INDUSTRY NEWS
Grace Hill Announces Winners of 2025 Impact Hero Awards
by Darcey Leach
Grace Hill announced the 2025 Impact Hero Awards recipients, recognizing individuals driving meaningful change in multifamily communities. The grand prize winner is Jayme Presley, who supports adaptive athletes and initiated a charity golf event raising $28,000. Runners-up include Willuance Mesalien, founder of the Will Make It Scholarship, and Anthony Thaxton, advocate for children in foster care.
Read the article in The Multifamily Journal
Pankaj Bansi Joins SmartRent as Chief Transformation Officer
by Doug Pike
SmartRent, Inc. has appointed Pankaj Bansi as its new Chief Transformation Officer, tapping into his 30+ years of leadership in real estate and technology. Bansi will spearhead the company’s enterprise transformation strategy, strategic reorganization and performance improvement to drive scalable operations and operational excellence.
PetScreening Announces Integration with Rentvine
by Paul Willis
PetScreening has announced a new integration with Rentvine, combining pet policy management with property management software. The partnership enables Rentvine users to automate pet and assistance animal validation, access pet data directly in the system and streamline workflows, helping rental communities reduce risk and simplify operations.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Going Above and Beyond to Boost Resident Retention
by Robyn Friedman
Optima Kierland Apartments in Scottsdale, Ariz., showcases exceptional resident service through assistant property manager Ben James. When a resident left a $15,000 diamond necklace before her wedding, James went the extra mile to retrieve and deliver it in time for the ceremony. This effort boosted the resident’s happiness and strengthened community trust, highlighting the importance of personalized service in resident retention.
Read the article in Multi-Housing News
Remain Flexible as Residents Search for What Fits Best
by Michael Miller
Flexibility is key as residents increasingly seek sustainable, wellness-focused living options. Properties that offer energy-efficient features, community amenities and lifestyle-driven benefits are attracting more interest. Adapting to these evolving preferences helps operators stay competitive and improve resident satisfaction and retention.
Mapped: Multifamily Cap Rates Across Top 30 U.S. Markets
by Matt Waiselewski
An analysis of the top 30 U.S. multifamily markets shows cap rates vary from 4.1% to over 6.1%. The average is 5.04%, based on 929 transactions totaling $41 billion through September 2025. Phoenix leads with $3.3 billion in sales, while San Francisco has the lowest cap rate at 4.1%, indicating a longer investment recovery.
MULTIFAMILY TECHNOLOGY
Renters Embrace AI—But Want Transparency
by Christine Serlin
A recent survey by Rently reveals that 74% of renters lose trust when AI is not disclosed during the leasing process. While renters appreciate AI for enhancing efficiency, such as real-time pricing, personalized recommendations and flexible self-guided tours, they emphasize the need for transparency and human support. Over half desire the option to opt out of AI features, underscoring the importance of trust and control in the rental experience.
Read the article in Multifamily Executive
The Tech Graveyard: Why So Many Pilots Die in Multifamily
by Tiffany De Alva
Many technology pilots in multifamily fail due to unclear success metrics, limited stakeholder buy-in and insufficient vendor support. These short-lived trials often stall before delivering meaningful results. Focusing on clear goals, strong collaboration and evaluating whether a pilot is truly necessary helps operators adopt new technology more successfully.
Website Template Design Choices to Be On-Brand
by Stacey Feeney\
When designing a multifamily website, aligning with brand identity is crucial. Templates can be customized with tailored color schemes, typography and imagery to reflect the community’s style. Following brand guidelines ensures consistency, making the site feel professional even when using a pre-designed template. This helps create a polished online presence.