Ever wondered what the future of multifamily looks like when AI handles home buying without a human in sight?In this week’s Multifamily Caffeine Wire, I unpack three industry-shifting headlines that should be on every multifamily leader's radar.First up, meet HOMA https://www.tryhoma.com/ out of Florid. Buyers just closed on a home using AI from start to finish. No realtor. No brokerage fees. And yes, it’s legal. That’s a signal. Especially when you think about what this means for leasing automation in our space.Next, I touch on the DOJ’s settlement with RealPage. While some say it’s a “nothing burger,” municipalities are starting to challenge even the oldest multifamily practices—such as market surveys. You need to understand how this ripple could affect revenue management.Finally, portable tenant screening is gaining traction. Several years ago, I saw a renter's résumés and thought it would eventually be a technology renters would use to lease apartments. This is that idea, grown up and powered by tech. If done right, it could overhaul how prospects qualify while reducing friction for both parties to the lease.I'm sharing candid takes, connecting the dots, and asking the questions that matter to forward-thinking multifamily professionals.If this sparked a thought or raised a question, hit that like button and subscribe to stay caffeinated with more multifamily insight every single week.https://www.multifamilycollective.com


2,109 - If AI Can Replace Realtors… What Happens to Leasing Teams Next?

From all of us at the Multifamily Collective and the Multifamily Media Network — Happy Thanksgiving. 🍁It’s been a long year — but in the best of ways. 2025 brought growth, creativity, and real relationship-building across our industry. And we’re ending this season filled with gratitude for every partner, creator, and listener who’s helped build this platform.In this episode, I share:Heartfelt thanks to our supplier partners and content creatorsA glimpse at our big plans for 2026Why we're investing in the future of multifamily leadership, media, and communityWe’re not just talking about more content — we’re talking about deeper engagement, richer conversations, and a thriving community that’s built to serve the next generation of multifamily professionals.Thank you for being part of it.► If you're aligned with where we’re headed, hit subscribe and stay with us — 2026 is going to be special.


2,108 - A Thanksgiving Message + A Look Ahead at the Future of Multifamily Media Network

We just got back from a 3-week road trip through Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico — and after 100+ miles of hiking and 21,000 feet of elevation, I’ve returned energized and ready to look ahead.This episode is short but critical.I’m inviting you to think about your 2026 goals now — not in January.Most people wait until the first of the year to set resolutions. But by then, you’re influenced by emotions, peer pressure, and the momentum of the moment. Instead, I suggest you use the stillness of December to reflect on 2025. Be honest. Celebrate what worked. Get honest about what didn’t.Then begin setting intentional goals using the framework of heart, soul, body, and mind.If you get them written by November 30th, you can start working them in December. That gives you a 30-day head start — and it’s a massive advantage over waiting for January motivation to kick in.Let’s lead ourselves well, so we can lead others better.► Like what you’re hearing? Subscribe for more practical leadership content through a multifamily lens.


2,107 - Why You Should Set Your 2026 Goals Before January 1st | Multifamily Leadership Insight

Hey — Mike here.I’m thrilled you’re tuning into our latest conversation with Eric Walsh. He’s the EVP & MD for North America at MRI Software, and in this session we peel back the business suit and meet the real person behind the title.The conversation was loaded, from outdoor adventure and what fuels Eric behind the work, and switching gears into multifamily leadership, PropTech disruption and the seismic shift happening in this business.Here’s what we cover:-   When did we actually hit the “all‑of‑a‑sudden” moment in technology adoption for the multifamily world?-   The evolving applicant‑to‑renewal experience: fully digital leasing offices, AI‑powered conversion uplift and why personalization still wins.-   Fraud prevention in multifamily: why AI + human verification is becoming a standard, the cost of getting it wrong and how to protect your team and your brand.-   Why the human element isn’t going away: even in a world of automation, the personal relationships, the property manager who knows your name, still determine retention and tenant satisfaction.If you care about where multifamily is headed— especially around PropTech, leadership and the intersection of people + platforms— this is for you.Drop a comment below: What part of the digital journey are you seeing in your portfolio right now?Stay curious, stay bold, stay human.


2,106 - Multifamily Leadership & PropTech Trends | Eric Walsh with Mike Brewer

It's budget season—and chances are, your process is more fragmented than you think.In this episode of the Multifamily Collective, I share why most multifamily budget models fail before they even launch—and what to do about it. Whether you're using Excel, Yardi, RealPage, or tools like Visibly, the platform isn’t the problem.The problem is the process.Here’s what’s really happening behind closed doors:VPs are building their own forecasts, with no alignmentSite teams are left out of critical decision-makingC-suite assumptions are disconnected from the reality on the groundBudgets are finalized in isolation, then handed down as gospelAnd the result? Missed numbers. Misalignment. And a whole lot of finger-pointing.What you need is a collaborative budgeting process—one that includes your site teams, regional leaders, and executive council from day one. Because when everyone has a voice, the forecasts become real. The buy-in becomes stronger. And the outcomes become achievable.This isn’t just about hitting numbers. It’s about building trust, driving performance, and showing up with clarity across every level of your organization.If this resonates, hit like, subscribe, and drop a comment below. How is your team approaching 2026 budgets? Let’s learn from each other.


