The recent wildfires have been nothing short of catastrophic. Recognizing this urgent need for assistance, Moss & Company has made a decision to help residents who have lost their homes. The heart of this initiative lies in the understanding that a home is not just a physical space; it is a sanctuary filled with memories, love, and comfort. Moss & Company is committed to helping residents reclaim that sense of home, even if temporarily, as they navigate the process of recovery. Moss & Company has been part of the Los Angeles community since 1960. As a regional property management firm, it understands the profound impact these wildfires have had, as several of its own communities have been affected.

“As a Los Angeles based company, we have all been glued to the TV watching the progress of the fires,” says Chris Gray, President at Moss & Company. “We have several properties without power or under evacuation. Many of our friends and clients have lost their homes and we simply want to help. We pray for all affected, and hope we can help families find temporary homes for as long or short as they need to bring some normalcy back in their lives.”

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Located in the heart of downtown Inglewood, Astra apartments are a hub for socializing and dining. Surrounding the property are popular venues such as SoFi Stadium and Kia Forum, offering a variety of entertainment options for residents. 

Astra consists of 243 units spread across 35,000 square feet of commercial space, making it a highly desirable location for those seeking luxury living with all the convenience that comes with it. 

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With the rise of e-commerce and online shopping, people increasingly rely on the opinions of others to make informed decisions about products and services. Online reviews and ratings offer a way for consumers to gauge the quality and reliability of a product or service before making a purchase. So, why would shopping for an apartment be any different? Social proof, which is the psychological phenomenon of people being influenced by the actions of others, plays a big role in it, and it’s for a good reason.

First and foremost, online reviews and ratings are incredibly important to renters because they provide transparency and accountability. In the past, landlords and property management companies could get away with subpar service or poor maintenance because there was no way for renters to share their experiences with others. Online platforms give residents a voice, and their feedback can have a significant impact on the reputation of the property. In turn, property owners and operators pay close attention their online reputation because it can affect their ability to attract new tenants, retain current ones, and ultimately impact their bottom line. This has undoubtedly become a critical component of any successful property management strategy.

Another way that property management companies are leveraging online property reputation is by using it to inform their pricing strategies. By analyzing online reviews and ratings, property managers can gain insights into what tenants value most about their properties. They can then adjust their pricing strategies accordingly, either by offering discounts for certain amenities or by increasing rents for properties that receive consistently high ratings.

So, why do so many landlords pay little to no attention to their property online reviews and rating? We have found that most commonly, after seeing enough negative and exaggerated reviews and failing at communication attempts to remedy, most of these landlords just throw in the towel. Many ask, ‘if I can’t change it, what’s the point’?

The approach to online reputation management has changed over the years. In the past, companies focused on responding to negative reviews and trying to remove them. However, this approach is no longer effective. Instead, effective managers now focus on actively monitoring and managing their online reputation by responding to all reviews, both positive and negative, and using feedback to improve their services.

Negative reviews can serve as an opportunity for landlords to show their tenants and potential renters that they care about their experience. When landlords respond to negative reviews in a professional and empathetic manner, it can help build trust and improve their reputation.

Furthermore, landlords can also use negative reviews as a part of their marketing strategy. Instead of ignoring or deleting negative reviews, landlords can address them head-on by highlighting the steps they have taken to address the issues raised in the reviews. This can demonstrate to potential tenants that the landlord is proactive in resolving issues and cares about the quality of life of their tenants.

In conclusion, online reviews and ratings are incredibly important for attracting and retaining residents, and they can have a significant impact on property management. It's crucial for property management companies to actively monitor and respond to online reviews, as well as use them as a tool to improve their services and better serve their tenants.

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“Smart” Home Technology

Smart home technology is becoming increasingly important in people's lives, as it allows them to control their homes more conveniently and efficiently.  Smart home technology can be used to control lighting, air conditioning, kitchen appliances, security systems, home entertainment and more.  As the apartment communities compete, most property owners are discovering that much of this technology is becoming a necessity their prospective renters.  It is now more common to see a Nest thermostat or a Yale smart lock in an apartment during a leasing tour.  Moreover, many renters expect larger communities to have smart package lockers or on-demand services like ride sharing and dog walking.  Developers are also quickly realizing that to provide smart apartment homes, they must deliver an infrastructure to support connectivity.  Smart HVAC systems and IoT devices are often built into the properties to provide efficiency and seamless resident experience.

Community Live-Work Areas

When renting an apartment, more renters are now looking for community engagement based around indoor and outdoor activities and entertainment.  This trend is closely related to the growing population of renters working from home.  Many of the developers now focus on the community amenities with various functionalities and ample seating areas.  Amenities such as game rooms, rooftop decks, and outdoor gyms have been increasingly popular.  With the popularity of co-working, more apartment communities now offer shared work spaces in the forms of resident lounges, conference rooms and business centers. Additionally, these types communal community amenities provide the renters invaluable opportunities to build new friendships and expand business networks.

Pet-Friendly Amenities

The number of renters with pets in the US has been rapidly growing.  According to a 2023 survey from American Pet Products Association (1), 66% of US households own a pet.  Millennials made up the largest percentage of current pet owners at 33%, followed by Gen X at 25%. Yet, many property owners dismiss this growing market, often seeing pets as potential risk for property damage and lawsuits.  More landlords, however, capitalizing on this growing market while instituting reasonable pet fees and deposits, and implementing pet policies that are easily enforced and followed.  To attract responsible pet owners, many communities offer conveniently located dog runs and relief areas well-stocked pet waste bag stations. Some of the larger communities offer pet playgrounds and spas to make for even a more comfortable experience.  Many operators partner up with local pet grooming and dog walking services; some even offer pet concierge services to maintain a competitive edge.

