With the abundance of new technologies, here are 5 tech amenity trends for residents that all savvy Property Managers should know about.
In 2019, Property Managers in the multifamily apartment industry are continually striving to exceed the constant needs of residents. With the #amenitywars still raging, it's no surprise that residents have more amenity options than ever before - and it's the amenities that offer technological convenience that truly make an impact on their long-term decisions on where to live.
In order to balance time, tenants, and revenue for successful property management, there are a few #proptech trends that all Property Managers should know.
One of the main goals for property managers is creating a seamless and convenient lifestyle for residents. Smart home technology are perfect amenities to add to your property to increase ROI and tenant retention for exactly that purpose: added convenience. Smart amenities include smart locks (ex: Latch), smart thermostats (ex: Google Nest), smart lighting and security (ex: LittleBird), and smart package drop-offs (ex: Amazon Key). Whether it’s the utilities savings from smart home lighting and thermostats, or the efficiency of keyless smart lock entry, 86% of tenants are willing to pay more for automated smart home technology. Smart home technology can also improve security, allowing property managers to track whenever individuals come in or out of the building, or storing resident packages in smart lockers to prevent theft.
There is an abundance of new resident service automation technology for everything from accounting (ex: Buildium), rent payments (ex: Rentroom and Innango) to tenant screening (ex: Cozy) and maintenance services (ex: PropertyMeld). Autonomous smart property systems can syndicate all your property listings, automate the renewal process, and send out information or respond to requests from tenants and property staff, logging this information into a database and even providing property analytics on where to improve. Meanwhile, the latest #fintech can process payments, automate late fees, and post all transactions to your ledger so your staff no longer has to manually input all this data.
It’s all about mobile in 2019, where apps provide the connectivity and convenience that residents desire. Technology also makes it easier for property managers and staff to organize electronic communication flows with residents whenever issues arise. With great mobile apps like Landlordy, Zillow Rental Manager, and Landlord Studio, Property managers can even utilize push notifications to alert residents of events or other important information with a single click of a button. On the other hand, tenants now have a community hub to advise property managers of immediate problems, make rent payments, extend leases, track packages, and even print, all from their mobile phone.
New advances in technology allow property managers and owners to take proactive approaches in streamlining management processes. AI and machine learning can use special algorithms to identify, reach out to, and screen optimal prospective tenants. It can also connect existing residents and property staff using chatbots and other devices such as Alexa or Google Home. An AI-powered service can alert property staff of maintenance issues before they even happen by measuring the life cycle of appliances and determining time frames when issues are likely to occur. That way, property managers and staff know what to expect and when, so they can always be on top of their game.
Today everyone is moving to internet cloud databases to collect and store all their information. All documents, payments, maintenance requests, and everything in between lives in the cloud and can be referenced by anyone in the company with a single click. Private information can also be encrypted for security purposes so sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands.
Switching to electronic documents - including lease forms, building informational guides, and rent payments - means no more wasting time coordinating schedules to meet and sign leases in person, or keeping track of mountains of crumpled receipts. In the times you do need physical documents, take advantage of a modern cloud printer to print your documents securely and with convenience.
At the end of the day, every property manager wants to focus on creating the best experience for their residents, juggling dozens of other tasks and administrative work to make that happen. Technology makes everything a little easier, so that your property staff can find quality prospects, reduce time waste, improve communication with tenants, and maintain positive cash flow.
Offering a printer amenity is a simple way to delight residents that need to print.
As the scramble to attract and retain renters grows more competitive than ever, multifamily property owners and managers across the country must continue to innovate for premium apartment living. Pools, fitness centers, and pet-friendly community features have become the most popular and common apartment essentials. But here is one more amenity essential that you can’t afford to skip out on: a printer.
Yep, you heard that right. A new survey suggests that what residents really value and are willing to shell out their dollars for are technology amenities, so let’s start with one of the basics.
