EPOCH Residential has a successful track record when it comes to lease ups. We are relentless in our pursuit to continuously improve. Taking what we have learned from one project and applying it to the next has been a proven philosophy for our teams. One of our newer community’s, Lakeside Walk, has recently benefitted from our ever-expanding knowledge in leadership and marketing.
The Challenge:
Lakeside Walk, located in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, is a 300-bed project that faced several challenges to becoming a successful lease up. Lakeside Walk was brought to the market late in the leasing cycle, while the property was still under development and wasn’t scheduled for completion until just prior to the peak of the leasing season. The leasing office was a small trailer shared with the Construction Team, hindering the ability to invite prospects in for appointments. Not only was the property lacking a model at the time, there was also no vacant unit to show and only minimal examples of finishes or furnishings to present to prospects. Leasing “sight unseen” is not a common practice in this market, therefore we had to take the proverbial bull by the horns and go get the prospects!
The Lakeside Walk Solution:
Our onsite leasing team, along with corporate management, created a mobile leasing center and hit the streets. The leasing team engaged with prospects where ever they could be found. The team set up the mobile leasing center at outlet malls, hospitals, local restaurants, every public school in the county, during and after regular business hours. Our leasing team made videos of each stage of construction to share with prospects and across all social media platforms. The team gave presentations to a variety of clubs and organizations, area small businesses and large employers, as well as local factories. These outreach efforts greatly improved leasing velocity, allowing the team to reach occupancy goals ahead of schedule. As a result, the property was 70% preleased within its first 6 months, achieving initial goals created at the project’s onset.
