By Rush Blakely

The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) hosted this year’s OPTECH conference in beautiful National Harbor, MD, last week. Not only is it one of the most well-attended industry conferences, but this event is also a great way for multifamily industry professionals to discuss and learn about technological advances that impact property operations while connecting with peers in the industry. 

The RealtyCom team thoroughly enjoyed meeting with clients, internet providers, technology suppliers, and friends, while attending thought-provoking educational and legislative sessions. Bob Reiss and Spencer Brown from our bidding operations team had valuable time with many of the Service Providers to discuss trends and current projects, while Anne Gieseke and Rush Blakely were able to connect with many of our clients and discuss their goals moving into 2025.

If you missed the event this year, some highlights from our team included:

The Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center. RETTC was announced earlier this year but made its debut at OPTECH. As an affiliate of NMHC, RETTC was formed to be a premier hub for networking, knowledge building, advocacy, and convening. In fact, RETTC will be the new home for OPTECH next year […]

By: Cristy Boucher

As we mark the 18th anniversary of RealtyCom Partners’ founding, we reflect on the remarkable growth and transformation of the multifamily technology industry and the many friendships we’ve formed over the years with owners, operators, developers, and service providers.  We are proud of all we have accomplished but remain more committed than ever to evolving with the industry and serving the multifamily community.

When RealtyCom was established in 2007 the multifamily real estate industry was navigating a surge of emerging technologies that would dramatically alter the operations and management of multifamily communities. Personal technology was also advancing rapidly – the iPhone was only a year old, and AT&T had just become the first telephone company to offer cable and streaming services as we know them today did not exist. This wave of innovation meant property owners would need to begin providing an entirely new set of services to attract and retain residents. Amidst the excitement of these technological advancements, there was also a sense of apprehension and uncertainty about how to effectively build, operate, and manage these new and evolving technologies.

Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution that can accommodate the diverse operational styles and needs of owners, […]

Telecom service offerings in multifamily continue to transform to meet the demands of today’s residents. We want to take the opportunity to update an article we’ve previously posted with the latest provider offerings and to educate our clients about relatively new products you may begin to hear about in our industry.  

Wi-Fi is truly the unsung hero of holding the modern household together. From streaming TV and working from home, to powering your smart thermostat or Roomba – Wi-Fi is a must-have. Under a traditional choice model where the owner may or may not have a marketing agreement in place with the telecom provider, each resident is purchasing their own wireless modem or renting it from the provider themselves. However, there are many other categories of owner-sponsored Wi-Fi that help your properties and residents stay connected:

Internet Ready – a no-cost option, this is a Wi-Fi router set up in the apartment providing added convenience when a new resident moves in, they can connect and sign up for services in minutes without a technician appointment or picking up equipment.

In Unit Modem-Based Wi-Fi – traditionally referred to as bulk Internet, with this option there is no construction, in-unit access or capital expense to […]