But first: From Christmas parties to gift shopping in this economy, things feel a little... off this year, right? But I'm not skipping celebrating my team — because staying organized in this industry isn't optional, and I want them to know I see how hard they work. Here’s some budget friendly Planner Suggestions for your team too.

Real talk: Are you getting your team something for the holidays, or are we all quietly scrapping gifts this year? Hit reply and tell me — I'm genuinely curious what everyone's doing.

This week in GML 👇

💌 Editor's Note: Where to find winter traffic + the follow-up strategy everyone's ignoring.

💡 Career Clarity: It's okay to step away (alternative career paths).

🔥 Hot List: 20 Fresh Atlanta Job Leads.

🍽️ Break Room: 5-Minute White Bean & Sausage Soup.

🎬 After Hours: The Christmas movie debate what's your #1?

Hey friends,

Your traffic is down. You know it, your team knows it, your manager knows it. But here's what nobody's telling you: December traffic being slow doesn't mean you're sitting around doing nothing.

Pull your numbers from last December 2024 & 2023. You're probably within 10% of where you were. This is seasonal, not personal. Which means you need a seasonal strategy.

Here's your game plan for the next three weeks — these are the moves that will set you up to win in Q1.

Action 1: Text 5-10 leads from your last 60 days
Script: "Hi [Name], checking in — did you find a place? We have year-end specials if you're still looking."

Why it matters: 60% of prospects who toured but didn't lease are still looking. One text could close a deal your competition forgot about.

Action 2: Call every lease expiring in the next 60 days
Don't wait for them to give notice. Start the renewal conversation NOW before they start shopping around in January.

Action 3: Update ONE thing online
Refresh your Google Business photos, update your property description, or add your current special to every listing. Small fixes = big visibility.

What to tell your regional: "I'm working my pipeline and prepping for spring surge. Here's what I'm focusing on this week..." (Then list these three things.)

Most people aren't on Facebook Marketplace or Apartments.com right now. They're in these places:

Action 1: Corporate HR outreach
Email or LinkedIn message 3-5 HR contacts at major employers in your area. January relocations are being planned RIGHT NOW.
Template: "Hi [Name], we offer housing solutions for your relocating employees including virtual tours and quick move-ins. Can I send you our corporate housing info?"

Action 2: Join 2-3 new groups

Post once in each with your availability and specials.

Action 3: Resident referral push
Text or email your top 10 residents: "Hey! Quick reminder — we're offering [amount] for any referrals. Know anyone looking? I'll take great care of them."

What to tell your regional: "I'm expanding our lead sources beyond traditional channels — targeting corporate relocations and university housing for January & February move-ins."

Spring surge starts mid-January. The properties that dominate are the ones who prepped in December.

Action 1: Content prep
Shoot 5-10 short videos on your phone this week (tours, amenity highlights, neighborhood features). You'll need fresh content when traffic picks up. Send a short video with your emails.

Action 2: Competitive intel
Call 3 competitors. Ask: "Are you guys seeing slowdowns too? What specials are you running?"
This gives you talking points: "I checked — everyone's slow. But here's what we're doing differently..."

Action 3: Process audit
How fast are you responding to leads? Is your voicemail updated with holiday hours? Are your email templates current? Fix anything broken BEFORE you get busy.

What to tell your regional: "I'm positioning us to capture the January surge. I've prepped content, updated our competitive positioning, and tightened our response process."

December is slow. Accept it. But you're not helpless. These 9 actions take maybe 5-6 hours total over three weeks. They're things you can SHOW your regional you did. And they'll set you up to actually convert when traffic returns in mid-January.

This week's newsletter has 20 Atlanta job leads if you're exploring options, plus real talk about career paths (including when it's okay to step away). And the Break Room has a 5-minute soup recipe because you still gotta eat.

Now go work that pipeline. And may the odds be in your favor.

— Bradley Elaine, Editor-in-Chief

P.S. We rotate cities weekly: Atlanta • Dallas • Houston • Raleigh • Charlotte. Don't see your market? Email [email protected]

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Property management is a people-facing career. It's rewarding, but it can be exhausting. Difficult residents, long hours, weekend work, emotional labor — it adds up.

If you're feeling burned out, you're not weak. You're human. Taking a break from property management doesn't mean throwing away your career. Your skills transfer to roles that give you breathing room.

Real Estate Agent — Set your own schedule, still use your leasing skills
Training & Development — Teach leasing pros without the daily grind
Asset Management — Strategic oversight, less resident interaction
Construction/Development — Project coordination, market analysis
Corporate Housing — Relocation firms, furnished housing specialists
Vendor Sales/Support — Yardi, RealPage, Entrata, smart home companies
Revenue Management — Pricing analyst, data-focused, behind the scenes
Marketing Specialist — Content, social media, campaigns (no resident calls)

If you're thinking about leaving: You're allowed to. Your skills are valuable outside property management. Explore these options. Take the break. You can always come back.

If you're staying but struggling: Use slow season to recharge. Set boundaries. Ask for help. You don't have to grind through burnout to prove you're dedicated.

Also if you want to accelerate your LC or AM career? Work a lease-up. 6 months of lease-up experience = 2 years of stabilized property experience. You'll learn faster, close more deals, and build more confidence overall. It's intense, but it's the fastest way to move up.

Truth: It's okay to love this career AND need a break from it. Those two things can coexist.

KEY - Position | Salary | Property | Company | City | Link to Apply

Okay, real question: What's your #1 Christmas movie?

Is it The Holiday? Elf? Die Hard (yes, it counts)? Home Alone? Love Jones? Or are you team Love Actually no matter what anyone says?

Hit reply and tell me — I'm building the ultimate GML Christmas movie watchlist and need your input. I'll share the results next week!

Ingredients:

Steps:

Pro tip: Make it Sunday night, portion it out, microwave all week. You'll thank yourself by Wednesday.

Your slow season strategy is simple: work the pipeline, stay visible, and don't let the quiet fool you into thinking nothing's happening. The wins are there — you just have to reach for them.

This week's homework:

Next week: Dallas — and we've got some heat coming your way.

Until then, stay sharp and stay strategic. Next stop? Raleigh — and we’ve got something cool coming your way. Can’t wait to next week check Tik Tok for opportunities.

— TEAM | Good Morning Leasing

Good Morning Leasing (GML) is your career-and-lifestyle newsletter for leasing and property-management professionals who want more than the daily grind.

Think of it as your weekly dose of career clarity, confidence, and community — all in one place.

We spotlight a new city each week with fresh job leads, share real-world industry tips, leadership gems, and lifestyle inspo to help you feel seen, supported, and ready to level up.

Whether you’re brand-new to leasing or the go-to at your property, GML helps you grow your career, stand out for the right reasons, and stay connected to a community that gets it.

💌 Need a little career advice?
Email us at [email protected] — our team has 10+ years of property management experience, and no question is too small.