Great American Property Blog

5 ways to achieve "Hotel Pool" vibes without breaking the bank!

Summer time is for pools... and pools are for carefree fun, lazy afternoons and vacation vibes. Who doesn't love a luxury hotel pool that makes everyone feel welcome, relaxed and comfortable? Well, there’s no reason your residents couldn't have that feeling right in their own, literal, backyard, right?!

Let's be honest, not all pools are created equal. If your property is fortunate to have a nice pool area, you have a head start in maximizing its potential. If your pool could use a little TLC, that doesn't mean that with a little creativity and planning, you can't build your pool over into a commodity potential residents' won't want to live without. 

2022-05-18 18:10:00

Create the Ultimate Dog Park

Great American has everything you need to create a custom dog park your residents won’t be able to resist.

2021-06-15 20:04:00

Build Your Own Outdoor Retreat!

Create a beautiful outdoor oasis for your residents to enjoy during the warm months with products from Great American!

2021-06-01 16:55:00

Practical, Stylish and Affordable Wipe Dispensing Solutions

Promote good health and hygiene throughout your community by keeping the common areas cleanusing all-purpose cleaning wipes from Great American!

2021-05-19 12:18:00

Stars and Stripes and Patriotic Products

May is a busy month for multi-family communities; summer is quickly approaching and there is a lot to do in preparation for the busy leasing season. While updating the curb appeal and marketing products around your property, remember to add in the “stars and stripes” in anticipation of the upcoming patriotic holidays.

 

2021-05-03 13:23:00

Impress Prospects & Residents With a Personal Touch

Excite your residents and prospects with fun, practical, and thoughtful gifts whether its for resident appreciation, leasing renewals, or community events. Great American has the top selection of resident gifts that are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

2021-04-27 19:17:00

Hello Spring! New Seasonal Curb Appeal That WOWS!

It’s time to add some bold new colors and best-selling designs to your curb-appeal. Start spring on the right foot and make sure your property is ready to attract new residents with some of our best NEW products to date!

2021-04-14 20:04:00

Reopen Your Pools and Make a Big Splash!

Deciding to re-open your community’s swimming pools this summer may require a few more  steps and consideration that in years prior, but with a little creativity and a lot of planning, your residents and guests can feel safe and have a great time lounging pool side; here are some tips and ideas to help you plan for a safe and fun-filled pool opening this summer.

2021-04-12 18:40:00

JUMBO 3 Balloon Bandit Sign Kit

Enhance your curb appeal and make the most of the spring leasing season with our high-impact Jumbo 3 Balloon Bandit Sign Kit! These kits are exclusive to Great American and provide a large eye-catching colorful display to draw future residents to your property.

2021-03-29 16:43:00

Are You Prepared for the Spring Leasing Season?

Leasing season is quickly approaching, so get your community in tip-top shape to WOW new prospects using our wide selection of make-ready products.

2021-03-11 20:31:00

Build the PERFECT Dog Park This Spring

Dog parks are a top amenity among renters, so build the PERFECT dog park now and take advantage of the spring leasing season. Did you know that residents who own pets are more likely to renew their lease?

2021-02-19 20:54:00

Show Your Community Some Love

Is your community prepared to show some love this February 14? We have you covered with festive reusable balloons clusters, bandit signs and fun resident gifts that can be used well after Valentine’s Day.

2021-02-04 20:40:00

FREEZE WARNING- Protect Your Community & Residents

Prepare your community well in advance of winter weather and avoid the headache of broken pipes and drafty apartments.

2021-01-04 16:31:00

New Year, New Look

Prepare your community to take 2021 by storm by implementing a few key updates to keep residents safe and quickly attract new prospects.

2021-01-01 17:59:00

Your Dog Park Needs This...

Add some excitement to your dog park this fall with our NEW Budget Fire Hydrant! Our most popular dog park product is now available in a more budget-friendly option, with the quality you know and trust from Great American.

2020-10-28 17:07:00

Update Your Fire Safety Plan in 3 Easy Steps

Make time during “National Fire Safety Month” to review your existing fire safety plans and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your staff’ and residents’ safety, as well as your compliance with applicable regulations.

Here are our top 3 tips to help you update your safety plans:

2020-10-16 17:00:00

Update Your Outdoor Décor in 3 Easy Steps

A small refresh throughout your community can have a huge impact and truly WOW residents and prospects.

