At WithMe, one of our core values is customer obsession. We routinely survey our clients to gather candid feedback about their experience with our amenity solutions and gain perspective on the multifamily industry at large.
Our latest survey, which was completed by multifamily professionals representing hundreds of properties across the United States, revealed interesting insight into amenity utilization.
We asked participants to rank the average utilization of several popular amenities at their properties.
The final results may surprise you.
These are the five amenities participants said their residents utilize most frequently:
Our internal usage data corroborates those rankings. In communities with access to PrintWithMe, our resident printer amenity solution, the average unit utilization rate is a staggering 82%.
The average unit utilization rate of SipWithMe, our resident coffee amenity solution, is 51.7%. Studies have shown that roughly 66% of the U.S. population drinks coffee every day. So, of the eligible coffee-drinking resident population, SipWithMe is utilized by 76%.
Especially if you are budgeting for new amenities or improvements to existing ones, it’s important to know which amenities residents are actually using. Check out our survey results report for the full ranked list.
There’s something invigorating about having a fitness center just a few steps away from your doorstep. The convenience factor is a massive draw, especially for those balancing busy schedules. A quick morning workout or an evening session to de-stress becomes infinitely easier. Plus, the savings on gym memberships and travel time are nothing to scoff at.
These apartment amenities support physical health while fostering a sense of community among residents who regularly use the facility.
With the integration of smart home technology, your fitness center can even bring personalized workout suggestions and progress tracking, further enhancing the user experience.
If you're not an avid coffee drinker, you might not get it. But PLENTY of people love coffee, so the convenience of having access to it right in your home is something that makes a big difference.
There's a reason why people craft their own coffee stations and why many TikTok and YouTube lifestyle videos start with a cup of coffee.
At this point, it's a lifestyle at this point, so you don't want to miss out on adding a coffee bar or station to your property.
An added benefit?
People love to chat it up and have a great time with the community around them, and a coffee station is just one area where you can encourage that. Students love coffee, too! With many studying late into the night and early morning, having access to a coffee bar at their apartment complex can be a major convenience for them. It can also be a great selling point for student housing properties looking to attract new residents.
Green spaces, rooftop gardens, or even simple BBQ areas significantly enhance the quality of life in multifamily housing. They offer a slice of nature and a breath of fresh air amidst urban settings, making them invaluable community amenities. These outdoor spaces are communal hubs where all your residents can connect and unwind. Whether it’s hosting a weekend grill party or enjoying a quiet read under the sun, the allure of well-maintained outdoor amenities is something you don't want to neglect. Incorporating elements of smart home technology into these areas, such as automated lighting and weather-responsive features, only heightens their appeal.
The need for physical documents hasn’t vanished. Having access to a printer within a multifamily property eases the stress of last-minute printing needs. This amenity is appreciated by students and professionals alike, highlighting the multifaceted roles apartment amenities play in catering to residents' diverse needs. It's a nod to your residents by showing that you understand the convenience of having a printer.
Online shopping has become a staple of modern living, bringing about the need for secure package handling solutions. Enter package lockers — an amenity that addresses this need perfectly. Package lockers provide a safe and convenient way for your residents to receive their deliveries at any hour, without the worry of theft or misplacement. It brings a layer of convenience and peace of mind to the online shopping experience.
WithMe simplifies the integration of a coffee station or printer amenity, covering the ins and outs so you can focus on providing your residents with exceptional service. Clearly, people value the ability to grab a gourmet coffee on their way out the door or print a document without leaving the building. So why not invest in both? Through streamlined management and maintenance, WithMe keeps your amenities operating at their best, further solidifying the appeal of apartment amenities in the eyes of current and prospective residents.
Coffee.
It’s literally the hottest multifamily amenity trend in Chicago.
And there’s one solution that’s been generating a buzz.
In 2021, the general managers of six luxury high rise buildings in Chicago all made the decision to switch from their existing coffee amenity suppliers to SipWithMe.
Each property was already partnered with WithMe, Inc. to provide resident printer amenities through PrintWithMe. This made implementing coffee services seamless and hassle-free.
