In the autumn of 1997, I was approached by my father with an opportunity to secure a part-time position with his property management company. As I anticipated the arrival of our first child, I decided to seize this chance to transition into a new professional field. Initially intended as a means to evaluate an opportunity, this role evolved into a 22-year career trajectory. Over the years, our company expanded to oversee over 2,500 units under its management. As president by 2020, I spearheaded negotiations and facilitated the sale of the final 806 units.
In January 1998, I commenced my tenure as a part-time leasing agent at one of our most challenging properties. Recognizing the importance of gaining hands-on experience, I embraced the role of a “boss’ son” and actively sought to earn the respect of my employees.
To achieve this, I undertook various tasks that would later become the responsibility of others. I participated in midnight calls for emergency maintenance, serving as the “tool mule” for repairs. I also engaged in unit renovations, painting, cleaning, and maintenance shop maintenance. By assuming these responsibilities, I fostered trust and respect among my colleagues and gained practical experience in the day-to-day operations of property management.
Two distinct qualities set me apart: my creative mind, which thrives on process and system evaluation, and my propensity for adopting emerging technologies and ideas. The advent of the internet era underscored the need for a comprehensive revamp of our systems and processes.
One of my initial actions was to educate myself in HTML and acquire a server. I subsequently developed a corporate website that not only showcased photographs and floor plans but also incorporated forms for rental applications, work orders, and credit card payments. It is noteworthy that this was the year 1999, and what is now commonplace was then a groundbreaking innovation. Our company was among the pioneering entities to implement such a system, and to my knowledge, it was one of the few to do so “in-house.”
The subsequent project was to harness the internet to streamline the entire business. Prior to this, the company had four computers, all located in the home office. The most advanced technology at the property level was a fax machine and an alpha-numeric paging system.
At the home office, we were operating one of the pioneering versions of Yardi with “two seats.” Notably, only two computers could be utilized in Yardi. Over time, we transitioned from this desktop version of Yardi to Yardi ASP and subsequently to Appfolio. This evolution brought about efficiencies, enhanced access to robust technologies, and resulted in cost reductions.
When I commenced revamping our home office system, our team consisted of three full-time employees and one part-time employee. However, upon the sale of the final 806 units, the home office staff was reduced to a single full-time employee. This exemplifies the significant efficiency gains achieved over the years.
During these years, the advertising landscape underwent substantial transformations. Traditional print media, such as “books” and newspapers, gradually declined in popularity. Consequently, it became widely believed that being present on all relevant websites with legacy advertisers, including Apartment Guide, Rental Guide, and For Rent, was essential for success. The industry was heavily influenced by the metrics of call volume, click count, and search returns.
In my opinion, this system was inherently flawed. Large corporations possessed the financial means to purchase search result positions, thereby elevating their properties to the top of the list, regardless of their relevance. As a smaller company, I lacked the resources to make such purchases, resulting in our properties consistently appearing lower on the list.
One day, Apartments.com approached me and presented their proposal. I immediately recognized that what appeared to be advertising was, in fact, monetized search results. Rather than presenting the prospect with our desired content, Apartments.com presented the prospect with content that aligned with their interests. Consequently, if our properties did not meet the prospect’s search criteria, they would not even be visible in the search results.
The industry had been so conditioned that to most people, this sounded like a negative. However, I found it to be an ideal solution. If we received that call, it was a genuine lead because we possessed what they sought. After a brief test run, I withdrew all of our properties from all other advertising channels and exclusively partnered with Apartments.com. This marked the first time in my market that such a move had been taken. People initially perceived me as eccentric. Nevertheless, the results were undeniable: costs decreased by nearly 50%, call volume decreased, and occupancy increased. To me, the decision was unequivocal.
Another area where I excel is in fostering relationships. The bedrock of our business was the relationships we cultivated with our employees, contractors, and suppliers. At the conclusion of the sale of our properties, I had three managers who had been with the company for over two decades. Notably, each of them had initially started as cleaners. We invested in their development and provided them with opportunities for advancement. They could have taken their skills to another company, but they chose not to because they felt valued and respected within our organization.
Personally, I thrive on challenging myself and pushing my personal boundaries. Several years ago, I transitioned into endurance athletics, primarily focusing on long-distance triathlons, including full and half Ironman races, as well as ultra marathons and marathons. I derive immense satisfaction from pushing my limits and then surpassing them. Recently, I experienced a fall that necessitated a period of refocus and adjustment, but this is an inherent aspect of life.
In terms of what I can contribute to your organization, my experience encompasses a range of skills. I can provide maintenance services and troubleshoot home offices. My creative thinking enables me to assess workflows, communication strategies, maintenance programs, and leasing strategies. Evaluation and adjustment are fundamental principles in life, and I am confident that I can bring my enthusiasm and creative expertise to your business.