Why It Matters to Centralize Property Management Communications

by Podcast

Communication failures are silently sabotaging multifamily operations. Between overflowing inboxes, missed text messages, and information scattered across multiple platforms, your teams are spending countless hours searching for information while important details fall through the cracks.

In this eye-opening discussion, Jim Rostel, COO at Anchor Northwest Property Group, shares a harrowing story about facing a lawsuit eight months after a property disaster, only to discover critical communications were inaccessible after an employee left the company. This real-world example highlights how our industry’s fragmented communication approaches create serious business liabilities that extend far beyond day-to-day frustrations.

Jason Griffith, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Synco, explains why property management needs specialized communication tools rather than generic platforms built for every industry. “Most people are using the same software for communications that the local dog kennel, barbershop, and Department of Defense use,” he notes. “It has nothing to do with property management, which is why the current way of doing business causes so much pain.”

The conversation reveals how centralizing communications creates transparency from “boardroom to boiler room,” allowing executives to monitor critical situations in real-time without micromanaging. We explore how features like instant translation help diverse maintenance teams communicate effectively, and how integrating communications from other alert systems eliminates inbox overload.

Most compelling is Jim’s insight on implementation: the executives initially most resistant to change became the platform’s biggest champions once they experienced the benefits. “This is one of those questions like as an executive, once you make the move to a new way, why would you go back?” he asks.

Whether you’re considering centralization initiatives or simply tired of information falling through the cracks, this discussion provides a practical framework for rethinking your communication strategy. How much more could your team accomplish if they weren’t constantly searching for information across multiple platforms?

About the Multifamily Innovation® Council:

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is the executive level membership organization that makes a difference in your bottom line, drives a better experience for your employees, and allows you an experience that keeps demand strong for your company. The council is uniquely positioned to focus on the intersection of Leadership, Technology, AI, and Innovation.

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is for Multifamily Business leaders who want to unlock value inside their organization so they can create better experiences and drive profitability inside their company.

To learn more or to join, visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com.

For more information and to engage with leaders shaping the future of multifamily innovation, visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com/.

Connect:
Multifamily Innovation® Council: https://multifamilyinnovation.com/
Patrick Antrim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickantrim/

jake lisby buzz crs multifamily innovation council

Transforming Rent Collection with AI That Actually Works

by Article

Jake Lisby, Co-Founder and CEO of Buzz, doesn’t sugarcoat it: collecting rent is one of the most frustrating, soul-sucking parts of the job for on-site teams – and he knows, because he used to be one of them.

At the Multifamily Innovation® Showcase, Jake shared how Buzz is using AI to remove the stress from collections and bring a human touch back to a process that’s usually anything but personal.

Most tech solutions promise automation. But when you tell someone they owe money, a robotic drip campaign doesn’t cut it. Residents shut down. Opt-out rates spike. Conversations stop before they start.

Buzz is different.

Jake and his team built Buzz to replicate the tone and timing of real, authentic human communication. It starts with a phone call—not from a random 1-800 number, but one that sounds real. One that residents actually answer. And when they don’t, Buzz follows up with a text message that gets responses 9 times out of 10.

It’s not just theory—Jake played a live example on stage. A simple, respectful voicemail that sounded like it came straight from the leasing office. No bots. No synthetic voices. Just a professional, human reminder. And it works.

The numbers speak louder than buzzwords: Buzz is already outperforming site teams by 4x—and operators only pay when residents pay. The system works across property types, from conventional to affordable to student housing, and even with past residents through a newly released feature.

In Jake’s words, “If they think it’s a real person, they engage. And when they engage, they pay.”

This isn’t another collections widget. This is technology that respects the resident, protects your on-site teams’ time, and most importantly—collects more money.

As Jake wrapped his session, he invited attendees to come talk in the lobby. Because like he said at the start, “We’ve done the job. We know the pain. Buzz was built to fix it.”

To learn more about Buzz and how it’s making rent collection more human—and more effective—visit https://www.buzzcrs.com/.

