Property Managers: These Small Actions Matter in December (Don’t Check Out Just Yet)
Every December, managers fall into one of two mindsets:
The “I’m done… wake me up in January” group.
And the “New year, new me, let me overhaul my entire life” group.
(Get a glimpse into what I’m up to this December at the end of this blog 😉)
But here’s the part I’ve learned after working with thousands of managers:
Real change doesn’t happen on January 1. It happens in the quiet, ordinary days when you choose one tiny action instead of giving up on the month. I love keeping this rhythm through the last few weeks of the year.
So before you mentally clock out, let me remind you of something important.
You don’t need a reinvention.
You don’t need a full reset.
You don’t need a giant burst of motivation.
You just need one small step. Then another. Then one more after that.
These are the moves that actually shift your month and your momentum.
Let’s make December feel lighter together. Here’s how we’ll do it:
If You’re Behind On Leasing
There’s a specific moment I see every year: managers trying to rally for a dramatic December comeback… while also running on fumes.
But here’s the truth:
Leasing doesn’t move because of big pushes. It moves because of small, consistent actions.
If you’re feeling the leasing stress, try this:
Reach out to anyone who toured in the last 10 days. One thoughtful follow-up can bring someone back.
Send a warm availability update to your hottest leads. Not salesy — just helpful.
Walk your model or a vacant-ready. Tiny improvements change conversions fast.
Consistency is your advantage when everyone else is checked out.
Got A Little More Gas In The Tank?
Here’s the Spark twist that’s inside the December Resource Kit*:
When winter traffic slows, most managers freeze. But the ones who stay visible?
They win January before January even starts.
Spark’s Featured Marketing Idea: Find Your Sweet Retreat
This month’s Spark design shows you exactly how to warm up winter leasing traffic without the extra mental load.
It’s simple:
1. Customize the ready-made Canva design.
Add your special, open house, renovations, or community highlight.
2. Assemble cocoa-and-candy-cane bundles.
It’s festive, quick, and adorable.
3. Deliver them to nearby businesses.
These tiny moments of connection build brand familiarity fast.
And if you want to take it further, this month’s Spark includes a full Outreach Blitz Guide that breaks down:
what to say
where to go
how to follow up
and how to maximize every contact
Because winter leasing doesn’t have to slow you down…not when you have a plan that’s already built for you.
Spark gives you that plan. Every single month.*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Because of Sprout, I finally feel confident in Advertising and Marketing….With Sprout, I get excellent, elevated ideas, event options, and the ability to customize gorgeous designs to use in all my marketing and social media posts. Our social media scores have increased from 2.1 to 4.8 in the short 6 months we have been a member. Thank you Sprout!”
Amber Frederickson
Assistant Community Director
If Renewals Feels Slow
Residents aren’t ignoring you. They’re overwhelmed. They are in the holiday fog. Which means connection matters more than ever.
If you’re having renewal trouble, try this:
A quick appreciation touchpoint
A personal call to upcoming renewals
A cute champagne-themed renewal from the Spark kit
Tiny gestures feel bigger in December. Trust me on this.
If Your Community Feels Quiet Or Disconnected
Most communities fade into the background this time of year, but you can shift the energy with small moves.
Share holiday hours everywhere
Post one feel-good message on social
Spotlight maintenance (they deserve it)
And inside Spark, use the December Notice Pack - it instantly elevates communication, and residents feel the difference
Little signals of care always land.
If Your Team Is Exhausted
They don’t need more pressure. They need direction that doesn’t drain them.
Try this for some team morale boosts:
A 5-minute morning huddle
One clear win each per day
A simple reset ritual — sunlight, music, stretch or maybe a little dance break
And if you're using Spark? Even easier!
Have them log into the Spark Resource Kit* and tackle one thing: social post, notices, renewals, events.
Checking off a completed, ready-to-go task instantly boosts morale.
Small actions. Strong teams. Stronger communities.
If You’re In A “Just Get Me To January” Season
You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.
December hits differently.
Here’s what actually helps:
Finish one lingering task
Make a three-step “when I return” note
Declutter one tiny spot on your desk
Send one kind message
Do one joy-boosting thing before 10 a.m.
These choices aren’t dramatic, but they get you unstuck.
Before you count yourself out…remember:
You don’t need to end the year perfectly. You just need to end it presently.
Small actions steady you.
Small actions set the tone.
Small actions make your community feel cared for.
Small actions bring your confidence back.
And if you want support so you’re not rebuilding your entire plan from scratch next year…
The Spark Resource Kit gives you a fresh monthly system (marketing, renewals, events, notices, social media, and a “just for you” tool) designed to help you stay ahead with ease.
You can join Spark monthly, or set yourself up for a calmer year with the discounted annual plan.
Your job isn’t getting smaller…but your workload can feel lighter with the right support.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Over the past six months the use of Sprout Marketing and Retention resources have definitely had a positive impact on business efficiency and profits. The Sprout staff is knowledgeable, friendly and inspiring.”
Kathleen
Property Manager
December isn’t about perfection.
It’s about clarity.
Finishing steady.
And choosing one small action each day that helps your team, your community, and you breathe a little easier.
You’ve got this, friend.
A Personal Note From Me, Barbara. ❤️
Before you go, I want to share something a little different.
Sprout has always been about people.
That’s how this whole thing started . Not with a big business plan, but with conversations, relationships, and managers who trusted me enough to let me walk alongside them.
Some of you have been with me since the early days. (Hello Debbie, Tracy, Leslie and Robin!!) And I never take that for granted.
Because of that, I want this space to be more than templates and tools.
I want it to feel like real connection, the kind you don’t always get in this industry, even though you're surrounded by people all day.
So here’s something personal I’ve been embracing this year.
I’m in a new chapter of my life, and I’ve been giving myself permission to try on new identities.
Not in a dramatic, reinvent-my-whole-world way…more of an exploration of what brings me real connection and joy (and maybe even helps me overcome some fears).
Am I the girl who car camps with friends and watches the sunrise from the back of her SUV?
I was this past week and I loved it. (I think more adventures are in store soon with my trusty 4Runner!)
Am I the girl who takes salsa lessons and keeps going even when it’s awkward? 100%
I lost my Aunt Toty (she’s the beauty on the left below) last year to lung cancer and one thing I remember so fondly about her is how much she loved to dance. She was always smiling from ear to ear, and she had a way about her that was so captivating. She invited those around her just to add a little more fun to their life.
Now that she isn’t here, I’ve felt a strong pull to not waste a single second on being “embarrassed.”
What a privilege to try something new…how many people have been robbed of that with illness, loss or some other devastating life event? While my feet still work and I can still laugh at myself, I’ll try to embody my aunt Toty on the dance floor.
And I’m sharing this because I think you might be in a season like this too, where you’re holding so much for everyone else, and maybe you’ve forgotten what it feels like to try something new just for you.
So consider this your personal invitation…
To try on a new identity.
To experiment.
To play.
To explore the parts of you that got quiet along the way.
If you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear what you’re trying on in this season, whether it’s a new hobby, a new routine, a new mindset, or just a small shift you’re exploring. Shoot me an email or DM on Instagram.
We build communities for a living…but we deserve to build lives that feel like home, too. That’s the motto I’m personally taking with me into 2026.
Thanks for letting me share a little bit of my heart.
Always rooting for you,
Barbara,
Sprout Marketing CEO & Your Marketing Coach
*Spark resources change monthly.