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The Economic Slowdown and Its Impact on the Housing Market in 2022

Economic Slowdown
A survey by CNBC revealed that only 24% of survey participants thought the economic conditions in the country were good in 2021. Down from 50% in 2019, Americans are losing confidence in the economy fast, which has largely impacted the housing market.

The COVID-19-led recession is still getting heated, and the Federal Reserve attempted to assuage these concerns with its commitment to bringing down inflation. However, this does bring up a myriad of possibilities for the housing and real estate industry.

Here are some ways the economic slowdown might impact the housing market in 2022.


An Increase in Bad Debts and Vacancy Rates

The economic slowdown will no longer exacerbate layoffs, especially in the entertainment, hospitality, retail and education industries. Multifamily homes may experience an increase in vacancies, especially in areas where these industries are major employers. The intense supply chain disruption is bound to impact economies worldwide. Many tenants who work in these industries may be forced to look for cheaper housing, which will create an exponential increase in the vacancy rates. Additionally, since non-payment of rent constitutes a bad debt, there will be an increase in bad debt. Moreover, suitable new tenants might not be available to replace those who are evicted for bad debt due to unemployment.


Exponential Demand for Local Equity

There may be a bright side to the chaos caused by the economic slowdown. It will result in an increase in the internal capital flow for real estate. Owing to the fact that the real estate market is considered a safer investment option, many stock investors will redirect their investments from the stock market to real estate. Local U.S. investors will put more money into multifamily properties, which can offset the dip in demand for multifamily real estate, leading to a stabilization in prices or avoiding a significant decline in property values.


Dip in Commercial Real Estate Prices

As foreign equity, which is continually searching to buy real estate in the United States, encounters difficulties accessing U.S. markets, we will observe a decline in the price of commercial real estate. Foreign investors can demand greater prices for multifamily properties since their expectations are often significantly lower than those of domestic investors. The demand for multifamily buildings will decrease as foreign investments in the American market fall, leading to reduced pricing.

Bringing it Together

The recession brings with it immense uncertainty. Despite this, the impact on the housing and real estate markets can be predicted by looking at historical patterns. The big picture is that buyers need to be cautious when investing but also consider the tremendous opportunity they can leverage during the recession.

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Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC

Mill Creek Residential develops, acquires and operates high-quality apartment communities in desirable locations coast-to-coast, including in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. While we are a national company, we immerse ourselves in our local chosen markets to proactively pursue investment opportunities through our seasoned team of real estate professionals in 14 offices across the United States. We use our deep understanding of each market, our 30+ years of expertise and a fresh, innovative approach to the apartment industry to create places where people thrive – and build real and enduring value for our investors, residents and associates.

OTHER ARTICLES
Real Estate Investment, Asset Management

8 Steps to Find (& Stick With) the Right Real Estate Investing Strategy for You

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Search online for real estate investment strategies, and you’ll be overwhelmed with the information overload that hits you. Self-proclaimed experts, gurus, and never before heard of writers (because everyone has a book these days) keep posting hordes of stuff regarding where you should focus your efforts and what you should put your money into. Read a few of these sources, and you’ll see that most of the stuff is the same. It’s very unusual to find ideas that are starkly different online. Head to the store and buy books on investment strategies. Though definitely not to-the-point and instead highly detailed, once you finish reading, you will find yourself at the same spot you were before. Countless case studies, multiple options, a lot of theory, and no practical application! Don’t fret. My article today isn’t going to give you 10 more real estate investment strategies.

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As the global social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic emerge, indoor air quality, for example, has emerged as a top priority for keeping building occupants safe and healthy. Workplaces and remote work arrangements are being reimagined by business owners, while retailers and restaurant operators continue to convert their physical spaces for social distancing or, in some cases, for an entirely new use. In this context, the expectations of asset owners from office, retail, hotel, and residential users have grown exponentially, and there is no shortage of new challenges and opportunities for commercial landlords. Sustainable environments with ergonomic furnishings, biophilic elements, natural daylight, and living green walls are meeting demands for lower operating costs, increased performance, and improved occupant well-being, as are healthy buildings with natural ventilation, enhanced thermal comfort, improved air quality, and green purchasing policies. One of many innovative examples is a manufacturer of smart windows that tint automatically based on outdoor and indoor conditions, improving people's health and wellness while lowering energy consumption. The digital twin — essentially a virtual copy of a building — is another example of how technology is being used to transform the real estate industry. By leveraging data analysis, building simulation, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation, digital twins have the potential to help building owners and operators bridge the physical and virtual worlds. The digital twin's resulting assessment, calibration, modelling, and scenario planning capabilities enable more efficient operations, reduced maintenance, increased energy savings, and real-time decision-making support for the physical building. The health of a building will be considered an amenity by its occupants as landlords take steps to improve air quality inside their buildings through smart building. Overall, healthy buildings improve occupant satisfaction, leasing rates, and building value. Buildings with better air quality and more natural light have lower absenteeism and, as a result, lower turnover and higher worker productivity, resulting in financial savings and increased value for the business. The same advantages apply to retail and residential buildings. Landlords and commercial tenants are discovering that recognized standards, such as WELL and Fitwel, are enabling an effective framework and leading practices in the ownership, occupancy, and management of their physical environments as they develop, implement, and manage healthy building efforts. A sustainable and healthy building prioritizes resource efficiency (energy, water, and materials) while enhancing positive building impacts on human health and the environment. Building owners and occupiers who are proactive in furthering these efforts are not only building resilience now, but also preparing for what comes next and beyond.

