Before switching to AppFolio, the team at Nebraska Lifestyles struggled with their software. As their business objectives became more and more focused on growth, they felt like it was holding them back and making it difficult to achieve their goals. Jenny shares:
“We needed software that could grow with our portfolio. Yardi didn’t have the capabilities for the growth path we were on, and it wasn’t very user-friendly. So we made the switch to AppFolio because it was able to match what we needed. Instead of offering individual features separately, with AppFolio we had a full circle product that could do it all — one and done. It was a really good business decision because we were able to not only be more cost-effective but save time and simplify our processes.”
Having more streamlined and efficient processes has freed the team at Nebraska Lifestyles to focus on larger initiatives like business growth. Over the next few years, they have big plans to expand their portfolio into other markets and states and will be using AppFolio to ensure their workflows are consistent and teams are aligned. Jenny explains:
“Our goal is to be in five cities in five years. We'll be expanding into Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, and Florida, which is really exciting. With AppFolio, we are able to duplicate the processes that we're doing in Omaha and maintain consistency even if we’re across the country. And that's something that'll be huge for us. Instead of having 15,000 properties with different systems, we can run everything under the same platform.”
Managing maintenance for a portfolio of primarily single-family homes can be challenging for any property management business. However, thanks to the automated tools within AppFolio, Jenny and her team can maintain oversight and control. Jenny shares:
“The new Unit Turn Board feature in AppFolio is super cool. We have full visibility into our work orders and every stage of the move-out process. So if a unit needs a carpet cleaning, we are able to prioritize that job or put it on hold if we need to. You can even add estimates. You basically have a maintenance project management system built into AppFolio for unit turns. It has made things easier, and our team is quickly able to understand what service is needed for each property.”
Unit turns aren’t the only workflow that Jenny and her team have been able to streamline and digitize. Inspections have also greatly improved since moving to AppFolio. Jenny explains:
“We perform so many inspections. We’ve been testing and seeing how the new Online Inspections feature works in AppFolio. We're reducing paper, and our team is becoming more efficient in the field, which is a huge benefit.”
With growth being such a big objective for Nebraska Lifestyles, the team is laser focused on their marketing efforts and premarketing their available units on their website and other rental listing sites. The marketing tools in AppFolio make this process seamless. Jenny shares:
“We premarket our future listings using the vacancy posting tool in AppFolio. It allows us to publish an upcoming vacancy through the website and on rental listing sites. With the click of a button, everything is published everywhere. It allows us to premarket effectively and efficiently ahead of time. This way can pre-qualify more renters, which has been super beneficial for us and our owners and renters.”
Along with great listings, Nebraska Lifestyles is able to appeal to the modern renter with a professional, AppFolio-built website that helps attract more renters and owners while leaving a lasting impression. Jenny explains:
“Our website is very clean and informative. People can easily find everything they need. If they’re a renter, they can see our availability or where to apply, and if they're an owner, they know right where they can make an inquiry. It’s just very user-friendly and easy to navigate.”
Being able to access their most business-critical processes, whether they’re at the office, at a property, or at home, has empowered the team at Nebraska Lifestyles to get more work done and have more flexibility. As a result, they have been able to uncover more opportunities for their business.
“In property management, you used to spend 80% of your time in front of a computer. Now it's great because my leasing manager can do all of her tasks in AppFolio and also go show 10 houses in the afternoon. It's all on her phone.”
Jenny Stephens
Director, Nebraska Lifestyles Property Management, 900+ units
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