Multifamily Collective Podcast

Mike Brewer
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Jan 21, 2026 • 2min

2,135 - The Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day: Improve RUBS without Backlash

It’s not the billing that breaks your RUBS program.It’s the story your residents tell themselves when you don’t explain it.In today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer delivers a hard truth: RUBS programs don’t fail because of logistics; they fail because of lousy communication.When residents feel blindsided by a change, the “evil landlord” narrative kicks in. That’s not just frustrating, it’s preventable.Mike breaks down how to introduce utility billing changes with clarity, empathy, and context. Before you roll out the numbers, share the story. Show how it promotes fairness. Conservation. Alignment with actual usage.Want less resistance? Lead with transparency. Give your residents the why behind the what. Offer examples. Build an FAQ. And when can they see their efforts reflected in their bills? Resentment turns into participation.The success of your RUBS program hinges on communication, not calculation. Say it plainly. Say it early. Say it often.If you’re ready to improve adoption and reduce friction in your utility billing, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and drop your top communication strategy in the comments.It’s not the billing that breaks your RUBS program.It’s the story your residents tell themselves when you don’t explain it.In today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer delivers a hard truth: RUBS programs don’t fail because of logistics; they fail because of lousy communication.When residents feel blindsided by a change, the “evil landlord” narrative kicks in. That’s not just frustrating, it’s preventable.Mike breaks down how to introduce utility billing changes with clarity, empathy, and context. Before you roll out the numbers, share the story. Show how it promotes fairness. Conservation. Alignment with actual usage.Want less resistance? Lead with transparency. Give your residents the why behind the what. Offer examples. Build an FAQ. And when can they see their efforts reflected in their bills? Resentment turns into participation.The success of your RUBS program hinges on communication, not calculation. Say it plainly. Say it early. Say it often.If you’re ready to improve adoption and reduce friction in your utility billing, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and drop your top communication strategy in the comments.Blog: https://www.multifamilycollective.comSupport comes from: https://www.365connect.com/?utm_campaign=mmnHosted by: https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.comPlus: why in-person events like RETCON https://retconference.com/ matter more now than ever.Multifamily, RUBS Program, Utility Billing, Resident Communication, Property Management, Fair Billing Practices, Resident Engagement, Operational Clarity, Transparency in Leasing, Leadership in Multifamily, Resident Satisfaction#Multifamily #RUBS #UtilityBilling #ResidentExperience #CommunicationStrategy #PropTech #MultifamilyLeadership #TransparencyMatters #PropertyOperations #ResidentEngagementmikebrewer #multifamilycollective #multifamilymentoring #multifamilycoaching #multifamilypodcast #leadership #OpenAi #multifamilymedianetworkMultifamily, RUBS Program, Utility Billing, Resident Communication, Property Management, Fair Billing Practices, Resident Engagement, Operational Clarity, Transparency in Leasing, Leadership in Multifamily, Resident Satisfaction#Multifamily #RUBS #UtilityBilling #ResidentExperience #CommunicationStrategy #PropTech #MultifamilyLeadership #TransparencyMatters #PropertyOperations #ResidentEngagementmikebrewer #multifamilycollective #multifamilymentoring #multifamilycoaching #multifamilypodcast #leadership #OpenAi #multifamilymedianetwork
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Jan 21, 2026 • 3min

2,134 - The Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day: Unbilled Utilities

Unbilled utilities don’t scream.They whisper and slowly drain your NOI while no one’s looking.In today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer unpacks a silent but costly threat in property management: unbilled utilities.It’s one of the easiest ways to bleed margin — and most teams won’t notice until it’s too late. Faulty meter reads. Sloppy allocation. Gaps in billing during unit turns. It all adds up. And here’s the kicker: AI is your best defense.AI can run a real-time audit of your utility billing processes, flagging mismatches between usage and charges the moment they happen. That’s not just efficient. That’s smart income protection.But it gets better. We’re entering an era where AI doesn’t just observe, but acts. Real-time prevention. Autonomous corrections. And in 2026 and beyond, a new acronym will lead the charge: IF. Fair and accurate utility billing isn’t just about recouping costs. It builds trust, promotes conservation, and protects your NOI. Precision is no longer optional — it’s table stakes.If you're ready to stop invisible losses and start using AI to protect your portfolio’s bottom line, like this video, subscribe, and share your utility billing best practices in the comments.Support comes from: https://www.365connect.com/?utm_campaign=mmnHosted by: https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.comPlus: why in-person events like RETCON https://retconference.com/ matter more now than ever.
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Jan 21, 2026 • 2min

