Most mortgage professionals are still using AI like an upgraded search engine.

They ask a question, get an answer, and move on.

The real value isn't in finding the best platform. It's in knowing which platform to use for which job.

We already think this way in lending. A DSCR loan, SBA loan, bridge loan, and stabilized multifamily refinance all solve different problems. AI is no different.

In my own business:
• ChatGPT helps me review grammar,...Most mortgage professionals are still using AI like an upgraded search engine.

They ask a question, get an answer, and move on.

The real value isn't in finding the best platform. It's in knowing which platform to use for which job.

We already think this way in lending. A DSCR loan, SBA loan, bridge loan, and stabilized multifamily refinance all solve different problems. AI is no different.

In my own business:
• ChatGPT helps me review grammar, structure, and flow.
• Claude is my go-to for longer documents, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and more complex projects.
• Perplexity is where I verify data, research market trends, and fact-check information.

I'll often have one platform review the work of another, much like having multiple analysts review a transaction before it goes to a lender.

The biggest misconception about AI is that it's replacing professionals.

I don't see it that way.

AI functions more like an editor or analyst sitting across the desk. It helps me work more efficiently, but it doesn't replace experience, judgment, relationships, or deal structuring.

Five years from now, I don't think the most productive brokers will be the ones using the most AI.

They'll be the ones who figured out where AI fits into their business and where it doesn't.

What AI tools are you currently using, and where have you found the most value?

Full Blog : lnkd.in/er4P8wjx Show more

What the Multifamily Market Is Actually Telling Lenders in 2026

Multifamily fundamentals remain resilient, but the transaction recovery many expected in 2026 still hasn't arrived.

National rents increased in May and occupancy remains relatively stable, yet transaction volume is down 10.7% year-over-year. The issue isn't a lack of capital, multifamily continues to attract more investment dollars than any other CRE asset class. The challenge is...What the Multifamily Market Is Actually Telling Lenders in 2026

Multifamily fundamentals remain resilient, but the transaction recovery many expected in 2026 still hasn't arrived.

National rents increased in May and occupancy remains relatively stable, yet transaction volume is down 10.7% year-over-year. The issue isn't a lack of capital, multifamily continues to attract more investment dollars than any other CRE asset class. The challenge is that higher interest rates, valuation uncertainty, and wide bid-ask spreads are keeping many owners on the sidelines.

The report also highlights a growing divide across asset classes and markets. Workforce and Renter-by-Necessity housing continue to demonstrate defensive characteristics, while high-supply Sun Belt markets such as Austin, Phoenix, and Denver remain under pressure from elevated construction deliveries. Meanwhile, gateway and Midwest markets are posting some of the strongest rent growth in the country.

For lenders and investors, national averages tell only part of the story. Market selection, supply analysis, and asset-class positioning are becoming increasingly important as performance diverges across the multifamily landscape.

For more practical breakdowns on small-balance commercial lending and market trends, follow the Academy for Commercial Lending on LinkedIn at lnkd.in/eM_VCKVk and subscribe to The Small Balance Intersection newsletter at lnkd.in/e-T79FNx.

Full Blog: lnkd.in/eKaDZv53

Source: Yardi Matrix Multifamily National Report, May 2026. Show more

One pain point I've seen over the years working on the web dev side is waiting around for digital assets, especially "floor plans", which can take a few days to a week. How could AI be leveraged to reduce the time down from days & weeks to minutes? Started working on building out a "drag & drop" Floor Plan Generator. It's about 90% complete, still have to polish the export options & 3D Floor Plans.

Floor Plan Generator: drag and drop a floor...One pain point I've seen over the years working on the web dev side is waiting around for digital assets, especially "floor plans", which can take a few days to a week. How could AI be leveraged to reduce the time down from days & weeks to minutes? Started working on building out a "drag & drop" Floor Plan Generator. It's about 90% complete, still have to polish the export options & 3D Floor Plans.

Floor Plan Generator: drag and drop a floor plan and it will generate 2D & 3D Floor Plan that can exported out as a .SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG & JSON.

For transparency: This was created on my personal account & hardware and something I wouldn't be able to share or show tomorrow.

Tokens used so far: 3,576.54

Curious what some developers / management companies are spending to create floor plans annually. Show more

The process to close someone looking months out in advance is generally broken.

