First Communities Reviews

I can only speak of the portfolio I worked under as there seems to be a couple. As a manager of a new lease up, I quickly learned that First Communities did not have the knowledge base or skill set to be in new developments as they cannot provide the tools/resources to their employees to do so. They will overpromise developers to get accounts and eventually not perform for basic reasons. From what I have been explained, this philosophy has been caused them many problems in the past, but yet they still continue to repeat it and allow their managers to not be able to perform their jobs successfully. Examples of poor management: Manager is responsible for property expenses on their personal credit cards and normally after a couple requests they would reimburse. Marketing budgets are insufficient. Their idea of marketing is passing out a mason jar filled with candy instead of placing marketing dollars into qualified advertising outlets. They would not allow me to hire an Assistant or Maintenance Supervisor at opening. How can you run a new property without a Maintenance Supervisor? Attending networking events and lunch breaks are not allowed. Pre-scheduled conference calls/e-mails to discuss important matters are blatantly ignored. Corporate employees are rude and "cliquey". Consistently "hushed" before weekly calls with the Developer, ultimately giving the message to the Developer that the manager(s) are incompetent. I was told when I was hired, that a marketing department was available, but it turns out the "marketing department" is nothing more than a glorified leasing consultant. When asked for ideas to help generate traffic stemming from low traffic numbers (due to overpromising the developer), you are ignored or told to figure out. You will routinely see on Facebook pictures of your boss shopping for matching outfits, and it explains why your e-mail/conference calls are being ignored. It is a running joke in the corporate office that if you need to know why you cannot get in touch with your boss "its because she is probably out at the local mall". Corporate may find this funny, but those who work underneath her do not. In order for a new community to be successful, it requires a team of qualified individuals to support this endeavor. After 12 years in the industry, and two successful lease ups under my belt, I have felt very disheartened to work for a company who does not provide their managers an environment in which they can succeed.

None- be prepared to work hard, plan early & be prepared.