2020-09-25 20:35:00

Make Your Property a Must-See with NEW Marketing Kits

Even though social distancing and providing touch-free customer service will still be top of mind, when it comes to marketing your community nothing attracts prospects like flags, signs, and balloons.

2020-09-14 17:36:00

MUST SEE Fall Flags for Your Community

Whether your leasing office and community are open for in-person tours or you are currently offering virtual-only tours and leasing, Great American has you covered. No matter which flag you choose, your community will definitely stand out with our exclusive new fall designs and patterns.

2020-09-03 16:18:00

Make Your Dog Park Your Biggest Asset During Leasing and Renewals

Dog parks continue to be the most sought-after amenity, and statistically residents with pets are more likely to renew their leases than those without, so keep that in mind when speaking with prospects.

2020-08-29 15:31:00

Tips for Engaging with Prospects During Social Distance

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way we all conduct business, but one thing is for sure: engagement and great customer service are more important than ever. The ability to provide a great experience and establish a relationship with prospects while social distancing will leave you heads and shoulders above your competitors.

2020-08-21 20:28:00

Update Your Pet Waste Stations with NEW Paw Pal Hand Sanitizer Kits

Has your dog park seen an increase in traffic recently? It is no surprise, as residents and their pets are clamoring to get out and enjoy the summer weather and some much-needed fresh air.

2020-08-01 17:02:00

Show Your Residents Some Love During Social Distancing

Your residents are likely employing some creative new ideas to keep themselves entertained while isolating, so why not make their day with some fun treats they can use and enjoy during movie night, game night or just Tuesday night.

2020-07-03 14:54:00

Increase Rental Rates With Virtual Tours

Virtual apartment tours are gaining in popularity during the current pandemic for many reasons. They provide an added layer of safety for everyone involved, and even though multifamily housing communities have been deemed as essential businesses, a lot of people do not want to leave their homes unless it's necessary.

2020-06-26 14:36:00

Keep Residents Safe & Informed with NEW Signs & Door Hangers

During the phased reopening of your community, the safety of your residents and staff will be at the forefront of your planning. You will need to utilize all the tools at your disposal for a truly successful reopening.

2020-06-07 14:24:00

Help Increase Resident Confidence with Touch Free Services

Now that your communities are officially reopened or preparing to reopen, make sure you take the appropriate precautions to keep your residents and staff as safe as possible during those necessary interactions.

 

2020-05-27 14:11:00

4 Quick Tips to Increase Bicycle Safety

With more people enjoying public spaces and outdoor activities during social distancing it’s important to remind your residents of important bike safety measures to make their time outdoors safe and enjoyable.

2020-05-05 13:43:00

Prepare for the Spring Leasing Season in 5 Easy Steps

Leasing season is here in full force, so take advantage of the extra foot traffic and wow your prospects with great customer service and a beautiful property. Follow these five steps to quickly convert your prospects to residents:

2020-04-03 18:26:00

Plan Your Dog Park This Spring

Dog parks are among the top amenities that provide added convenience to your residents’ lives. They provide a safe environment where residents and their beloved pets can relax and socialize.They also make your community more attractive to potential renters.

2020-02-04 14:51:00

Get a Jump Start on Your Spring Cleaning

Preventative maintenance is the most effective method of keeping your community in top shape and reducing the need for costly future repairs. Make a list of the areas your maintenance team will inspect every spring and what specific tasks should be performed. Here are the areas we recommend inspecting every spring.

2020-01-29 15:28:00

Is Your Community Resolution Ready?

It’s a new year so you know what that means…your residents are making new year’s resolutions to kick those old habits.

2019-12-20 23:01:00

How To WOW Your Residents This Holiday Season

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and with it is another opportunity to appreciate your residents and remind them why they chose your community. Wow them with seasonal treats and shower them with praise, plus here are our top suggestions for planning the perfect holiday event for your residents.

2019-11-29 20:23:00

How To Prep Your Community for a Winter Freeze

The winter months are a time to slow down and spend more time indoors with loved ones. Prepare your community well in advance of winter weather and avoid the headache of broken pipes and drafty apartments.

Schedule the maintenance team to perform seasonal inspections and maintenance of the grounds in preparation of winter:

2019-11-18 02:56:00

America Recycles Day

“America Recycles Day” is an ideal time to evaluate your recycling efforts and make incremental changes that can increase awareness of the importance of recycling to get your residents excited.

2019-10-20 20:39:00

Top Fire Safety & Prevention Tips

October is observed as national fire prevention month to educate the public and raise awareness of the need for fire safety.

