Princeton Happenings

The Power of Centralization at Princeton Properties 

At Princeton Properties, centralization and regionalization are cornerstones of our approach to property management. Thanks to our geographically dense portfolio, we have a long history of successfully consolidating essential functions, allowing our teams to work more efficiently and deliver exceptional service. While centralization has been part of our strategy for years, recent advances in technology have enabled us to take these efforts even further, improving both operational efficiency and the resident experience. 

Centralized Maintenance: A “Shared Responsibility” Model 

One area where centralization and regionalization have been especially impactful is in maintenance. By establishing a “shared responsibility” model, we aim to avoid overburdening our property teams while creating opportunities for team members to cross train and expand their skill sets. This model ensures that maintenance tasks are distributed among qualified team members across multiple properties, which not only reduces burnout but also builds a more versatile team.

The on-call schedule, which can be a pain point with maintenance technicians, can be spread through a larger pool of employees when regionalizing.  Team members at a smaller property might have been on-call every other week, but through regionalization the on-call schedule can stretch to every 6-8 weeks.   Connecting a variety of properties into one regional group can also positively expose maintenance staff to a variety of property types with diverse needs, we’re able to cultivate a team with well-rounded skills, ready to tackle any issue. 

Centralized Leasing and Enhanced Resident Services 

Our centralized leasing offices allow us to manage numerous apartment communities from a single location. By consolidating leasing activities, we can staff more efficiently and make use of advanced property technology to offer residents an elevated level of service, regardless of where they live within our portfolio. Leveraging technology allows for centralized leasing, communication, maintenance requests, and rent payments, freeing up on-site leasing and management teams to focus on community engagement, resident satisfaction, and property upkeep. 

Through centralized management platforms, residents can conveniently submit maintenance requests, make rent payments, and communicate with property teams from their phones or computers. This system simplifies tracking and responding to resident needs, enhancing overall satisfaction and ensuring timely responses.  At Princeton, we understand that swift response times are critical. Residents are not hyper concerned with where our team members are stationed, they simply want to have their questions and concerns handled promptly with quality and care.  

A Hybrid Centralization Model 

While centralization can be a valuable approach, it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Companies can experiment with different models to see what best fits their portfolio. For this reason, Princeton uses a hybrid model that centralizes certain tasks while keeping other duties property specific. For example, while leasing and communications are managed centrally, some unique property needs and resident interactions remain on-site to maintain a personal touch. This flexible approach lets us tailor our service to each property’s unique needs while ensuring that all properties benefit from streamlined, high-level support.  When applied correctly, centralization or regionalization goes beyond cost-cutting. It’s about optimizing resources to support a better experience for both residents and staff. 

Technology as a Driving Force 

Advances in technology have been instrumental in expanding our centralization and regionalization efforts. Cloud-based resident management platforms and app-based property inspection tools allow us to consolidate everything from building inspections and maintenance requests to rent payments and office communications. A resident management platform, for instance, allows residents to submit maintenance requests and pay rent online, while property managers can track these activities from a central dashboard, reducing the need for on-site interventions and enhancing efficiency.  

The Princeton Properties Advantage 

At Princeton Properties, centralization isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating a management system that enhances both the resident and employee experience while streamlining productivity. We work to create a property management system that is adaptable, resident-focused, and forward-thinking. By leveraging technology and a hybrid approach to centralization, we’re able to optimize our resources, improve decision-making, and provide an elevated level of service. With this model, Princeton continues to deliver the high-quality, resident-focused property management that sets us apart.