In college I used to work at the football games. As it was my job to check in and watch wheelchairs and strollers, I sat under the stands, the lone staff member in orange. Simple and straightforward. (And admittedly boring, but I needed the money.) I knew my job and I did my job.
At least, when the rush of checking in wheelchairs and strollers on my first day had slowed I thought I knew my job. After the first quarter of the football game finished people started to wander around, some to stretch their legs, but most were in search of food.
“Do you know where Cafe Rio is?”
“Where are the Dippin Dots?”
These were, by far, the most commonly asked questions. Each game, every game, several times a game, and always those two food vendors. My answer was, “Sorry, I don’t know where those are located.”
Yes, I technically knew my job, but knowing what was beyond my 12’ by 12’ square of space would have helped me do my job that much better.
As landlords and property managers you know your property. You know that Building C has the best views. You know there are three types of unit floorplans and the prices that each style rents for. You know the answers to all the questions potential tenants ask before signing a rental lease. You know that the roof on Building 12 will need to be replaced next year.
But how well do you know the neighborhood and the surrounding area? What do you know beyond property limits? Do you know where Cafe Rio is? Or Dippin Dots?
No, it’s not imperative that you know this information, but it can help you do your job that much better. One, it can help you market your properties. Letting people know the perks of not only your property but the neighborhood as well is a good sell. Two, when you have new tenants moving in who are new to the area, or maybe even to the city, their experience with your business will be that much better if you can help make the change a little easier. Here are some key locations and info you should know in relation to your property-
Grocery Stores
Schools
Hospitals
Banks
Post office
Gyms
Parks
Restaurants
Highway and freeway access
Bus/subway stops
Future development
This is just a start. The more you know the more helpful you can be. If you notice that male residents keep asking where they can get a haircut, you may want to figure out where a barber is nearby. I do realize this is a digital age and people can just look up all these answers, but it is nice when we can get a recommendation from another person. Don’t be afraid to be that person.
And yes, before I quit the football job I did figure out where Cafe Rio and Dippin Dots were.