If you’re building or backing the next generation of innovative tools in multifamily, there’s no better place to showcase your story than the Multifamily Innovation® Council.

Become a sponsor partner and position your brand in front of the most forward-thinking owners, operators, and investors in the industry.

👉 Join: https://multifamilyinnovation.com


#multifamilyinnovation #rentcollection #propertymanagement #proptech #AIcollections #Buzz #multifamilyai

Eric Menzies Anyone Home multifamily innovation council

Multifamily Innovation® Council Welcomes Anyone Home as a Sponsor Partner

by Article

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – April 2, 2025 – The Multifamily Innovation® Council is proud to announce the partnership with a new sponsor, Anyone Home, a prominent software providing comprehensive CRM and contact center solutions to multifamily communities. This partnership marks a significant moment as the Council continually seeks to nurture an environment of innovation and success within the industry.

Anyone Home, with its expertise in lead management through its CRM platform, AI chat, and touring solutions, has positively impacted the multifamily industry by granting property management teams control and insight into their leasing operations. Serving over a million units nationwide, Anyone Home ensures high levels of customer engagement and satisfaction, aiding conversion from leads to content residents.

“Having the opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders about the challenges being faced and their vision for the future is an invaluable experience, both for myself and for Anyone Home. Our industry is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and I’m honored to play an active role in shaping its future and contributing to its growth,” said Eric Menzies, Vice President of Sales at Anyone Home.

Patrick Antrim, Chairman of the Multifamily Innovation® Council, remarked, “Anyone Home brings a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to our group of top innovators in multifamily. Their dedication to leveraging technology for streamlined leasing journeys and better insights resonates with our vision. We look forward to seeing the contributions they will bring, driving our collective aim of transformative solutions that benefit the entire multifamily landscape.”

The Multifamily Innovation® Council stands as a cornerstone for multifamily business leaders, blending leadership, technology, AI innovations to cultivate profitability and enhanced experiences for employees and community members alike. It provides a pivotal platform for executives to master the art of integrating advanced technologies and novel approaches to meet today’s challenges head-on.

The partnership with Anyone Home underscores the Council’s commitment to collaborative growth, technological adaptation, and knowledge-sharing that spurs advancements in multifamily industry operations and strategy. Furthermore, the addition of Anyone Home as a sponsor partner illuminates the importance of specialized expertise in shaping a responsive and successful multifamily sector.

Other sponsors and partners are encouraged to explore the possibilities and join the Multifamily Innovation® Council. This partnership exemplifies a union of shared expertise and vision, advancing the multifamily industry towards a continually innovative and profitable horizon.

For more details about Anyone Home and their integration with the Multifamily Innovation® Council, please visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com/ and https://www.anyonehome.com/.

About Multifamily Innovation® Council

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is an executive-level membership organization dedicated to the pursuit of the profitable Multifamily Company. Positioned uniquely at the intersection of leadership, technology, AI, and innovation, the Council values results and collaboration for Multifamily Business leaders who aim to unlock value within their organization, create exceptional experiences, and drive profitability within their companies.

Learn more at https://multifamilyinnovation.com/.

Media Contact:
Patrick Antrim
Chairman, Multifamily Innovation® Council
pr@multifamilyleadership.com
480-719-4409

sean forster appfolio multifamily innovation council

How AppFolio is Driving Real Results with One Powerful Platform

by Article

At the Multifamily Innovation® Showcase, Sean Forster, Industry Principal at AppFolio, made it clear: AI isn’t about trends—it’s about outcomes. And when it comes to outcomes, AppFolio is delivering.

Forster kicked off with a bold vision: a future where managing and living in rental housing feels magical—a seamless, effortless experience that frees up teams to do their best work while empowering residents to thrive. At AppFolio, that vision isn’t just talk—it’s backed by data and real-world results.

With 8 million units under management and 96% of customers using one or more AI-powered tools, AppFolio is already transforming how the multifamily industry operates. But Forster also brought some real talk: AI isn’t the answer to everything. “It’s not brushing your teeth for you,” he joked, reminding the audience that while AI has its place, it has to be applied with purpose and precision.