Honorable Mentions

With the popularity of streaming media, smart home devices and mobile services, over 90% of renters value fast and reliable internet connectivity as a top amenity and a must to any apartment community. 

Green spaces, such as rooftop gardens and outdoor courtyards, are becoming increasingly popular and can provide tenants with an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

While on-site laundry facilities are becoming smarter and more convenient, many renters are shifting towards in-unit washers and dryers, and are willing to pay more for it. 

While on-site parking remains to be important in most markets, a growing number of renters prefer to use ride-sharing services.

In a recent study by Les Mills (2), Gen Z and Millennials made up 80% of all gym goers. 85% of all gym members also now do workouts at home.  As result, increasing number of renters demand robust on-site fitness amenities to support their active lifestyles.   

1. Reference: American Pet Products Association (2023-2024)  https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

2. Reference: Les Mills study https://www.lesmills.com/us/clubs-and-facilities/research-insights/audience-insights/generation-active-the-80-your-club-cant-ignore/

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Our team of volunteers took the children through the gifting room to choose their gifts, helped to restock, and had lots of fun interacting with the children while spreading holiday cheer!
 

Throughout the years, Working Dreams has gathered new toys, books, DVD's, clothing, basketballs, sports equipment and gift cards for children in the Los Angeles County Foster Care system. Thanks to generosity of their donors, the Holiday Toy Event grows larger and larger each year, allowing Working Dreams to service increasingly more Foster Children. The Working Dreams Holiday Toy Event is the largest non-profit gift giveaway for Foster Youth on the West Coast. To make a monetary donation/contribution online, visit www.workingdreams.org.
 

The information presented on or through this Website is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to this Website, or by anyone who may be informed of its contents. Any reference to amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures at a Moss & Company apartment community is general in nature, and each Moss & Company apartment community may have amenities, services, rules, policies, and procedures that differ from those referenced on this Website. Please consult with your Moss & Company apartment community for the exact amenities, services, rules, policies, or procedures applicable.

This Website may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users, bloggers, and third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by Moss & Company, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Moss & Company. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.

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SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.- When it comes to choosing a property management company, the size of a company often becomes a sticking point for many property owners. It’s not hard to understand the many advantages a national property manager can offer to an owner, such as vast resources and economies of scale at a national level. In the past year, however, there’s been a trend of many property owners turning to the regional managers, in some cases at a higher fee, to improve their bottom line. So, what is it that prompts the property owners to leave their national operators and go local? We’ve spoken with a few of these property owners and it turns out bigger isn’t always better when it comes to operating real estate.
 

“Property management companies are only as good as the people that make up the team of employees”

Location, location, location!
 

Property owners often turn to regional property managers for the extensive knowledge of the area. In most cases, the regional companies have the staff, including key decision makers, live and work in the areas where the properties are located. It is not uncommon for a CEO of a regional company to personally stop by the properties they manage and shop the competition. This type of a hands-on approach allows regional operators to make better informed decisions to improve operations, and to adopt to any sub-market changes quickly.
 

To reduce liability and risk, a property manager must be current and well-versed not only in Federal Fair Housing laws, but also in the local ordinances and regulations. Regional operators are typically very familiar with all the nuances of the local laws, and are often the first to hear and act on any changes that occur in their localities. This enables regional operators to ensure protection of the managed assets while reducing liability and risk for property owners.
 

A more concentrated regional footprint of a local company can offer better economies of scale when compared to a dispersed footprint of a national company. The local plumber doesn’t care about how many buildings their customer has in other states. Having more properties located near each other gives regional operators greater leverage to negotiate with property vendors. This leverage leads to better service and greater savings for property owners.
 

Flexibility and Agility.
 

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to property management. Every asset and every owner requires individual attention and strategy, and tailoring to each need can be a challenge for any operator. A national operator may have a steady hand on the pulse of their portfolio at a macro level, but can miss the mark by not adjusting to the unique needs of a property. This is often the case when a national company takes on smaller size properties, and tries to fit them into their national model. National operators usually look for cost-saving models based on streamlined process and limited flexibility, often unwilling to take on properties smaller than 100 units or an owner with a single asset. On the other hand, most regional companies will gladly take on smaller buildings as their models typically allow for more flexibility and agility, which in turn better aligns with the owner’s vision and goals.
 

Human Connection.
 

It doesn’t matter how big or technologically advanced the property management company is, if it lacks human connection it is destined to eventually lose customers. So, while national operators become increasingly reliant on automation and tech-heavy reporting, regional operators continue focusing on personal interactions and building relationships.
 

To understand the importance of human connection in property management, we spoke with Chris Gray, President at Moss & Company Property Management. “Property management companies are only as good as the people that make up the team of employees,” says Mr. Gray. “Good team members want progress and growth in their careers. With 14,000 units in Los Angeles, we are able to offer our employees more opportunities for advancement without having to pack their bags and move their families across the state lines. Our concentrated footprint allows us to build a tight knit culture resulting in employment tenure of 20-30 years. Our clients love the consistency, and our employees love the growth. This along with our local purchasing power, due to size, provides our clients with better results and therefore greater returns.”
 

About Moss & Company

Moss & Company boasts its reputation of being the regional expert, operating nearly 14,000 residential units and approximately 2 million square feet of commercial space in the Greater Los Angeles area. Founded in 1960 with headquarters in Sherman Oaks, Moss & Company is Southern California’s premier property management firm.
 

Contacts

Andre Gerasimov
[email protected]
www.mosscompany.com

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