Having strong rapport with property owners, suppliers, tenants, principals and staff is crucial for success in property management. This is one of the winning property management tips that is often overlooked. Property managers who establish excellent communication with their stakeholders are prized in the industry because building remarkable relationships is what wins business. It’s an indispensable skill that creates client loyalty and retention.

Is your goal to strengthen your business relationships? In this article, we bring you communication strategies that help property managers succeed. Use these property management tips in your daily interaction with clients!

1. Don’t just hear, listen.

Effective listening skills are important in creating meaningful professional and personal connections. It involves engaging both the ears and the brain to interpret the message, paying close attention to what is really being said.

Property managers who listen well are more inclined to have a good rapport with clients and co-workers. They provide accurate resolution to client issues and are also able to effectively handle difficult conversations with stakeholders. Because of this, they gain the trust, respect and confidence of people they work with whether they are property owners, principals, or suppliers.

It takes practice to be a good listener. Here are some simple ways on how you can improve your listening skills today:

• Wait until it is your turn to speak. Take care not to tune out, once you’ve decided what the conversation is about. Let them finish, to help them feel they have been heard.
• When the time is right, ask questions to clarify your understanding of the message, even if you’re confident you know the answers.
• Maintain eye contact, or make affirmative sounds if you’re on the phone. This shows that you are listening intently and will encourage the person you’re speaking with to continue.

2. Pay attention to your body language.

Body language is the unspoken element of communication and one of the most important property management tips that can either enhance or weaken the spoken words. Ideally, your gestures, facial expressions and movements should align with the message that you’re conveying to your stakeholders. However, this is not always the case especially if you’re not aware of your own body language.

How are you going to project a positive body language to make a good first impression on your clients? Follow these body language techniques:

• Lean in slightly when talking with someone to show that you’re listening intently.
• Don’t cross your arms when talking to someone as this is a negative visual cue that demonstrates closed-mindedness.
• Nodding can encourage the person you’re taking to communicate more as this signals agreement.
• Avoid touching your face or fidgeting as this signals a lack of confidence in what you are saying.

Aside from adjusting your own body language, being able to read other people’s will also help you as a property manager to better understand your stakeholders. Observe their gestures, eye contact, and movements closely. If you sense that there is a disparity between their spoken message and their body language, you may want to dig a little deeper to hear what they really want to say3. Use technology to your advantage.

Technology can transform your connection with stakeholders. Do you have an online portal where your owners can easily access information about their property and get in touch with you? Embracing technology can help you improve communication tenfold!

3. Prepare for every client interaction.

Effective communication doesn’t just happen. It takes preparation on your end to ensure that your message is clear and delivered when your stakeholders are most ready to receive them. Before a phone call or a face-to-face meeting with a client, supplier or tenant, outline the topics you would like to cover. You will be more confident and time-efficient

4. One of the most important property management tips: Become a trusted advisor.

Knowledge is power! Provide information that will help your owners make the right decision about their property. For instance, information about the new Qld Smoke Alarm Legislation is important for them to make timely changes to the property and ensure compliance. As a property manager, this is your domain, and they rely on you for information and advice.

Click here to download free materials you can send to owners about the new Legislation.

Being a confident communicator can take you places at work and in your relationships. Share this article with your team to remind them of this important aspect of their role!