Over the course of 8 months, 1,950 residents enjoyed 22,520+ roast-to-order beverages. And the properties reduced their coffee expenses by 49%.
But that’s just the beginning of the story. Download our full case study to find out how they also elevated their resident experience and saved their staff time and hassle.
As of May 2023, 11.9% of full-time employees in the United States were exclusively working from home. Another 29.4% were working in hybrid models.
Upwork estimates that by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely, equivalent to roughly 22% of the workforce.
The numbers don’t lie. Remote work is here to stay.
So what does this mean for the multifamily industry? It means residents will continue to need more places where they can comfortably and efficiently conduct business.
Chicago is no exception. Tamina Sheikh, senior regional property manager at Chicago’s Lincoln Property Company, says, “In my properties, we see a revolving door in common spaces. It’s not the same people every single day, but I would say, on any given day, it’s about 20 - 30% of the property that is working from home.”
To cope with this increased demand for remote work space, multifamily property residents have started getting creative with where they conduct business (think golf simulators and mail rooms). This is forcing properties to create flexible communal spaces that are comfortable for both work and recreation.
According to Sheikh, “I think it’s still very important to have robust amenity offerings, but it’s also crucial to think through how somebody might work from each of those individualized spaces. Because they will.”
How exactly are properties making existing amenity spaces flexible? Here are three examples:
As a more permanent solution to the need for dedicated coworking spaces, many properties are investing in full retrofits of outdated business centers or underutilized amenity spaces (theaters are a common one).
If a retrofit is in your future, consider these key investments as you build your budget:
Thoughtful FF&E and design aesthetics are critical in creating great coworking spaces, but technology is, frankly, non-negotiable. Where is your money best spent? Here are four smart investments:
To help reduce the burden of vendor management, it’s advantageous to work with platform companies that offer multiple solutions.
WithMe falls into that category, offering elevated printing and coffee amenities with perks for residents and on-site teams.
PrintWithMe’s all-inclusive packages make budgeting easy, while outsourced technical support and auto-shipped supplies reduce the burden on property management teams. Residents love having 24/7 access to reliable printing and live support if they ever run into issues. It’s been a huge hit at The Paragon in South Loop.
SipWithMe also boasts budget-friendly, all-inclusive pricing and outsourced technical support. Residents love being able to order 20+ roast-to-order beverages in the comfort of their own building.. Not only has SipWithMe helped to elevate the resident experience at 6 Class A properties in Chicago, it’s also reduced their coffee expenses by 49%!
When you’re ready to invest in elevated printer and coffee amenities for your remote workers (and the rest of your deserving residents), click here to schedule a conversation with us!
ZRS Management recently hosted their annual ZRS Education & Discovery Conference (ZED) in Hollywood, Florida. ZED was specifically designed to educate property managers, leasing professionals and the corporate team about the incredible difference technology can make in areas such as leasing, amenities and marketing.
Dozens of multifamily vendors, including WithMe, showcased tech-enabled amenities, products and software designed to grow business, support property management teams and increase resident satisfaction.
Here are 3 key takeaways from ZED 2023:
1. Invest in the technology that's right for you and your property.
We have all been known to think we can cut costs and even do things better on our own, but that isn’t always the case. In many instances, technology can not only help you reduce expenses, it can also make life better. Don’t get so set in your ways that you neglect to consider the positive value of investing in technology.
How exactly do you go about finding the technology that will give you the greatest return on your investment?
First and foremost, identify the amenities or the tasks that cause you the most stress, time and expense.
Once you’ve identified your pain points, start researching! At conferences and trade shows, make time to visit with exhibitors. Ask your colleagues for insight on what’s been working for them. Keep an eye on trade publications for product announcements, reviews and case studies.
Technology isn’t one-size-fits all. Take time to find the solutions that increase your efficiency, provide the highest ROI and improve your quality of life.
