Is Your Parking Making a Great First Impression?
Parking lots of senior communities are crucial, but often an overlooked component of a tour. It’s important to remember that ease of parking, cleanliness and aesthetics are all important in making potential residents and their families feel welcome and comfortable. Learn more about making your parking lot make a positive first impression. 
Why Your Parking Lot is Important 
It may seem like a big chunk of asphalt surrounding your community, but your parking lot can be a simple and important way to make a positive first impression on potential residents and their families. 
It’s important to remember that a tour begins before a family walks through your front doors. The tour begins as soon as their car pulls into your parking lot. Potential residents and families will be taking note of the exterior of your community, the ease of parking and how they feel as a result of its appearance. If parking is difficult, not easily marked or the parking lot is dirty, it could add stress to what could be an already stressful situation, starting the tour off on the wrong note.
Additionally, residents will equate the care put into the exterior of the community and the parking lot with the care their loved one will receive at your community. If the parking lot is tidy and cared for, they will notice your attention to the little things and be more likely to trust you with the big things – like caring for a senior loved one.¬†
Making A Great First Impression 
Follow these tips to ensure your parking lot and community exterior is ready for potential residents and their families.
- Take the first few minutes of each day to walk the exterior of your community, picking up any trash and making arrangements for any type of landscaping that needs to be done.
- Ensure parking is easy and well marked to avoid any confusion.
- Take note of handicapped parking, making sure you have enough for residents and visitors to find a spot easily.
- Consider reserving parking spots for touring families.
- Ensure exits and entrances are easily marked.
- Hire a landscaping company to visit routinely and keep the community’s exterior trimmed and neat.
- Paint parking lines, stripes, and curbs regularly.
- Have you parking lot power washed at least twice a year.
- Make sure that repaving/resurfacing the parking lot is included in your budget 5-10 years.
While it does not have to take a lot of time or effort to make sure that your community’s parking lot and exterior appears well cared for, it can have an enormous impact on a touring family and potential resident. Take a few minutes each day to evaluate how your community may appear to a guest and make positive changes so that all visitors feel welcome and at home.