Turn Myths Debunked!
It’s the end of July. You know what that means…Turn.
The time is upon us for the hectic, the crazy, and the unpredictable. Most of us know what to expect (to an extent), but for those of us who are new to the company, Turn can be this big, scary, mythical creature that only comes out between the end of July and mid August.
So, as someone who has gone through 3 turns and is going into their 4th, I am here to debunk a few common myths and theories about ~ye old turn~, just to clarify that turn is less like this…
And more like this… :)
Everyone is always in a bad mood during Turn
Now, I would be straight up lying to you all if I said that everyone is ALWAYS hunky dory during Turn. But, it’s also not true to say that everyone is just grumpy and stressed 24/7. I truly have had some of my funniest, most heartwarming moments working at a Preiss Company managed property during Turn! Things may be stressful here or there, but it honestly makes for some phenomenal team building opportunities. Many of the tasks that need to be done are best completed with the help of a teammate, which opens up doors for lots of conversation and getting to work with your coworkers in ways you haven’t before!
Residents, previous and new, are difficult to work with during move-out, Turn, and move-in.
Some residents here and there will get upset with us during the process. However, the way that our sites communicate and prepare our residents for move out, Turn, and move in helps all residents, old and new, set expectations for how things are going to go. Very rarely are people unaware of the processes they need to follow during move-out, that vendors will be coming in and out of partially occupied units, and that we expect “X, Y, and Z” come move-in. Communication is key so we make sure to send plenty of emails, place notices on front doors, and send even more notices to make sure nobody feels out of the loop of things. So when those important dates roll around, residents are usually aware, which reduces the number of negative situations.
Turn is only walking units.
Sure, turn is a lot of walking units. However, it is definitely NOT only walking units, though! There is so much planning and prepping that goes into all things Turn. You have things like organizing keys and move-in day, ordering promotional items for new residents, and collecting important information from those that are moving out. There is so much to be done during Turn that actually does not involve walking. So sure, be prepared and wear your turn shirts and a good pair of sneaks! But also get ready to occupy your time with other essential tasks, too!
The days will feel and end up being extremely long.
Like they always say, time flies by when you are having fun! You end up being so busy and productive that you hardly even notice how quickly the days pass you by. There is rarely a dull moment, so things go quick, quick, quick! In my opinion, I think the time leading up to Turn feels much longer than Turn itself! Once Turn begins, you’re able to check off boxes and feel like you’re moving towards a finish line. So it’s really over before you even realize it, and it is one of the most satisfying feelings to watch your new residents move in after all the hard work you and your team put in to make their experience wonderful.
Turn is really fast-paced and it is super hard to keep up with everything going on.
This absolutely has some truth to it. Turn is very fast-paced at times, and things are constantly changing so it is essential to stay up to speed with it all. However, as long as you stay organized and have good communication with your team, you should have no issues keeping up with the way things are moving. I have found that writing everything down that is told to me helps SO much (as someone who is not the best at retaining information) when changes occur or when something is asked of me while I am in the middle of another task. Things might move quickly, but setting yourself up for success is not hard here!
You aren’t allowed to make any mistakes during Turn.
If you have been stressing about this, know that you are not alone and that EVERYONE worries about this. But this myth is straight up FALSE. Wrong. Not true. We all make mistakes and have bumps in the road! Chances are, the mistakes you’ll make have been made before, and your experienced team members will know how to fix and resolve any issues that could be caused. Just make sure to raise your hand and let someone know when you feel like something’s not right. Rely on your teammates for help when you need it and never be afraid to ask questions, because truly there is a lot that is happening that you have not experienced before.
Turn is really boring.
Ohhhh but it is just the farthest thing from boring. My only advice? Expect the unexpected. A lot. And have a sense of humor about it all. That’s really all I can say here.
All units are going to be absolutely disgusting after residents move out.
Well....they aren’t all going to be sparkling. But you would be pleasantly surprised with how many people follow directions and have the common courtesy to clean up when they move out! Not every single room you walk into is for sure going to be a mess. Just take each room as a different step towards completing the walks, and have an open mind about it all. Glass half full, people!
The office staff is more responsible for Turn than the maintenance staff.
Let’s all give a well deserved moment of praise to our maintenance teams. Especially during Turn, the maintenance team has to not only complete Turn, but also still do their normal day to day responsibilities like work orders, grounds keeping, and other miscellaneous things to keep the property running smoothly. Maintenance plays a HUGE part during turn, since they are expected to ensure that our residents are moving into a well-functioning unit! So definitely do not underestimate the amount of work that needs to be done on their part as well.
In conclusion, turn is a monster of a task. With so many moving parts, it’s a beast to try and handle it alone. But the way that Preiss prepares itself, its employees, and its residents, it is really really not so bad. So if turn has you quaking in your boots, take a step back and take a deep breath, and remember to take each day and task as it comes. You will leave with so much experience and some of the fondest memories of your time here at The Preiss Company.
Go with the flow and it will be over before you know it!
