Artificial Islands Feb09

Artificial Islands

Land might become more scarce amid rising seas and climate change. Some experts project that portions of cities such as Miami, Bangkok and Venice, Italy, could be largely submerged within a few decades. Can artificial islands built in lagoons, lakes or on the open sea alleviate the effects of climate change – or accelerate them? Artificial islands aren’t new – they were used in ancient Egypt, the Aztec Empire, England and elsewhere for agricultural and ceremonial purposes. In modern times, artificial islands are often created through land reclamation. Existing islands, rocks or coral reefs can serve as the base, with cement poured on top of sand from the seafloor to enable construction. Artificial islands’ applications range from mineral extraction and harbors to resorts, ecological preserves, military bases and various commercial activities. Diverse applications Prominent examples include Ellis Island off New York City; the six Venetian Islands off Miami; New York’s Little Island, built on 132 concrete columns on the Hudson River and which includes park space and an amphitheater; the “Palm Tree Islands” off the coast of Dubai; and Kansai International Airport in Japan, the first such facility to be built completely on an artificial island. Marker Wadden, a 3,200-acre archipelago in the Netherlands built from lake floor sand and mud, provides a protected environment for plants, fish, birds and insects. A man-made island in Qatar that hosts residences and hotels spans nearly 4 million square meters. China is creating islands in an expanse of thousands of acres in the South China Sea. Seeking a nuanced approach Some observers regard increased use of artificial islands as inevitable. “New water housing solutions will become increasingly common, if not absolutely necessary, and artificial islands will play a key role in the climate challenge,” according to Domus,...

Philip Suh Feb07

Philip Suh

Yardi’s global offices make essential contributions to property management and investors worldwide. Today, meet Philip Suh, associate technical account manager with the Residential CSD team. Meet Philip Suh Philip Suh has been working at Yardi for over a year and a half. Suh spends his workdays answering and catching up on emails in the mornings, participates in daily scrum meetings with his team to discuss cases they are working on that day, and finishes up with client meetings in the afternoon hours. Suh currently works on Positive Pay and Interface cases with the client and a third party vendor or bank. “I love helping people set up and implement new things into their Voyager environment,” said Suh. “I also really enjoy being able to help my teammates out and want to try my best to be approachable by my teammates or other people!” Suh feels the reciprocity at Yardi among his teammates, which he is very grateful for. “I love that everyone is so open to lending a hand, especially with unfamiliar topics. I have never felt that I was not welcome to ask a question on my team,” Suh shares. Work-Life Balance Suh appreciates the work environment at Yardi and likes the work-life balance. The direction from his Team Lead and manager has given him more opportunities, which he acknowledges. “I’m really happy with my work-life balance here at Yardi, which allows me to have fun and be my own person when I’m not working. I think ensuring that not letting your job title define you is really important,” Suh expressed. Yardi is hiring globally! Interested prospective employees can explore opportunities on the Careers site. Sweet Love Suh spends his time outside the office with his lovely wife, Camill, eating good food and sweet...

Yardi Canada Ltd. Celebrates 25 Years Feb06

Yardi Canada Ltd. Celebrates 25 Years

Yardi Canada Ltd. marked its 25-year anniversary in 2023 with a series of client events that celebrated the company’s growth, philanthropic efforts, and diverse staff in Canada. “It was wonderful to spend time with our valued clients in a social setting for the first time since the pandemic,” said Peter Altobelli, Vice President, and General Manager of Yardi Canada Ltd. “During our gathering, we had the pleasure of unveiling the forthcoming generation of Yardi products, which includes the highly anticipated Yardi Voyager 8 and Virtuoso. Additionally, we took this opportunity to provide an insightful update on the progress of our philanthropic endeavors in Canada. Altobelli has helmed Yardi Canada since the beginning and simultaneously celebrated his own silver jubilee anniversary at the company. In 1998, he could not have predicted where Yardi Canada would be today. “When we opened our Mississauga (Toronto) office in August 1998, we established a presence in Canada. The first set of employees were hired in October of that year. I could not have foreseen the remarkable journey from our humble beginnings to our current status as a market leader. It is truly beyond what I had ever dreamed possible,” Altobelli said. An expanded presence Today, Yardi Canada has approximately 500 staff members in three regional offices: Saskatoon, Vancouver, and Toronto. The Saskatoon and Vancouver offices were established as part of Yardi’s corporate acquisitions – of Point2 Technologies Inc. in 2010 (Saskatoon) and a division of EnerNOC in 2016 (Vancouver). Toronto-based Planimetron was also acquired in 2022. Each of our offices has dedicated teams that concentrate on different aspects of Yardi’s global real estate product and support functions. These are just a few examples of the diverse roles and responsibilities within our organization. We have much more to offer. ·Vancouver: Provides support for Yardi Pulse, Canadian residential and commercial clients along with product development for Yardi’s Home IQ ·Saskatoon: Focuses on product development for Yardi’s Home IQ, Matrix platform, Pulse and Machine Learning/AI initiatives as well as customer service for Yardi Breeze Premier and assistance with the management of our Cloud Services infrastructure. ·Toronto: Offers product support and sales for Canadian Breeze Premier and Voyager residential, condo/strata, social housing, commercial, senior living, and investment management clients. Yardi holds the majority of market share for both residential and commercial real estate software in Canada. Over the years, Yardi Canada has expanded its presence beyond being a preeminent tech supplier, becoming a true partner to many Canadian real estate organizations. Today, Yardi Canada continues to develop solutions that are utilized by Yardi clients worldwide. “We are now recognized as the leading expert. Our teams have the knowledge and experience to anticipate trends in the Canadian market,” Altobelli said. That includes the recently launched Canadian National Multifamily report, introduced in 2022. “It has become a prevalent report that the industry uses to understand the current state of the multifamily market, and to gain insights into each regional market across the country,” Altobelli said. (For additional information, download the report here.) Philanthropic contributions Caring for the communities in which our offices are located has been a part of Yardi’s corporate mission from the beginning, and that’s true for Yardi Canada as well. Dozens of non-profit organizations receive support through donations each year, and employees regularly gather for team volunteer outings. Canadian support is prioritized for organizations that combat hunger and homelessness, with an emphasis on building long-term relationships. “Our end goal is to make a difference in someone’s life,” Altobelli said. “We are dedicated to aiding families and individuals emerge from their unique challenges, fostering their ability to thrive and make their individual and valuable impact on society.” The environment is another area of philanthropic emphasis. In 2022, Yardi contributed to and closed the most significant conservation project in Canadian history—the Boreal Wildlands in northern Ontario. With Yardi’s help, the Nature Conservancy of Canada acquired the 145,000-hectare/350,000-acre property to...