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4 Facts to Help First-Time Homebuyers Overcome Common Fears

Article | May 25, 2023

For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. 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If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

Read More
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Importance of Data-driven Decision Making in Asset Management Real estate asset management is a complex and competitive industry, presenting challenges for asset managers and portfolio managers. Gathering and analyzing information provides valuable insights for data-driven decision making, impacting the success of real estate investments. Decision-making through insights allows real estate asset managers, as well as portfolio managers, to identify trends for the future of digital real estate asset management, make accurate predictions, and forecast future outcomes. For example, data analytics can provide insights related to occupancy rates, rent growth, and lease renewals, which further helps in strategic decision-making for the future. 2. Overcoming Difficulties to Become Data-driven Real Estate Business Corporate real estate asset management requires strategic planning and informed decision-making. 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Additionally, data-driven decision-making help businesses identify areas to reduce unnecessary expenses, like energy consumption or maintenance costs. 3.2 Improved Tenant Satisfaction and Retention Real estate businesses understand tenants better and improve satisfaction as well as retention rates by managing assets using data-driven methods. By analyzing demographics, behavior, and preferences data, businesses can determine tenants' needs regarding property and make informed decisions to improve services and tailor offerings accordingly. In addition, it leads to higher satisfaction rates and helps companies to retain tenants, which is crucial for long-term success in the real estate industry. 3.3 Better Risk Management and Decision-making Real estate enterprises can make more informed decisions and better manage risks with data-driven asset management. Businesses must use real estate data analytics tools to examine property performance, identify potential opportunities and risks. It improves the accuracy and reliability of their decision-making process and helps mitigate risks more effectively. Furthermore, by incorporating predictive analytics in the real estate decision-making process, businesses can anticipate future trends and proactively take measures to address potential issues before they occur. 3.4 Increased Asset Value and Profitability Data-driven real estate asset management help businesses improve the value and profitability of assets. Business intelligence in real estate helps interpret property management data. In addition, businesses can identify areas for improvement, like cost savings or increasing rental rates. It can result in improved asset value, leading to higher profitability. Furthermore, by analyzing data on market trends of real estate asset management and tenant behavior, businesses can also identify potential areas for investment, leading to increased profitability in the long run. 4. Data-driven Asset Management Solutions Data-driven asset management solutions help real estate businesses manage assets more efficiently and effectively. With data analytics, businesses will be able to streamline their operations, make better-informed decisions, and increase asset value. Ultimately, it will result in overcoming the difficulties in managing the assets and improving the portfolio performance. With the help of advanced technology and automation tools, one can stay ahead of the curve in the highly competitive market and achieve business objectives effectively. 4.1 Property Management Solutions Providers TenantCloud TenantCloud is a cloud-based property management solution provider that offers comprehensive tools and features for real estate businesses to manage their assets efficiently. Its property management software enables real estate executives and asset managers to automate their workflow, increase efficiency, and reduce costs by centralizing and streamlining their property management processes. Its platform provides real-time visibility into property performance, tenant behavior, and rental income, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions and identify opportunities for growth. Its online portal also allows tenants to submit maintenance requests, pay rent online, and communicate with property managers seamlessly. London Computer Systems London Computer Systems (LCS) is a leading real estate asset management service provider established in 1987. Its flagship product, Rent Manager, is a Property Management Software that offers a comprehensive solution for property management, including integrated accounting, contact management, work orders, and marketing solutions. LCS offers Net Dial Tone VoIP telephone systems, enterprise-level hosting solutions, network design and support services, and custom website development. With its customer-focused approach and advanced technology, The company streamlines operations by eliminating the need for multiple programs and driving innovation in the real estate industry. DoorLoop DoorLoop is a cloud-based property management software that specializes in real estate software, commercial real estate PMS, and residential property management software. Its solutions offer a range of features, including lease management, rent collection, maintenance requests, accounting, and reporting. With DoorLoop, managers and executives in real estate businesses can easily manage their properties and tenants from a single platform, improving efficiency and streamlining processes. Guesty Guesty is an end-to-end property management solution provider that offers a comprehensive platform for managing short-term rental properties. 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Emerging Data-driven Asset Management Patterns Data-driven asset management is essential in the real estate industry, allowing businesses to optimize efficiency, improve tenant satisfaction, manage risks, and increase asset value and profitability. The emerging data-driven asset management patterns discussed showcase how businesses can leverage technology and data analytics to drive innovation. The variety of solutions offered by project portfolio management, property management, and digital asset management solution providers enable real estate businesses to streamline processes, increase collaboration, and make data-driven decisions. Investing in these solutions will help real estate businesses to remain competitive and achieve long-term success.

