While the future of tariffs remains to be seen after U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority by imposing them and then a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them, it’s definitely possible that Trump is able to move ahead with his initial plans. If Trump’s tariffs are put into effect, the price of many goods could rise — but, perhaps unexpectedly, rent prices could rise as well.
Here’s a closer look at why rent could get more expensive if Trump’s tariffs are imposed.
Renters who move into new buildings will likely see higher prices than they would were tariffs not in effect.
“When construction materials become more expensive — whether it’s imported cabinetry, electrical components or flooring — those increased costs squeeze developers and contractors,” said Mike Petrakis, founder and CEO of PowerPay, which works with contractors to provide affordable home improvement payment options.
“In many cases, that pressure gets passed downstream,” he continued. “For new apartment builds, it means higher development costs, which translate into higher rents to meet return thresholds.”
In addition to construction materials, appliance prices are also expected to increase if tariffs are imposed.
“All of these things will increase the cost of construction, providing services and maintaining properties, which are usually passed along to residents in the form of increased rents,” said Jeff Lail, COO of WithMe, Inc., which provides tech-enabled amenity solutions.
Memorial Day is in the rear-view mirror. Meanwhile, just ahead is June 1, the official start date of “meteorological summer.” Then there is the June 20 summer solstice.
What do the above have in common? Warmer weather. And what does warmer weather mean to multifamily property managers and owner-operators? Experts tell Connect CRE that warmer weather means a higher level of amenity use. As such, anyone involved with apartment building management must pay attention to these summer-specific features and keep them safe and usable.
So, What’s Used?
The experts agreed that the use of outdoor amenities skyrockets during the summer months. Residents flock to outdoor pools, grilling stations and fire pits, rooftop decks, tennis and pickleball courts, cabanas and dog parks as they “provide residents with opportunities to relax, socialize with their community outdoors, and host their friends and guests,” said Athenes Bauza, business development director, new development and multifamily rentals, FirstService Residential.
Additionally, other amenities might experience an uptick in use even before summer days become a reality. LIVunLtd’s President and COO, North America, Brian Buccino, pointed out that residents prepare for outdoor activities with extra hours in fitness centers and more practice with heavier weights. “Parents might also sign their children up for swimming lessons, and golfers might increase their practice time in golf simulators,” Buccino added.
But attention shouldn’t be paid only to features in the great outdoors. Alexandra LaFlam explained that indoor amenities don’t disappear with the warmer weather. “In the wake of the pandemic, a significant number of renters continue to work from home, prompting a shift in the design and demand for communal spaces,” said LaFlam, who is WithMe Inc.’s National Account Executive. She went on to say that there has been an increase in the popularity of shared workspaces. “These provide the convenience of working from home with the added benefit of a space separate from their apartments,” LaFlam added.
The Role of Property Management
It probably goes without saying that multifamily owner-operators and property managers are responsible for taking care of outdoor and indoor amenities during the hotter weather. Actions include keeping pools clean and sanitary and ensuring that dog parks are free from poop and sanitized.
Behind-the-scenes actions can also support amenities. Buccino said that managers and operators must maintain ADA compliance across all common spaces while providing and maintaining clear signage and access systems.
Bauza added that management and ownership would benefit from analyzing resident amenity access data to determine the most in-demand days and times. With that information, promotional efforts could help move traffic to low-demand areas.
Then there are other personnel involved. “It’s essential to equip staff with the tools and training necessary to handle resident interactions, emergencies and amenity operations,” Buccino said. For example, pool lifeguards should be adequately rested during their shifts and ready to handle emergencies. Furthermore, “be sure that changes to pool area furnishings during the off season aren’t impeding views of any pool areas,” Bauza suggested. “These steps will help improve attentive and vigilant coverage.”
Speaking of which, resident safety should be at the forefront of all apartment managers and operators at all times of the year. However, summer means more gatherings and activities, leading to potentially more issues.
“Daily protocols, such as walking and maintaining the spaces, ensure that every resident’s needs are met,” LaFlam explained. “Resident satisfaction is the main goal to ensure the community maintains high retention levels.”
Move over winter, spring, summer and fall — in multifamily, the real seasons are budget season and peak leasing season. The latter, spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is a three-month sprint that accounts for 70% of annual moves across the U.S. For operators, it’s a high-stakes window packed with online inquiries, tours, screenings, applications, move-ins and move-outs.
To maximize occupancy and rental income, early preparation is essential — and the time to start is now.