Rent Forecast Feb06

Rent Forecast

A large amount of multifamily housing supply coming online is expected to suppress national average asking rent growth this year, according to a new special report from Yardi Matrix. While national average asking rents grew by 1.6 percent in 2023, the new supply will serve to depress rent appreciation this year “in many of the markets that saw explosive growth during the pandemic.” Some markets could end the year with slight negative growth. Stronger growth is anticipated in the working-class Renter-by-Necessity segment, as most of the new supply comprises upscale Lifestyle units, the report adds. Pandemic rent growth boomtowns including Las Vegas; Boise, Idaho; Phoenix; and Austin, Texas, saw the largest rent declines in 2023. Medium-size cities with large universities such as Madison, Wis., Knoxville, Tenn., and Syracuse, N.Y., were among the top performers. Another key story in 2024 is the continued compression in the spread between in-place rents and asking rents. Most markets still have a large gap between the two, but it will “continue to shrink as asking rent increases remain muted in the near term,” according to the report, which also predicts that the national economy will “slow significantly for two or three quarters.” The large volume of supply slated to come online in 2024 will take time to be completely absorbed. Afterwards, rent growth will return to the typical 3 to 4 percent annual increase in asking rents. Read Matrix’s analysis in the new Multifamily Rent Forecast Update. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, vacant land, industrial, office, retail and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call (480) 663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Bring 2024 Into Focus

Ready to make smarter, faster decisions through 2024 and beyond? Business intelligence (BI) is key, but not all solutions are built the same. Senior living operators need BI software designed for their unique needs — solutions that offer the power of integration, customizable tools and ever-evolving functionality. Yardi Senior IQ is our BI powerhouse that checks every box, and in the spirit of the new year, we’re sharing everything you need to know (including the platform’s top features, key integrations and more). Read on to see how this all-in-one solution offers everything you need to thrive. Learn about Senior IQ Senior IQ is our fully integrated BI solution that surfaces real-time data in attractive, shareable dashboards. That means you have the power to view impactful data at the click of a button — data that’s specific to your communities. No more digging through spreadsheets or siloed databases to find the answers you need. By presenting actionable information in one secure place, Senior IQ helps you make faster, more informed decisions. It’s also the only BI solution built just for senior living, and it’s completely customizable to your needs. Our dedicated team works to improve the functionality and add new features year-round based on feedback from our clients. See key features that make it unique Save hours searching through spreadsheets, reports and databases with an analytics platform that integrates with key elements of the Yardi Senior Living Suite. View at-a-glance, pre-configured KPIs in one intuitive place. Hundreds of measures for finance, operations, marketing and care are available out of the box. Empower your teams to work smarter by giving them access to role-based, customizable dashboards with metrics that matter to them. Compare your communities with internal benchmarks and data from the National Institute Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). Benchmarks include occupancy, average rent and average rent growth. Access business-wide data in portfolio views, or drill down into communities to see specific details like expected unit availability. Easily share data and reports that investors, board members and senior leadership expect to see. Enhance your care services with real-time clinical data, automatically drawn from Yardi EHR, that helps you analyze resident falls, streamline reporting, track vaccinations and monitor antipsychotic medication usage. Mitigate risk and streamline operations with a staffing analysis tool that ensures shift assignments meet resident care requirements. Hear from Senior IQ clients building success Quintin King, president at Brightwater Senior Living: “Senior IQ is outstanding — it’s the most valuable thing that I have as a leader because it does consolidate everything into a single space. You’re not going to Voyager, you’re not going to CRM, you’re not going to EHR. I go to Senior IQ, and it gives me everything on a single page — my key metrics.” Syndell Lawhon, VP of wellness at Vitality Living: “Nurses are very visual people. When they can see the numbers in a graph pulled right up in Senior IQ, it clicks so much faster. Numbers on a piece of paper are not as powerful.” Michael Bowles, project coordinator at Dial Senior Living: “Senior IQ is fantastic because it establishes orderly workflows and creates new reports from existing ones, complete with custom dashboards. Investors can get very specific information on demand without having to wait for us to send it.” Reach out to our team Ready to elevate your communities with Senior IQ? Reach out today for more information and to book a...

