Industry Voices

A white single-family home with black accents.

— By Adam Wolfson, CEO and CIO, Wolfson Development Co. — The nation’s decades-long housing shortage and the recent rise of the build-to-rent (BTR) sector are inextricably linked. Although some may debate that one is caused by the other — or at least made worse —  the important point is that the BTR industry was born out of the housing crisis. The socioeconomic implication of homebuying versus renting may inspire an interesting debate, but it’s not germane to the essential fact that the United States does not have enough housing to …

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Pull quote from Tammy Estes

The boundaries between work and personal time are becoming increasingly blurred. But, as Thomas Edison once said, “Time is really the only capital that any human has and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” Apartment owners and operators need to provide environments that support the way their tenants choose to spend their time living and working today. The concept of work-life balance has taken on new meaning because of the constant connectivity provided by mobile devices, laptops, streaming services, voice assistants, gaming and video calls — all combined …

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Parkside Terrace, a two story brick multifamily building with white balconies overlooking a small green lawn and hedges.

— By Sylvia Crawford, Senior Director of Marketing Strategy and Planning, Arize — Nationwide, the average apartment rent increased by 14 percent last year, and by as much as 40 percent in cities like Austin and Miami, according to The Washington Post. Renters with low- and moderate-income levels are struggling, as the demand for accessible housing is growing faster than inflation. For years, proptech has primarily been leveraged in luxury homes and high-rises, as only Class A property owners could justify investing in these devices. Meanwhile, Class C properties have traditionally shied away from implementing …

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Common area in Fremont Station in Flagstaff, Ariz

— By Chad Martin, owner of Weave — When you hear the phrase “property branding,” chances are your mind instantly thinks of logos, color schemes, website layouts — maybe some fun pieces of swag in the leasing office. But nothing more consequential, right? Wrong. While these are all important elements to a property’s brand, they are just a small part of the overall experience that makes a property feel like home. Creating a place that feels like home ensures efficiency, consistency and even tenant retention — all music to a …

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Lexington at Dilworth in Charlotte, N.C.

COVID-19 has forced architects to deliver apartment features that are hyper-customized to regional trends and renter demographics.   — By Ryan Carver, SGA|NarmourWright Design — As strange as it may seem, the enduring COVID-19 pandemic is creating an opportunity for innovation in the multifamily industry. These days, my colleagues and I at the architectural design and planning firm of SGA|NarmourWright are sharpening our pencils, fine-tuning the services we deliver during this pandemic era and beyond.  Our clients need the right product for the right target demographic. We study trends by talking …

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Waterline Square pool in NYC

Ground-up developers and owners evaluating value-add projects should consider bulking up their fitness amenities to support a wide range of active lifestyles. — By Sarah Yaussi, National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) — The health and fitness industry has undergone tremendous transformation in recent years. Specialized fitness centers like CrossFit gyms and spin studios have challenged traditional fitness centers as the workout destination of choice for many. TRX straps, kettle bells and resistance bands have claimed real estate on the weight-room floor. And the growth of on-demand classes and in-home gyms …

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