Peter Lohmann's Podcast

In this episode, I am joined by Wolfgang Croskey, Co-Founder of Crane. We discuss:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:10) - Crane applications(0:03:53) - Is AI a threat?(00:09:38) - AI tools available in the marketplace(00:22:24) - Phones and Phone Systems(00:31:02) - Crane(00:42:27) - Churn data and dashboard visualizations(00:53:41) - 2025 PM conferencesLearn more & connect with me here:⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners.⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠⁠RL Property Management⁠Learn more and connect with Wolfgang here: Wolfgang on LinkedInWolfgang on X Links to tools mentioned on this episode:Crane — https://www.joincrane.coZapier — https://zapier.comCalendly — https://calendly.comJotform — https://www.jotform.comAuto-GPT — https://github.com/Torantulino/Auto-GPTAutoGen — https://microsoft.github.io/autogenMicrosoft Copilot — https://copilot.microsoft.comGrok — https://grok.comSmith.ai — https://smith.aiShowMojo — https://www.showmojo.comAppFolio — https://www.appfolio.comBuildium — https://www.buildium.comNotion — https://www.notion.soTenant Turner — https://www.tenantturner.comRingCentral — https://www.ringcentral.comZoom — https://zoom.usGoogle Looker Studio — https://lookerstudio.google.com The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

Andrew Smallwood, Chief Customer Officer at Second Nature, shares insights on the revolutionary 'group rate internet' service designed for property managers and residents. He discusses the benefits of high-speed internet at reduced costs and its positive impact on resident satisfaction. Andrew also explores innovative internet agreements with ISPs that facilitate better pricing. The conversation highlights the importance of enhancing the resident experience through improved communication and streamlined internet services for rentals.

In this engaging conversation, Mark Brower, a seasoned expert in property and asset management, shares his insights on creating value within property management. He highlights innovative strategies for generating additional revenue and the importance of metrics in gauging performance. Brower discusses transforming regular landlords into committed investors, emphasizing effective communication with property owners. He also delves into the ethical complexities of real estate investing and the need for transparency and innovative service models.

In this episode, I am joined by Jay Parsons, Principal & Head of Investment Strategy at Madera Residential   We discuss: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:00) - Jay’s background and career (00:05:06) - The impact of the shift toward professional property management (00:08:24) - How do large institutional landlords think about property management vs. single-home owners? (00:10:32) - Have owners become more involved over time? (00:13:05) - Leasing expectations (00:16:50) - State & Local regulations (00:22:21) - Section 8 reform (00:28:39) - Major takeaways from the PM Trends Survey (00:31:13) - How can Property Managers put themselves in the best light in the eyes of regulators and the general public? (00:37:38) - What should PMs expect over the next 4 years? (00:40:41) - How would you improve the survey for next time?   Learn more & connect with me here: ⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners. ⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠ ⁠RL Property Management⁠ Learn more and connect with Jay here: Jay on X Jay on LinkedIn Jay’s newsletter   The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

Matthew Whitaker, Founder and CEO of Evernest, shares insights from his extensive experience in property management. He delves into the challenges of integrating 9,000 doors post-acquisition and emphasizes strategies for effective communication with property owners. The importance of capital deployment and navigating market expansion is discussed, along with how to build a strong operational framework. Whitaker also highlights the necessity of preparing teams for growth and the advantages of combining local expertise with national resources.

In this conversation, Jordan Muela, CEO of LeadSimple and an expert in property management trends, dives into fascinating insights from the PM Trends report. They discuss the dynamics of self-managing properties and the critical role of communication in aligning expectations between property owners and tenants. Maintenance expectations are explored, revealing gaps between what tenants want and what they experience. Additionally, they examine the evolving landscape of the industry, emphasizing how professional management boosts customer satisfaction.

Jon Matzner, co-host of Lazy Leverage, dives into the art of meaningful connections over superficial ones. He shares the evolution of email communication and its impact on professional relationships, debunking the myth of constant responsiveness. The conversation touches on the creativity behind their new podcast and the value of authentic social media engagement. Matzner also highlights leveraging AI tools like Plod.ai to boost efficiency in property management, showcasing how innovation can simplify complex tasks without coding expertise.

Kyle Triplett, SVP of Product at AppFolio, shares his journey from real estate private equity to tech innovation in property management. He discusses AppFolio's agile approach to product development and the importance of supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Kyle highlights unique features like FolioSpace and the impact of AI—particularly the Realm product suite—on enhancing operational efficiency and customer engagement. He also delves into maintaining core values amidst rapid technological change, all while navigating the future of AI in the industry.

John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Plumbing & Heating, takes us through the whirlwind journey of scaling a $30M home services business. He shares insights on structuring an organization effectively and the challenges of managing diverse trades. John highlights the role of AI in enhancing customer service with innovations like an AI receptionist. The discussion also covers strategic upselling, optimizing communication strategies, and the impact of the Entrepreneurial Operating System on accountability. Discover how leadership evolves as a business grows and how to navigate complexities for sustainable success.

Charles Riska, Senior Vice President at Associa and President of Rhome Property Management, shares insights from his extensive career in property management. He discusses innovative strategies for scaling through acquisitions while preserving local brand identity. Riska emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and employee loyalty to maximize success during transitions. He also dives into the current M&A landscape, addressing challenges and opportunities in a fluctuating market, all while highlighting the significance of data analytics in optimizing performance.