Modernize the Customer Journey

In the dynamic world of multifamily real estate, implementing the latest technology is not just an option, it’s a necessity. Modernizing your leasing strategy is more important than ever as renters increasingly demand instant, automated and personalized experiences. But above all, they value experiences that put them in control of their journey. We’ve identified five key tools and strategies that you can implement or enhance in 2024, putting your customers in the driver’s seat while elevating your NOI. These solutions not only enhance the customer experience, but also streamline your onsite teams’ efficiency. Let’s dive in! 1. Chatbots as virtual leasing assistants Chatbots are revolutionizing customer interaction across industries, and the multifamily industry is no exception. Chatbots can free up leasing teams by fielding the bulk of common inquiries, but what’s the point if it only creates more hassle for your teams with multiple logins and disjointed data? As customers expect more instant gratification and answers, it’s more important than ever to leverage a chatbot that can do more than just chat — the right bot will act as a true extension of your team, answering chats, texts, emails and calls in the voice and tone your organization prefers. Additionally, a chatbot that has access to your property and customer data can help you provide consistent customer experiences from the start. Chat IQ has direct access to Voyager data, providing accurate unit availability, pricing and tour appointment schedules. Here’s a quick overview of what else the right chatbot can bring to the table: Generate conversions with prompt customer service and automated tour scheduling Improve resident retention by facilitating rent payments, maintenance requests, lease renewal notifications and more Reduce operating costs by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows 2. Self-guided tours to empower prospects Want more interested prospects, a speedy leasing process and fewer vacant units? Implementing self-guided tours can help. Self-guided tours offer a more convenient and flexible way for prospects to explore units. Unlike traditional tours that require a leasing agent to be present, self-guided tours can be booked outside of leasing office hours. Plus, you don’t have to hire additional staff. Onsite teams also benefit greatly from self-guided tours, shifting the focus from just showing prospects around to more strategic efforts for enhancing the customer experience. This focused approach not only generates more high-quality leads, but also paves the way for job satisfaction and subsequently, better staff retention. 3. Automated screening for better efficiency and security Your leasing agents are leasing agents, not detectives. Automated screening tools eliminate the need for tracking down lost papers, tedious back-and-forth emails and the responsibility of ensuring whether documents are legit. Automated screening is also a win for prospects. Facial recognition and automation technology reduce obstacles prospects face in trying to apply for an apartment, accelerating their journey to becoming your resident. The same goes for technology that allows prospects to verify their income on the spot. With technology that seamlessly allows prospects to take a selfie and upload a paystub, they’ll be able to get approved for that unit faster. 4. Centralized data for operational excellence Centralization is more than just a buzzword. It’s a strategy that has the potential to yield lower costs, increase efficiency and increase satisfaction for both renters and staff. But a long-term strategy to centralization requires a more nuanced approach. When considering how to centralize, focus on your onsite staff’s expectations, how roles will be specialized and the structure of your centers of excellence. Kim Young, vice president of shared services at Fogelman Properties, suggests refining your automation strategy before jumping head-first into the centralization hype. “Until you know what humans don’t have to do, you can’t know how and where to centralize,” she said.  No matter how you go about it, a thoughtful approach to centralization paves the way for long-term operational efficiency. Need a place to start? CRM IQ gives you visibility into...

