The Multifamily Collective

Coffee and industry conversation, led by Mike Brewer

Apartment marketing

Apartment Occupancies: As job growth goes so does occupancy go

· · 7 Comments

Unemployment jumped to 7.2% in Saint Louis this month, up from 5.6% just one year ago. We all know that job creation and growth lead to household formation and thus apartment rentals and home purchases. Historically just 10% of the formed households lease apartment homes.

I say all that to suggest that some of the key fundamentals of our business are turning the wrong way. At least that is my view.

Let me know what you think.

Your trying to remain optimistic apartment maniac,

M

Apartment Marketing: What about that ad or listing caused you to call or visit?

· · 2 Comments

All these years we have asked the question (hopefully); Where did you hear about us? We do this in an attempt to track our advertising so that we know what works and what does not. And, that is to allow us the opportunity to spend efficiently.

My question to the group is this; Do any of you ask and or train a follow up question? I am not talking about: Did you see us in the big book or little book or this site or that site.

I think it appropriate to ask; What about that ad or listing caused you to call or visit us? This would assist us to further enhance our ad or listing copy.

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UDR – iPhone

· · 3 Comments

Caught this off the business wire this morning;

DENVER, Sep 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
UDR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating — UDR, Inc. (NYSE:UDR) announced today the launch of a new website that
can quickly and efficiently deliver information about UDR’s
apartment homes to millions of Apple iPhone and iPod(R)
touch users.

“We’re excited to
become the first company in the multifamily industry to offer an
iPhone/iPod touch-friendly website,” said
Jerry Davis, Senior Vice President of Operations for UDR. [Read more here]

I am bringing it up on my iPhone now. I will let you know what I think.

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Vacancy rate across the nation is going to be lower?

· · 1 Comment

I found this on the Apartment Search by Cort blog this morning. The blog was written about an article in BusinessWeek which I could not find. The author was kind enough to provide the link, not unlike I just did, but it does not go to the story. Nevertheless, the statement that struck me is the one I have cut and pasted below.

I find trouble in this blanket statement. What about you? What do you think? Here it is for your pondering;

Apartment rentals being on the rise means that the vacancy rate
across the nation is going to be lower, it also means that finding
apartments that are available is going to get more and more difficult
without some assistance. ApartmentSearch.com is a valuable tool for
people who are trying to find an apartment to rent. Our search function makes it easy for the apartment hunter to visit virtually many complexes and apartment management offices without leaving their home.

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