Across the country, the arrival of new units will affect occupancy, rental rates and operations in 2025. As we contemplate the opportunities in multifamily, we simply can't ignore the digital needs of today's residents. From how we work and socialize to how we operate and manage our homes, it's become a foundational requirement for day to day life. This digital revolution has made a community's technological capabilities a defining factor when residents are choosing an apartment home.

Residents expect a seamless, uninterrupted digital experience tailored to meet their specific lifestyle needs. When the technology they rely on fails to function at its fullest capacity, satisfaction quickly and radically declines. This is definitely one of those "no news is good news" situations for operators. To remain competitive and enhance the resident experience, operators need to do more than simply implement the latest technologies. They must ensure that the underlying connectivity foundation necessary to support those features is reliable. 

The Benefits of Smart Technologies

Smart technologies have completely transformed the way we live our lives. Providing a new level of convenience, amenities such as keyless entry systems, smart thermostats and community apps, have transitioned from luxury features reserved for elite communities to essential components of modern living.

Keyless entry systems provide residents with a heightened sense of security and convenience. They no longer have to fumble for keys or forget to lock their door. Residents can grant access codes for guests and control the entire system through an app, removing the issue of lost keys and providing peace of mind.

Smart thermostats enable residents to control the climate of their homes remotely. This not only contributes to a higher degree of comfortability but also promotes energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices, potentially lowering utility bills.

Community apps allow residents to easily make digital payments and explore information pertaining to their home and surrounding areas. From an operational standpoint, mobile apps help onsite teams engage in preventive maintenance measures and ensure that apartment homes and the overall property remain in pristine condition. This allows for early detection of potential maintenance issues, reducing the need for emergency repairs and minimizing inconveniences to residents.

Regardless of the technology type or its purpose, it all requires the same key element to properly function–a comprehensive connectivity foundation. And make no mistake about it, connectivity, or lack thereof, directly impacts resident satisfaction levels. When the technologies meant to make the lives of residents' easier fail to meet expectations, community satisfaction and trust quickly wane. 

Managed WiFi Makes the Connection

Of all of the investments owners and operators can make, establishing a strong connectivity foundation is arguably the most important. Without it, other digital investments are going to struggle to deliver their desired results. End-to-end connectivity is integral to guarantee seamless operations and the functionality of the countless smart technologies in today's communities. Achieving community-wide connectivity requires a robust foundation backed with top-tier service that can shoulder current digital needs as well as accommodate future advancements.

When connectivity is unreliable, or perhaps worse, it doesn't get fixed properly, residents will most likely search for a community that can deliver the connectivity they are looking for and move on when their lease expires. Providing a powerful, consistent connection with reliable support (because let's face it, technology will always fail us sometimes) is truly the best way to not only meet but to exceed resident expectations.

Investing in managed WiFi services allows operators to enhance the entire living experience at their communities by helping maximize the benefits of the smart technologies they choose to implement. Operators are discovering that by leveraging today's technologies and ensuring optimal efficiency via a managed WiFi provider, they can create a convenient and connected environment that today's tech-savvy residents will appreciate.

Whether it's digital locks, smart home controls, community mobile apps or any other innovation, technology adds value to the resident journey from start to finish. A better resident experience leads to greater satisfaction, resulting in higher renewal rates, optimal occupancy and increased ROI— all of which contribute to the sustainable success of a community.