Daily Bread Food Bank Feb02

Daily Bread Food Bank

Daily Bread Food Bank, a nonprofit suported by Yardi Canada, was founded in 1983 in Etobicoke, Ontario. Unlike other food banks, Daily Bread is a member organization and delivers food to 207 meal programs at 132 agencies across Toronto, Etobicoke and Scarborough. One in ten people in Toronto rely on food banks, twice as much as in 2022. Daily Bread distributed nearly 28 million pounds of food in 2022-2023, a 50% increase from the previous year. Clients have doubled over the years since the pandemic, and in December 2023, Daily Bread had over 284,000 clients, surpassing previous records. “Before COVID, we spent $1.5 million yearly on purchased food.  Now, we are spending that each month. This past year, we spent $22 million on food, 14 times more than pre-COVID,” said Carol Eby, senior manager for corporate partnerships. Daily Bread hopes the Canada Disability Benefit Law will be approved in the federal government’s March budget. Since many of Daily Bread’s clients rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), this will help them out of deep poverty and be less reliant on food banks over time. Daily Bread ensures they have enough food to provide for those in need. “Our food budget is presently $22 million, and we anticipate this will increase this year to $29 million based on economic factors remaining status quo and the impact these have on an increase in food bank clients,” Eby shares. Funding from Yardi helps Daily Bread purchase food needed to manage the consistent increase in food bank clients it is experiencing. It also helps with research and advocacy efforts to provide foundational research from clients as to why they need to use a food bank. For food bank clients to decrease, Daily Bread strives for systemic change. “This important research is used to inform and educate the various levels of government on policies that need to be created to manage the various economic issues that are impacting the citizens of Toronto,” explained Eby. As poverty rates soar and the hunger crisis worsens in Toronto, Daily Bread recognizes donors like Yardi Canada, “We are so appreciative of the very generous support from Yardi Canada. We do not receive any government funding; we rely solely on corporate donations and individual giving,” expressed Eby. Elena’s Story Many clients of Daily Bread have had compounding medical issues, leaving them unable to work. Elena, a Daily Bread Food Bank client, was in this challenging situation. Health complications forced her to shut down her sales agency, and today, Elena survives on the limited income she receives from the ODSP and support from her local food bank. She is thankful for the food bank’s having fruits, vegetables, and proteins like meats and lentils so she can keep a balanced diet to help aid her health issues. “I see more and more people using the food bank every time I go,” says Elena. “The volunteers and staff are working hard to keep up. I know it is tiring, but I want to remind everyone what a difference they are making in people’s lives, people who are struggling to have food in their cupboards.” At Daily Bread, they are committed to supporting Elena and thousands just like her today who are facing extreme challenges to meet their essential needs. Volunteer Opportunities The Daily Bread Food Bank offers shifts on Thursday and Friday mornings from 8:30 am to 11:30 am and afternoons from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. A maximum of 20 Yardi team members can join them for the morning or afternoon food sorting. Please get in touch with Carol Eby at [email protected] to organize volunteer shifts. Find future non-profit profiles...

Babbie Jaco Feb01

Babbie Jaco

Complex processes with rules left to interpretation can create uncertainty about what a team should do next and fear of making mistakes. That can lead to lost productivity, stagnation and the inability for an organization to grow. That’s a cycle that affects many affordable housing teams. As the complexity of compliance increases, the personnel required exponentially increases. It takes leadership within an organization to recognize the need for change and to seek out solutions. That’s where Babbie Jaco, the latest in Yardi’s series of Affordable Housing Visionaries, comes into the story. In 1984, Babbie joined a newly formed organization called Boyd Management. She was one of the first employees to be hired and as the company grew, became a principal in Boyd Management and their development entity, WWJ, LLC. In 2020, Babbie and her partners sold their interests in both Boyd Management and WWJ, LLC to CAHEC of Raleigh, NC as a strategy to secure the properties, its 475 employees and maintain the legacy of 35 years of excellent work. While her partners are now retired, Babbie continues to lead the team today as Senior Vice President of CAHEC Management, Inc. (CMI) Get to Know CAHEC Management, Inc. CMI is a leading affordable housing property developer, owner and manager based in Columbia, South Carolina. Its sustained growth and successful properties are laudable. Its portfolio includes more than 370+ properties and 16,000 affordable housing units across the southeast. As CMI grew, and as affordable housing reporting requirements became more complex, the team experienced significantly more compliance work particularly given the array of affordable housing programs the organization works under. Jaco recognized the challenge and saw opportunity to resolve them with assistance from Yardi RightSource. CMI Reimagines Compliance RightSource provides CMI with a dedicated team of...

Amol Jammu Jan30

Amol Jammu

Yardi’s global offices make essential contributions to property management and investors worldwide. Today, we introduce Amol Jammu, the West Residential Leasing Solutions 1’s assistant technical account manager. Meet Amol Jammu Amol Jammu has worked with Yardi for almost two years and looks forward to being promoted soon. Jammu spends his work hours talking and engaging with clients he oversees. Meeting with clients daily, Jammu discusses ongoing company initiatives, workflows and where they need help with their Yardi products. When Jammu is not in client meetings, he works in the Site Manager program and CRM, where he can fix clients’ issues or set up workflows to achieve their end goals. Jammu is constantly researching and reading into different Yardi products and testing in practice environments. Jammu enjoys connecting with clients face-to-face and helping them with any issues they might encounter. “It’s really rewarding when I can solve issues for clients and see the impact on their day-to-day operations,” said Jammu. Office Synergy Jammu appreciates Yardi’s commitment to providing employees with all the tools to do the job effectively. Everyone in the company is willing to lend a helping hand, which makes giving support to customers much more accessible. “The approach to teamwork is truly gratifying because I always feel reassured and supported when my workload gets heavy. I never feel like I’m alone with my problems or that I can’t ask for help,” Jammu explained. Jammu describes Yardi as the perfect place to start a career. “I’ve heard so many horror stories about how people’s first jobs were, and it really puts a smile on my face that I can’t relate to that. Yardi really feels like being a part of a family that cares about your work, your life outside of it, and most...