Although the trend toward remote work has taken a hit in the past year as more companies call their employees back to the office, major apartment owners and operators report that work-from-home spaces are still tops with renters.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic led more professionals to work from home, coworking spaces have grown into a must-have amenity in apartments. “What I’ve been seeing is definitely a shift toward amenities geared toward the work-from-home renter,” said Kristal Ricks, regional property manager at Charleston, South Carolina-based multifamily firm Greystar, during a webinar last month hosted by Chicago-based amenity provider WithMe, Inc.
Residents choose apartments for a number of different reasons — location, price, square footage. But they stick around for something rarely called out in marketing materials: when their day-to-day life just works the way it should.
Retention is one of the biggest challenges in multifamily. With resident retention currently hovering around 60 percent, and over 40 percent of renters planning to move this year, keeping the residents you already have is just as important — if not more — than attracting new ones. And no, infinity pools and sports simulators aren’t the secret weapon.
The real retention drivers? Convenience-focused amenities that make daily life easier.
Taking on a leadership role for the first time can be intimidating, regardless of whether you’re managing a team or an entire organization. Though previous experience can help soften the pressure that comes with stepping up to the leadership plate, building the confidence and authority required to lead effectively takes time and persistent effort.
To help nascent leaders get started on the right foot, 20 Forbes Business Council members provide tips for building confidence and authority as a first-time team or company leader.
Confidence doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means tackling what feels unnatural. When I founded WithMe, Inc., I had two choices: avoid challenges or figure them out. I chose the latter. The same applies to leadership. Confidence comes from action. Step up, own your decisions and keep moving forward. Your team needs clarity and consistency, not perfection. - Jonathan Treble, WithMe, Inc.
Now at the five-year anniversary of the COVID lockdowns, work still looks much different for many employees. Despite some return-to-office notices, remote work and hybrid schedules continue to dominate, and multifamily properties have had to accommodate this new way of life for many residents.
The business centers of pre-pandemic times don’t quite fill the need as work-from-home employees now require more than a conference room or makeshift common lounge area. These residents looking to work outside their apartments but still on premises want flexible spaces for both quiet, private meetings and for email-reading tasks that allow for conversation with others.
What was once a nice-to-have amenity is now a necessity for multifamily communities, according to Baron Property Group chief operating officer and principal Andrew Till. The company has seen a consistent demand for well-designed coworking environments.
“Initially, coworking spaces were simple lounge areas with a few desks, often doubling as a media room or even a library,” says Till. “Now, they’ve evolved into dedicated, fully functioning work hubs that are within a quiet zone to accommodate hybrid meetings, better sound acoustics, and more comfortable seating arrangements.”
To plan an efficient coworking space, Alison Mills, vice president of design and development at CRG, says, “The essentials come down to flexibility, connectivity, and comfort.” These essentials are best utilized when the location of the coworking area is a mix of high visibility without chaotic noise.
The coveted private hubs are best utilized and appreciated by residents when they are reservable, says Gaztambide. For LeFrak, coworking spaces at Miami’s SoLé Mia and Bisby are equipped with the latest in technology plus private and reservable rooms.
Till adds that Baron Property Group’s Metro Parc North’s coworking spaces are equipped with top-of-the-line tech that allows for reservable rooms. Reservable rooms are only one prong of the tech security and safety features preferred by both property managers and residents alike.
Russell adds, “Technology is the word for coworking spaces. High-speed connectivity is the No. 1 priority. Mobile app-based smart access, smart booking that shows availability, and automated lighting and climate control are key tech features. Setups that include augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities for remote collaboration are a differentiator, too.
“Tech plays a role in terms of security, too, with 24/7 monitoring and automated visitor check-in. However, it’s vital it is all user-friendly,” she notes.
In addition to high-speed, reliable internet, coworking spaces work most efficiently with ample outlets and USB charging stations; interactive screens for brainstorming; printing stations; and virtual meeting setups.
“Owning a printer is a hassle, but access to one is a necessity. Whether it’s a lease agreement, a boarding pass, or tax documents, residents rely on printing more than they realize—until they need it,” says Jonathan Treble, founder and CEO of WithMe. “The most successful coworking spaces integrate self-serve, wireless printing solutions that eliminate IT headaches and free up staff time. With secure, on-demand access, residents get what they need instantly without the frustration of outdated office equipment.”
While the future of tariffs remains to be seen after U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority by imposing them and then a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them, it’s definitely possible that Trump is able to move ahead with his initial plans. If Trump’s tariffs are put into effect, the price of many goods could rise — but, perhaps unexpectedly, rent prices could rise as well.
Here’s a closer look at why rent could get more expensive if Trump’s tariffs are imposed.
