Whenever I take on a new property, I have a mental list of things to tackle. Then I start and have training so for days the list just grows and grows!

As a new manager, you need to learn every job you manage in the office and it starts with leasing. I should be able to fully step into a leasing role at any given time.

I am a fan of training binders and, if I don't have one when I go into a new property, I make them when allowed.

My goal is simple. My leasing binder should make it easy for any new leasing person to start and lease from day one after training.

It should include a property-specific pitch sheet.

It should have a market survey (not for pricing which should be shared weekly electronically but for comp comparison. If a prospect wants a 3 bedroom you don't have, you don't want to refer them to a property that only has 1-2 beds.)

It should have a sample availability with notes explaining price differences and premiums.

It should have a site map.

It should have a fee sheet.

If you rely heavily on your property website, it should have navigation information that may not be intuitive to the first-time user.

You should have a QR code for it that prospects can scan so they don't have to type in a long URL or Google search your property name.

It should have neighborhood information checked monthly on groceries, dry cleaners, vets etc. If your leasing person is new to the city, they will not know these common landmarks should prospects or residents ask them where they are.

It is helpful to have a Fair Housing question and answer sheet provided by or approved by your training department. It is a study guide not to be given to prospects.

Yes, everyone does online training for this but having a sheet of questions with the answers allows leasing staff to verbally practice and perfect it.

You want constant, easy reminders on how to answer leasing questions in a way that follows the law to the letter. "What kind of people live here?" "Is there a lot of crime?" "I have a criminal record. Can I live here?"

If there is not a step-by-step walk-through on guiding prospects through the online application process, build one.

Maybe it seems intuitive or easy to someone who has been there forever but to new people, it may not be.

The last thing you want is a new person blundering their way through it along with your new resident. It sours the first impression.

My goal as a manager is to organize, improve efficiency, and reduce staff and resident stress.

Do you have leasing binders at your property?