2. Always provide exceptional service and maintain a high standard of professionalism.
When selecting vendors and products, stop to evaluate the impact on the overall quality of the service you’re providing. Automation and centralization can certainly maximize efficiency, but they can also end up creating a cold and impersonal experience. At the end of the day, your residents are people, too, and they deserve to feel valued and important.
3. Use amenities to reduce employee stress and burnout.
Attracting residents is tough. But right now, attracting and retaining great multifamily employees is arguably even tougher.
Your team shouldn’t have to sacrifice their sanity to keep residents happy. It’s important to identify amenity solutions that work for you, not against you.
While showcasing SipWithMe at ZED, the WithMe team received multiple comments from property managers about how helpful it would be to have a fixed cost for their coffee amenity. Budgeting season is just around the corner. Wouldn’t it be nice to have fewer line items to scrutinize and blindly forecast? Tech-enabled amenities can make that possible!
Tech-enabled amenities can also reduce time-consuming tasks that create stress and major headaches. Dealing with supplies, for example. Your team has better things to do than try to remember to monitor supply levels and make emergency trips to the store when they forget to reorder things on time. Services like PrintWithMe remotely monitor supply levels and ship them right to your door, right when you need them.
PrintWithMe and SipWithMe may or may not be the right solutions for your property, but the point is that it’s important to implement technology that makes life better for everyone in your community, and that includes your staff. When your team members are happy, they’re more engaged. And when they’re more engaged, you’re more likely to retain them.
We hope these takeaways are helpful as you formulate future property management and resident acquisition strategies, and we hope to see you at ZED 2024!
Multifamily proptech company partners with Torke Coffee to bring its innovative coffee amenity to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Rochester, Minn., and Milwaukee.
Chicago - (May 30, 2023) SipWithMe, the elevated coffee amenity for multifamily properties, has officially launched in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Milwaukee and Rochester. Committed to supporting local roasters, SipWithMe has hand-selected Torke Coffee as its exclusive coffee supplier in the three markets.
“We are excited to not only bring SipWithMe to properties across Minnesota and Wisconsin, but to partner with a roaster that is such an iconic part of the region’s history,” says Jim Carbone, vice president of operations. “Our devices were specifically designed to give residents a memorable experience, and working with Torke Coffee will help make this happen.”
SipWithMe has been elevating resident coffee amenities in multifamily properties since 2021. Every SipWithMe machine is stocked with fresh, locally sourced beans and can craft more than 20 roast-to-order, barista-quality beverages in seconds. Residents can conveniently order through their electronic devices or on the machine’s HD display.
SipWithMe was also designed with property managers in mind, offering proprietary technology to limit excessive consumption, inventory management assistance and robust support.
Torke Coffee, the local coffee supplier for SipWithMe devices in Minnesota and Wisconsin, has been honing their craft for over 80 years. A true family affair, Torke Coffee was started in 1941 by a father and son duo who delivered hand-roasted coffee with a horse and buggy. Four generations later, the business the two built is still going strong. Passionate about philanthropy, Torke Coffee has donated over $1.5 million dollars to organizations hand-selected by their team and their customers.
“Our family is thrilled about forming a long-term partnership with SipWithMe,” says Jay Torke, president. ”The Torke Family Coffee Roasters, renowned for our meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering pursuit of perfection, has found a kindred spirit in WithMe, whose commitment to excellence mirrors our own. Their visionary approach and our company’s expertise promise to create a caffeinated experience of not only unparalleled taste, but also innovation. We are most excited to collaborate and push the boundaries of coffee artistry, weaving together flavors and aromas that captivate even the most discerning palates.”
In addition to the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, SipWithMe is available in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, South Florida and Washington, D.C. Additional target markets for 2023 include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, San Diego, San Francisco and Tampa.
About Torke Coffee
Torke Coffee is a family-owned and operated Wisconsin coffee roaster offering a wide variety of products, including light, medium and dark roasts in a variety of flavors and brewing options for home and business. Their differentiation is their service - service to their communities and to their business customers. Learn more at https://www.torkecoffee.com/.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on both the 2021 and 2022 lists. Learn more at www.withme.com.