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Real Estate Investment, Asset Management

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Search online for real estate investment strategies, and you’ll be overwhelmed with the information overload that hits you. Self-proclaimed experts, gurus, and never before heard of writers (because everyone has a book these days) keep posting hordes of stuff regarding where you should focus your efforts and what you should put your money into. Read a few of these sources, and you’ll see that most of the stuff is the same. It’s very unusual to find ideas that are starkly different online. Head to the store and buy books on investment strategies. Though definitely not to-the-point and instead highly detailed, once you finish reading, you will find yourself at the same spot you were before. Countless case studies, multiple options, a lot of theory, and no practical application! Don’t fret. My article today isn’t going to give you 10 more real estate investment strategies.

Read More
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3 Ways to Simplify Leasing Out Your Commercial Property

Article | July 14, 2022

As the global social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic emerge, indoor air quality, for example, has emerged as a top priority for keeping building occupants safe and healthy. Workplaces and remote work arrangements are being reimagined by business owners, while retailers and restaurant operators continue to convert their physical spaces for social distancing or, in some cases, for an entirely new use. In this context, the expectations of asset owners from office, retail, hotel, and residential users have grown exponentially, and there is no shortage of new challenges and opportunities for commercial landlords. Sustainable environments with ergonomic furnishings, biophilic elements, natural daylight, and living green walls are meeting demands for lower operating costs, increased performance, and improved occupant well-being, as are healthy buildings with natural ventilation, enhanced thermal comfort, improved air quality, and green purchasing policies. One of many innovative examples is a manufacturer of smart windows that tint automatically based on outdoor and indoor conditions, improving people's health and wellness while lowering energy consumption. The digital twin — essentially a virtual copy of a building — is another example of how technology is being used to transform the real estate industry. By leveraging data analysis, building simulation, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation, digital twins have the potential to help building owners and operators bridge the physical and virtual worlds. The digital twin's resulting assessment, calibration, modelling, and scenario planning capabilities enable more efficient operations, reduced maintenance, increased energy savings, and real-time decision-making support for the physical building. The health of a building will be considered an amenity by its occupants as landlords take steps to improve air quality inside their buildings through smart building. Overall, healthy buildings improve occupant satisfaction, leasing rates, and building value. Buildings with better air quality and more natural light have lower absenteeism and, as a result, lower turnover and higher worker productivity, resulting in financial savings and increased value for the business. The same advantages apply to retail and residential buildings. Landlords and commercial tenants are discovering that recognized standards, such as WELL and Fitwel, are enabling an effective framework and leading practices in the ownership, occupancy, and management of their physical environments as they develop, implement, and manage healthy building efforts. A sustainable and healthy building prioritizes resource efficiency (energy, water, and materials) while enhancing positive building impacts on human health and the environment. Building owners and occupiers who are proactive in furthering these efforts are not only building resilience now, but also preparing for what comes next and beyond.

Read More
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For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. From a financial point of view, in the United States, the tax savings on mortgage interest alone usually make up most of the difference between your rent and mortgage payments – the tax write-offs you get at the end of year will generally help you save a lot of money. Additionally, depending on your credit score, you can end up affording more than you realize. Note: The credit scores used for mortgage lending tend to take on a much larger picture of your overall credit score. Finally, although there may be a higher initial cost to buying a house, if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few years, the equity you build can end up being a financial boon. Fear 2: “I should wait until the real estate market gets better.” Fact: There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Whether “right” means the right price or the right property for you, waiting for the perfect market timing seldom works to your advantage. If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