2,133 - The Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day: Automating Collections

Can technology truly replace the warmth of human connection in collections?Here’s the truth: automation can’t carry compassion. But you can blend both for better outcomes.Today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day unpacks a tension we’re all feeling: How do you automate rent collections without turning cold and robotic?Automation is brilliant for reminders, logs, and consistency, but it still requires human empathy. This episode explores how leaders can use PropTech tools like Elise AI (no sponsorships here, just a good example) while still empowering teams to apply discretion where it counts. Collections are emotional. Context matters. And sometimes, only a human voice will do.Technology should support your people, not replace them. Not yet. The best approach is a hybrid one: let the tech do the grunt work, but reserve judgment and empathy for your on-site teams.If you believe PropTech should enhance, not replace, humanity in property operations, subscribe to the channel and share your own tips in the comments below.Blog: https://www.multifamilycollective.comBook: https://amzn.to/3YI6BDaSupport comes from: https://www.365connect.com/?utm_campaign=mmnHosted by: https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.comPlus: why in-person events like RETCON https://retconference.com/ matter more now than ever.Multifamily, Property Management, Rent Collections, PropTech, Automation, Resident Experience, Empathy in Leadership, Property Operations, Elise AI, Multifamily Technology, Leadership in Multifamily, Human Touch in Tech#Multifamily #PropTech #PropertyManagement #Leadership #ResidentExperience #RentCollections #AutomationWithEmpathy #EliseAI #MultifamilyLeadership #PropertyOperationsmikebrewer #multifamilycollective #multifamilymentoring #multifamilycoaching #multifamilypodcast #leadership #OpenAi #multifamilymedianetwork
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Jan 13, 2026 • 42min

2,132 - Why Pests Are a Hidden NOI Killer — And How PropTech Is Finally Fixing It

I guarantee you’ve dealt with pests in multifamily at some point — but you’ve probably never thought about how broken the system really is.In this video, Mike Brewer sit down with Landon Cooley, fourth‑generation pest‑control pro and co‑founder of Pest Share, to unravel why pests aren’t just a headache — they’re a silent drag on occupancy, retention, and ultimately NOI. We walk through how traditional pest control in multifamily is fragmented, reactive, and often ignored until it becomes a crisis. Then we shift to the future: a tech‑enabled, centralized PropTech solution that puts control in the hands of residents and property managers — turning pest control from liability to amenity.If you manage multifamily properties or invest in real estate, this could dramatically change how you think about maintenance, retention, and resident satisfaction.If you care about reducing turnover and protecting NOI, make sure you subscribe — because this is one of those conversations you don’t want to miss.Pest Share is a tech-driven platform founded in 2019 that modernizes pest control for the rental housing market, allowing property managers to automate service requests through integrations with their systems and offering residents easy, on-demand access to vetted national pest control providers. Co-founded by CEO Landon Cooley and brothers Justin and Tom Clements, who have deep industry experience, Pest Share aims to solve the administrative burden of pest control for managers while creating recurring revenue streams and improving resident satisfaction. 
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Jan 11, 2026 • 2min

2,130 - The Real Reason Residents Stay: Purpose-Driven Events in Multifamily

Forget the bounce house and bland pizza.In this Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer flips the script on resident events and shows you how purpose-driven programming becomes your stickiest amenity.Here’s the truth: Residents don’t stay because of granite counters.They stay because they feel like they belong.Mike unpacks how simple, consistent, and intentional events—think coffee mornings, food trucks, or volunteer days—become collision points for connection. That word matters. Because connection builds friendship. And friendships build retention.No need for a big budget. No need to overthink it.Just create real moments that turn neighbors into community.This tip is #11 in a 366-entry series, all headed toward a book release in Spring 2027.https://multifamilycollective.com/
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Jan 11, 2026 • 3min

2,129 - Why Amenities Don’t Lease Apartments | Multifamily Leadership & Community Building Insight

