Episode 15: 5 Bold Predictions for Multifamily in 2026

Host: Andrew Bowen, Apartment Jedi

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why at least one publicly traded REIT may be taken private
• What it means to operationalize resident experience in 2026
• The rise of retention—and the fall of lease-up-driven revenue
• The rent vs. revenue paradox that could break acquisition models
• Why uncertainty in rates, data, and rent trends may stall the market

Andrew also shares a few bonus "sub-predictions" and invites feedback on which predictions will hit—or totally miss.

📎 Resources:

• https://apartmentjedi.com
  
  
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdbowen/
  
  

Episode 14: The Death of Deposits? Rethinking Risk and Resident Experience
Guest: Michael Bowman, CEO of Deposit Cloud

What started as a cash cushion to protect landlords has become a compliance risk, a resident pain point, and a branding liability. So why is multifamily still relying on deposits?

🔥 In this episode:

• Why Michael Bowman founded Deposit Cloud
• The financial reality of $300 deposits and $600 move-out charges
• Legislative chaos—from Texas to Florida to Cook County, IL
• Class action lawsuits tied to security deposits
• The opportunity to turn move-out into a loyalty moment
• Why automation without oversight creates new blind spots
• Reimagining deposits not as a protection tool, but a CX moment

📎 Resources:

• https://depositcloud.com
  
  
• Michael Bowman on LinkedIn

Learn more at ApartmentJedi.com

Episode 13: From Brand Promise to Daily Practice – Fixing the CX Gap in Multifamily
Guest: Reece Register, Founder of CXOWorx

In this episode, we explore:

• The broken link between brand and on-site execution
• Why rebrands fall flat without operational reinforcement
• The danger of designing CX without emotional intelligence
• Centralization’s unintended impact on team growth and leadership
• What multifamily must steal from restaurants to compete in 2025

🔥 Quote of the episode:
“You’ve done something so well, they talk about you while eating spaghetti.”

📎 Resources:

• https://cxoworx.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/reeceregister
• Learn more at https://apartmentjedi.com

Guest: Kevin Donnelly, Executive Director & Chief Advocacy Officer, Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center (RETTC)

In this episode:

• 🎉 Celebrating RETTC's first birthday live from OpTech
• 🏛️ Why advocacy is multifamily’s new superpower
• 🤝 How RETTC is building a bridge between operators and tech
• 🧠 The AI framework that sets the bar for responsible use in multifamily
• 💡 Why MITS data transparency could change resident leasing forever
• 🔄 What Kevin would tweak if he could rewind the clock

📎 Links & References:

• RETC Website: https://rettc.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-donnelly-39420726/
• Learn more at https://apartmentjedi.com

Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt conversation, Andrew Bowen talks with Brandon Hammond about the lessons learned from a season of uncertainty — from the vulnerability of being #OpenToWork to rediscovering purpose, community, and self-belief.

Brandon shares how he turned a public job search into a platform for helping others and why authenticity has become his greatest leadership tool. The discussion goes far beyond career advice — it’s about character, connection, and choosing faith over fear.

What We Cover:

• Brandon’s story behind the #OpenToWork post that inspired an industry
• How to lead through empathy and authenticity
• The role of faith and perspective in navigating setbacks
• Why community and generosity matter more than ever in multifamily

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn: [Insert Link]
• Visit ApartmentJedi.com
  for more episodes

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Episode Summary:
In this conversation, Andrew Bowen and Adrian Danila discuss the intersection of technology, leadership, and authenticity in multifamily operations. From AI-driven efficiencies to the human side of centralization, Adrian brings perspective grounded in two decades of maintenance leadership and mentorship.

They also explore how content creation is empowering maintenance professionals to find their voice, build credibility, and lead from any level.

What We Cover:

• How AI is changing maintenance and operations
• The pros and cons of centralization in property management
• The role of leadership humility in tech adoption
• Content creation as the new professional development tool
• Adrian’s message for anyone building a career in multifamily today

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriandanila/
  
  
• Hear Adrian on The Empowered Leader Podcast with Gary Gregory: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Z3NjX4L9lK7zqR0M83kA1
  
  
• Visit ApartmentJedi.com
  for more episodes and resources

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Apartment Jedi Podcast, Andrew Bowen talks with Tyler Christiansen, CEO and Founder of Funnel Leasing, about the current state and future trajectory of centralization in multifamily housing.

💡 Topics Covered:

• Centralization: where we are vs. where we’re going
• The rise of role specialization and its impact on team performance
• How AI is empowering teams — and the risk of “cruise control”
• Back-office centralization: the quiet powerhouse of NOI
• Friction in the application process: where it belongs (and doesn’t)
• Leadership pipeline risks in a centralized world
• Multifamily as a branded franchise model
• Agentic AI and the shift to task automation at scale

🔗 Useful Links:

• Funnel Leasing: https://funnelleasing.com
  
  
• Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/funnel/
  
  
• Forbes Thought Leadership: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/people/tylerchristiansen/
  
  

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Andrew Bowen welcomes Jonathan Buckelew, a multifamily asset manager who has become one of the industry’s leading voices on AI adoption. Jonathan shares how experimenting with technology transformed his workflow, helping him move from manual data analysis to fully automated processes.

They discuss the evolving tech landscape in multifamily, the challenges of accessing data trapped in legacy platforms, and the creation of CRE AI Studio, a growing community teaching real estate professionals how to use AI to work smarter and faster.

What We Cover:

• How AI can automate and elevate the asset management process
• Building smarter dashboards through AppFolio’s API
• Overcoming industry resistance to technology
• How to start using AI—even if you’re not a tech expert
• The future of agentic AI and microtools in real estate

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn:
• Visit CRE AI Studio:
• More episodes at ApartmentJedi.com
  
  

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