Read More
Real Estate Technology, Asset Management

Enhance Asset Management Efficiencies with Data-driven Real Estate

Article | June 15, 2023

Explore the potential of data-driven real estate in optimizing asset management and revolutionizing strategies. Learn how advanced technology is changing the future of real estate asset management. Contents 1. Importance of Data-driven Decision Making in Asset Management 2. Overcoming Difficulties to become Data-driven Real Estate Business 2.1 Availability of Data and Connectivity 2.2 Implementation of a Structured and Agile Development Process 2.3 Accelerating Speed and Reducing Costs 3. Benefits of Data-driven Real Estate Asset Management 3.1 Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings 3.2 Improved Tenant Satisfaction and Retention 3.3 Better Risk Management and Decision-making 3.4 Increased asset value and profitability 4. Data-driven Asset Management Solutions 4.1 Property Management Solutions Providers 4.2 Digital Asset Management Solutions Providers 4.3 Project Portfolio Management Solutions Providers 5. Emerging Data-driven Asset Management Patterns 1. Importance of Data-driven Decision Making in Asset Management Real estate asset management is a complex and competitive industry, presenting challenges for asset managers and portfolio managers. Gathering and analyzing information provides valuable insights for data-driven decision making, impacting the success of real estate investments. Decision-making through insights allows real estate asset managers, as well as portfolio managers, to identify trends for the future of digital real estate asset management, make accurate predictions, and forecast future outcomes. For example, data analytics can provide insights related to occupancy rates, rent growth, and lease renewals, which further helps in strategic decision-making for the future. 2. Overcoming Difficulties to Become Data-driven Real Estate Business Corporate real estate asset management requires strategic planning and informed decision-making. Utilizing data-driven approaches, valuable insights into commercial property performance can be gained, leading to optimized operations, reduced costs, and increased profits. However, implementing a data-driven approach comes with its own set of challenges. Therefore, executives and managers in the real estate industry need to understand how to overcome these difficulties and successfully transform their businesses through data-driven operations. Key challenges the businesses must address include data availability, structured processes, and cost efficiency, all of which are essential for improving the effectiveness of asset management in the long run. 2.1 Availability of Data and Connectivity Reliable data availability is a significant challenge in data-driven decision-making for real estate businesses, as the data generated is often fragmented and siloed across different departments. To overcome this challenge, businesses must invest in technology cloud-based platforms, APIs, and data warehouses to enable seamless data integration and connectivity across the organization. In addition, organizations must consider implementing an integrated data management system to analyze data from multiple sources, providing the decision-makers with a comprehensive view of the organization's performance. 2.2 Implementation of a Structured and Agile Development Process For businesses adopting a data-driven methodology, implementing a structured and agile development process is a major challenge. A data-driven approach requires a planned data collection, analysis, and decision-making process. At the same time, the process needs to be adaptable to the changing market conditions and business requirements. To overcome this challenge, businesses must establish a formal process for data-driven decision-making, including clear roles and responsibilities, data governance policies, regular reporting and analysis. This can be achieved by leveraging agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and automation tools. 2.3 Accelerating Speed and Reducing Costs Speed and cost reduction are critical challenges for real estate businesses that operate in a highly-competitive market Data-driven decision-making is time-consuming and expensive, demanding executives and managers to invest in tools that can automate the data analysis and decision-making process. It includes implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to rapidly process large amounts of data and provide real-time insights to facilitate informed decision-making. 3. Benefits of Data-driven Real Estate Asset Management Data-driven real estate asset management has the potential to revolutionize the way real estate businesses operate. Businesses will be able to unlock valuable insights to enhance overall operations and drive innovation by leveraging asset management tools and techniques. 3.1 Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings Data-driven commercial real estate asset management services offer businesses a powerful tool for increasing efficiency. Businesses must automate their manual processes and optimize workflows to increase productivity by leveraging real estate automation tools. It will save time, money and improve the overall quality of service provided to tenants, leading to higher tenant satisfaction rates. Additionally, data-driven decision-making help businesses identify areas to reduce unnecessary expenses, like energy consumption or maintenance costs. 3.2 Improved Tenant Satisfaction and Retention Real estate businesses understand tenants better and improve satisfaction as well as retention rates by managing assets using data-driven methods. By analyzing demographics, behavior, and preferences data, businesses can determine tenants' needs regarding property and make informed decisions to improve services and tailor offerings accordingly. In addition, it leads to higher satisfaction rates and helps companies to retain tenants, which is crucial for long-term success in the real estate industry. 3.3 Better Risk Management and Decision-making Real estate enterprises can make more informed decisions and better manage risks with data-driven asset management. Businesses must use real estate data analytics tools to examine property performance, identify potential opportunities and risks. It improves the accuracy and reliability of their decision-making process and helps mitigate risks more effectively. Furthermore, by incorporating predictive analytics in the real estate decision-making process, businesses can anticipate future trends and proactively take measures to address potential issues before they occur. 3.4 Increased Asset Value and Profitability Data-driven real estate asset management help businesses improve the value and profitability of assets. Business intelligence in real estate helps interpret property management data. In addition, businesses can identify areas for improvement, like cost savings or increasing rental rates. It can result in improved asset value, leading to higher profitability. Furthermore, by analyzing data on market trends of real estate asset management and tenant behavior, businesses can also identify potential areas for investment, leading to increased profitability in the long run. 4. Data-driven Asset Management Solutions Data-driven asset management solutions help real estate businesses manage assets more efficiently and effectively. With data analytics, businesses will be able to streamline their operations, make better-informed decisions, and increase asset value. Ultimately, it will result in overcoming the difficulties in managing the assets and improving the portfolio performance. With the help of advanced technology and automation tools, one can stay ahead of the curve in the highly competitive market and achieve business objectives effectively. 