Every industry has its crunch time. For retail, it’s Black Friday. For sports, it’s opening day. For multifamily housing? It’s peak leasing season ー and it’s not for the faint of heart.
While some property managers are dusting off tired brochures and recycling outdated sales pitches, forward-thinking teams are running multi-channel strategies that are anything but reactive.
We surveyed multifamily operators across the country to uncover how they stay ahead during peak season. Their answers were packed with practical insights, strategic foresight and real-world wisdom. From multi-channel marketing maneuvers to proactive promotions that get leases signed — here’s how today’s top teams are gaining a competitive edge.
1. Start strong → train, align and staff up before it’s go-time.
The best leasing seasons start with the right team, both in attitude and alignment. That means onboarding seasonal support (shoutout to summer interns), ensuring your leasing consultants are trained and ready, and bringing clarity to roles before the chaos hits. Leasing becomes a well-oiled machine when hospitality meets hustle.
🏡 “We’ve added more office staff, trained on new ways to tour, and streamlined the leasing process.”
🏡 “Our team does weekly meetings to stay synced and prep for what’s coming.”
🏡 “We’ve centralized operations, set clear vendor rules, and hold weekly syncs to stay on the same page.”
🏡 “Every summer, we onboard an intern to help us keep up with demand.”
🏡 “We lined up training, organization, and time management systems early — before things got busy.”
🏡 “Prepped the team with online sales training to sharpen our close rate.”
By the time tour requests surge, it’s too late to start hiring. Top-performing teams plan ahead — building a flexible, well-trained staff that can shift smoothly between resident needs, tours, and lease conversion without missing a beat.
2. Tours start at the sidewalk → don’t let the little things slip.
The tour doesn’t begin at the leasing office — it begins the moment a prospect arrives on the property. Every detail they notice on the way in sets the tone: clean walkways, trimmed landscaping, stocked common areas. When those details are overlooked, confidence starts to slip before the conversation even begins.
That’s why tour readiness means far more than wiping down countertops. It means walking the same path a prospect will take and making sure nothing is left to chance.
🏡 “We’re walking units daily, deep-cleaning hallways and even painting curbs.”
🏡 “Tour paths are spotless. Everything is prepped like we’re expecting VIPs.”
🏡 “We’re making sure the environment feels welcoming — everything clean and stocked.”
🏡 “We’re refreshing landscaping, sprucing up pool furniture and cleaning breezeways.”
🏡 “A full refresh — painting, cleaning, and polishing up every detail.”
A flickering light in the lobby or an overgrown planter may seem inconsequential, but they’re oversights that leave a lasting impression. That’s especially true during peak leasing season. Beautiful finishes and upgraded appliances won’t overcome that initial hesitation.
Tour readiness isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing that every part of the property is cared for, consistently. That level of attention creates trust — and trust is what helps close leases.
3. Be everywhere prospects are → online, offline, and on-brand.
If your outreach strategy still hinges on printed flyers and Facebook, it’s time for a tune-up. The most proactive managers are layering social media campaigns, Google PPC, local housing fairs and even influencer partnerships into their leasing funnel. Some are activating partnerships with nearby universities or businesses to extend their reach beyond Zillow.
🏡 “We’ve ramped up digital and in-person outreach — social media ads, email campaigns and housing fairs.”
🏡 “We’ve kicked off new print materials and ensured everything is aligned across channels.”
🏡 “Started with marketing, dialed in pricing and ran resident surveys , then tightened up our outreach game.”
Data-backed, story-driven, omni-channel marketing is the new standard. Visibility is value.
4. Choose amenities that actually earn their place.
You’re not just leasing square footage, you’re selling a lifestyle. And amenities? They’re the proof. Smart teams know this. They’re not just plugging in a Keurig machine and calling it a day — they’re curating everyday ease. From coffee stations that make your lobby smell like ambition to printer setups that don’t require an IT degree to use, everything’s dialed in to work (and work well).
🏡 “We lease commercial printers and coffee machines to keep things turnkey.”
🏡 “SipWithMe has been a game-changer for our coworking lounge.”
🏡 “We’ve got new amenity spaces and a full calendar of social events.”
🏡 “We’re keeping amenities tour-ready and being strategic about what we highlight.”
🏡 “We’ve made upgrades that reflect what residents actually want — not just what looks good on a brochure.”
It’s the everyday amenities that leave a lasting impression — the ones residents return to without thinking, the ones they’d miss if they were gone.
That’s why more properties are investing in practical, high-impact essentials like SipWithMe, which brings barista-quality beverages to your lobby, and PrintWithMe, which empowers residents to print without turning your team into IT. Simple on the surface. Impactful where it counts.
5. Add energy with events. Add urgency with perks.
Specials don’t have to scream desperation. When paired with thoughtful messaging and smart timing, they create buzz. Whether it’s a limited-time rent incentive, a "lease and win" campaign, or a signature outdoor event, promotions give prospects a reason to engage now, not later.
🏡 “We’re offering early bird specials and new promo items — it creates urgency in a fun way.”
🏡 “Resident events like pool openings or lease-and-win weekends are helping us stand out.”
🏡 “We’ve got lots of community-focused events lined up this season to keep the energy high.”
Events and promos make people stop scrolling, show up for a tour and sign faster. They’re strategic pressure points, nudging leads from maybe to move-in.
6. Make move-in day your first renewal strategy.
The most successful teams aren’t just focused on leases. Instead of chasing lease signatures, they’re building relationships from day one. A seamless move-in experience, personalized touches, and proactive communication send one clear message: we’re glad you’re here.
🏡 “We organize all move-in documents and follow up with applicants in real time.”
🏡 “We created welcome packets with VIP tickets, building maps and amenity lists.”
🏡 “Keys, inspection sheets, communication — it’s all prepped before move-in.”
🏡 “Everyday items like move-in packets, inspection sheets and key organization are ready to go.”
Resident retention starts with a warm welcome — and the sense that you’ve thought of the little things (before they had to ask).
TL;DR: The Playbook for Peak Leasing Season
Peak leasing season doesn’t reward the best improv act. It rewards preparation, polish and a team that can execute under pressure — without losing the human touch.
- Plan like it’s already here. Hire early. Train deeply.
- Present like you care. Curb appeal is ROI.
- Promote what people really use. Amenities that work are better than ones that wow.
- Market with meaning. Local. Digital. Creative. Consistent.
- Surprise and delight. Specials should excite, not just discount.
- Support from day one. Experience is your X-factor.
WithMe makes it easier to show up prepared.
From coffee vending machine rentals to printer leasing for apartments, WithMe offers the kinds of modern amenities that leasing teams rely on — especially during crunch time.
So if you’re wondering how to…
- Keep your coworking space stocked with office coffee machines
- Set up a reliable printer rental without a tech headache
- Easily pgrade your apartment building amenities without overcomplicating your day
From SipWithMe’s coffee stations that spark connection to PrintWithMe’s self-serve printers that actually work when residents need them, our amenities help leasing teams create comfort, build trust and turn day one into a reason to stay.
Let’s talk about how we can help you show up strong this season — and every one after.
