Pumpkins are about to make their grand entrance, cinnamon lattes will be brewing, and honestly, I’m here for it—this is my favorite time of year.
Hi, I’m Brandy, and today we’re talking about how seasonal changes affect property management. Right now, the back-to-school wave is in full swing. I get it—I have a soon-to-be stepson starting his senior year, and I’ve watched my soon-to-be stepdaughter graduate and join me in the business. I’ve lived the family side of this season.
I’ve also lived the teacher side—about 12 years ago, I was one myself. And now, from a property manager’s perspective, I can tell you this: seasonal shifts ripple through every part of our lives, including our work.
Seasonal changes in property management aren’t just about weather—they’re about shifts in pace, priorities, and even people’s mindsets. As the chaos of summer dies down and families settle into the back-to-school grind, your day-to-day operations will naturally start to look different. The trick is to anticipate these changes before they catch you off guard.
In this issue, I’m sharing the top five things property managers should know about seasonal changes—whether it’s your first shift or your fiftieth. Either way, I hope you’ll find a few fresh ideas—or at least one new perspective—to bring back to your own business.
Let’s dive in!
Summer is prime leasing season for a reason—families prefer to move when kids are out of school, and the weather makes for easier transitions. By mid-August, leasing activity typically slows, and the phones that rang nonstop a month ago suddenly feel… quiet. This is the perfect time to shift focus from reactive tasks to proactive ones—review marketing strategies, check renewal timelines, and start lining up your fall maintenance plans. Treat this slower pace as a chance to strengthen systems before the next wave hits.
Hot summers bring one thing in abundance: AC repair tickets. But as the temperatures cool, the focus shifts. Fall often brings a surge of maintenance requests for heating tune-ups, weatherproofing, and roof or gutter inspections as storms roll in. Depending on your location, now’s the time to start prepping for the cooler months. Use this window to encourage preventative maintenance—schedule furnace inspections, clean gutters, and check insulation. Not only will this help reduce emergency calls down the line, but it will also strengthen trust with both residents and property owners.
The start of a school year means families shift into more structured routines—drop-offs, sports practices, homework nights. This can lead to residents being less responsive to calls, emails, or showing requests. It’s not personal, it’s seasonal. Adjust your communication strategy accordingly—send reminders earlier, give more notice for appointments, and use multiple channels (text, email, phone) to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Fall often sparks financial reflection for property owners. Many begin evaluating performance, considering upgrades, or deciding whether to expand or sell before the year wraps up. This is your chance to shine as an advisor—provide market updates, suggest cost-effective improvements, and offer data on how seasonal trends might impact their investment. When owners see you as proactive rather than reactive, trust grows.
Seasonal changes affect your team just as much as your clients. After the summer rush, burnout can creep in if you don’t pause to regroup. Use this time to celebrate wins, review processes that got clunky in the busy season, and set fresh goals for the fall. Even small resets—like reassigning roles for efficiency or refreshing training—can reignite motivation and prepare your team for a strong finish to the year.
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I told you I was excited for the pumpkins!
But, what excites me most about this season is what it brings for my team. At the end of the day, taking care of my staff—who work tirelessly for our residents and owners—is my top priority. Property management is tough, and burnout is common, so over the years, I’ve introduced initiatives that motivate my team and keep them looking forward to the perks of being part of Milestone.
Starting in October, we close the office at 12:30 pm on Fridays, giving the team extra time off through December. They love our half-days!
Inspired by my teaching career, I also started giving my team a "Christmas Break" about five years ago. We close the office before Christmas Eve and let everyone recharge until the New Year. The expectation is they handle any emergencies, but otherwise, they’re free to fully disconnect.
We also enjoy team outings, Thanksgiving parties, and a fancy Christmas dinner with families. We decorate the office, play games, enjoy good food (and cocktails), and show our gratitude.
Additionally, we use this time to give back to the community. We’ve organized fundraisers for the local homeless shelter, attended charity events, donated to causes, and volunteered our time to help those in need. These efforts are a great way to bring the team together for a bigger cause.
The point is: Use this time to connect with your team. It strengthens team dynamics, fosters closer bonds, and shows that you truly care.
For everyone powering through August and gearing up for the fall season—I see you. You’ve got this! Just one more push, and then it’s time to focus on other projects to move the business forward. But don’t forget to take time to enjoy life’s little pleasures and give your team the well-earned break they deserve.
Brandy Landon
Broker/Owner
All things property management in the news these past two weeks:
Greystar has reached a deal with the Department of Justice, including strong limits on how the company uses algorithmic pricing tools in the future.
Five "pandemic boomtowns" are cooling off, with more than 35% of active real estate listings seeing price cuts in June.
One consultant's view on why more real estate investors are turning toward franchising opportunities.
What's changed and what hasn't a year after the NAR settlement?
What was your weekly win?
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Kandise Varvil on the Triple Win Podcast: Why 5-Star Properties Attract 5-Star Renters and why any property can be a 5-star property, regardless of price point.
Kandise also made an appearance on the Second Nature blog with The Costs of Marketing a Property Too Early - why stale listings can hurt your bottom line and your reputation.
Also on the blog: A Guide to Social Media Marketing for PMs
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Until next time,
💜 The Second Nature team