A new dog spa. A fresh coat of paint on the fitness center. A yoga room nobody uses.Sound familiar?In today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer calls out the trap of "amenity wars"—the misguided belief that more perks equal more leases. Truth is, amenities don’t create loyalty. Community does.You don’t need another amenity. You need a connection.Mike riffs on what really makes a property stand out in 2026: spaces that foster belonging, interaction, and purpose. He explains how thoughtful, human-centered design (such as a shared bike room instead of private balcony storage) transforms passive amenities into active engagement hubs.If you’re chasing upgrades without curating community, you’re just polishing glass. This one’s a must-watch for property managers, asset leaders, and anyone ready to shift from transactional to transformational in the multifamily space.This tip will be part of a 366-day series, leading to a full book release in Spring 2027.https://www.multifamilycollective.com
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Jan 11, 2026 • 5min

2,128 - Multifamily Leasing Success: Why Authenticity Beats Sales Scripts Every Time

You’ve got one shot to make a lasting impression, and if it smells like a script, your prospect’s baloney meter will redline in seconds.In today’s Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer unpacks the real secret to leasing success in 2026 (and it’s not in your CRM’s templated call flow). It's authenticity.Forget robotic routines. Ditch the “features and benefits” firehose. If you’re still handing your team scripts instead of teaching them to ask one simple question, "What’s most important to you?" you’re leaving leases on the table.Mike makes the case for curiosity over canned lines. Human connection over hyper-polished pitches. And presence over performance.Yes, being human is making a comeback in leasing, and that’s the edge the best teams are doubling down on.This is part of Mike’s 366-day journey to a book to be released in Spring 2027.Tune in. Take notes. Lead different.Like what you’re hearing?Hit that Like button!Subscribe for daily leadership insightsDrop a comment—what’s your team doing to keep it real?https://www.multifamilycollective.com
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Jan 8, 2026 • 3min

2,127 - Resident Retention Starts Before the Lease Ends | Multifamily Tip of the Day

Here’s the truth no one wants to admit:Churn doesn’t come out of nowhere.You just weren’t listening.In this episode, Mike Brewer unpacks why resident retention isn’t a renewal event—it’s a daily listening exercise. Residents give you clues. Warning signs. Sentiment. And if you’re not picking up what they’re putting down, you’re already behind.Mike shares how AI-driven sentiment analysis is becoming the front line in retention strategy—capturing mid-lease concerns, maintenance feedback, and even social media chatter before it becomes a 60-day notice.But here's the kicker...Listening without action is just noise.Retention starts when you hear—and act on—the subtle signs. Whether it’s a leaky faucet that keeps getting missed or a negative vibe posted online, the organizations that listen well will keep their best residents longest.👉 Want to turn listening into loyalty? Subscribe, like, and share this with your team.
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Jan 7, 2026 • 3min

2,126 - Why Experience Is the New Amenity in Multifamily | Tip of the Day

Let’s be real—service is no longer the differentiator it once was. It’s expected.What wins today? Resident experience.In this tip, Mike Brewer challenges us to rethink the old model of measuring service. Experience has replaced service as the defining metric for success in multifamily operations.And here's the kicker—experience is proactive. Not reactive.Mike breaks down why it's no longer enough to simply fix what's broken. You have to anticipate problems before they arise. You have to map the entire resident journey—from prospect to move-out to alumni—and intentionally design each moment.From AI-driven sentiment analysis to thoughtful touchpoints, it’s all about creating that feeling that someone actually thought about them.That’s CSX—Consumer Sentiment Experience.Start building communities that feel trusted. That feel curated. That feel like home—because someone cared enough to plan the journey.👉 Like what you're hearing? Tap subscribe, hit the like button, and share this with someone who needs to hear it.
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Jan 6, 2026 • 4min

2,125 - 3 Simple Ways to Cut Turn Time in Half | Multifamily Operations Tip

Let’s talk real money.Every day your unit sits vacant, you're not just losing rent—you're lighting cash on fire. Literally.In Atlanta, the average unit bleeds $51.68 a day when it's sitting idle. That’s a $50 bill, a $1 bill, and some change... torched.In today’s tip, Mike Brewer lays out three simple, no-fluff tactics to slash your turn time—and build real momentum in your operations:Pre-walk units before move-outPre-stock essential materialsSchedule with urgency—and drive the process dailyAccountability is the name of the game. Mike shares why most turn processes stall (hint: poor coordination and weak communication) and tells a story about a supervisor who literally walked all day long to keep turns on track.This is leadership in motion.Want to boost NOI? Start with your turn process.👉 Subscribe, like, and comment if you’re ready to take your turns from sluggish to streamlined.

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