At the end of 2022, I joined a handful of industry professionals in making predictions about where multifamily was headed. We were fresh off a year of digital acceleration, AI buzz, and evolving resident expectations.

Now, midway through 2025 with a few more market shifts (and one major layoff) under my belt, I thought it was the perfect time to look back and ask:

How did those predictions hold up?

Spoiler: not bad.

"AI and natural language processing are here to stay. The future will be about combining AI with humans to maximize results, reconstructing the renter journey and removing mundane work from onsite teams."

What happened:
AI didn't just arrive—it embedded itself into multifamily workflows. From leasing bots to maintenance ticket routing to renewal forecasting, AI is helping teams do more with less.

But here's what stood out most: The human element never disappeared. The most successful implementations weren't "set it and forget it" automations—they were thoughtful blends of tech + team.

Verdict: ✅ Still spot-on. Expect even more personalized AI in the next wave.

"As we move from 3rd-party to 1st-party data, Customer Data Platforms will become essential for removing friction and improving brand experience."

What happened:
While multifamily didn't adopt CDPs en masse overnight, we're seeing real momentum toward first-party data strategies. Privacy regulations and platform changes are forcing operators to rethink how they collect, manage, and activate data.

CDP-like functionality is being baked into CRMs, marketing tools, and leasing platforms. Operators want centralized insights—not just more dashboards.

Verdict: 🟡In progress. But the shift to smarter, integrated data use is accelerating.

"Large platforms have become loud and cluttered. Micro-communities will be key to getting the right message to the right people."

What happened:
This one may have flown under the radar for some, but it's quietly transforming how we engage both residents and prospects.

From private resident Facebook groups and community Slack channels to invite-only networking events and influencer partnerships, the power of focused, value-aligned communities is growing.

And with Gen Z and Gen Alpha leading the charge, authenticity and belonging are now baseline expectations—not bonus features.

Verdict: ✅ Happening and only gaining steam.

The most exciting part? These weren't just one-off predictions. They were early signals of long-term shifts that are still unfolding:

• AI is becoming more predictive, more conversational, and more accessible.
• Data strategy is moving from marketing's desk to the C-suite.
• Community isn't just a resident retention strategy—it's a brand-building asset.

If 2023 was about recognizing the trends, 2025 is about operationalizing them.

What did you predict back in 2023? What are you seeing now that no one was talking about then?

It's good to compare notes because if there's one thing multifamily has taught me, it's this:

The future comes faster than we think, so it pays to think ahead.