Entrata Blog

In 2023, affordable property management is all about optimizing resources for efficiency. From marketing property to fielding inquiries from prospective renters to preparing for inspections, management professionals have a lot on their plates. Now is the time for streamlining processes and working smarter, not necessarily harder.

Up drives the moving van and out come the boxes. They turn the key, flip on the lights, and in a flurry of cardboard and packaging tape, begin to roll out the contents of their new apartment. All the while, the property continues to pay their utility charges until the new resident signs up in their name, which could take a while… might even be after the family portrait is hung and the living room furniture has achieved a perfect arrangement.

Centralization has been a hot topic in the multifamily industry for a few years now. Despite all that talk, a consensus centralized model has not emerged. Fortunately, Entrata is built in such a way that it can accommodate however you decide to centralize your operations (if at all). Below is a review of some of the top centralization models and how to implement them into your business.

One of apartment operators’ major priorities these days is to find ways to streamline their associates’ workdays. By improving onsite efficiencies, operators not only improve the productivity and morale of team members, but they also pave the way for better prospect and resident experiences.

When people learn that I grew up in Alaska, one of the most common questions I’m asked is “What did you do for fun?” A part of me wants to say I tracked black bear migrations and caught fresh sockeye with my bare hands, when in reality, I feel like I spent a lot of time watching Trading Spaces reruns. Seriously, Hildi?!? How could you possibly think that covering the walls with 7000 artificial flowers is a good idea? I’m sure Jay and Danielle will be thrilled to have the tackiest bathroom in the history of forever.

One of the few positive consequences of the pandemic was that the odd segment of history fostered a greater connection with pets. Many shelters sat empty as adoption rates skyrocketed, and pets in general got the opportunity to witness their owners stay home more than ever.

A couple of months ago Entrata found itself facing an unforeseen crisis of seemingly limitless scale and seriousness. Along with the nationwide apartment housing industry and the local tech corridor, we worked as fast as we could to react. We quickly transitioned our entire team to work from home and a strategic task force assembled to monitor constantly-evolving news and advisories, implementing recommended changes quickly and efficiently. Essentially, we put our heads down and got to work.

Having the ability to process rent payments and applications online is a blessing and a curse for many multifamily businesses. On the one hand, it speeds up the process of getting funds from residents into your accounts. On the other hand, it opens the door for applicants to commit fraud by shielding their true identity or by creating an entirely new identity to sneak by your screening process and get approved for a unit they might otherwise have been denied, or present you with payment methods that don’t have the necessary funds.

A growing number of your prospects prefer texting to phone calls, and with the Entrata’s new two-way texting functionality, you’ve got them covered.

Why does turn week make so many student housing operators and community managers cringe? The way Mark Zikra, Director of Systems Compliance at CA Ventures, put it at Entrata Summit, “A lot of the pain comes with organization, knowing what’s accurate and up to date as far as turn goes. Drinking cases of red bull, not sleeping for three days….” Dry erase boards and sticky notes with move-in notes and check lists clutter property offices. And, matching roommates is often a high risk task that ends with at least one unsurprising disaster. Historically, multifamily software just wasn’t made to handle student housing.

The Key Components of a Verification Platform Leasing teams spend the bulk of their time aiming to attract residents to their communities. But equally important is making certain that those prospective residents will live up to the terms of their lease.

Let’s face it. It’s a matter of when and not if chatbots become part of the everyday backdrop in the apartment world. But if the early advent of chatbots has taught us anything, it’s that the tech has to be consistent for it to be effective.