The Outlook for Apartment Amenities: Q&A with Jeff Lail of WithMe
There’s little doubt that the “extras” offered by a multifamily property can entice renters from one property to another. However, those on-site amenities aren’t stagnant—they change, based on demand. To clarify what’s going on with apartment features—as well as the 2026 outlook—Apartment ApartmentBuildings.com tapped with Jeff Lail, CEO of WithMe, for his insights and forecast. […]
Why Renters Are Prioritizing Practicality — and How Smart Operators Are Responding
Many Western-based are navigating markets that are both costly and crowded. This is occurring in traditionally pricey markets, such as California, but it’s now spreading into areas that were historically considered more afford-able, such as Arizona. Statewide, the average rent for around $1,341 per month, with many metro areas surpassing $1,500, according to Apartments.com. Even […]
Getting the Most Out of Multifamily Shared Printers
Mention the words “multifamily amenities,” and first thoughts include resort-style pools, rooftop decks, yoga rooms and coffee bars. Sometimes overlooked in apartment features lists is the humble on-site printer. A shared printer in a property’s lobby or dedicated business center isn’t a splashy, visually appealing amenity. But WithMe Inc.’s Ben Meth, Senior Director of Sales, […]
Proptech Providers Pivot to Keep Customers
The question of whether real estate companies are using too many proptech providers doesn’t come up often. When it does, the answer is usually found when the two first come together. For that reason, proptech founders are intent on getting their services right — right from the start. Not getting their services provided properly from […]
How Coffee Amenities Elevate Multifamily Communities
When you think about amenities that naturally build community and increase the perceived value of a multifamily property, your mind probably jumps to elaborate resident lounges, lavish resort-style pools and tricked out fitness centers. However, data reveals a surprising truth: the humble coffee machine is one of the most powerful amenities for fostering genuine connections […]
Coworking Is Moving Into Apartment Buildings As A Powerful CRE Strategy For Tenant Retention
Over the past few years, the concept of home has metamorphosed — and so has the definition of what renters expect from their living space. For millions of remote and hybrid workers, that expectation now includes the ability to work productively just steps from their front door. As the line between home and office blurs, […]
Rethinking Amenities During Budget Season: Smarter Spending for Long-Term Resident Satisfaction
Budget season, whenever it occurs in your organization, can bring out the red pens. Faced with rising operational costs and pressure to meet aggressive financial goals, multifamily operators often begin the budgeting process by scanning for line items to trim. Unfortunately, that impulse frequently puts resident-facing services — especially amenities — on the chopping block. […]
Pools, Parties and (Outdoor) Pits: Keeping Outdoor Multifamily Amenities Accessible and Secure
Managing multifamily property warm-weather amenities involves more than dumping the occasional bag of chlorine in the swimming pool. “Managing summertime amenities comes with unique operational pressures due to high demand and increased foot traffic,” observed LIVunLtd’s President and COO Brian Buccino. Additionally, “overcrowding, amenity misuse and supply strain are common challenges, especially during the summer […]
2 Unexpected Reasons Tariffs Could Make Your Rent More Expensive
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 […]
Summer is Coming—Time for a Seasonal Apartment Amenities Focus
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 […]
From Chaos to Control: Your Game Plan for Peak Leasing Season
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, […]
Top multifamily players detail their most important amenities
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 […]
Convenience-focused amenities boost resident retention
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 […]
20 Ways First-Time Leaders Can Build Confidence And Authority
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 […]
How to Create a Productive Coworking Space
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 […]
Practicality is the Name of the Game for ROI on Amenities
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 […]
The Move Toward Multifamily Efficiency: Vendor Consolidation
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 […]
WithMe, Inc. Partners with Hiring Our Heroes to Expand Career Opportunities for Service Members, Veterans and Military Spouses
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 […]
The power of amenities: Today’s apartment buildings need more bells and whistles to attract choosier renters
The owners of multifamily properties have long relied on amenities to set their buildings apart from their competitors. But as monthly apartment rents continue to rise, renters today expect even more amenities in their common areas. We interviewed Jonathan Treble, founder and chief executive officer of WithMe, Inc. about this trend. WithMe provides wireless printing and […]
