Have you heard the buzz? Yardi is hosting a new series of free thought leadership events for small to mid-size property managers across the US. These Property Management Buzz Sessions bring together industry experts and local professionals for networking, educational sessions and conversation about local market conditions. The most recent Property Management Buzz Session just popped up earlier this month! Twenty-eight representatives from sixteen companies met with the Yardi team at the InterContinental Los Angeles in Century City. The event lasted from 9 a.m. until just after noon, starting with a networking breakfast to energize the group for the full agenda ahead. 5 Keys to Property Management Success The first presentation of the Buzz Session took attendees through a high-level overview of changing trends in today’s marketplace. It included discussions about mobility, Millennials and modern renter expectations. Did you know that 85% of renters prefer to apply online? What does that mean for businesses that want to stay competitive? Heather Burleson talked through winning strategies for busy multifamily and commercial property managers. Metro LA Market Trends & Report Next David Dent from the Yardi Matrix team took the floor to share a closer look at local market trends in LA. Data shows that apartment rents are still rising steadily in the area and new units projected for completion will add the most growth to downtown, Westlake and Koreatown. Commercial real estate conditions indicate that LA office inventory is also growing, and the group reviewed vacancies, rental prices and new supply. Attendees each received a complimentary market report to take back with them to share with their offices. David remained available after the session, and guests took advantage of the opportunity to ask questions one on one. Ensuring Software Success In addition to Yardi staff...

Spring is here and you know what that means… it’s time to clean! Knocking down cobwebs, patching paint and completing other spring cleaning chores will get your properties ready for the busy leasing season ahead. Keeping your properties in top condition will help you attract and convert more prospects. In fact, one renter preferences study showed that two of the top five factors influencing leasing decisions are “property appearance” and “community amenities.” And another study by SatisFacts showed that “quality of maintenance service provided” is one of the highest-ranking factors for an apartment resident’s lease renewal decision. Use the checklist we’ve created to make sure you don’t miss anything important. If you do, it could cost you more money (and leases) in the long run! See the 27 things you should be reviewing each spring. Download our free property maintenance checklist. Plan Ahead Well-maintained properties improve retention and are easier to lease. With a preventative maintenance program, you may also be able to avoid breakdowns and keep your equipment and appliances working longer. Making early repairs can stop small issues from growing into more serious problems. Each building is different, but if you take the time to do a complete walk through of your properties, you can create a seasonal action plan that helps your team plan ahead for the entire year. Save Time & Money Maintenance takes both time and money, but the good news is that you can make everything a little more efficient using modern property management software. Online and mobile work orders make submitting and completing maintenance requests faster for everyone. With Genesis2, even small to mid-size property managers can speed up processes with electronic work orders. Allow residents to submit maintenance requests online or from their phones and they...

Online leasing isn’t just for the big guys anymore. If you’re a small to mid-sized property management company, technological advances in rental property management software are making it possible to complete the leasing lifecycle entirely online. Get ready to conduct more business, better business, and quicker business with a nifty little innovation: electronic signatures. Electronic signatures – also called e-signatures – are easy to use, a snap to implement, and convenient for everyone involved. They are a legal and secure method to sign and submit lease documents day or night from almost any internet-enabled device. It’s the modern way to lease, for both renters and landlords! 7 benefits of using e-signature for leasing Add convenience for prospects. Adding online applications and leasing to your property websites makes it possible for prospects to start the leasing process from their desktop or mobile device right away. If you offer comprehensive price and lease term selection, self-screening capabilities, and renters insurance fulfillment, everything they need to become a renter is all in one convenient place. Save applicants time. Approved applicants can complete their leases instantly. They don’t have to wait for the next business day or until so-and-so is in the office again. They can sign and submit their leases from anywhere – even if they’re out of state or on vacation in another country – and take the next step to getting the keys faster than ever. Automate document processing. Leasing agents are now able to automatically produce electronic lease documents that contain all necessary data, including spaces for electronic signatures. Save staff time while you simultaneously reduce the risk of human error. Speed up lead processing. The above makes it possible to convert leads to leases in a flash. No more updating files by hand,...