Apartment complexes have a bad reputation. For the most part, these communities can feel quite cookie cutter. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. You know the one's we're talking about: the beige carpeting, the white walls, the units that look identical from building to building. While some might see this is as boring, most would argue that it allows for a clean slate for tenants to make their own. While this is certainly true, some find the white walls a little uninspiring. That's why we're focusing on some of the coolest, craziest themed apartment buildings around the world this week. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management urges other property managers to channel these creative ideas into their own properties.
Video Game Heaven Is there a better spot for an Atari-themed apartment building than Sunnyvale, California? We think not. The video game company's headquarters were located in Sunnyvale in the 1970s and 1980s, making it the perfect town for this property. Pksl, pronounced "pixel" is the site of 37 lightly Atari-themed units, where colored square tiles evoke the early video game aesthetics. Far from in your face, the nods to Atari are classy, with a black and orange color scheme serving as a nod to the early Atari 2600 consoles. Appealing to Millennials working in the tech industry, the apartments even feature an Atari cocktail table arcade featuring class video games. Harry Potter Hideaway This apartment will also appeal to Millennials - or for anyone young at heart. Edinburgh, Scotland is the unofficial home of Harry Potter, since J.K. Rowling lived and wrote much of the first book while living in the city. It's also the home of one of the coolest places to stay anywhere. Canongate Luxury Apartment features a Gryffindor common room themed master bedroom, a desk once belonging to J.K. Rowling herself, and dozens of other cool Potter-themed knick knacks. Not willing to make the move abroad? No problem. Visitors can rent the apartment for vacations. Underground Aboveground Even those with the strangest obsessions can find the apartment of their dreams in New York. Exhibit A: this subway-themed apartment in Brooklyn. Paying homage to everything MTA, this building features subway tiles, green bannisters and even a giant map of the New York subway. Even if you're not into living in a subway station, you've got to admit: the atmosphere is pretty spot on! - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management
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Hiring is a lot like dating: in order to meet your perfect match, you've got to kiss a few frogs in the process. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to up your odds of appealing to the ideal candidate. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management knows first hand the value of a quality property manager, and recommends investing the time necessary to find the perfect candidates. After all, birds of a feather flock together, and if your flock is filled with duds, you'll have a constant uphill battle to fight. Follow these tips to ensure the best possible applicants:
1. Consider your needs. Regardless of what kind of position you need to hire for, it's best to take a moment, step back and really consider your needs. Chances are good, you'll want someone with excellent communication skills, a background in technology and someone who considers themselves to be a people person. Include these qualifications in your job posting. 2. Be clear and thorough. Anyone who has ever posted a job on Craigslist or Monster.com knows the pain of receiving dozens of resumes from folks not qualified for the position. Cut through the junk and instead be as clear and as thorough as possible in your wording of your job description. If you aren't willing to consider candidates with less than five years experience, don't be afraid to spell that out. Include an accurate job title, description of duties and expectations. 3. Describe your company culture. Every office is a little different, but you want candidates to have a thorough understanding of what to expect should they get the job. Given the wide array of perks associated with many modern offices, the last thing you want is to come across as too casual or too strict. Instead, strike a balance between the serious work you'll expect from your new hires and the benefits they'll receive by working for you. There's ultimately no wrong way to write a job description, but being as thorough and as clear as possible is a surefire way to appeal to the best kinds of applicants. While you'll inevitably get applications from unqualified candidates, preparing a job posting that's positive, friendly and clear will garner you the best kinds of applicants. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management They say April showers bring May flowers, but April also brings a host of spring cleaning chores to the front of people's minds. As families relax on spring break, property managers are inching ever closer to their busy season. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management recommends getting proactive about preparing your property for showings. Take the following steps to ensure you're ready for action:
Organize Your Office After a few months of hibernation, it's easy for your office to feel cluttered. Physically, though, an office in disarray sends a message to current and prospective tenants alike that you're not adequately taking care of business. Take a look at paperless options for your office to help cut down on some of the clutter, and consider investing in a few new pieces to help warm up the atmosphere. In many cases, your office is the place where you'll seal the deal, so you'll want to put on as friendly a face as possible. Undo Winter's Presence Whether you live in California or Michigan, winter takes an undeniable toll on rental properties. While ice and snow are more obviously destructive, even a season of slightly chilly temperatures can result in major changes to your landscaping. Thankfully, with warm temperatures returning, it's the best time of year to create some gorgeous curb appeal. Plant flowers, pick up debris and rake any leaves leftover from fall. Upgrade Shared Spaces Pools are great, but what's even better than a pool? A water slide. While not every property needs to invest in a water slide, it's just one example of an affordable amenity that takes very little to install. If you're looking for something a little more appealing to your entire community, perhaps look into upgrading your patio furniture around the pool, or invest in new equipment for your community gym. Set the Stage If you stage an apartment to show to prospective tenants, it's important to refresh the unit for the busy season that lies ahead. Open up windows for a few hours to get some fresh air circulating and leave blinds open for incoming guests. Be sure to stow away any cleaning supplies you use, and consider investing in a oil diffuser to help combat stale odors. Whether you embrace just one of these tips or add them all to your to-do list, preparing for the busy season is always a good idea. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management |
AuthorScott Safadi leverages extensive experience in the real estate industry to serve as the CEO of Cal Bay Property Management (CBPM), which he founded in Palo Alto, California. Archives
January 2020
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