities have photos and interactive 3D layouts of their apartment homes available online. Potential renters have access to these types of virtual “open houses” all the time. But, are you really building a relationship between your community and prospects by passing along a website and some photos? Yes, but it’s definitely not enough to close a lease.
That’s where a guided tour can really help out. Right now, most communities are unable to give in-person tours and they are turning to virtual tours as an effective alternative. A virtual tour can be as simple as having a FaceTime or Google Hangouts session with a prospect. The key is having one-on-one time where you are able to build rapport and talk with your prospects personally.
Everyone, not just those looking to rent an apartment, could use some reassurance right now. Take your time to really communicate that you care. Listen to your prospects and remember the key points that they mention, this can be a huge step in establishing an emotional connection to your community. During your phone conversations, take notes about your future residents and incorporate them into your virtual tour. This will help you connect with your prospects’ emotions.
There are dozens of properties that offer similar features and amenities, your role as a leasing agent is to help people see what benefits they can gain from your property. This form of emotional marketing encourages the prospect to feel something, appeals to a specific emotion and reaches the prospect’s subconscious.
It’s rare for a prospect to sign a lease after just one interaction with your community, which means your follow-up activity is important. It can take an average of four to six outbound communications for every inbound communication to close a lease. That means if a prospect calls, takes a virtual tour and then emails follow-up questions, it will take you between 12 and 18 communications to get the prospect to sign.
However, following up is just half the battle. It’s the response time that matters. According to Zillow, 71% of renters expect to hear back within 24 hours or less. How can you ensure that every call and text from prospects are handled instantly? Use a virtual leasing assistant, like ACE from LeaseHawk.
With ACE, your prospects' calls, texts, and chats are answered instantly. ACE is like having your very own virtual teammate. It gives you peace of mind that your prospect inquiries will never be missed while you’re busy giving a virtual tour or helping an existing resident. ACE offers a consistent and conversational experience to every prospect by giving them the information they want, like pricing and availability, quickly and efficiently.
Experience how ACE works for yourself and see how it can help you respond immediately to prospect inquiries. Call or text (480) 571-1339 and ask ACE to schedule a virtual tour!
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Chatbots make communication simple and direct. They offer 24/7 access, are easy to use, respond instantly and provide the information your renters need. Your community will benefit by implementing one. Discover five reasons why your prospects will want your property to have a chatbot.
The traditional way to show an apartment has been paused and a new way is already on the rise. Demand for virtual touch-less tours is surging from apartment consumers. Although this technology is on the rise due to social distancing, experts predict things won’t go back to the way they were either.
Needless to say, this year has been full of curveballs. But that doesn’t mean your marketing has to strike out. If you feel that you’ve exhausted your marketing efforts, think again. Here’s a couple of apartment marketing ideas that are sure to be a home run for lead generation.
UDR has seen significant cost savings and increased prospect conversions since implementing ACE™ Virtual Leasing Assistant from LeaseHawk. According to Scott Wesson, UDR’s Chief Digital Officer, “By implementing ACE, UDR is on track to reducing its operating expense for managing calls by 65%.”
The LeaseHawk and Apartments.com partnership includes full integration of ACE™ Virtual Leasing Assistant on listings, so renters can enjoy instant and conversational responses to leasing inquiries. This partnership promises to streamline the rental process and create a lift in prospect conversion.
2023 is going to be a big year for AI in the multifamily industry. And so far, ACE™ Virtual Leasing Assistant powered by LeaseHawk has already released a host of new enhancements—with even more powerful features to come.
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