2,105 - Why Your Budget Process Is Broken—and How to Fix It

There’s one word dominating the multifamily space right now: uncertainty.Deals feel shaky. Underwriting feels like guesswork. And the capital markets? Still unpredictable. So what’s the smart move?In this episode of the Multifamily Collective, I outline three critical actions every multifamily owner should take right now to prepare for what’s next—not just to survive, but to thrive as we edge toward the next growth cycle.Here’s the play:Stack Cash – Hold your fire. Deals that look okay today might look great in 2026–2027.Upgrade Your Talent – Asset management, HR, ops, facilities, marketing… now’s the time to recruit A-players.Act with Intention – No more reactionary leadership. Set your priorities, align your team, and lock into daily disciplines that drive performance.The mission is about patience and preparation.The next multifamily boom isn’t that far off. But only the operators who get disciplined now will be ready to capture it.If you found this helpful, tap like, hit subscribe, and share this with someone who needs a strategic reset.Let’s get focused. Let’s get intentional. Let’s get ready.


2,104 - 3 Smart Moves Multifamily Owners Must Make Now for the Next Cycle

You ever wonder why some multifamily owners seem to weather any storm—while others run around like chickens with their heads cut off?In this episode of the Multifamily Collective, I break down the quiet discipline behind the big players in multifamily real estate. The ones who aren’t just surviving—they're thriving—even as rent growth slows, costs rise, and capital markets stay unpredictable.Here’s the truth: it’s not about chasing transactions anymore.It’s about building systems.It’s about strengthening teams.It’s about operational maturity.The next wave of success in multifamily won't come from the deal junkies. It'll come from those who can run the asset—day in, day out—with clear expectations, sound routines, and no more whack-a-mole decision-making.If you’re still waiting for interest rates to drop before making your next move… you’re already behind.Like what you hear?Then give this a thumbs up, hit that subscribe button, and share it with someone who needs to get out of reactive mode and into results mode.Let’s lead. Let’s scale. Let’s build something sustainable.


2,103 - Why Big Multifamily Owners Win: Systems, Strategy & Staying Power

Pull up a chair. Pour yourself your favorite beverage. This one’s personal, practical—and packed with value.In this compelling episode of the Multifamily Collective, I sit down with Chris Grenzig https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grenzig/, a resilient New York native who took a leap of faith in 2020, trading the bustling streets of NYC for the sunny shores of Florida. With no prior property management or construction experience to speak of, Chris embarked on an audacious journey—acquiring a 16-unit property armed only with his grit, tenacity, and an insatiable curiosity to learn.Consider this: what does it take to transform such a bold vision into reality? Fast-forward to today, and Chris has not only navigated the complexities of the real estate market but has built a thriving enterprise, JAG Capital and JAG Property Management. He has successfully scaled his portfolio to over 150 units in Jacksonville, proving that with the right mindset and determination, barriers can be broken. His story is not just about numbers; it’s about the intricate dance of relationships—managing everything in-house, from acquisitions to renovations, leasing, and resident relations. It exemplifies the power of commitment, the art of persuasion, and the importance of building trust within the community. Here, we uncover valuable insights and strategies that resonate deeply, whether you’re in real estate or any field that demands perseverance and ingenuity. Join us and discover how Chris’s journey can illuminate your own path to success.In this conversation, we go deep on:1 What it’s really like running value-add deals from the ground floor2 Lessons learned the hard way from managing contractors and construction chaos.3 How to keep residents happy when units are in flux4 The mindset shift from operator to owner-operatorThis one brought me back to my own early days buying single-family homes and small multifamily properties. If you’re looking to break into real estate—or take your current game to the next level—this is the episode for you.Grab your notebook. Hit play. And enjoy the ride.If this resonated, smash the like, hit subscribe, and share it with someone grinding toward their first (or next) deal.

2,102 - From 16 Units to 150: Chris Grenzig’s Raw Journey in Multifamily Investing

Have you ever felt like your team is stuck in a loop of tasks and transactions?In this episode of the Multifamily Collective, we sit down with Daniel Waas, VP of Product Marketing at AppFolio, to unpack a new era of property management—one powered by purpose, not just process.We talk real estate performance systems, bridging the performance gap in multifamily, and what it means to shift from systems of record to systems of action and growth.Daniel gets real about AI, agentic workflows, and how tech isn't replacing humans—it’s freeing them. This conversation cuts straight to the core: giving your team time back so they can build relationships, not just check boxes.If you’re a property management leader wrestling with how to grow while staying human—this one’s for you.Grab your coffee. Lean in.Enjoy the show.Like this episode?Subscribe for more conversations on Multifamily, PropTech, and Leadership.


2,101 - Multifamily, PropTech & Leadership | Score One for the Humans w/ Daniel Waas of AppFolio

Have you ever worked with someone who talks more than they listen?In this weekend edition of the Multifamily Collective, Mike Brewer reflects on a powerful insight from Ryan Holiday’s Wisdom Takes Work—and how it applies directly to leadership in Multifamily, PropTech, and beyond.While waiting for his daughter Kate before an 8-mile run, Mike unpacks a common frustration many face in their professional lives: leaders who monologue but never truly hear. He shares personal stories and straight-talk observations about the dangers of ignoring experience, especially when wisdom is offered but discarded. Whether it’s a younger manager overlooking seasoned reps, or token questions never meant to be answered, this episode is a must-watch for anyone committed to real leadership growth.The takeaway? Listening is a leadership skill—and a competitive advantage.If you're ready to become the kind of leader people want to follow, hit that like button, subscribe, and join the conversation.

2,101 - The Lost Art of Listening | Wisdom from Ryan Holiday & Real-World Experience

My mission is to tease out Human Potential in the Multifamily Space. We talk about operations, leadership, coaching, marketing, HR, business systems, IT, learning and development, strategy, systems, process, and anything else relevant to Multifamily. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mike-brewer/support

Mike Brewer

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