4.1 Property Management Solutions Providers TenantCloud TenantCloud is a cloud-based property management solution provider that offers comprehensive tools and features for real estate businesses to manage their assets efficiently. Its property management software enables real estate executives and asset managers to automate their workflow, increase efficiency, and reduce costs by centralizing and streamlining their property management processes. Its platform provides real-time visibility into property performance, tenant behavior, and rental income, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions and identify opportunities for growth. Its online portal also allows tenants to submit maintenance requests, pay rent online, and communicate with property managers seamlessly. London Computer Systems London Computer Systems (LCS) is a leading real estate asset management service provider established in 1987. Its flagship product, Rent Manager, is a Property Management Software that offers a comprehensive solution for property management, including integrated accounting, contact management, work orders, and marketing solutions. LCS offers Net Dial Tone VoIP telephone systems, enterprise-level hosting solutions, network design and support services, and custom website development. With its customer-focused approach and advanced technology, The company streamlines operations by eliminating the need for multiple programs and driving innovation in the real estate industry. DoorLoop DoorLoop is a cloud-based property management software that specializes in real estate software, commercial real estate PMS, and residential property management software. Its solutions offer a range of features, including lease management, rent collection, maintenance requests, accounting, and reporting. With DoorLoop, managers and executives in real estate businesses can easily manage their properties and tenants from a single platform, improving efficiency and streamlining processes. Guesty Guesty is an end-to-end property management solution provider that offers a comprehensive platform for managing short-term rental properties. Its features include multi-calendar management, automated messaging, dynamic pricing, guest communication, and channel management. With Guesty's intuitive and user-friendly dashboard, real estate businesses can easily manage their properties anywhere. Its innovative solutions help businesses stay ahead of the competition, enhance their efficiency, and drive growth in the real estate industry. 4.2 Digital Asset Management Solutions Providers Canto Canto is one of the leading digital asset management solution providers for visual communications to help real estate companies of all sizes. Established in 1990, Canto is one of the digital asset management industry pioneers. 2,500+ customers leverage Canto’s software to organize, find and share videos and images that helps to work faster and build a brand in this evolving digital ecosystem of real estate businesses. Bynder Bynder is a digital asset management solution provider that is a centralized platform for managing all marketing and creative assets. Its features include asset organization and categorization, asset distribution and sharing, digital rights management, and analytics. Its solution enables real estate businesses to streamline their asset management workflows, collaborate more efficiently, as well as reduce the time and resources required to manage their digital assets. Bynder also integrates with other software tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, WordPress, and Salesforce, allowing seamless workflow integration. Aprimo Aprimo is a marketing operations platform provider that offers digital asset management, marketing resource management, and campaign management solutions. Businesses will be able to streamline marketing process workflows using the centralized platform. Aprimo's features include digital asset management, workflow automation, project management, budget tracking, and marketing performance analytics. With the company’s centralized platform, real estate businesses can optimize their marketing operations and drive innovation. The platform also enables businesses to collaborate on projects and measure the impact of marketing campaigns, leading to increased efficiency. 4.3 Project Portfolio Management Solutions Providers ClickUp ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform that offers a wide range of features, including task management, time tracking, calendars, and project reporting. Enterprises utilize the platform for creating Gantt charts, and tasks, tracking time, and reporting to stay on top of their projects and meet deadlines. The company enables effective project portfolio management, playing a crucial role in real estate asset management by helping businesses streamline their operations, optimize resources, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and drive innovation. Organizations can leverage this solution to ensure the effective delivery of projects, maintain alignment with strategic objectives, and ultimately achieve better outcomes for their real estate assets. Saviom Software Saviom Software provides futuristic resource management and workforce planning solutions that help real estate businesses optimize project portfolio resources, schedules, and budgets. Its solution offers features such as capacity planning, project scheduling, forecasting, and resource allocation, which are crucial for effective real estate asset and project portfolio management. It benefits real estate industry professionals by providing extensive features to improve project delivery times, resource utilization, and cost management. In addition, it enables real estate organizations to enhance team collaboration, automate manual processes, and reduce administrative burdens, leading to greater efficiency and profitability. Octalsoft Octalsoft is a project portfolio management solution provider that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage real estate assets efficiently. Its features include project planning, resource management, budgeting, and risk analysis. In addition, its project and portfolio management solution offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, providing insights into project performance and identifying areas for improvement. By streamlining project management processes, Octalsoft's project and portfolio management solution drives innovation by allowing real estate asset management companies to focus on high-value activities and drive better outcomes. 5. Emerging Data-driven Asset Management Patterns Data-driven asset management is essential in the real estate industry, allowing businesses to optimize efficiency, improve tenant satisfaction, manage risks, and increase asset value and profitability. The emerging data-driven asset management patterns discussed showcase how businesses can leverage technology and data analytics to drive innovation. The variety of solutions offered by project portfolio management, property management, and digital asset management solution providers enable real estate businesses to streamline processes, increase collaboration, and make data-driven decisions. Investing in these solutions will help real estate businesses to remain competitive and achieve long-term success.