Back-to-Basics Amenities: A Potential Tenant Retention Strategy
In recent years, apartment amenities have been extravagant and elaborate. Luxury properties, specifically, have seen a rise in features ranging from screening rooms to golf simulators, crystal lagoons, and podcast recording studios. But that could be changing. “As the cost of living continues to rise, residents are placing greater value on amenities that bring convenience […]
Engaging Multifamily Residents Year-Round with Seasonal Amenities
As the seasons change, so do your residents’ needs and desires. Providing amenities and planning events that align with these shifting demands can be a game-changer for property managers. In fact, resident events have been shown to boost satisfaction, improve online reviews and impact lease renewal decisions, making them an essential tool for long-term property […]
The amenities multifamily residents really want in 2025
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the multifamily industry, it’s this: the best way to ensure your amenities are valued is to ask the people who use them – your residents. At WithMe, Inc., we regularly survey thousands of residents, and the results from our latest round of questions reinforced something I’ve always believed: […]
Top Apartment Amenities Tenants Want Most in 2025
The multifamily housing market is constantly evolving, and so are the expectations of tenants. Today’s renters are looking for more than just a place to live—they want an apartment that fits their lifestyle and supports their needs. While luxury features like rooftop pools and concierge services may still have appeal, the amenities that truly matter […]
New Multifamily Amenities Shaping the Resident Experience in 2025
As resident expectations continue to evolve, the multifamily housing industry must set a new standard for amenities in the new year. With remote work, wellness and technology shaping everyday life, property managers and developers are introducing innovative amenities to create vibrant, adaptable and highly personalized living spaces. Village Green’s Executive Vice President Marketing & Brand […]
20 Things CEOs Should Spend Less Time On In 2025
CEOs must be strategic about how they allocate their limited time. Time spent on low-impact tasks—such as micromanaging or unnecessary meetings—could be better used on bigger-picture tasks like strategic planning or partnership development. Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members share some areas where they believe CEOs can stop wasting their energy. By focusing on high-impact activities, you […]
MHN Executive Council: When NOT to Use AI
Artificial intelligence has a lot of uses in multifamily—for example, chatbots can help prospective residents get information about the community. However, there are a lot of areas where the human touch is still important. The MHN Executive Council shares where they don’t use AI. Personal Connection While I rely on AI for many tasks and […]
Eliminate Hidden Time Wasters To Bolster Property Management
Efficiency isn’t just a buzzword in multifamily property management; it’s the difference between thriving communities and those struggling to keep up with resident expectations. Yet, I see hidden time wasters often drain productivity and inflate costs. By tackling these tasks head-on with tech-driven solutions, multifamily communities can streamline processes, reduce stress and keep residents smiling. […]
For Many Multifamily Residents, Practical Amenities Are Just Fine
The amenity wars of the recent years have seen high-end apartment communities battle for renters on the basis of spectacular amenities. Cue the arrival of dog spas, maker spaces, axe-throwing rooms, recording studios, Amazon lockers, game arcades, boxing gyms, rooftop community gardens, bowling alleys, golf simulators and more. Of course, none of these come cheap. […]
How WithMe CEO Jonathan Treble is modernizing amenities at multifamily complexes
Jonathan Treble’s idea to create a network of printing kiosks and self-service coffee stations has grown into a burgeoning company that services thousands of multifamily communities nationwide and in the Phoenix area.
Being Remote-First Requires Excellent Communication
In the evolving landscape of remote work, Jonathan Treble, CEO of WithMe, Inc., has positioned his company at the forefront by embracing a remote-first model. With a workforce spread across the United States and five different countries, Treble has successfully navigated the complexities of remote work, leveraging technology to enhance communication and collaboration. In a recent interview, […]
Funding Your Business: Bootstrapping Vs. Fundraising
Starting a business is a thrilling journey filled with challenging financial decisions that can significantly impact the future of your venture. Thirty-eight percent of startups fail because they have run out of cash or failed to raise new capital, so one of the most critical choices entrepreneurs face is deciding whether to bootstrap or fundraise. Both methods […]