That precision is exactly what AppFolio delivered with Realm-X Flows, an AI-powered automation tool that’s already making waves.

Take Jen Barton, a property manager at Atlas Real Estate in Colorado, who manages 6,000 units. When she saw a 4-point overnight jump in lease renewals, her first reaction was disbelief. She double-checked the data. No errors. No reporting glitch. Just a measurable increase in performance, tied directly to the increase in resident contact made possible by Realm-X Flows.

Her words? “I don’t cuss professionally… but holy (!!).”
That’s the kind of impact that gets leadership’s attention—and fast.

And she’s not alone. Forster emphasized that Barton’s story is one of many across AppFolio’s user base. AI isn’t just enhancing workflows—it’s driving the KPIs that matter most to owners and operators: renewals, retention, and NOI.

The real innovation? AppFolio isn’t selling AI for AI’s sake. They’re building tools that fit naturally into a property manager’s day, not disrupt it. From automated workflows to smarter renewals and resident engagement, every tool is designed to help multifamily teams operate at peak efficiency—without needing to become data scientists or tech experts.

As Forster closed out his session, he left attendees with this: If your tech isn’t helping you work smarter and drive profit, it’s time to rethink your stack.

To join the Multifamily Innovation® Council as a sponsor partner, please visit: https://multifamilyinnovation.com/

To learn more about how AppFolio is leading the way in practical, powerful AI for multifamily, visit https://appfolio.com.


#multifamilyinnovation #proptech #appfolio #propertymanagement #multifamilyai #leaseups #residentexperience

Multifamily Innovation council showcases (1280 x 720 px) (2)

The Best Rent Payment Experience for All

by Article

At the Multifamily Innovation® & AI Summit, Brad Robins, Product Evangelist at Flex., delivered a compelling look into why the company is quickly becoming a transformative force in the multifamily space. With a mission to deliver the best rent payment experience for all, Flex. isn’t just a fintech brand—it’s an ally to residents and operators navigating the evolving expectations of today’s rental economy.

Brad opened with a story that grounded the room in reality. A career detour led him from the corporate tech world into live entertainment, a dream that was abruptly derailed in 2020 when the industry vanished overnight. For the first time, he found himself needing true financial flexibility—something that wasn’t readily available to him as a mortgage holder.

That moment stuck with him. So when the opportunity to join Flex. surfaced, he immediately saw the impact it could have: a product built for renters who, often through no fault of their own, need a better way to manage their largest recurring expense—rent.

Evolution Over Revolution

Flex. doesn’t pretend to reinvent the wheel. As Brad put it, “We’re not a revolutionary company—we’re an evolutionary one.” That simple but profound distinction is exactly what makes Flex. so effective in multifamily. It’s not about creating flashy tech for tech’s sake—it’s about solving a real pain point with simplicity, empathy, and scale.

Brad shared a story that perfectly captured the company’s ethos. During an early pitch meeting, a potential investor seemed disinterested—until the pitch was over. Then he looked up and said:
“I was just in China. And you know what I saw? People paying with their phones. The best brands make it as easy as possible for people to give them their money.”

That insight helped shape Flex.’s approach: make rent payment as seamless and intuitive as paying for a coffee—something that not only meets the expectations of modern consumers but also removes friction for property managers.

Powered by Scale, Driven by Empathy

Flex. has grown fast—serving 8 million units across 2,100 management companies—and they’re just getting started. December is projected to be the company’s first billion-dollar rent payment month, a staggering milestone when you consider that it took three years to process their first billion.

But the real value Flex. delivers isn’t just in scale—it’s in its alignment with the needs of the industry and its residents. Brad emphasized that technology must be rooted in value:

“It’s not just about the thing that’s the coolest or looks the nicest—it’s about delivering real solutions your residents actually want and actually benefit from.”

Innovation Through Collaboration

As a new member of the Multifamily Innovation® Council, Flex. is not just here to talk—they’re here to listen. Brad made it clear: innovation in multifamily can’t happen in isolation. The company is eager to learn from operators, collaborate on best practices, and tailor their consumer finance expertise to the unique challenges of this industry.