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Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC

Mill Creek Residential develops, acquires and operates high-quality apartment communities in desirable locations coast-to-coast, including in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. While we are a national company, we immerse ourselves in our local chosen markets to proactively pursue investment opportunities through our seasoned team of real estate professionals in 14 offices across the United States. We use our deep understanding of each market, our 30+ years of expertise and a fresh, innovative approach to the apartment industry to create places where people thrive – and build real and enduring value for our investors, residents and associates.

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SmartRent Launches Alloy SmartHome Hub+

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

SmartRent, Inc., the leading provider of smart home and property operations solutions for the rental housing industry, today announced the launch of Alloy SmartHome Hub+, the Company’s first thermostat with an integrated smart hub device developed under its Alloy SmartHome hardware brand. This innovative product, one of few on the market that integrates a thermostat with a smart hub device, operates on Z-Wave protocol and has less hardware to install and maintain. In addition to the built-in thermostat technology, Alloy SmartHome Hub+ establishes a single interface to control connected smart home devices, enabling users to turn off multiple lights in a home at once, remotely lock and unlock doors, receive alerts and automatically notify maintenance when a sensor detects a leak. “Alloy SmartHome Hub+, a device years in the making, is our latest solution that paves the way for the next generation of smarter living and working in rental housing,” said SmartRent CEO Lucas Haldeman. “Designed with our customers’ needs in mind, and inclusive of the feedback they’ve shared about the desire for less hardware, Alloy SmartHome Hub+ delivers sophistication and convenience, all while driving rent growth. Feedback from our beta pilot has been positive, and customer interest indicates eager demand to deploy this solution at scale. We are proud to bring Alloy SmartHome Hub+ to the market at large and to continue eliminating obstacles and easing implementation in the industry.” This high-value yet economical device builds upon existing SmartRent technologies by consolidating the hub hardware within a smart thermostat, which streamlines procurement, expedites installation and IoT setup. Alloy SmartHome Hub+ can be configured and paired with most HVAC systems and is compatible with smart locks, smart lights, leak sensors and other Z-Wave devices. About SmartRent Founded in 2017, SmartRent, Inc. is a leading provider of smart home and smart property solutions for the multifamily industry. The company’s unmatched platform, comprised of smart hardware and cloud-based SaaS solutions, gives operators seamless visibility and control over real estate assets, empowering them to simplify operations, automate workflows, benefit from additional revenue opportunities and deliver exceptional site team and resident experiences. SmartRent serves 15 of the top 20 multifamily owners and operators, and its solutions enable millions of users to live smarter every day.

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Real Estate Technology

EVORA Global Announces Acquisition of Metry

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

EVORA Global, a leading provider of tech-enabled sustainability solutions to the real asset industry, today announces its strategic acquisition of Metry, Europe’s number one platform for environmental data collection. The move will establish new standards in data excellence and technological innovation, delivering comprehensive data solutions for the global real estate and infrastructure investment industry. The acquisition signifies an improved level of data automation and quality for EVORA’s clients, achieved through direct connections to fiscal meters and hubs. This approach eliminates data gaps and reinforces the overall reliability of information provided into their analytics and content management platform, SIERA. EVORA's dedication to data quality and validation underscores the company's commitment to ensuring that all sustainability data is analytics-ready, combining external data sources with EVORA's expertise in regulations and carbon accounting, whilst simultaneously upholding the highest standards in the industry. Metry's customers will gain access to EVORA's expertise in setting strategy and implementing net-zero carbon initiatives in their real asset portfolios, broadening the value proposition available to them. This collaborative expertise - integrating human insights with advanced technology - is a testament to the forward-thinking approach of both companies. "We are thrilled to welcome Metry into the EVORA family," said Pradeep Menon, EVORA Global CEO. "This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in our journey to empower real asset investors with the tools and data needed to drive sustainable practices in the built environment. It will enable us to offer unparalleled services to our clients, solving for the climate challenge.” “This the perfect match,” said Magnus Hornef, Metry CEO and co-founder, who will be joining EVORA’s Executive Committee as Chief Data Officer. “We are enabling each other to make a bigger impact faster and I’m really excited about expanding our data collection capabilities to all of EVORA’s customers. It is a giant leap towards connecting every building with reliable data and automated collection.” About EVORA Global: EVORA Global is a premier sustainability advisor, providing comprehensive, industry-leading climate solutions for real asset investors. With over a decade of experience, EVORA is dedicated to addressing the climate challenge posed by the real asset industry, focusing on the needs of investors in the built environment. Its clients include many of the biggest names in global real estate, including Invesco Real Estate, Hines and M&G. Founded in 2011, the company now has over 200 staff and 150 clients. About Metry: Metry is the #1 platform for environmental data collection in Europe, with a primary focus on energy data. With over a decade of expertise, Metry empowers companies to develop and use energy-saving technologies and IoT solutions, contributing to real change for the environment. Currently serving over 200 companies in more than 10 countries, Metry is actively expanding internationally to offer full data collection coverage in Europe.