Even with the growing presence of digital communications, printing is not a thing of the past. In fact, 82% of residents still need to print at least once a year.* This is because when residents are printing, it’s something important. From the resumé for a life-changing job interview, to return labels, medical records, tax files, even presentation slides for a big company client, there are many reasons to print. Be there for your residents when they need it the most; it’s in these moments of need that apartment amenities can truly delight your residents and make them advocates for your properties' services.
Skip the headaches and outsource your printing so tenants can print with ease and your staff can focus on all the things that matter.
Overall, you want to provide residents with a great wireless experience that helps them feel at home where they live. But it’s more than just a wireless connection. According to Comcast's multifamily division survey, 89% of property managers and developers cite technology as an important factor in a renters’ decision to sign or renew a lease, and 82% of building managers install the latest technology in order to “future proof” their buildings.
A printer may seem like a small thing to consider, but it’s a piece of the bigger puzzle in adding value and increasing resident retention and ROI.
Business centers are gaining popularity, ranking #2 most desired community amenity. More people are working from home (WFH) than ever, so it’s time to revamp business centers into welcoming co-working spaces with all the essentials for comfort. From new computers with top-speed wifi, to private conference rooms and espresso bars, your residents will love working all day in your enhanced business center / co-working space.
Other business center items to include are paper shredders, staplers, and a top-of-the-line printer amenity that offers scanning, copying, and faxing too.
Having a community printer can save up to 550 lbs of individual electronic waste and 4750 kW of energy per year.* Instead of every resident buying their own printer, paper, and toner, your apartment has the opportunity to service everyone’s printing needs and cut down significantly on individual electronic and paper waste. The new sharing economy is helping all of us lead more sustainable lives, including Ubers, AirBnbs, and PrintWithMe.
Your apartment can participate in this green and efficient movement as well by installing a shared printer amenity. Not only will you be contributing to a more sustainable business practice, but you’ll also appeal to the more environmentally-conscious Millennials and Gen Zs.
Every second matters when you’re managing a property. A printer amenity relieves property staff of the time it takes to print out residents’ documents by directing residents to their own self-serve printer. Residents can print at their own convenience without a need for on-site staff to answer questions.
Additionally, with a printer amenity, your staff is notified when toner or paper runs low so there’s one less thing to keep track of, and all issues are handled by your printer amenity provider. This leaves your staff with more time to handle all the other things on their to-do lists.
In sum, there are many fantastic reasons why something simple like a new printer amenity can absolutely delight your residents!
As you plan to research different printer providers, make sure to keep data security and document privacy in mind. You would not want residents’ confidential printed documents to be easily accessible to others. To avoid this, make sure to choose a printer amenity provider, like PrintWithMe, that ensures data encryption and the option of ‘secure release printing’, where the residents’ document will only print when they are at the printer.
For more information on how to get the ultimate printing amenity for your multifamily property, get in touch with PrintWithMe today.
*Results from PrintWithMe's internal research.
These 5 Denverite facts will change the way you explore NAA Apartmentalize 2019, and any conference in the future.
Technology dominates all topics surfacing from the multifamily industry and it will certainly take centerstage at the upcoming NAA Apartmentalize 2019 Expo too.
Here at PrintWithMe, we have set our visions on streamlining and automating processes using technology so that property managers can spend less time running a print shop and reinvest those time in speaking to the needs of their very own unique community.
As much as we care about efficient technology, our team also deeply cares about serving our communities and giving back to others. We think about how we can help others in every aspect of our day-to-day work.
To do that, we first have to understand the community we aim to serve. To help NAA visitors gets to know Denver a bit better, PrintWithMe has put together a research piece to help us learn about the Denver community we are about to be in when we make our way to NAA 2019 (in two weeks!).
In a study conducted by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, nearly two billion dollars were generated by metro Denver art, cultural and scientific organizations in 2013. This comes to show that when you find joy in doing the things you put your hands on, it flourishes.
Trade shows and expositions can be dreadfully long, and exhausting if you’re not injecting the fun into it. PrintWithMe took this finding to heart and we’ve made it a goal to help all NAA attendees create those fun moments.
Check out our hilarious “Office-themed” photo booth with your friends and capture your happy NAA times at Booth #2034!