“At the heart of innovation is collaboration,” Brad said. “We want to bring our perspective—but also learn how to make it work for you.”

Flex. isn’t just helping residents split rent payments—it’s helping operators offer a competitive, resident-centric amenity that increases satisfaction, drives renewals, and supports profitability.

If you’re looking to enhance your resident experience while unlocking new NOI opportunities, Flex. might just be the evolution your portfolio needs.

—

Learn more about Flex. at getflex.com, and explore more innovation showcases like this one at multifamilyinnovation.com.
#multifamilyinnovation

Barriers to Change in Company Transformation

by Podcast

The toughest challenge in business today isn’t technology adoption or market volatility – it’s navigating meaningful organizational change. Dr. David White, cognitive anthropologist and transformation expert, joins us to reveal why roughly 70% of change initiatives fail despite good intentions and substantial resources.

Drawing from his 30+ years working with organizations like Microsoft, IBM, and many others, Dr. White shares the groundbreaking insights that led him to pursue a doctorate in cognitive anthropology after witnessing repeated transformation failures. His research uncovered a critical blindspot: businesses fundamentally misunderstand what culture is and how it operates. While most leaders focus on values, behaviors, and mindsets, Dr. White demonstrates that culture actually lives in the tacit, taken-for-granted knowledge that manifests through business practices.

The fascinating paradox Dr. White illuminates is that an organization’s greatest strengths often become its most formidable barriers to change. The “dominant logics” that created success-whether prioritizing certainty in manufacturing or rapid iteration in software development-frequently become over-applied across domains where they no longer serve the company’s evolution. These logics remain largely invisible until you attempt to change them, at which point resistance emerges from seemingly rational business practices.

Through vivid examples and practical frameworks, Dr. White shows how to diagnose these underlying cultural patterns by asking powerful questions like “How do you define success?” or “What makes someone a rock star in your organization?” and listening for revealing patterns. Rather than treating transformation as a mere project or technology implementation, he guides leaders to recognize when fundamental questions about purpose and identity – “What business are we in?” – need addressing.

Looking to drive meaningful change in your organization? This conversation offers crucial insights that go beyond simplistic change management models to help you understand the invisible forces shaping your company’s future. Subscribe now for our upcoming series exploring how to identify barriers to change, craft effective strategies, overcome common pitfalls, and sustain transformative change that sticks.

About the Multifamily Innovation® Council:

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is the executive level membership organization that makes a difference in your bottom line, drives a better experience for your employees, and allows you an experience that keeps demand strong for your company. The council is uniquely positioned to focus on the intersection of Leadership, Technology, AI, and Innovation.

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is for Multifamily Business leaders who want to unlock value inside their organization so they can create better experiences and drive profitability inside their company.

To learn more or to join, visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com.

For more information and to engage with leaders shaping the future of multifamily innovation, visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com/.

Connect:
Multifamily Innovation® Council: https://multifamilyinnovation.com/
Patrick Antrim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickantrim/

Multifamily Innovation council showcases (1280 x 720 px) (1)

Resident Recovery Redefined

by Article

At the recent Multifamily Innovation® & AI Summit, Adam Eberlein, Co-Founder and President of Pay Ready, took the stage to deliver a no-nonsense look at a long-standing problem in the multifamily industry: post-move-out debt collections. His message was simple but powerful—what the industry has been doing isn’t efficient, and Pay Ready is here to change that.

Eberlein began with a clear picture of the status quo. Residents move out. Some owe money. Property managers or assistant managers make calls, send emails, follow up—for 30, sometimes 60 days—before the files are finally handed off to a third-party collections agency. From there, operators are left in the dark, hoping the agency is doing a good job. If they want to know how it’s going, they have to request a report… from the agency itself.

Enter Pay Ready.

