Move In Gifts?

Do you give move-in gifts to your new residents? If yes, what types of gifts do you give? And what amount of money do you spend on those gifts?

We've given a variety of things over the years, but I'm not sure it really benefits anyone...I've never had anyone come in and say, "Wow, I can't believe you give move-in gifts, so I want to live here"...and I've only had one new resident ever say anything to us about getting anything...

So does giving a move-in gift really help you? I enjoy doing things with my residents, but times are hard, so I need to spend my money where it will do me the most good.

Thanks...

I am the 20 year proud owner of Baskets by Jill. Almost 100% of our business is welcome, renewal and marketing gifts for apartment communities nationally. For 20 years I have been putting smiles on residents' faces and loving every minute of it. Do they call and say “thank you” to the property manager? The likely hood is just as great as them thanking them for cleaning their carpets or painting the walls upon move in, but the element of surprise and the feeling of doing and giving something that is totally unexpected, that is priceless and yes, goes a long way! Believe you and I, they do appreciate it. Unspoken words have value, we just don’t see it. I have been fortunate enough that through the years my clients have shared many heartfelt and warm stories of their residents appreciating the gift but not everyone is that way.

The concept of "a little goes a long way" and the feeling of being appreciated is something that you can’t afford NOT to do – ESPECIALLY in today’s economy. Expect the Unexpected. They may not thank the Property Manager but I can almost guarantee that when they call their family, friends or talk to business associates something is mentioned and that form of advertising you can not buy anywhere! Word of mouth is PRICELESS!

I appreciate the post and I hope that this brings some light to the issue. Wishing you a wonderful day~

Jill :cheer:

Christine-

This is a very interesting topic and I know many have strategies that go from one extreme to another. Some believe it is a complete waste, some feel that something small needs to be given, while others spend some good money on this customer touch point.

Here's my advice. Definitely do something. Let's remember the goal of a gift in any situation. When giving a gift we do so not out of obligation, but because we want to do something nice, we want to feel good about giving, and we hope to get the satisfaction that comes from getting a "thank you."

Gary Vaynerchuk puts an interesting twist on the concept of the thank you and how it's what creates word of mouth. garyvaynerchuk.com/post/226157962/the-th...-world-of-content-is Whenever you have an opportunity to earn a "thank you" from a customer I say go for it. Seize that opportunity. They all add up.

We do small move in gifts and try to either use them as a marketing tie in (our "Make the move to Manor" t-shirts in a Roscoe Properties mug) or use cross marketing with a local business Alamo Drafthouse www.originalalamo.com , is a popular movie theater in town that gives us movie passes. We also give gift certificates from local restaurants and coffee shops.

We tried to stop giving the t-shirts, but literally had residents begging us to continue with them (hence the photo

I think it is important to let new residents know we are happy they are there and it is an opportunity to become a part of the community. Talk to local businesses and see if they would like to work with you (discounted or even free coupons/gift certificates) for a move in gift that is benificial to both of you.

Carrie - Great picture! I completely agree with the concept of working with local businesses. When a prospect becomes a resident, they are buying into your property as well as your area communityk so sell it all. Had a former manager who created a community booklet, outlining different restaurants, stores, physicians, dealerships, etc... they stole the idea from a hotel and it flies off the shelf... local businesses who originally scoffed at pasrticipating in it then started calling the office asking to get in on the next edition.

Love the idea of a community booklet! I may just steal it
Did they ask for payment from businesses or a return link? Would you have to get permission from the businesses before adding them to the booklet?

As a nationwide Branding Agency, specializing in Multifamily, it's always nice to give some type of move in gifts. Remember whatever you give, make sure it has a useful purpose and not a throw away.
We have provided many of the who's who in the industry with several creative items that are walking billboards of advertising for their company. We provide bulk orders & drop ship nationwide, always keeping the budget in mind.
When I was onsite, I developed the Book idea as well, only it was a Logo Binder. I created a section for Menus for local eateries that Delivered or where just close by. I went to the eateries & told them what I was doing and they even provided Coupons for my community. We would hole punch them and add them to the Binder.
It was always a nice gift with a couple creative branding items!

The binder idea is a great one that residents (new and static) loved. We did approach each business to buy into the idea and the cost was minimal... especially if you make friends with your local Kinko's/Office Max/ local copier store...
Easy to update (in loose leaf or even better through your property newsletter) and gives perks for residents. Another thing I've seen properties do is have a local business sponsor the move-in gifts for a month. Papa John's partnered with a company and gave their residents a coupon for a free pizza. Partner with a local resitaurant/bar, local park, golf course, etc... anything that would appeal to your residents and make sense to have a working partnership with area businesses.

I do give a move-in booklet...it has cleaning tips, directions to local schools, stores, libraries, etc., things they need to know such as laundry room rules, snow removal policies, etc. and then it has a copy of their lease in the back...

Is this the type of information you have in your book, or do you keep it just community based?

And what do you say to the local restaurants, stores, etc. to get them to sponsor the move-in gifts?

Does anyone have a sample of their move-in book that we could look at?

Thanks...I'm learning so much from this site...grin...

I just let restaurants and movie theaters know that I would be handing out a coupon/movie ticket/gift certificate to every new tenant....it is to thier benifit to have a customer who just moved to the area who will definitely stop by thier restaurant...hopefully creating a new regular.

Local businesses will want to tap into built-in clientel...not so they can give away free stuff once, but so they can have a paying customer for life.

Below is an email I sent to theater to ask for a move-in special:

"Roscoe Properties and I are putting together our website as well as “Move In Packets” for all of our new tenants. We currently manage 12 communities with over 600 units and we are expect to have another 200 units added in the year. We have community locations in South, Central and East Austin. Convenient to your South Lamar, downtown and Village theaters

Specifics for each project are:

For the website we would like to include the Alamo with a link to your websites and in the future perhaps add special offers for our current residents who visit our site. Our new website should have regular hits from not only prospective renters, but tenants who will be able to pay their rent online as well as participate in an online community.

For the Move In Packet, we would love to present our new residents with information about the Alamo Drafthouse (perhaps a flyer or menu) with a coupon redeemable at any location, something simple like a movie ticket or free drink.

Let me know if this might be of interest to you and the Drafthouse."

Other business I went to in person and let them know about our communities and how our residents would enjoy thier business. We have gotten coupons as well as discounted gift certificates ($10 gift certificates for $5 for example)

(BTW, if y'all are ever in Austin, The Alamo Drafthouse is a MUST visit! Cool movie theater with chef driven food and drinks...you can have a nice dinner and cocktails while watching the latest movie! www.originalalamo.com ...and no, they don't pay me :) I just think it is a neat addition to our city as well as a really cool move in gift)

Thanks for the help, Carrie...This will be added to my list of must do's...

This is such a great question, and as with all things communities choose to spend money on, the first priority should be to ensure that the move-in experience itself is hassle and worry-free. If the toilet is running or one of the burners doesn't work from day one, the coolest move-in gift in the world will not erase the question forming in that new resident's mind, "Did we make the right choice in moving here?"

But if the apartment is truly 100% rent ready, all appliances and fixtures are working, the paperwork is ready, then by all means, a thoughtful gift is a definite cherry on top!

Great topic - I was visiting with a property manager just the other day on this topic. Her move in gift included some of the items mentioned above in addition to some basics like; a roll of TP, some sanitary wipes, a small bottle of hand sanitizer with a property branded sticker on it, etc... All those things you packed in the box you forgot to mark as first day essentials. She packaged all this in a clear trash bag laced with a bow on top.

It was tastefully done, relatively inexpensive and more time than not - a big hit with residents.