Here's what I would like to see:

1. Current (seasonal or even monthly events)
2. Relevant (prospect v. move in)
3. Heavier weight paper (spend a little on it, please)
4. Professionally designed B&W
5. No Comic Sans (see #4)
6. Dual-sided, single sheet

Should run about $0.40 per sheet, if you can do a good design in house, I think.

Thank you for taking the time to continue the conversation. Your point about the correlation between design and attention to detail – is it fair to say that the design is a demonstration of a third parties ability to tell a good story? It might not be a direct reflection [positive or negative] of an on-site team. I don't disagree that a good takeaway is necessary – I just think it could be a print on demand product. And, dare I say – maybe it's black and white.

Great points on cost, flexibility and being appropriate –

Hope your week is smashing -

To me, the biggest knock against expensive brochures is how easily they are out of date. Because they cannot be updated cheaply, they can only describe the property essentials like a floorplan and amenities. Nothing about your summer/winter calendar of events, nothing about pricing, and nothing about community resources. Worse, if printed on glossy stock, you can't even write on the brochure without smearing the ink.

I like to read the brochures because the copy and the design tell me how seriously 'someone' takes the property, and I use it as a proxy for service and maintenance. I also, and this sounds like your problem with the car brochure, want something appropriate. If I've already decided on the unit (or car), give me something that tells me what to do in the area, where to find my life essentials, not what my neighbor's floorplan is.