Dear Gabby,

I’ve been around the block a few times as a property manager and, not to pat myself on the back too much, I think I’m pretty good at this job. However, I want to be better, but with my busy life, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the latest trends. That said, can you give me the scoop on the latest trends for attracting renters?

- #BusyBee

Dear #BusyBee,

I can totally relate. Between making sure my kids get to school on time and being a boss on the job, I barely have time to watch the latest episode of HGTV’s Property Brothers (it’s a guilty pleasure). In fact, I’m squeezing this in during commercial breaks.

Keeping up with the latest trends is important if you want to be a great property manager, so let me break it down for you!

It’s pretty well-known that more and more people are deciding to rent instead of buying houses. 2015 saw the biggest surge in new renters in history, bringing the number of people living in rental units to around 110 million people.This means that more families across the country are calling multifamily communities home. Because of this, renters are looking for an apartment that matches their personality and lifestyle. These are a few of the things they’re looking for:

Customized Design

Property managers that want to stand out in an increasingly crowded market can attract renters with décor that is customized for target renters. Today’s renters are interested in design that is closely tied to local culture and design that reflects the history of their city.

For example, certain materials lend themselves best to different locations. In colder climates, carpeting may make more sense than hardwood or tile. Interior design elements tied to the geographic area of your apartment building can also make renters feel like they are part of their community. High-ceilings, industrial lighting, and exposed brick, for instance, make more sense in what used to be the warehouse district of a Midwestern city than in the suburban South.

Luxury Amenities

In lieu of backyards with swingsets, renters are looking for apartments with luxurious amenities, including:

• State-of-the-art gyms with the newest equipment rather

• Spas, saunas or steam rooms for relaxing and unwinding

• Concierge services

• Private elevators

• Internet cafes

• Free, dependable WiFi

• Car-sharing services

• Child-care services

• Dry cleaning services

• Bicycle stations for parking, storage, parts, and repairs

• In-house cooking, wine tasting, and aerobic classes

• Comfy in-house movie theaters

• Dog grooming services

• Pools with tanning decks, lawn chairs, and fire pits

• Community gaming room

Green Space

Renters may not be choosing to move into houses with giant backyards, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want green space. Multifamily housing with areas for renters to walk their dogs or to sit a read a book outside are becoming more desirable, especially in cities… think beautifully groomed rooftop gardens.

While it’s not the only thing renters are focused on, design is playing a bigger part in the renting game. Today’s renters are paying closer attention to design and how it can add to their living experience, so if you’re looking for ways to upgrade your property, it’s a good place to start.

Readers! Can you think of any other examples of how multifamily housing communities are focusing on design to draw in renters? Let me know in the comments.

Catch ya later,

Gabby