Our Big Kitchen Jan25

Our Big Kitchen

Let’s journey to the land down under and introduce Our Big Kitchen (OBK), a Yardi-supported nonprofit that was founded in 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Our Big Kitchen is dedicated to community well-being through initiatives like providing nutritious meals, cooking classes and fostering connections. “We strive to address food insecurity and promote sustainability, contributing positively to the community’s overall health,” said George Karounis, OBK operations manager. Our Big Kitchen is working to expand its impact by aiming to enhance meal preparation efforts and ensure more individuals receive nutritious meals. In addition, OBK is committed to strengthening connections by collaborating and supporting more charities. “Through these priorities, we strive to create a broader positive influence in our community and address pressing needs,” Karounis says. Funding from Yardi helps enhance meal preparation and strengthens OBK’s partnerships with charities. The funds directly contribute to OBK’s mission of reaching more people in need and creating a more significant community impact. “We’re thrilled and grateful for Yardi’s support. It energizes our mission and propels us towards making a greater impact in the community,” expressed Karounis. Fostering Connections Sarah and many of OBK’s clients faced loneliness and hunger. By joining OBK, her transformative journey brought her meals and a supportive community. In her journey, fostering connections and providing nourishment beyond the plate has been detrimental for her to achieve a healthy life. Volunteer Opportunities For those interested in learning more and volunteering at Our Big Kitchen, please feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] Beyond Our Big Kitchen’s main activities, OBK caters to birthday parties and hosts “Cooking with Family” events. Join the fun for unique and meaningful experiences to support OBK’s community initiatives. Find future non-profit profiles...

2024 Best Place to Work Jan24

2024 Best Place to Work

Yardi has again been named a winner of Glassdoor’s 16th Employees’ Choice Awards, honoring the Best Places to Work 2024. The Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award is based solely on the input of employees, who voluntarily provide anonymous feedback by completing a review about their job, work environment and employer on Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights about jobs, work environments and companies. “We are humbled to be included with so many great organizations and by the consistent, positive support of our global employees, which resulted in this honor,” said Kevin Yardi, vice president at Yardi. “For over 40 years, we have achieved steady growth by taking care of our customers, employees and communities. If you are looking for a great place to grow your career, Yardi is hiring in many offices worldwide.” Find career opportunities at careers.yardi.com. Yardi is the only software company focused on real estate on the 2024 list. The company was previously honored in 2023, 2020 and 2018. “Work life is rapidly changing, and professionals are turning to Glassdoor to share their experiences about working for some of the most competitive employers in the world,” said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor Chief Executive Officer. “The Best Places to Work award is a stark reminder of the power of Glassdoor, from arming professionals with career insights and real-time conversations about all things work and life, to providing employers with feedback to improve.” Employees’ Choice Award winners for the Best Places to Work 2024 were determined based on Glassdoor-approved company reviews submitted by U.S.-based employees between October 18, 2022, and October 16, 2023. During the year-long eligibility period, employers considered for the large list must have received at least 75 ratings for each of nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend, and six-month business outlook). The final list is compiled using Glassdoor’s proprietary algorithm, led by its Economic Research Team, and considers quantity, quality and consistency of reviews. For the complete list of the Glassdoor Best Places to Work winners in 2024, please...

Storage Stabilizes Jan24

Storage Stabilizes

– The self storage market is achieving stability after an 18-month slowdown, the latest Self Storage National Report from Yardi Matrix shows. Annual street rate growth was still negative as of December. The average annualized same-store asking rent per square foot for the combined mix of unit sizes and types reached an average of $16.57 nationally last month, a 2.7 percent decrease on a year-over-year basis. Nearly all top metros had a negative street rate on an annual basis in December. Combined same-store rates for non-climate-controlled and climate-controlled units decreased in all but one of the top metros tracked by Yardi Matrix on a year-over-year basis. “New supply is a concern in certain markets but overall new supply in the top markets is expected to drop in 2024 as construction lending has dried up in the face of declining street rates, slower lease up pace and higher interest rates,” say Matrix analysts. Self storage is dependent on the housing market for demand and slowing home sales activity and fewer moves have had a significant impact. If the national housing market improves, the outlook for storage will quickly look up. Across the U.S., Yardi Matrix tracks a total of 5,073 self storage properties in various stages of development, including 871 under construction, 1,980 planned, 621 prospective, 1,510 abandoned and 91 deferred properties. Yardi Matrix also maintains operational profiles for 29,745 completed self storage facilities, bringing the total data set to 34,818. Gain more insight on the performance of the self storage sector. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, vacant land, industrial, office, retail and self storage property...

