The battle is on between Chad W., Chase H., and one other (who wishes to remain anonymous) for the crowning title of Property Solutions ‘mayor’.

Confused? We’re talking about foursquare™, a new, location-based social media website that allows its users to ‘check-in’ at venues with their mobile phone. Users can earn points and badges for frequent check-ins. If you check-in at one location more than anyone else, you become the ‘mayor’ of that location. It has become particularly popular to check-in at restaurants and coffee shops because the mayor will often receive free or discounted items.

So what does the mayor of Property Solutions get? Just bragging rights for now, but we’re more interested in how this new social media tool can benefit our industry.

Property managers might have to put on their creative caps to master this one. Some ideas to consider:

• Make your residents’ experience at your property more fun by giving perks to those who check-in at community events.
• Attract future residents by holding a foursquare™ tour through various properties you are trying to fill. Set up foursquare™ check-ins at each location and promote it with rent discounts to a guest that checks-in at every location.
• Work with local businesses for foursquare™ cross promotions.

We’ll keep brainstorming and let you know if we come up with anything else. In the meantime, what perks do you think the mayor of Property Solutions should receive?