Lisa Trosien continues to be on fire with her research/analysis on prospect communication, and this one is a big issue.

I think it's important to think about the "Planner" type of personality. It doesn't necessarily mean they will be wishy-washy up to the actual decision day.

Oftentimes, a Planner wants certainty in their lives, which is why they are looking 6...The process to close someone looking months out in advance is generally broken.

Lisa Trosien continues to be on fire with her research/analysis on prospect communication, and this one is a big issue.

I think it's important to think about the "Planner" type of personality. It doesn't necessarily mean they will be wishy-washy up to the actual decision day.

Oftentimes, a Planner wants certainty in their lives, which is why they are looking 6 months out in advance. They don't feel comfortable with something ambiguous floating out there, so they want to get ahead of it.

From our perspective, we think we can't close someone like that, and while it's true that we can't literally close them, I believe we can close them psychologically.

If they are looking for a sense of comfort from knowing their plans, then we can still close them on the plan. In other words, we close them on the idea of moving in, and then when we get within that 60 day window, all that is left is to pick out their favorite apartment.

In other words, they have already bought into moving to the community and they can mark it as "done".

In fact, I would take it a step further and have them actually apply to the community rather than a specific apartment, assuming legal in that area.

Once they have applied, nobody wants to waste that application fee, and they will be much more likely to continue on once availability is set.

Regardless of the strategy, there are plenty of opportunities to nurture those long-term lookers!
---
Lisa Trosien

A YEAR in advance.

That’s how early many renters are starting their apartment search now.

Speaking in North Carolina last week, I surveyed a room of 200+ property management professionals and asked:
“How many of you are seeing renters looking a YEAR in advance?”

Over one-third of the room raised their hands.

I call this “The Long Game.” And it's a strong consumer trend.

A renter reaching out 4–6 months early is no longer unusual. And clearly In some markets, even a year out is not an anomaly.

The graphic below is a perfect example of how NOT to respond to someone looking months ahead.

Some of the issues:
• A lengthy explanation of how renewals work. Spoiler Alert: The prospect does not care how your notice process works.
• “If you haven’t visited our website…” even though the lead came FROM the property website.
• Instructions on how to apply online for an apartment they cannot even see yet.
• No invitation to visit.
• No curiosity about anything the prospect actually shared: new to the area, had a pet, needed a two bedroom.

People reaching out NOW want to SEE SOMETHING now. Such as:

• the quality of the finishes
• the overall condition of the community
• a ready apartment and amenities they are interested in
• a model if you have one

They KNOW they are early.
They KNOW they most likely will not see the exact apartment they may eventually lease.

Yet they reach out anyway because they are trying to reduce risk and gain clarity before making a major decision.

The teams that understand “The Long Game” are building relationships earlier, creating trust sooner, and staying top of mind longer.

The teams that dismiss these prospects as “too early” are quietly losing future leases. Show more

Here's something we discovered that blew my mind:

You'd think the lead who applies TODAY is your best lead.

But actually? Sometimes it's the lead who went silent for 3 days
but is NOW looking at unit specs and pricing pages obsessively.

Why? Because they've done their research. They're comparing.
They're serious.

Intent ≠ timeliness. Sometimes the lead who takes time to
evaluate is MORE likely to convert than the lead who rushes in
with an...Here's something we discovered that blew my mind:

You'd think the lead who applies TODAY is your best lead.

But actually? Sometimes it's the lead who went silent for 3 days
but is NOW looking at unit specs and pricing pages obsessively.

Why? Because they've done their research. They're comparing.
They're serious.

Intent ≠ timeliness. Sometimes the lead who takes time to
evaluate is MORE likely to convert than the lead who rushes in
with an application.

This completely changed how I think about lead scoring.

**For property managers:** How do you currently decide which
leads to prioritize? Based on who called first? Who applied
first? Or something else? Show more

The stuff people leave behind are so interesting.
What’s the most interesting thing you have found?

Scammers gonna scam!

Sometime this last year they paid off AppFolio so these loan sharks were enabled by default to scam our residents. We had to disable that quickly.

What do you think?
www.youtube.com/watch

Dear Resident,
This is just a friendly reminder.
Please do not leave your horse unattended on your balcony. All horses must be accompanied by their owner at all times when outside your apartment.
Thank you,
Management