Work at a leasing office is interesting, according to Chris Kearns, owner of Badger Properties, and Copper Beech Townhome Communities leasing agent Lauren Smith, senior in graphic design.
Kearns said Badger Properties owns 14 units and manages 60. He said at Badger they do occasional repairs, tours and bookkeeping.
Badger Properties has 4.9 out of five stars on Google reviews.
Despite his high ratings, Kearns said the job is complex.
“Hours are so crazy at some times and easy at others,” Kearns said. “It is hard to balance your staff.”
Kearns said it’s busy from January to March, and late July to August are crazy.
According to Kearns, he still enjoys his job. He said he likes having fun and getting to know his tenants. He even recalled a funny story.
Kearns said he had a Ph.D. student lock himself out of his room, who then tried to unlock the door with a butter knife. Ironically, his shirt read, “Genius,” according to Kearns.
Kearns said the rewarding part is turning a piece of property around.
“Looking at a piece of property that has been mismanaged or has been run in a less then ideal way and having the ability to make it into something somebody really wants,” Kearns said.
Smith has worked at Copper Beech as a leasing agent for three years.
According to Smith, it can get busy at Copper Beech.
“Right now it’s been absolutely crazy,” Smith said. “Sometimes 10 tours a day.”
Smith also said parts of the job are hard.
“In the summer, after people are done with their leases, we walk the units,” Smith said. “You wouldn’t believe what people leave. Sometimes we have to walk a unit three or four times. It’s my least favorite part of the job.”
There are rewarding aspects for Smith too.
According to Smith, they have resident events.
She said they have Taco Tuesday, resident bingo, resident appreciation week and other events that involve food.
“We do a lot with food,” Smith said.
For Smith, she said the most rewarding part of the job is observing new tenants.
“Seeing people come to the apartment complex at the beginning of a semester and they’re just happy,” Smith said. “They are excited for the new change in their lives.”
According to Smith, the residents make her job easier.
“We have really good residents.” Smith said.
Despite their real estate experience, neither plans on running for president anytime soon.
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