A study in 2016 done by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) and Eco-Cycle shows that Denver’s recycling rate at 12% falls well below the national averages at 35%. One of the reasons Denver isn’t on par for their recycling efforts is because the city currently does not require that apartment complexes with seven apartments or more provide convenient recycling services to their residents.
This is something we can all take into our own hands! This year at NAA, make sure you keep a lookout on exhibitors that are there to provide sustainability solutions such as CheckSammy that makes it easy for residents to trade in their used items.
PrintWithMe has also recently just launched our Green Policy where we are committed to providing paper recycling resources to all of our partners upon request to encourage responsible printing in every community.
The Mile High City earned its name because it sits at an elevation of exactly one mile above sea level. Higher altitude also means bluer skies, warmer sunshine and drier air, something Denverites wear with great pride but might be a challenge to those coming from lower altitudes.
As a reminder, be sure to hydrate to avoid headaches and help your body adapt to the mountain air of the region. If you’re enjoying the Denver’s craft beer scene, know that the rarified air make alcoholic drinks pack more of a punch than at sea level, so drink responsibly!
The home to Coors and thousands of other microbreweries such as Prost Brewing and 14er Brewing Company, don’t expect to find Bud Light on tap when you’re out at a bar in Denver.
Take this chance to explore the local brewery scenes in Denver using this guide. We’d even suggest you to take it one step further by setting up meetings at a nearby brewery instead of the hotel lobby or a conference room.
Denver grew by 30% in the 1990s - an average of 1,000 new residents a week, every week for 10 years. Its diversity brings colorful personalities to neighborhoods like the RiNo Art District where creatives from all around the world reside and made Denver the thriving city as it is today.
Tens and thousands of us travel across the country to gather at NAA. We’d like you to see it as an opportunity to learn from someone of a different ethnicity, educational background, and professional experience. You will find out one of the PrintWithMe team members actually sings acapella!
We can’t wait to see you soon in amazing Denver, Colorado. Meet the PrintWithMe team at booth #2034 at NAA 2019. See you there!
These tech companies are bringing disruptive and positive changes to the apartment industry, as seen at NAA Apartmentalize 2019 in Denver.
Every year, 10,000+ attendees from the multifamily apartment industry flock to NAA Apartmentalize. This year, the highlights NAA presented included a fun-filled Welcome Party on the lawn at the Denver Art Complex, general session speakers like Mindy Kaling, and of course, exhibitors who perfected every inch of their booth spaces to showcase their amazing products and services.
Here are some of the exhibitors that were particularly buzzed-about at this year's NAA conference. Through their innovative technologies and customer-focused mindsets, each of these companies are set to reinvent the multifamily industry for the better:
Apartments List is a smart, simple, and seamless renting platform that automates the lead collection process so that leasing agents can focus on responding to qualified renters. This company is also an expert in researching and putting together solid resources from moving guides to renter migration report.
CheckSammy is the simple one-stop-shop that collects and locates new homes for used items through their elaborate app-based marketplace. They also work closely with city councils and properties to completely take over the recycling process using their extensive distribution network that helps repurposing, relocating, and recycling old goods in a conscious manner.
InfoTycoon is an innovative asset management software that streamlines the due diligence process. Inspectors and property managers can access property performance (and damages) using their app instead of using messy spreadsheets, or worse, handwriting on paper. InfoTycoon’s mission is to help investors make deals fasters and ongoing asset management a breeze."
For only 17.5% of the total security deposit cost, Jetty allows both the properties and the renters to sign their leases faster with guaranteed protection backed by a large insurance company. Properties can reimbursed immediately when a damage was done by the renters and Jetty will take care of the rest of the process.
PrintWithMe is makes printing simple for both property staff and the residents alike. They provide a premium printer amenity that includes a modern printer station, a live support team 7 days a week, and all the supplies you’d need to successfully outsource your print operations. Residents can print wirelessly, securely, and quickly from their own devices from anywhere.