Embracing Peach Fuzz

Color is a highly influential yet often overlooked element critical in marketing. Pantone’s color of the year for 2024 is Peach Fuzz, which brings a feeling of kindness, caring and collaboration. Peach Fuzz is poetic and romantic and reflects the past, yet it has been refashioned with a contemporary ambiance that brings beauty into the digital world. Color psychology explores how different colors affect human perception and decision-making in powerful ways that marketers can utilize. Let’s explore the various colors and the psychology behind them to help better target audience and influence marketing campaigns and branding. Blue and branding. The color blue promotes a sense of trust, calmness, security and reliability. Blue is always a safe choice for interviews and conveys professionalism. Blue is associated with the throat charka functioning with communication, creativity, expression and truth. Many companies rely heavily on different shades of blue in branding and websites to align with their images of dependability and professional authority. Yellow sparks happiness and energy. The bright and sunny color yellow commands attention by stimulating memory and encouraging communication. Associated with joy and optimism, yellow boosts positivity, sparks imagination and builds confidence. Yellow is associated with the solar plexus charka. It is located just above the navel on the body and functions for expression, accountability and personal power, aligning with the color yellow’s energy. Companies across industries enliven their brands with splashes of yellow to convey happiness, hope and positivity. Many fast-food brands like McDonald’s and Subway integrate yellow prominently in their advertising and restaurants to stimulate appetite and help create an upbeat, family-friendly dining experience. Add splashes of yellow for resident event campaigns to create that same positive and cheerful effect. Green and organic vibes. The natural color of green induces a strong association...

Eliminate Disparate Systems

Disparate software systems can pose major challenges for senior living operators, requiring you and your teams to navigate multiple platforms and logins. These solutions waste valuable time and resources — and they heighten the risk of errors and inconsistencies. Fortunately for today’s operators, fully integrated solutions exist to alleviate these challenges. The Yardi Senior Living Suite is just that, an all-in-one, interconnected solution that unites financials, care, business intelligence and more on a single platform. Read on for a closer look at the issues with disparate systems (and see the value in moving to a single connected solution like ours). Why make the switch to a fully integrated solution? We get it. Maybe you’ve been operating with disparate systems for years, and you’re not sure if transitioning to a single-stack solution is worth it. But more likely than not, in using disconnected software tools, you’ve experienced the frustration of data entry errors, time wasted digging for answers and the hassle of transferring information from one system to the next. That’s because disparate tools seldom speak to each other as efficiently as single-stack solutions do (or often times, they don’t speak to each other at all). Not to mention, siloed systems aren’t necessarily as cost effective as one fully integrated platform. They usually require varying licensing fees, plus you face the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading each individual system. With a single connected solution like the Yardi Senior Living Suite, on the other hand, you alleviate these challenges, risks and frustrations by accessing every tool needed in one secure place. You empower your teams with an intuitive, easy-to-access platform — all while improving care and enhancing efficiency. What makes the Yardi Senior Living Suite stand out from the crowd? The Yardi Senior Living Suite offers more than your average solution. Uniquely designed to meet the needs of senior living operators, the suite of integrated tools is hosted on a cloud-based, HIPAA and SOX-compliant platform. We place a strong emphasis on taking care of our clients and driving growth year-round, which results in a platform that’s ever-evolving, cutting-edge and built to help you succeed for the long term. You can explore our full product suite to learn more, but some of the highlights include:    Voyager Senior Housing, our community management powerhouse that combines property management, financials and complete business oversight. Yardi Senior IQ, the only business intelligence solution built for senior living — a system that helps you make smarter, faster decisions with actionable information for your entire portfolio. Yardi EHR, our full-service electronic health record solution that secures error-free health records, limits liability and empowers staff to deliver the best resident care. RentCafe Senior CRM, our collection of mobile-friendly sales and marketing tools that help you attract new residents, nurture your leads and maximize occupancy.   RentCafe Senior Living Portal, our secure online platform that keeps residents, families and staff connected around the clock. Watch a webinar There’s no denying that integrated software offers advantages that disparate systems can’t match. If you’re ready to see the Yardi Senior Living Suite in action, we encourage you to watch an on-demand...

Stay Healthy      Jan22

Stay Healthy     ...

This cold and flu season has been tremendously terrible for many. Between the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, many have felt the wrath of these illnesses. Here are some ways to navigate this flu season by staying mentally and physically healthy. Create an outline for a daily wellness routine that includes healthy habits for flu prevention. Start the mornings with gratitude and make time for deep breathing and meditation. Mindfulness practices reduce stress and support mental health. Drink water throughout the day, even if you don’t have a fancy Stanley cup! For a refreshing drink, make a special immunity water with fresh lemon, cucumber, mint or ginger. Water absorbs nutrients, is a critical component of lymphatic fluid and supports the health of mucous membranes. Incorporate more walking, whether in the morning or evening. Outside, fresh air helps the body, mind and soul. Never complain! Not even with coworkers—complaining is toxic. Always include healthy habits for flu prevention by washing hands regularly for 20 seconds, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth. For more healthy habits, see the CDC guidelines. Make time to schedule and incorporate immune-boosting foods, adequate sleep and exercise. Essential vitamins and minerals are crucial for immune support during flu season. Incorporate some of the following that play a vital role in immune health: Beta Carotene: found in plant foods such as sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, mangoes and broccoli. Vitamin C: citrus fruits, melons, berries, bell peppers, tomatoes and broccoli. Vitamin D: fatty fish and eggs. Milk and 100% juices fortified with Vitamin D are also good choices. Zinc: Best absorbed in beef or seafood but also found in tofu, beans, nuts and wheat germ. Probiotics: probiotics are good bacteria that promote health and are...