Adam and his team saw this broken workflow and decided to completely rethink it. Pay Ready automates the entire first-party debt collection process that happens at the site level—calls, texts, emails, inbound and outbound communication. That frees up property managers to get back to doing what they do best: leasing units, turning apartments, and creating resident experiences—not chasing down payments.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there.

Instead of sending files off to collection agencies, everything stays within the Pay Ready platform. Collection agencies log into Pay Ready to do their work, which means everything is tracked. Every phone call, email, text, and response is monitored. That level of insight gives multifamily operators unprecedented visibility into which agencies perform best—and where. If your agency in Florida has a higher success rate, those Florida files go there. If your New York team is outperforming others, they get the New York accounts. No more blind trust. It’s data-driven optimization at scale.

And the results speak for themselves: in just the last year, Pay Ready prevented 1.5 million consumers from being sent to third-party collections—resolving their debt directly through first-party engagement.

The best part? It’s easy to try. Pay Ready integrates directly with your property management system. There’s no long-term contract. As Eberlein put it, “We’re either killing it for you, and you love it, or you just go back to what you were doing before.”

In a high-turnover, high-pressure environment like multifamily, having a tool like Pay Ready means fewer headaches for your teams, more recovered revenue, and better relationships with former residents.

As Eberlein closed out his showcase, he made it clear—this isn’t just a product. It’s his passion. And in an industry that often struggles to move fast, Pay Ready is proof that the right technology can bring real change.

To learn more about Pay Ready and how it’s reshaping multifamily collections with AI, visit https://payready.com.

To partner with the Multifamily Innovation® Council, visit https://multifamilyinnovation.com/.

Multifamily Innovation council showcases (1280 x 720 px)

Seamless Connectivity, Endless Possibilities

by Article

As an official sponsor partner of the Multifamily Innovation® Council, Sean Gorman, CEO of Amicus Networx, delivered a showcase at the Multifamily Innovation® & AI Summit that offers a clear view into his company’s roots and core values.

Sean began by sharing a light-hearted moment on stage with his employee Julie, acknowledging the nerves that come with public speaking. He then shifted to talk about his background. A former hockey player with more than a few injuries to prove it, Sean used his personal story to introduce his company, which he started about 20 years ago as Safety Net Access. Over time, the company evolved into Amicus Networx, a leading provider of technology solutions for the hospitality industry.

Amicus Networx is now the number one provider for Hilton Hotels, the number two provider for Marriott Hotels, and is approved by more brands than any other in the world. The company operates in all 50 states, ensuring that a skilled technology professional is always available to answer calls and resolve issues. This focus on rapid, effective service is crucial when dealing with large portfolios, where property owners cannot afford to listen to complaints or wait for solutions.

A core principle at Amicus Networx is “integrity first.” Sean emphasized that this value runs through everything the company does. He personally answers his phone and provides his cell number to customers so they know exactly who is handling their concerns. Sean’s approach is straightforward: if you do business with Amicus Networx, you are dealing directly with the person running the show. With no partners and no debt, Sean maintains full control over the company and ensures that every decision is made with integrity.

For sponsor partners, the Multifamily Innovation® Council presents a chance to align with a company built on transparency, accountability, and a commitment to solving real technology challenges in the hospitality space. Partnering with Amicus Networx means connecting with a leader who stands behind his work and is available when issues arise—a valuable quality for multifamily owners who need reliable service and direct access to decision makers.

To learn more about Amicus Networx’s technology solutions and how their straightforward, integrity-driven approach can benefit your operations, visit https://amicusnetworx.com/.

To become an official partner of the Multifamily Innovation® Council, learn more here: https://multifamilyinnovation.com/

konrad koczwara multifamily innovation council

ElevateOS Joins Forces with Multifamily Innovation® Council to Empower Modern Living Experiences

by Article

Scottsdale, Arizona – March 18, 2025 – The Multifamily Innovation® Council is excited to celebrate sponsor partner, ElevateOS, formerly Elevated Living, a leading-edge property management platform provider, promising to bring revolutionary change to the multifamily industry with its comprehensive ‘All-in-One’ solution.

