BIRMINGHAM — Broder & Sachse, a property management firm, has more than 10,000 apartment units in nine states across the nation, an increase from the 1,200 units the company was managing in 2010 when it made the decision to grow the business.
“We hired the right people who know the business,” says Richard Broder, CEO. “When you do a good job and satisfy the customer, your name spreads like wildfire. Consequently, we’ve earned many new opportunities. Ironically, acting like we’re still a small company is the secret to our growth.”
Broder says attention to detail, providing added value, obsessive communication and responsiveness to customers’ needs are at the core of the company’s business model.
“Our on-site teams are dedicated to satisfying residents and oversee capital improvements, maintenance, marketing and rent collection,” says Sarah Girand, vice president of the company’s multi-family division. “They respond immediately to resident requests to ensure the property is safe and attractive. We do all the things that need to be done, which is not always the rule in this business.”
Broder & Sachse owns nearly 20 percent of the properties it manages. Girand says developing long-term relationships with property owners has been another driver of the company’s success. It has also helped Broder & Sachse enter new markets in states from Nevada to Georgia.
In addition to the brick and mortar side of the business, Girand says there’s another level of resident engagement expected in today’s multi-family property management.
The Albert, a luxury development owned by Broder & Sachse in Detroit’s Capitol Park district, is bringing a new level of service to the city’s multi-family market. In addition to the kinds of amenities one might expect, such as an on-site workout facility, The Albert offers residents a variety of upscale services. This includes a 24-hour concierge, dog walking, package delivery and dry cleaning. The third-floor commons area includes a large kitchen and outdoor balcony with barbecue grills for residents to use. There’s even a dog grooming facility.
“We host weekly themed events for our residents,” says Girand. “If you’ve just relocated into the area for work, engaging with other residents is a great way to make friends. We’re constantly looking at new ways to get even better at hospitality because it provides an enormous value to our residents and growth opportunity for us.”