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Cushman & Wakefield Collaborates with Microsoft to Enhance AI Technology Platform

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in real estate services, today announced the firm is working with Microsoft to deploy an advanced suite of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. “We are committed to seamlessly integrating our people with the right technology and processes to enhance service offerings to our clients. Today’s launch of the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot for Microsoft 365 at Cushman & Wakefield again demonstrates our ability to pair robust technologies with market intelligence and expertise,” said Salumeh Companieh, Chief Information & Data Officer, Cushman & Wakefield. Since 2018, Cushman & Wakefield has been focused on aligning business, data, and operations. Results to date range from an 80% material reduction in operational cycle time, to a reduction of client supply chain costs via proprietary supply chain network optimization capabilities. Azure OpenAI Service Azure OpenAI Service is a cloud-based generative AI solution that offers customers a range of capabilities, including access to cutting-edge AI models, backed by the power of Azure. With Azure OpenAI Service, Cushman & Wakefield can benefit from the power of cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to deliver innovative solutions for its clients and stakeholders. Azure OpenAI Service enables Cushman & Wakefield to create custom copilots that can enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and increase competitive advantage. The platform enables developers to build, deploy, and manage AI solutions for various scenarios and domains. Some of the features of Azure OpenAI Service include machine learning, cognitive services, bot framework, computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition and more. Microsoft Technology Centers Microsoft Technology Centers are facilities that provide immersive experiences and deep technical engagements in 50+ locations around the world. Microsoft Technology Center architects collaborate with academic, industry, and government partners to advance the state of the art in AI and create positive impact for society. The Microsoft Technology Center is providing Cushman & Wakefield with access to cutting-edge research, tools, and top specialists from Microsoft and its partners to develop powerful and adaptable applications that use AI features. It is also providing insight into various areas and problems that need AI solutions, with learning and improvement through feedback and advice. Copilot for Microsoft 365 Copilot for Microsoft 365 brings the power of next-generation AI, grounded in the user and company’s data, to Microsoft’s workplace productivity tools like Teams and Outlook and Word. It works alongside users to provide suggestions, summaries, generate, analyze and explore content and data across documents, presentations, spreadsheets, notes, chats, email, meetings, and more. Ensuring the safety and security of interactions with Generative AI is a crucial value driver for Cushman & Wakefield. Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers a high level of security for how the firm leverages GPT models, providing confidence that data is not exposed for training and does not leave the company’s ecosystem, thus safeguarding confidential information. “With this next generation of AI, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation at Cushman & Wakefield and across commercial real estate,” said Laura Craig, General Manager, Data & AI, Microsoft. “We’re collaborating with Cushman & Wakefield to bring together AI advances that benefit from Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot for Microsoft 365 to empower the firm’s professionals with new, AI-powered tools.” About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in approximately 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2022, the firm reported revenue of $10.1 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and more.

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Real Estate Technology

SmartRent Launches Alloy SmartHome Hub+

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

SmartRent, Inc., the leading provider of smart home and property operations solutions for the rental housing industry, today announced the launch of Alloy SmartHome Hub+, the Company’s first thermostat with an integrated smart hub device developed under its Alloy SmartHome hardware brand. This innovative product, one of few on the market that integrates a thermostat with a smart hub device, operates on Z-Wave protocol and has less hardware to install and maintain. In addition to the built-in thermostat technology, Alloy SmartHome Hub+ establishes a single interface to control connected smart home devices, enabling users to turn off multiple lights in a home at once, remotely lock and unlock doors, receive alerts and automatically notify maintenance when a sensor detects a leak. “Alloy SmartHome Hub+, a device years in the making, is our latest solution that paves the way for the next generation of smarter living and working in rental housing,” said SmartRent CEO Lucas Haldeman. “Designed with our customers’ needs in mind, and inclusive of the feedback they’ve shared about the desire for less hardware, Alloy SmartHome Hub+ delivers sophistication and convenience, all while driving rent growth. Feedback from our beta pilot has been positive, and customer interest indicates eager demand to deploy this solution at scale. We are proud to bring Alloy SmartHome Hub+ to the market at large and to continue eliminating obstacles and easing implementation in the industry.” This high-value yet economical device builds upon existing SmartRent technologies by consolidating the hub hardware within a smart thermostat, which streamlines procurement, expedites installation and IoT setup. Alloy SmartHome Hub+ can be configured and paired with most HVAC systems and is compatible with smart locks, smart lights, leak sensors and other Z-Wave devices. About SmartRent Founded in 2017, SmartRent, Inc. is a leading provider of smart home and smart property solutions for the multifamily industry. The company’s unmatched platform, comprised of smart hardware and cloud-based SaaS solutions, gives operators seamless visibility and control over real estate assets, empowering them to simplify operations, automate workflows, benefit from additional revenue opportunities and deliver exceptional site team and resident experiences. SmartRent serves 15 of the top 20 multifamily owners and operators, and its solutions enable millions of users to live smarter every day.

