What Information to Include on Your Housing Fair Handout

By Christine Ascher on October 8, 2017

When it’s time to start bringing in new residents for the new lease year, the best way to maximize the number of students you attract is through advertising. The more you spread the word about your property and the more information you give students who are trying to make a housing decision, the better your chances of getting all of your units filled.

For this reason, when attending a housing fair, it’s a good idea to bring along a handout for students and parents to provide them with all of the information that they’ll need to know right away. Then, if they have any additional questions, they can ask them on the spot. When putting together housing fair handouts, try to include the following important information.

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Cost

Price is the most important piece of information that students will want to know before they settle on an apartment building. In addition to rent, try to include details about the security deposit that you require and the utilities that are included in the rent, if any. If utilities are not included in your rent price, let students know what they can expect to set up on their own. You can even add in the utility companies that you use for different services so that students are well-prepared for moving in.

Types of apartments

Another important, though fairly basic, detail to include when you’re creating a handout for housing fairs is the type of apartments that your building has. Mention, for instance, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms included in your apartments, as well as how many apartments of each size your building contains. In addition, you can add in some extra details about square footage, balconies or outdoor space if your apartments include them, and any other special features in your units. It’s also a good idea to mention if your units are furnished or unfurnished, as this is going to be an important detail for students who probably haven’t purchased any of their own furniture yet.

In addition to the more general information concerning your property’s apartments, it will also be helpful for students to know even more specific details about your property. This can include the type of finishes and appliances that your apartments have, whether they have an air conditioning or a heating system, and what type of flooring is in each area of the apartment.

Facilities

The extra facilities and amenities that your apartment features will help set you apart from other buildings in the area, so make sure you advertise them on your handout. Students will be eager to know everything that your building has to offer, so the more detailed you can be, the better. If your building has a gym, pool, or outdoor living space that residents can enjoy, mention these facilities and include pictures so your potential residents can get a good idea of what living in your building would be like.

It’s also a good idea to include some more basic information, such as the specifics concerning your laundry facilities — how many machines you have and where they’re located, for instance — and your cable and WiFi services, if they’re included. For residents who have cars, you might also want to include information about the availability of parking at your properties, as well as if this will include an extra cost.

Location        

Location is another factor that will play a major part in your potential residents’ decision to choose your building. For college students, you’ll want to advertise your proximity to campus, as this will probably be what most of them want to know. If there are stores or restaurants nearby, include a list in your handout as well.

In addition, considering many college students do not yet have cars, you might also want to note down some stats concerning the proximity of your building to different types of public transportation. This will save your potential residents some extra research and will give you the chance to advertise anything that makes your property’s location ideal.

Important policies

Every property has its own set of policies that residents should be aware of before they sign their lease with you, so including these policies in your handouts will make it much easier for residents to understand them right away. Especially because many students will be renting for the first time, they may not know the right questions to ask before they move in.

For this reason, it will help them out — and will benefit you in the long run — to write out the important stipulations of their leases when you’re handing out information. Some building policies that students should know before they sign a lease include your rules concerning pets, whether or not you allow subletting, and the extent to which your tenants can alter their apartments.

Safety and security

Especially for the parents who are attending the housing fair, it’s a good idea to mention the security measures in place at your properties. These can include anything more formal that’s applicable, such as security cameras or any areas that need a key to access, and any measures in place for emergency situations such as fires. You’ll give students some important information that they may not even realize they need, and you’ll put their parents’ minds at ease. 

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