Automation can be used in various ways, especially in the multifamily housing industry. It can enhance the resident experience, increase operational efficiency, and streamline processes. Critical areas for automation in multifamily can include leasing processes, resident services, and communication/engagement.

Implementing the right kinds of automation can be the difference between 1 and 100 hours of extra work in a month. Investing in automation that works can save your team immensely. To make the most of how your systems are working, there are best practices to put into place from the beginning. 

Automation Best Practices in Multifamily Housing

Automation Best Practices in Multifamily Housing

First, you'll want to assess your automation needs by looking at your pain points. What processes are taking the most time for your leasing teams? What areas require human interaction, and what would be easiest to automate? Define your goals and objectives based on the information you find. Then you can prioritize your initiatives based on impact and feasibility. Decide which tools make your life easier, and look for the best options.

Choosing the right automation technologies and vendors

Conduct thorough research and due diligence on all the platforms available. Compare the value you pay for each platform, and decide which makes the most sense for your company. It's essential to evaluate the scalability of your portfolio and what integrations are available. Do they play nice with other vendors? Seek recommendations and references from other industry experts to understand the success of a tool's functionality.

Ensuring seamless integration and interoperability

Once you've found the right tech stack, establish open communication protocols and standards from the beginning. It's often practical to complete a 90-day test period on a few properties before rolling out a product to the entire portfolio. This way, you can ensure the compatibility and functionality of the product before involving more parties. You'll want to take the time to integrate different automation systems and platforms as much as you can to make the most of your automation.

Providing proper training and support

Once you've finished testing your products, you are ready to roll out to the entire team. Training staff on new automation technologies and processes is critical. Ensure the tools you have partnered with offer ongoing support and troubleshooting assistance. Encourage your team to share feedback addressing any concerns so that you can share it with the appropriate groups.

Case Studies: Successful Automation Implementations in Multifamily Housing

These companies have implemented automation techniques to save their teams time and money:

• Paradigm saved over 6K hours by implementing chat and lead nurturing technologies
• ITEX saved over $115K by implementing automation for their primarily affordable communities
• Highmark saved their properties over 104 hours a month by automating processes 

Automate Away

At the end of the day, implementing the right automation solution can assist in several ways. On average, teams using the right automation platform teams save about 100+ monthly hours per property. That saves their team $2,000+ and helps reach prospects they may not have previously been able to. Implementing these best practices when choosing your automation can help ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Embrace the automation tools available to improve efficiency and satisfaction for both prospects and residents.