Regular maintenance and inspections of machinery, electrical panels, smoke detectors, and alarms can help prevent fires from starting and properly alert employees and residents of the need to evacuate if smoke or a fire is detected.

2019-10-01 01:26:00

Resident Retention Tips

Great customer service and attention to detail will carry you a long way in retaining desirable residents. Here are our top tips to help you reduce vacancies and keep your occupancy rates high.

2019-09-17 20:31:00

Top 4 Benefits of Smart Locks

Why smart locks? A study from Wakefield Research shows that 86% of millennial renters are willing to pay 20% more for a smart apartment. Renter preferences lean heavily toward convenience, integration, and home automation.

2019-08-21 01:30:00

10 Safety Tips for Your Dog Park

Now that you’ve built a dog park for your residents to enjoy, consider your safety plan and overall regulations to reduce incident and liability while dogs and their families are at play.

2019-08-12 00:23:00

How to Maintain Your Dog Park

Dog parks are a lot of fun and provide a much-needed outlet for pets to play and socialize.

Keep yours well maintained and reduce repair costs over the lifetime of the park and make residents feel safe and comfortable.

2019-07-31 19:16:00

Recycling & Your Multifamily Community

A comprehensive recycling plan is a marketable amenity that helps you attract environmentally conscious residents, and as a property manager, you benefit from a clean, litter-free community while helping reduce landfill waste.

Read on to learn best practices for creating a recycling program for your multifamily community.

2019-07-16 17:39:00

HOW TO: Create a Dog Park

Multifamily communities are welcoming pets with open arms and dog parks have become a popular amenity. Many families are even willing to pay higher rents if it means a welcome environment for their pets.

Here’s what you need to know before adding a dog park to your community.

2019-07-02 23:27:00

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Pool season is in full swing, so take these steps to keep your residents and visitors safe this summer:

2019-05-23 23:37:00

Exceed Residents Expectations with Thoughtful Move In Gifts

A creative and thoughtful welcome gift is a great way to display that you care for your residents and want them to be comfortable in their new home. Start the relationship on the right foot by anticipating some of their early needs and providing real value. Here’s a few ideas:

2019-05-13 06:25:00

Caring for Your Flags

Flags make a great addition to your ongoing marketing strategy and no doubt capture the attention of passersby. Follow these tips for regular maintenance and keep your flags flying high and looking great.

2019-04-25 19:35:00

Do You Know What to Do in the Event of a Tornado?

Tornadoes are a devastating force of nature known to cause serious injury, death, and destruction of entire communities. You cannot control the weather, but as the saying goes, an ounce of preparation can save the lives of many.

Use these tips to help prepare your workplace in the event of a tornado.

2019-04-22 19:01:00

Ignorance of Fair Housing Laws is NO Defense!

Accessibility issues account for the biggest number of Fair Housing complaints. American Baby Boomers hit Social Security age a few years ago. Many of them acquire handicapped parking documents, stickers, mirror hangers.

Read more about fair housing laws...

2019-03-25 22:00:00

5 Steps to Prep Your Pool for Summer

Its that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer, and your residents are ready to head outdoors for some fun. That means it’s time for some regular maintenance to prepare your pool for a safe summer.

Follow these steps to create a safe pool area...

2019-03-20 22:55:00

When Should Your American Flag Fly at Half Staff

When the nation is in a period of mourning, the American flag is lowered on its pole as a sign of respect referred to as “half-staff.”

During times when the American flag is flown at half-staff, state and local flags should follow suit until the flag is returned to full-staff. This period can last from one day for national days of remembrance, to 30 days in the event of the death of a sitting or former president.

2019-03-19 16:11:00

Prepare Your Community for the Spring Rental Season

A great first impression can mean the difference between full occupancy and vacant units, so get a jump on your spring cleaning and set your community apart as best in class.

Follow these five spring cleaning tips to gain a leg up on the competition.

2019-03-04 22:24:00

Promote Your Community Using Flags, Signs and Banners

Advertising with flags, signs, or banners is not exciting, but they are among the most effective and budget-friendly methods of advertising available.

Read more for ideas on advertising your property and amenities...

2019-02-28 03:59:00

How Does Your Amenities Package Stack Up?

Modern renters are incredibly discerning, and newly developed multifamily communities are rolling out the red carpet to attract and retain renters. It may seem impossible to keep pace with newly built developments, but there are several minor improvements to make any established community feel modern.

Read more for low cost, high impact amenity upgrade ideas...

2019-02-23 03:32:00