Plus, PrintWithMe proudly only uses sustainable paper and helps residents reduce their individual electronic consumption by encouraging the use of shared resources (one community printer vs. everyone buying their own).
Tide Cleaners is an on-demand, locker-based dry cleaning service that gives residents the luxury to get their laundry done without leaving the building. There is no cost for the property to offer this premium amenity to their community while upping their residents retention rate.
Fetch eliminates the need of a package room in the building and take the concierge off-
site entirely. They provide a door-to-door delivery and an indefinite storage period for residents. Residents simply set the time and date they want to receive their packages, and they will be delivered to their doorsteps in no time.
Click here to learn more about NAA Apartmentalize and attend next year's session filled with more innovative exhibitors.
If you're attending the NAA Apartmentalize 2019 conference in Denver, don't miss the party at PrintWithMe's booth #2034.
Are you attending the NAA Apartmentalize 2019 conference in Denver, Colorado in two weeks? Well get ready for a party, because PrintWithMe is excited to invite you to our booth #2034 where we’ll be celebrating the special love printing has for esteemed paper companies, like Dunder Mifflin.
In honor of the incredible TV-show, The Office, and in honor of PrintWithMe’s hilarious printer jokes, we will be hosting an “Office-themed” party and you’re invited!
Join us and (card-board) Michael Scott at our epic photo booth where he will pose next to a sexy PrintWithMe printer. We also plan to occasionally send him paper and nudge him to refill the paper tray using our auto-supply reordering technology.
Certified #Dunderheads a.k.a the PrintWithMe team will also be there giving away the in demand Office Survival Kits and happily sharing Dwight-approved printer facts with you.
Be sure to bring your friends and put on your best Dwight Shrute gameface!
See you there!
Residents have high expectations in 2019. Here's 5 high-end apartment amenities that are guaranteed to make yours smile.
Searching for your next perfect rental? Or, scoping out what best-in-class properties are offering their residents in the current #amenitiesrace? Look no further.
We know that today's residents expect more than just pools, in-home laundry, and dog parks. Here are 5 new premium apartment amenities that property managers should definitely consider offering their residents in 2019 and beyond.
The modern tenant may already own, or may be dreaming of owning, an electric car. For eco-conscious individuals, having a built-in electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the parking lot would be a priority amenity to search for.
Don't currently have a EV charging station at your apartment? No problem. Companies like ChargePoint and EverCharge can work with your property manager and/or HOA to install charging stations in your parking lot. Just share with them your #Tesla dreams and they'll come around!
Having a standard gym is very typical of apartment complexes today, but offering classes to residences will truly make your property standout from the rest. Everything from yoga, spin, Zumba, hip hop, meditation, HIIT workouts, and more would not only delight your active residents, but it will help build an engaged community at your property.
In addition to scheduled classes, consider including highly-popular #Peloton bikes in the gym so that tenants have access to digital classes via their own paid subscriptions.
With pre-installed smart assistants like Hello Alfred, technology has made "easy apartment living" the easiest its ever been in history. Wow your residents with apartment amenities that will make it as easy as a few clicks to book dog walkings, personal training sessions, and cleaning services (Amenify). Plus, have your residents pay rent using their iPhones (Dwello).
Make sure your package delivery is also empowered by technology with smart Amazon Hub lockers and other services that even ensure deliveries are kept refrigerated.
Gone are the days of the boring, dated business center. Upgrade your apartments' working area to a modern co-working space that includes the business amenities that every #telecommuter or student would love, including free printing, access to high-speed internet, ergonomic chairs, and free cold brew coffee.
Wish you could outsource your free #printing amenity? Look no further. Get in touch with PrintWithMe to learn more about how you can offer this crucial and convenient amenity that residents absolutely love.
Creating spaces and events that encourage community building within your apartment is one of the best ways to grow long-term loyalty and resident happiness at your property. For example, Companies like Kin are also exploring co-living arrangements for families that encourage friends and families to grow together.
Consider building spaces such as outdoor kitchens, community gardens, gaming pavilions, and outdoor movie theaters / sports screens, and host events that your residents can enjoy based on their interests.
