One of our favorite residents passed away.. we're so heartbroken.

Last Thursday, one of our favorite residents came in to chat about his renewal offer. He spent over 30 minutes talking to our CD about how great this property has become again, since we took over; how great everyone from maintenance to leasing is, how much he enjoys living here.

He popped his head into my office to say his usual line: "hey! still rocking that hair. just wanted to say have a great day!" He was the first resident to be nice to me when I first started at my property 2 years ago.

This morning I got a call from a neighbor who said he had passed away Friday night of a heart attack, just 12 hours from traveling to see his sons for Thanksgiving. He had an underlying condition and unfortunately passed away too soon.

I went to his apartment towards the end of the work day today and met with his ex-spouse. She was so broken and it took everything I had to keep my face together. At one point in the conversation, she thanked me with: "I know you guys are here to make money but the fact your here shows compassion, thank you." I could have CRIED in this moment.

This is what we're here for.
We're here when you get your very first apartment, the first for a couple, the one after a separation, the one you raise your entire family in. We are here for you to make your residency more favorable to the best of our ability.

Our entire team is so saddened with his loss and in complete disbelief. I hope everyone remembers why we're in this industry and how vital we are even in the smallest way to our residents.

Awwwww
Love ❤️ this
Bless his heart
Y’all are the best

That was nicely said... sorry for your loss.

Beautiful and tough.❤️. Great job. So sorry for the loss. It’s happened to me five times throughout my career????

They become part of your day/week when they just do those regular "pop ins" even though we just work at the property, you develop some kind of feelings for your residents. I'm so sorry for the loss.

I know exactly how you feel. A lot of the times we get close to our residents and treat them like family. Hard not to when you see them on a daily basis stopping by to chat. I run a senior high rise now for almost a year after 17 years at family sites. What a difference!! Older people are trips too but for the most part sweethearts. It’s very hard when they pass. Keep doing a good job! They do appreciate good management and staffs.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Empathy and compassion are key in this business, and caring makes all the difference. Those treasured residents are the best. And so hard to lose. Hang in there.

So sorry for your loss. Very well said!

The business of multifamily at its core is to hold sacred this very thing - the privilege to play a role in the lives of the people who live in the spaces we manage.
It is so much more than friendliness - the true calling is in having a team of people who all understand that the details matter. Clean grounds, functioning public spaces, well lit pathways and corridors. Attention to the smallest of details send a powerful message that the resident is the reason. Their home is worth our care.
Thank you for sharing this reminder. The lives of our residents happen in our spaces - what an exquisite trust has been placed in our hands.

Thank you for sharing this heartfelt and loving story with all of us. And thank you for reminding us why we are in this position.....to make a difference...a positive deference. Prayers to this precious family and your team.

Thank you. You are absolutely right.

I have be at this for 30y and this is one of the things that makes me so sad, the people become a part of you. And it always nice when they come to tell you,

This is so true

I have said this for years, but unfortunately it is lost on so many in our industry.
This is a business of dealing with the most important thing in a persons life: their housing. Remember these are people and treat them as such. It’s hard and very challenging at times but when you relate on a human level it can be very rewarding.

What a beautiful and sad story. You’re exactly right. That’s what this industry is all about and you exemplify this to the T❣️❣️

So sorry for your loss of a dear resident! This is spot on.... you said it perfectly. I will be sharing with my teams.

Awwwww I want to cry too now.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I have cried many times over the loss of a resident. I will attend the wake and/or funeral depending on how close I was to them. It is the worse feeling to lose a resident. Sending prayers to you and your staff.

So sorry for your loss. Too many people are in this business and never realize that we actually work for our residents and the bonds that we form with them can be more than just “the people in the office that take the rent money”.

I shared your story on our page for Nevada State Apt Assoc. Its not what we do but how we do it that makes our industry so great! So sorry for your loss and prayers to his family and friends.

I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s always tough to lose a resident, especially ones you are close to.

You are a beautiful soul and your residents are blessed.

The sentiment is 100% true! After all of the drama we deal with, we are here to provide homes to people... to make them feel cared for and appreciated. Well done and so sorry for your loss.

What a poignant and beautiful story! I'm sorry for your loss of such a lovely soul. What you guys do is so difficult. The nonprofit I run also helps you help residents going through a temporary financial crisis. Please add us to your resource list for residents who need temporary rental assistance. Resident Relief Foundation. Www.facebook.com/ResidentReliefFoundation

So sad and a great reminder of true compassion, which this world needs more of. Praying that God brings strength and the Holy Spirit brings comfort during this difficult time!

So sorry for your loss Kate. The first traumatic experience in this industry was loosing a dear resident of ours as well (homicide unfortunately). It never gets easier, all we can do is be compassionate and sympathetic. Love and enjoy those around us everyday

Well said!!

Well said...sometimes our residents become an extension of our family.

So sorry

I love hearing that Property Mgmt still know what the Big Picture is in our everyday!
Bitter Sweet story sad for your loss but so proud of this industry & all of it's Blessings!!!

While managing a property for 3.5 years, I had 7 residents pass away. It is heartbreaking. So sorry to hear of your resident passing. Prayers for his family.

Sad but thoughtful story #rememberwhywearehere

Beautifully said, Kate.

Love that you took the time to share this story. So sorry for your loss. It is so true how much a part of our life our residents become. Thank you for sharing.

I am the Administrator & Property Manager at a senior housing complex also - 80 unit garden walkups. All of my tenants are unique and it is very easy to look at them as your Mother, Father, Aunt or Uncle, so I treat them as I would want someone to treat my own. They become a part of your day-to-day life and unfortunately, unless your heart is made of steel, it gets broken from loss. Many of my tenants are still somewhat healthy, but death does not discriminate on who it picks and when. Keeping your emotions in check while dealing with loved ones/those left behind is by far the most difficult.

I admire you for putting this out for discussion as our replies can be very therapeutic for you and those of us replying as well. We do a great service by providing decent, safe and sanitary living conditions, may we all remain mentally healthy enough to keep up with the challenge.