Student Housing Stands Out Jan19

Student Housing Stands Out

The student housing market jumped into the 2024-2025 leasing season on a high note, with December preleasing well ahead of last year’s figure, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Student Housing Report. Asking rates also continued to climb, hitting $858 per bed in December and marking a 4.9 percent increase on a year-over-year basis. The sector was off to a record start, as preleasing for the 2024-2025 school year reached 47.3 percent in December, a nine percent increase over December 2022. The exceptional preleasing indicates a high renewal rate, with 51 markets boasting a 50 percent rate in December and ten schools already at least 75 percent preleased. Rent growth slowed a bit, falling from 6.4 percent recorded earlier in the leasing cycle to 4.9 percent in December 2023. “Many of the markets with the fastest preleasing are seeing the strongest rent growth as operators take advantage of the surge in demand. Twenty-seven schools with over 10 percent rent growth in December are, on average, five percent ahead of preleasing last year,” the report states. Based on data gathered from more than 150 schools, Yard Matrix shows a rebound in enrollment in the current academic year. Enrollment at these schools is up 1.4 percent from last year—almost triple the growth recorded in fall 2022. Student housing investment is in line with current trends across the real estate industry, as high interest rates continue to impact sales. Preliminary data shows that only 73 student housing properties changed hands in 2023 across Yardi 200, compared to an average of 205 properties sold in 2021 and 2022. Gain more insight in the new Yardi Matrix National Student Housing Report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, student housing, vacant land, industrial, office, retail and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call 480-663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Partners in Housing Jan18

Partners in Housing

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. Today, we introduce Partners in Housing (PIH), founded in 1991 in Colorado Springs, CO. Partners in Housing’s mission is to guide families in the housing crisis from insecurity to stability, self-reliance and prosperity. Throughout its 33 years in the community, the number and complexity of this issue have continued to change and grow. PIH’s Family Self-Sufficiency program provides homeless families with children a safe, stable place to live where they gain the knowledge and practical skills to overcome personal barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. Due to economic difficulties and inflation, PIH had an influx of applicants in the past year. The added pressure and increases make it harder for some to afford doctor visits and daycare. PIH offers housing and childcare to relieve external stressors while families work towards their goals. The program offers courses to improve credit and budgeting, technological literacy, employment qualifications, and the confidence to utilize these skill sets. PIH staff also provide various employment training resources, allowing clients to work toward their desired career path. “The resources provided within PIH’s Family Self-Sufficiency program allow clients to explore their financial health and knowledge in a safe, supportive space, leading to lasting change,” said Kayley Weber, grants and web presence manager for PIH. PIH’s board of directors has recently approved an updated strategic plan with support from its advisory board, which includes past clients. The plan consists of newly approved goals and initiatives with a specific continued focus on outreach to those in the area who are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis, including those members of the BIPOC community and others who are underrepresented...

Sarah Kermon Jan10

Sarah Kermon

Yardi’s global offices make essential contributions to property management and investors worldwide. Today, we introduce Sarah Kermon, associate technical manager with the Raleigh office’s Commercial NC Practice 3 Team. Meet Sarah Kermon Sarah Kermon has been working at Yardi for a little of a year. She assists with incoming support requests from Yardi clients. She also helps her team members with cases for their clients as needed and provides peer support to other colleagues. When she is not working on cases, Kermon betters her knowledge of Voyager and various software components. One emphasis is deepening her technical understanding of reports in Voyager. “I enjoy the opportunities to pursue areas of interest, which include building up my technical skills with things like SSMS, Profiler and learning more about the backend structure that makes our products work,” said Kermon. Kermon has grown exponentially at Yardi due to her colleague’s willingness to help her. She always feels comfortable asking questions and reaching out in areas of uncertainty. Yardi prioritizes its employees in a way that provides comfort as new hires adjust to their positions and creates an environment that welcomes challenges and curiosity. “Everyone around you is invested in your success and wants to give you opportunities to learn and excel,” shares Kermon. She continued, “I am super excited to be working in my new role with the Commercial NC Practice 3 group and love getting to know all the amazing people who have guided me along the way!” Yardi is hiring globally! Interested prospective employees can explore opportunities on the Careers site. Rubix Cube Extraordinaire While Kermon is not working at Yardi, she enjoys cooking and trying new restaurants. She recently learned to make chicken piccata, which is her new favorite. She also enjoys collecting puzzles and...