ElevateOS is at the frontier of merging software and hardware to create a seamless living experience for residents. By offering an integrated management system that covers everything from maintenance and amenities to rent payments and concierge services through a single app, ElevateOS is setting a new standard for what it means to provide resident-centric services in the property management space.

“This partnership embodies our council’s commitment to innovation that significantly benefits the multifamily industry, not just for the novelty, but for tangible improvements in operations, resident experiences, and ultimately the bottom line,” stated Patrick Antrim, Chairman of the Multifamily Innovation® Council. “ElevateOS brings valuable insights from their comprehensive solution, which touches every aspect of the resident experience – a true testament to their strengths in transforming the landscape of modern living.”

Konrad Koczwara, Founder of ElevateOS, expressed his enthusiasm about the new partnership, “Being part of the Multifamily Innovation® Council means that I get to be part of an amazing group of people that helps drive innovation to the multifamily industry.” His vision aligns with that of the Multifamily Innovation® Council to not only forecast the future of living spaces but also to create it.

ElevateOS‘s pioneering work, particularly in the areas of marketing, operations, and hardware integrations, offers a holistic vista on how multifamily operations can evolve to meet and exceed market demands.

About Multifamily Innovation® Council

The Multifamily Innovation® Council is an executive-level membership organization dedicated to the pursuit of the profitable Multifamily Company. Positioned uniquely at the intersection of leadership, technology, AI, and innovation, the Council values results and collaboration for Multifamily Business leaders who aim to unlock value within their organization, create exceptional experiences, and drive profitability within their companies.

Learn more at https://multifamilyinnovation.com/.

Media Contact:
Patrick Antrim
Chairman, Multifamily Innovation® Council
pr@multifamilyleadership.com
480-719-4409

 

Multifamily Innovation council showcases (1280 x 720 px) (5)

Intelligent AP Software Backed by Experts

by Article

AvidXchange automates the accounts payable process for multifamily owners, cutting the days-long manual routine to a streamlined, digital workflow. In his showcase at the Multifamily Innovation® & AI Summit, Mimo Olatunji, Account Executive, explained how AvidXchange takes care of the entire process, from the purchase order stage to the final vendor payment, using a series of automated steps that keep both property teams and vendors informed.

Mimo outlined the challenges many multifamily teams face, such as the lengthy cycle of collecting invoices, scanning them into a system, waiting for approvals, and then cutting and mailing checks. AvidXchange replaces this cumbersome process with automation that can complete payments in a fraction of the time. The solution begins at your operating account and ensures every payment is only processed with your approval. Once a payment file is sent via an API connection, vendors receive their funds through their preferred payment method. Whether it’s an ACH payment, a single-use MasterCard for virtual card transactions, or another method, the system handles it seamlessly. With a money transmitter license in all 50 states, AvidXchange ensures full compliance and smooth operation across the board.

AvidXchange’s journey into this space took a decisive turn in 2014 with the launch of AvidPay. This feature provides a single, seamless platform for vendors to get paid on time, reducing the need for constant follow-ups and manual intervention. Additionally, the system includes features like ad hoc approvers, letting you set up proxy approvals when your team is unavailable, so that the process isn’t stalled by staffing gaps. Every action in the system is audit-trailed, date and timestamped, ensuring transparency and accountability. If any payment fails to process, the platform sends detailed reports, allowing for quick resolution.

For sponsor partners, the Multifamily Innovation® Council offers a direct connection to multifamily decision-makers who need practical solutions to streamline operations and improve efficiency. By aligning with AvidXchange’s approach to automated accounts payable, sponsors can show their commitment to tackling real operational challenges. This council is an opportunity to demonstrate how technology can reduce processing times, cut down on repetitive tasks, and ultimately improve cash flow and vendor relationships—key factors in maintaining a healthy bottom line.

Learn more about AvidXchange’s automated accounts payable solutions at https://www.avidxchange.com/ and explore sponsor partnership opportunities at multifamilyinnovation.com. This is a chance to connect with industry leaders who are actively seeking ways to simplify and accelerate their financial operations.