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Real Estate Technology

EVORA Global Announces Acquisition of Metry

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

EVORA Global, a leading provider of tech-enabled sustainability solutions to the real asset industry, today announces its strategic acquisition of Metry, Europe’s number one platform for environmental data collection. The move will establish new standards in data excellence and technological innovation, delivering comprehensive data solutions for the global real estate and infrastructure investment industry. The acquisition signifies an improved level of data automation and quality for EVORA’s clients, achieved through direct connections to fiscal meters and hubs. This approach eliminates data gaps and reinforces the overall reliability of information provided into their analytics and content management platform, SIERA. EVORA's dedication to data quality and validation underscores the company's commitment to ensuring that all sustainability data is analytics-ready, combining external data sources with EVORA's expertise in regulations and carbon accounting, whilst simultaneously upholding the highest standards in the industry. Metry's customers will gain access to EVORA's expertise in setting strategy and implementing net-zero carbon initiatives in their real asset portfolios, broadening the value proposition available to them. This collaborative expertise - integrating human insights with advanced technology - is a testament to the forward-thinking approach of both companies. "We are thrilled to welcome Metry into the EVORA family," said Pradeep Menon, EVORA Global CEO. "This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in our journey to empower real asset investors with the tools and data needed to drive sustainable practices in the built environment. It will enable us to offer unparalleled services to our clients, solving for the climate challenge.” “This the perfect match,” said Magnus Hornef, Metry CEO and co-founder, who will be joining EVORA’s Executive Committee as Chief Data Officer. “We are enabling each other to make a bigger impact faster and I’m really excited about expanding our data collection capabilities to all of EVORA’s customers. It is a giant leap towards connecting every building with reliable data and automated collection.” About EVORA Global: EVORA Global is a premier sustainability advisor, providing comprehensive, industry-leading climate solutions for real asset investors. With over a decade of experience, EVORA is dedicated to addressing the climate challenge posed by the real asset industry, focusing on the needs of investors in the built environment. Its clients include many of the biggest names in global real estate, including Invesco Real Estate, Hines and M&G. Founded in 2011, the company now has over 200 staff and 150 clients. About Metry: Metry is the #1 platform for environmental data collection in Europe, with a primary focus on energy data. With over a decade of expertise, Metry empowers companies to develop and use energy-saving technologies and IoT solutions, contributing to real change for the environment. Currently serving over 200 companies in more than 10 countries, Metry is actively expanding internationally to offer full data collection coverage in Europe.

Read More

Real Estate Technology

Cushman & Wakefield Collaborates with Microsoft to Enhance AI Technology Platform

Business Wire | January 25, 2024

Cushman & Wakefield, a global leader in real estate services, today announced the firm is working with Microsoft to deploy an advanced suite of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. “We are committed to seamlessly integrating our people with the right technology and processes to enhance service offerings to our clients. Today’s launch of the use of Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot for Microsoft 365 at Cushman & Wakefield again demonstrates our ability to pair robust technologies with market intelligence and expertise,” said Salumeh Companieh, Chief Information & Data Officer, Cushman & Wakefield. Since 2018, Cushman & Wakefield has been focused on aligning business, data, and operations. Results to date range from an 80% material reduction in operational cycle time, to a reduction of client supply chain costs via proprietary supply chain network optimization capabilities. Azure OpenAI Service Azure OpenAI Service is a cloud-based generative AI solution that offers customers a range of capabilities, including access to cutting-edge AI models, backed by the power of Azure. With Azure OpenAI Service, Cushman & Wakefield can benefit from the power of cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to deliver innovative solutions for its clients and stakeholders. Azure OpenAI Service enables Cushman & Wakefield to create custom copilots that can enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and increase competitive advantage. The platform enables developers to build, deploy, and manage AI solutions for various scenarios and domains. Some of the features of Azure OpenAI Service include machine learning, cognitive services, bot framework, computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition and more. Microsoft Technology Centers Microsoft Technology Centers are facilities that provide immersive experiences and deep technical engagements in 50+ locations around the world. Microsoft Technology Center architects collaborate with academic, industry, and government partners to advance the state of the art in AI and create positive impact for society. The Microsoft Technology Center is providing Cushman & Wakefield with access to cutting-edge research, tools, and top specialists from Microsoft and its partners to develop powerful and adaptable applications that use AI features. It is also providing insight into various areas and problems that need AI solutions, with learning and improvement through feedback and advice. Copilot for Microsoft 365 Copilot for Microsoft 365 brings the power of next-generation AI, grounded in the user and company’s data, to Microsoft’s workplace productivity tools like Teams and Outlook and Word. It works alongside users to provide suggestions, summaries, generate, analyze and explore content and data across documents, presentations, spreadsheets, notes, chats, email, meetings, and more. Ensuring the safety and security of interactions with Generative AI is a crucial value driver for Cushman & Wakefield. Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers a high level of security for how the firm leverages GPT models, providing confidence that data is not exposed for training and does not leave the company’s ecosystem, thus safeguarding confidential information. “With this next generation of AI, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation at Cushman & Wakefield and across commercial real estate,” said Laura Craig, General Manager, Data & AI, Microsoft. “We’re collaborating with Cushman & Wakefield to bring together AI advances that benefit from Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot for Microsoft 365 to empower the firm’s professionals with new, AI-powered tools.” About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in approximately 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2022, the firm reported revenue of $10.1 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and more.

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