By making steps to offer these types of premium amenities to your residents, not only will you stand out amongst a sea of similar apartment offerings in 2019, but you'll be helping to build a happy, healthy, and connected community in your locale.
We are thrilled to announce our new deal to upgrade multifamily apartments in Pinnacle's portfolio of 172,000 apartments nationwide.
Our team is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Pinnacle Property Management Services. Read below for a reprint of our press release on Newswire today:
CHICAGO, January 28, 2020 (Newswire.com) -
PrintWithMe, the Chicago-based technology company bringing convenient, mobile-friendly printer locations to consumers nationwide, announced today that they’ve entered into a national agreement with Pinnacle Property Management Services, one of the nation’s largest third-party managers of multifamily housing. Pinnacle manages a portfolio that includes nearly 172,000 residential units and 4,500 team members across the United States.
"Pinnacle chose to partner with PrintWithMe because their 'Print Allowance' package aligns well with Pinnacle's sustainability goals, helps control costs, and saves our on-site team’s time because PrintWithMe handles all resident questions seven days a week and auto ships all supplies before they run out. Sustainability, privacy, and cost-effectiveness were important factors in our partnership," says Brian Rackliff, Director of Purchasing.
Created with the mission to make printing more convenient for everyone, PrintWithMe is a wireless printer station that enables residents to print securely from any digital device in just a few clicks. Through this partnership, Pinnacle residents will be able to use PrintWithMe printers to print any document securely, including return labels, tax forms, and medical records. PrintWithMe printers are CCPA-certified, HIPAA compliant, and use encryption technology to ensure resident privacy. All documents are deleted immediately after printing.
“We have been amazed at the fast adoption of PrintWithMe on our student living community. Launching a wireless printer with an easy-to-use interface had our students using the printer more than 3x/month with a satisfaction rating of 9 out of 10. We look forward to offering this amenity to more of our student communities,” says Christie Bennett, Vice President of Operations Pinnacle Campus Living.
As a national leader in the multifamily industry, Pinnacle handles all aspects of property management nationwide ranging from conventional market-rate and high-rise towers to affordable communities. PrintWithMe’s founder and CEO Jonathan Treble says their product is custom-made for the unique challenges of multifamily and that they offer the first and only “full-service” end-to-end printing solution for multifamily.
“PrintWithMe is thrilled to be partnering with Pinnacle to enhance their resident printing experience and streamline the management of this amenity for their on-site teams. It’s clear that both of our organizations value excellent service and innovation. Our team is very excited to see this partnership come to life,” said Treble.
About Pinnacle
Pinnacle Property Management Services, LLC (“Pinnacle”) is the third-largest property management company in the United States, with a portfolio of over 172,000 resident units and 2 million square feet of commercial space. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Pinnacle has more than 4,500 employees who manage properties in 32 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada. For more information about Pinnacle and its affiliates, Pinnacle Campus Living, Pinnacle City Living and Rhapsody, visit www.pinnacleliving.com.
About PrintWithMe
PrintWithMe is revolutionizing the $10 billion personal printing market by placing its proprietary mobile printer stations in a wide network of convenient locations, such as multifamily housing, coffee shops, college campuses, co-working spaces, and more. They currently operate in 46 states. To date, they’ve helped hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic customers print over 10 million pages. For more information, visit www.printwithme.com.
Wishing you happy holidays and a very happy 2020!
From our entire team at PrintWithMe, we wish everyone very happy holidays and a happy new year!
We are so thankful to have the support of hundreds of thousands of users and partners nationwide and are excited to continue on our mission of making printing more convenient for everyone, everywhere, into 2020 and beyond.
In 2019, a lot of exciting things happened at PrintWithMe as we continued our work to revolutionize the way people print:
We are thrilled by this year's progress and are excited to continue our journey in 2020. Stay tuned for new printing enhancements to come and many more memorable opportunities to connect in person.
Best wishes for a restful holiday and fantastic year ahead. Cheers to 2020!
- The PrintWithMe Team