7 Tips for New Managers Walking Make Readies

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A good turn is the key to a successful move in! These are the lessons I’ve learned, both as a Regional Property Manager and a On-Site Manager, on how to walk make- readies and how to get the best turns from your team. If you are just starting on your career as a property manager, I hope you find these tips helpful.

•   Put your left hand on the wall (mentally, you don’t want to drag your hand around a freshly painted wall), and walk around the apartment keeping your hand (mentally) on the wall. This will ensure that you walk the entire apartment.
• Walk with the people responsible for turning the apartment, especially if you are constantly finding issues. Ask them to walk in front of you and tell you what they see wrong. Point out what you do so that you teach them “your eyes” and expectations. Do this consistently and often.
• Dust the baseboards before your painter comes in, because your painter will paint all the dust onto the baseboards (and window sills). Some painters will paint bugs into the paint. Prepping before your painter goes in will lead to a more successful turn. We removed lights and switches and threw them into the dishwasher to clean while the painter was working. I almost always contracted out paint, so dealing with performance issues was hit or miss because of the employee turnover, and I had to pick my battles.

Some oft missed cleaning areas to check:

• Top of Fridge
• Window sills and the top of the windows
• The track for the sliding glass door
• Top of the medicine cabinet and the shelves
• BUGS IN THE LIGHTS (pet peeve of mine)

Some oft missed maintenance items to check:

• Garbage Disposals (I’m not sure why, but this was the ticket I got most for move ins)
• Making sure the windows stay up and close securely and lock
• Making sure the sink drain stopper stops correctly
• Making sure the sliding door locks
• People don’t caulk like they should anymore. Caulk should be clean and neat. It’s a skill that takes a bit to learn! Also, use the right kind of caulk for the project.

If you are doing punch for lease up:

• Blue painters tape is my favorite for marking issues for a punch crew.
• Test all of the outlets with a nightlight (or voltmeter, if you’re fancy). As part of that task, note any lights that are connected to the light switch so that you can tell your prospects (otherwise, they think the outlet doesn’t work, plus, it is a feature of your apartment to control lights from the switch).
• Make sure to test the water pressure and hot and cold water at every sink. Pressure can indicate an issue – if it’s the same all throughout the apartment except the back bathroom, dig into that! 
• Check the dishwasher plumbing and drainage carefully.
• I had an entire building plumbed backwards (two different times), so I always make sure the water in the toilet is cold after flushing.
• Learn how to clean out aerators as I found a lot of them were clogged with debris from construction.
• Try to rock the toilet. Unlike you, toilets should never rock.
• Lock and unlock the windows.
• Take the appliance and HVAC registrations and make sure your warrantees are registered!
• Run water before move in – it can start to stink after sitting in pipes or water heaters during construction and while waiting for your Certificate of Occupancy.

Don’t forget that the resident’s impression starts at the curb! Make sure the exterior is kept up, there’s no trash in the hallway and the door is freshly painted/touched up (unless it’s too cold).

Source: Multifamily Insiders