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Interview With Bob Crow, First Service Residential Realty In Las Vegas
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Facility Management
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- System Integration
- Training
The Challenge
First Service Residential Realty was using Yardi Voyager, a software better suited for multifamily managers, which posed significant challenges. The main issue was the difficulty in gaining quick access to data and providing the right information for property owners. The company needed a scalable solution that could handle thousands of properties, be easier to learn and operate, and offer better data accessibility. They turned to LinkedIn Groups to research and compare different software providers, leveraging the opinions and experiences of property managers across the U.S. Using the Net Promoter Score (NPS) system, they analyzed 4,000 entries from LinkedIn to identify the most recommended software. This extensive and time-consuming process revealed that AppFolio had the highest NPS, leading them to consider it as a top contender.
About The Customer
First Service Residential Realty is a division of RMI Management, LLC, a publicly held company with offices in Las Vegas and Reno, NV. The division focuses on managing primarily single-family homes and has a portfolio of 1,500 homes. Over the past few years, the business has grown and evolved, driven by an increasing number of investors purchasing homes and changes in the housing market. The company needed a more efficient and scalable property management software to handle its expanding portfolio and improve data accessibility for property owners.
The Solution
After identifying AppFolio as the top contender through LinkedIn Group analysis, First Service Residential Realty validated their choice by speaking with actual users of the software. They found that AppFolio Property Manager was easy to use, requiring minimal training for their 15-member team. The software's quick search functionality, similar to Google, significantly reduced the time spent on routine tasks. Processes like printing tenant ledgers and monthly owner statements became much more efficient, saving considerable time and effort. Additionally, the company started collecting rent online through AppFolio, which reduced labor-intensive tasks associated with handling paper checks. This transition to online rent collection was expected to cut labor by 20-30%, resulting in significant cost savings.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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