Tech
Multifamily Dive Trendline on Resident Retention
Recent REIT earnings calls show that multifamily renewal rates have remained strong for consecutive quarters. Beyond high homeownership costs, the aging of renters has become a significant factor. Data shows that the median age of U.S. renters rose from 36 in 2000 to 42 in 2024, with the number of renters aged 65 and older growing nearly 30% over the past decade. Older renters tend to prefer long-term leases, pushing renewal rates near historical highs.
How Instant On grew up in Connected Communities
Instant On initially entered the market with the convenient experience of 'connect to the internet upon move-in,' but as the digital life of homes has become increasingly complex, its positioning has upgraded from a single connectivity tool to a smart network platform. Sarah Jordan, Director of the Quantum Fiber Connected Community, details the changes in user needs behind this evolution, and how new technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 support a more secure and controllable home network environment.
UDR named in rent-pricing class-action lawsuit in San Diego
Former tenant Jacob Keller has filed a class action lawsuit against UDR in San Diego, alleging that the company used RealPage's algorithmic devices to set rents, violating local regulations that prohibit using non-public competitor data for pricing. The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief, damages, and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. UDR has also been previously involved in related antitrust litigation in Washington, D.C.
Tracking algorithmic rent-pricing lawsuits
Since 2022, antitrust lawsuits against algorithmic rent pricing tools have surged, involving RealPage, Yardi, and several multifamily housing giants in disputes, with some cases settled or consolidated, and industry uncertainty persisting.
Back to school: Wi-Fi 7 gets A+
As schools adopt AI-powered interactive learning tools, home network speed and stability directly impact students' academic performance. A 2024 survey shows that 82% of families and 80% of educators consider high-speed home internet extremely important; global research further indicates that slow 3G connections are equivalent to losing a quarter of a school year. Wi-Fi 7, with its low congestion, wide coverage, and forward-looking design, when paired with fiber, can significantly enhance the living experience and satisfaction in multi-dwelling units (MDUs).
Is your listing ready for AI search? 5 tips for greater visibility
AI search is reshaping how renters discover homes. After Apartments.com launched AI voice search and the conversational tool Apartments.com Ai, its webinar shared five best practices: complete and clear property descriptions, unit-level details, all-inclusive pricing, resident reviews, and easy lead submission, helping communities stand out in AI search.
RealPage buys AI-focused real estate data firm Cherre
Multifamily housing software giant RealPage announced on Tuesday the acquisition of Cherre, a New York-based company specializing in real estate data cleaning and governance. This acquisition is the first deal under RealPage's new CEO Dirk Wakeham. Cherre will retain its brand, with its team integrated into RealPage, and co-founder L.D. Salmanson will serve as Senior Vice President.
Willow Bridge agrees to settle in DOJ’s RealPage price-fixing case
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement on July 6 to resolve allegations against Willow Bridge Property Co. The company was accused of using RealPage rent pricing software in violation of the Sherman Act. The agreement includes no financial penalties but requires Willow Bridge to stop using algorithms based on competitively sensitive data and to cooperate with the investigation.
Beyond efficiency: How leading multifamily operators are putting AI to work
The multifamily market faces multiple pressures, including slowing rent growth, rising investor expectations, and team burnout. Leading operators are leveraging native AI and agentic orchestration to move from task automation to business performance improvement across leasing, maintenance, and finance. Cat Allday, Vice President of Product at AppFolio, points out that AI does not replace human workers but absorbs the coordination layer, allowing teams to focus on high-judgment work. Data shows that after deploying Realm-X, vacant units are filled an average of 5.2 days earlier.
Periodic inspections alone can no longer keep aging buildings safe
The collapse of Champlain Towers South five years ago exposed the blind spots of periodic inspections. The author, Greg Batista, argues that as technology costs decline and regulations evolve, continuous structural monitoring will become the new standard for building safety, helping engineers shift from reactive to proactive prevention.