Apartmentalize 2023, hosted by The National Apartment Association, is just around the corner. Boasting more than 75 educational sessions and a seemingly endless array of networking opportunities, figuring out the best way to maximize your time can be daunting. But don’t fret. We’ve got you covered with 6 tips to ensure you have a great experience:
1. Come on, get app-y.
Well before you ever leave for Atlanta, familiarize yourself with the Apartmentalize 2023 app, available for iOS and Android.
Before using the app, you’ll need to create a myNAA Planner account using your registration email address and the ID number from your Apartmentalize confirmation.
Once you’ve created a myNAA account, you can log in to the app, and you’ll be able to look up education sessions, exhibitors and activities and add them to your itinerary.
At the conference, you can use the app’s interactive map to find exhibitors, access session handouts and even take notes.
2. Dress for success and to impress.
Most attendees will be in business casual attire. The days will be long, so be sure you’re comfortable, but also remember you’re representing your organization - and yourself! Take pride in your appearance.
Conference floors and meeting rooms can get chilly. Dress in layers to be sure you’ll always be comfortable.
3. Wear comfortable shoes.
Enough said.
4. Pack your bags.
Be sure you always have these two items with you during the conference:
5. Get social.
NAA does an incredible job populating their social profiles with helpful information. Before heading to the conference, be sure you are following #Apartmentalize on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram. Lean into the conversation on your favorite platform for an insider’s view of what is trending before, during and even after the conference.
6. Be flexible.
This may initially strike you as an impolite gesture, but if a session is not working for you, it’s okay to leave! NAA actually encourages that mentality!
Find another session that interests you. Meet up with peers outside the conference room who want to network and engage in dialogue about other topics. Invest your time wisely!
7. Visit the WithMe team (and all of the other amazing vendors)!
Fuel up with a cup of delicious SipWithMe coffee and find out how WithMe’s amenities can help you elevate your resident experience, save staff time and hassle, decrease your spend and control costs.
Here’s where you can find us:
Booth 508
June 8: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
June 9: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Prefer the VIP treatment? Schedule a time to meet with us here.
Feel like doing a little recon before Apartmentalize? Browse the LinkedIn profiles of everyone who will be attending:
We clearly like to toot our own horn, but seriously, take the time to visit with vendors that interest you. You will likely uncover new products and services that can help you elevate your property and improve operations!
We can’t wait to connect with you June 7-9 in Atlanta!
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to Seattle and partners with Seattle-based Caffe Vita.
Chicago - (March 23, 2023) SipWithMe, the elevated coffee amenity for multifamily properties, launches in the Seattle market this week. Committed to supporting local roasters, WithMe has hand-selected Seattle-based Caffe Vita as its exclusive coffee supplier in the market.
“WithMe is thrilled to introduce SipWithMe to the Seattle market and support the local economy by partnering with Caffe Vita,” said Jim Carbone, vice president of operations. “Our machines are elevating the resident experience and innovating a staple amenity. SipWithMe’s roast-to-order technology means residents have access to fresh, barista-quality beverages with the push of a button.”
SipWithMe has been elevating resident coffee amenities in multifamily properties since 2021. Every SipWithMe machine is stocked with fresh, locally sourced beans and can craft more than 20 roast-to-order, barista-quality beverages in seconds. Residents can conveniently order through their electronic devices or on the machine’s HD display. SipWithMe was also designed with property managers in mind, offering proprietary technology to quietly monitor and limit excessive consumption, as well as inventory management assistance and robust support.
Caffe Vita, the local coffee supplier for Seattle SipWithMe devices, has been honing their craft for over 25 years. Rooted in the belief that meaningful connections make life better, the team at Vita believes great coffee has the power to bring people together and create a community that cares. They currently operate stores in Seattle, Phoenix and New York.