Renters who move into new buildings will likely see higher prices than they would were tariffs not in effect.
“When construction materials become more expensive — whether it’s imported cabinetry, electrical components or flooring — those increased costs squeeze developers and contractors,” said Mike Petrakis, founder and CEO of PowerPay, which works with contractors to provide affordable home improvement payment options.
“In many cases, that pressure gets passed downstream,” he continued. “For new apartment builds, it means higher development costs, which translate into higher rents to meet return thresholds.”
In addition to construction materials, appliance prices are also expected to increase if tariffs are imposed.
“All of these things will increase the cost of construction, providing services and maintaining properties, which are usually passed along to residents in the form of increased rents,” said Jeff Lail, COO of WithMe, Inc., which provides tech-enabled amenity solutions.
Amenities shape the daily lives of a property’s residents. They are not simply marketing tools or leasing incentives, but a crucial component of what makes an apartment community feel like a home. However, not all amenities hold their value.
For example, a luxury golf simulator can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $150,000 to install. A rock climbing wall runs between $30 and $40 per square foot, meaning a 1,000-square-foot wall could total $30,000 to $40,000. Rooftop lounges and theater rooms can push costs even higher with maintenance and insurance fees.
Luxury amenities sound impressive. They look good in brochures. But how often do they fit into residents’ daily routines?
The right amenity package can give a property a competitive edge, but competition alone doesn’t justify an investment. The best amenities aren’t the ones that turn heads, but the practical ones that deliver consistent value and measurable financial returns.
Vendors are a large part of successful multifamily operations. By outsourcing various areas like landscaping, cleaning, maintenance, amenity management and other activities, apartment property managers can spend more time on big-picture tasks, including tenant recruitment and retention.
While vendors are important, too many of them can be problematic. “Juggling multiple vendors creates inefficiencies, service inconsistencies and administrative headaches,” WithMe Founder and CEO Jonathan Treble told ApartmentBuildings.com. As a result, multifamily owners and operators are consolidating vendors and letting go of inefficient suppliers without reducing quality.
CHICAGO, IL — Feb. 25, 2025 — WithMe, Inc., a leader in technology-powered printer solutions and coffee amenities, is teaming up with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) to help veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members secure rewarding civilian careers.
As part of this initiative, WithMe is proud to become a corporate donor for HOH while also partnering with them to actively recruit military talent. By investing in career pathways for service members, WithMe is recognizing the leadership, adaptability and problem-solving skills this community brings to the workforce.
"By partnering with Hiring Our Heroes, WithMe is not only opening doors to meaningful careers for military professionals but also strengthening our team with their unique expertise,” said Jeff Lail, COO at WithMe and U.S. Army Veteran. “Military service cultivates the exact qualities we value at WithMe — resilience, innovation, discipline and mission-driven leadership.”
WithMe’s technology-powered amenities, PrintWithMe and SipWithMe, are available in over 5,000 locations, serving 2 million apartment homes and 3 million users nationwide. With rapid growth and a customer-first approach, the company offers an ideal work environment for those transitioning from military service to civilian careers.
"As a veteran, I understand the challenges of entering the private sector," said Andrew Shockley, Service Operations Manager at WithMe and U.S. Air Force Veteran. “WithMe’s culture of innovation and teamwork aligns perfectly with the skill sets of veterans, and this collaboration with Hiring Our Heroes will help bridge the gap between military experience and civilian careers.”
WithMe’s job openings are now featured on HOH’s military job board, and the company is actively engaging in HOH career fairs and networking events to connect with military job seekers. Beyond hiring, WithMe is exploring mentorship programs, sponsorships and volunteer initiatives to further support HOH’s mission.
HOH, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, has connected more than 78,000 military-affiliated job seekers with American businesses in the past year alone through hiring events, fellowships and professional development programs.
"Our mission is to create meaningful economic opportunities by connecting top military talent with leading employers," said Jana Toner, Executive Director of Partnerships at Hiring Our Heroes. “WithMe’s dedication to hiring and supporting veterans and military spouses is exactly the kind of corporate leadership that drives lasting impact."
To learn more about WithMe’s career opportunities and its partnership with Hiring Our Heroes, visit WithMe’s website.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond.
WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions simplify resident printing and coffee, enabling property management teams to provide a superior living experience while reducing costs, optimizing spend, and saving staff time.
PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe is redefining multifamily coffee by pairing reliable, high-performance machines with craft-roasted coffee.
WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company, appearing on the list for the past four consecutive years, as well as a 2024 NAA Top Employer and 2023 Inc. Power Partner. Learn more at withme.com.