As the housing market improves, apartment communities are looking for new ways to attract renters – which means improvements to apartments around the country could be coming soon.
According to a survey of 6,800 property managers conducted by Apartment Guide, 76 percent of those polled believe they need to give their properties a facelift if they want to keep renters. And to know where best to invest their dollars, landlords are turning to residents for advice – meaning online ratings and reviews provide important feedback not just for prospective tenants, but for property managers as well.
Several of the apartment communities featured on Apartment Guide include a forum where residents can provide feedback. The site has topped 67,000 ratings and reviews and is growing all the time.
Want to learn more about the ratings and reviews service on Apartment Guide? Check out feedback from certified residents of apartments all over the country. Properties are rated on a five-point scale, and reviews are certified to make sure the writer is an actual resident of the community and the content is appropriate.
Among the most important features renters look for when searching for a new apartment, according to the survey: Square footage, storage space, ideal floor plans, pools and fitness centers, updated kitchen appliances, and the ability to pay rent online.
Among the other findings in the Apartment Guide survey:
- Communities are increasingly turning to Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels to keep the lines of communication open with residents.
- More and more communities are making their listings available for mobile, so prospective renters can search for the perfect apartment from their smartphones or tablets.
What else can renters expect to see from apartments in the future? We’ve got some ideas:
What sorts of improvements would you like to see in apartments?
Photo credit: Opera Tower, Miami, FL