“We’re incredibly excited to be moving forward as partners with SipWithMe,” said Nathan Lowe, marketing manager. “Our goal at Vita is to create connections through coffee - and SipWithMe will be helping us do just that. By bringing our locally roasted, specialty coffee to more multifamily, coworking and business environments, opportunities abound for folks to gather intentionally and commune over a cup of great coffee. Whether you’re trying to be productive, trying to socialize or trying to relax, we’re excited that more people will have the opportunity to do it with the coffee that we’ve been putting our heart and soul into since 1995.”
In addition to Seattle, SipWithMe is available in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, South Florida and Washington, D.C.
About Caffe Vita
Caffe Vita has been roasting coffee in Seattle since 1995 as an independent and locally owned company. From their beginnings at the base of Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, they now operate 10 cafes throughout Seattle, New York and now Phoenix. Caffe Vita coffee is always fresh, imported directly from the farm and roasted on-site. Learn more at www.caffevita.com.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc. makes people's lives better every day through convenient, technology-powered amenities for the multifamily industry and beyond. WithMe’s PrintWithMe and SipWithMe solutions make resident printing and coffee simple, helping property management leaders deliver an elevated living experience and meet evolving resident needs for remote/hybrid work spaces, while simultaneously decreasing spend, controlling costs and saving time for staff. PrintWithMe powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily, cafe and coworking locations across all 50 states. SipWithMe, which is now available in major markets, is disrupting the coffee amenity category. WithMe is an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company, appearing on both the 2021 and 2022 lists. Learn more at www.withme.com.
Contact
Becky McLaughlin, Director of Marketing
1556 West Carroll Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60607
becky.mclaughlin@withme.com
Multifamily proptech company brings its innovative coffee amenity to South Florida and partners with Fort Lauderdale-based Wells Coffee Company.
Chicago - (February 9, 2023) SipWithMe, the elevated coffee amenity for multifamily properties, launched in the South Florida market this week. Committed to supporting local roasters, WithMe selected Fort Lauderdale-based Wells Coffee Company as its coffee supplier in the market.
“WithMe is ecstatic to launch SipWithMe in South Florida,” said Jim Carbone, vice president of operations. “Our machines are improving the resident experience and revolutionizing a popular amenity. Our innovative roast-to-order technology means residents have access to fresh, barista-quality beverages with the push of a button. We’re also proud to support local economies by partnering with local roasters in each market.”
SipWithMe has been elevating resident coffee amenities in multifamily properties since 2021. Every SipWithMe machine is stocked with fresh, locally sourced beans and can craft more than 20 roast-to-order, barista-quality beverages in seconds. Residents can conveniently order through their electronic devices or on the machine’s HD display. SipWithMe was also designed with property managers in mind, offering proprietary technology to quietly monitor and limit excessive consumption, as well as inventory management assistance and robust support.
Wells Coffee Company, the local coffee supplier for South Florida SipWithMe devices, is a wholesale specialty coffee roasting company owned and operated by Brandon and Nicole Wells, a husband and wife duo. Rooted in the belief that coffee is not merely a beverage, but rather a ritual to be enjoyed, they are on a mission to help coffee lovers “Drink Deeply.”
“We’re thrilled about our new SipWithMe partnership,” said Brandon Wells. “The technology platform they’ve developed, together with innovations in specialty brewing equipment, has created a way for residents in fast-paced urban settings to have access to delicious coffee before they ever leave home.”
In addition to South Florida, SipWithMe is available in New York, Philadelphia, D.C., Houston, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, Seattle and Dallas metro areas. SipWithMe is scheduled to launch in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Indianapolis in the first quarter of 2023.
About WithMe, Inc.
WithMe, Inc.’s mission is to deliver convenient technology-powered solutions that create elevated living experiences. WithMe, Inc. was named one of the top 1500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list. Its flagship subsidiary, PrintWithMe, LLC, powers printer amenities and staff solutions at thousands of multifamily locations across all 50 states. Its newer subsidiary, SipWithMe, LLC, was launched in 2021 and is now disrupting the coffee amenity category in the multifamily space.
Contact
Becky McLaughlin, Director of Marketing
1556 West Carroll Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60607
becky.mclaughlin@withme.com