Rental housing was slow to embrace AI and smart technology, but the automation wave has finally washed over the industry. Property managers now must decide how deep to wade into the new tech market and what makes sense for their businesses. A sink-or-swim approach isn't necessary, but those who only dip a toe in miss an opportunity to create a competitive advantage by offering an elevated living experience — and retain talent by driving operation ...

Automation is a trending topic in multifamily, but a clearly defined role in the industry has been elusive due to a multitude of potential applications spanning all aspects of operations. The emergence of AI technology has further complicated the industry's understanding and definition of automation, contributing to a divergence in adoption and implementation. But the opportunity in automation is undeniable. At its core, automation in multifamily ...

Installing managed Wi-Fi in a multifamily community, whether in a new build or retrofit value-add project, requires strategic planning. Hardware and infrastructure setups must be designed and mapped to ensure complete property coverage and deliver maximum benefit to on-site teams and residents. But the advantages are worth the undertaking. Seamless connectivity throughout the community, fully supported proptech and smart home solutions, and the s ...

As multifamily operators began to expand the technology footprints at their communities, an initial concern in the industry was that on-site teams would lose their personal connection with residents. Because proptech often absorbs the routine tasks that once necessitated person-to-person interactions and eliminates many of the brief touchpoints that associates once had with residents, the fear was that relationships between residents and associat ...

Wi-Fi has been an essential amenity at multifamily communities for years, but resident demands for their Wi-Fi service are changing. With an unprecedented percentage of people working remotely, renters now expect the same connection speeds, portability and reliability that they would enjoy at an office setting. Lapses, lag times and other issues that were once typical are no longer acceptable. Communities with retail or bulk Wi-Fi offerings are s ...

Centralization is a trending operational strategy in multifamily, and a movement that likely won't ever be retracted. The advent of new property technologies in recent years has equipped the industry to permanently migrate toward combating labor issues and rising operating costs. However, centralization efforts are rarely uniform — especially in maintenance. There are varying opinions about which functions and services should be centralized, the ...

Multifamily software developers have historically taken one of two approaches to product development. Develop original software that delivers enough intrinsic value, efficiency or cost savings to generate demand for the product. Design software that specifically supports or manages only mainstream hardware products deployed throughout the multifamily industry. While both strategies have proven prosperous in the past, industry preferences have evo ...

When it comes to partnerships and acquisitions in multifamily, timing is everything. Mergers are most successful when both parties are at similar points in their evolutions and ready to take things to the next level. Operational alignments and tech integrations must be completed in stride, enabling both sides to immediately benefit from one another, enhance offerings and build momentum. While some industry acquisitions merely serve to expand the ...