8 Advantages Of Our Online Portal

It’s crucial for senior living operators to keep residents, families and staff connected online. This requires technology built for the task — a solution that’s mobile-friendly, intuitive to use and completely secure. This built-for-you software should make around-the-clock communication effortless while offering a convenient place for all parties to complete important tasks. That describes RentCafe Senior Living Portal, our all-in-one solution designed for the unique needs of senior living. We put together a fresh infographic to show you 8 specific ways the platform offers unmatched value. 8 ways our secure online portal helps operators like you With RentCafe Senior Living Portal, you’re set to: Empower residents, families and staff to communicate anytime, from anywhere Give families peace of mind with instant access to resident health updates Offer convenience and increase cash flow with online payment options Boost satisfaction with easy-to-use, mobile-friendly features Enable electronic signatures for leases, pet contracts and more Organize and expedite maintenance requests Drive resident engagement for community wellness activities Collect confidential feedback to protect your reputation The proof is in the portal “The resident portal allows us to communicate and provide information to our residents and their families quickly and conveniently,” shares Yardi client Dan Poteet, chief information officer at Westminster Village. “Residents and their families have given us positive feedback about online payments, the activities calendar and the ability to get community information on their own.” Today’s population prefers technology Transitioning residents (and their adult family members) to an online portal is easier than you may think. In fact, many want the conveniences and connections technology brings, even if it’s unfamiliar. In fact, according to AARP, 44% of adults age 50+ view technology as a helpful way to stay connected and 54% of adults age 50+ want to learn more about using technology. Get in touch with us RentCafe Senior Living Portal is part of the Yardi Senior Living Suite — our single connected solution designed for senior living. Ready for a closer look? Reach out to book a personalized...

SafeHaven of Tarrant County Jan08

SafeHaven of Tarrant County

Yardi is committed to supporting the community in every city where our offices are housed. Each year, the company distributes philanthropic aid to organizations selected by its employees. SafeHaven of Tarrant County, founded in 1976 in Arlington, Texas, is the only state-designated center for family violence in the county. Throughout SafeHaven’s history, they have never strayed from a mission to end domestic violence. SafeHaven creates a custom service plan for every family who walks through its doors. SafeHaven is the only 24/7 domestic violence hotline in Tarrant County and connects families to robust resources, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, counseling, legal aid and more. SafeHaven’s Prevention Department focuses on preventing and decreasing dating violence and bullying by implementing evidence-based school programs. Its Partner Abuse Intervention and Prevention Department works with domestic violence offenders to end violence in their relationships. “We will not stop until EVERY woman in Tarrant County feels safe in her relationship,” expressed Kendra Balod, director of development for SafeHaven. SafeHaven is collaborating with RAND Corporation to develop a nationally recognized tool to help the criminal justice system and others in the work of domestic violence to determine the dominant aggressor in an abusive intimate partner relationship. “We are proud to announce the tool will begin testing at law enforcement agencies nationwide in 2024. In addition to survivor resources, our goal is to emphasize research and continue bettering the systems survivors count on daily to survive,” said Balod. Funding from Yardi is vital in keeping survivors and their children safe and holding offenders accountable. When a woman gets the courage to call the hotline, she must count on a secure room in the shelter. Yardi’s contribution makes that safety possible and funds vital work in bettering the system for those who depend on it to survive. “We were thrilled to receive such a generous gift from Yardi! Domestic violence affects everyone, and it’s vital to have such supportive community partners on our team. Partnering with new organizations like Yardi in this important work is always exciting. This gift is truly life-changing for women and children in our county,” Balod shared.Carrie’s Venture Carrie arrived at the shelter after finding herself in a familiar but painful situation: returning to her abuser after once again being charmed by him. But this time would be different – Carrie was determined to provide her children with a better and safer environment. Their home life was no longer acceptable.SafeHaven’s team helped Carrie find employment just two weeks into her stay, and the shelter’s children’s team provided free daycare so Carrie wouldn’t have to worry about her kids’ safety while she was at work. Despite her former partner intentionally damaging her car, Carrie’s support network helped her acquire new transportation for her family.Finding affordable housing after shelter can be tricky. Still, Carrie was determined, and SafeHaven helped her find a new apartment close to work and provided the essentials for her new home. Carrie left the shelter and moved into her home in a much-improved state of mind. She felt safe and independent and was proud of the life she created for her children.Carrie has continued participating in SafeHaven’s domestic violence group sessions to learn more about warning signs and establishing boundaries and communication in new relationships. “Carrie showed that with determination and life-saving community resources, freedom from domestic violence IS possible,” expressed Balod. Volunteer Opportunities There are multiple volunteer opportunities at SafeHaven. To learn more, please email SafeHaven’s volunteer manager, Katy Pirot, at [email protected]. In Tarrant County, one in three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. “The number one rule of being an ally to a victim of domestic violence is to believe her. Often, abusers can be charming, and it can be hard to believe that someone you know can do such bad things to their partner. It’s not your role to investigate for abuse – your role is to...