Title: Automation & AI for Property Managers | LAA Guide
How Automation & AI Are Changing Property Management—And What LAA Members Can Do Next
Why This Matters Right Now
Let's be honest: it's a renter's market. Vacancies are up across West Texas and the U.S., rent growth has slowed, and we're all working harder to attract and keep quality residents. At the same time, automation and AI have moved from "nice to have" to "expected"—especially by renters who've gotten used to digital service everywhere else.
This isn't about jumping on every tech trend. It's about recognizing that the tools available today can help you compete smarter, work leaner, and keep the residents you've already got.
The Daily Grind We All Know
You don't need a consultant to tell you what's eating up your time:
- Answering the same leasing questions over and over (including at 9 PM)
- Chasing late rent and tracking maintenance requests
- Trying to deliver fast, professional service while drowning in manual tasks
- Feeling like the tech world moves faster than you can keep up
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Industry surveys show nearly 60% of small and mid-size operators still handle leasing, payments, and maintenance by hand. Meanwhile, resident satisfaction—and retention—keeps dropping because renters expect the kind of quick, digital service they get everywhere else.
What's Actually Out There (And What It Does)
You don't need to overhaul your entire operation. Start with one pain point and pick a tool that solves it.
Leasing & Communication
- AI leasing assistants like AppFolio Realm-X, Rently, EliseAI, and Quext handle basic inquiries, schedule tours, and capture leads 24/7
- Automated messaging tools like Buildium or Yardi Breeze let you send rent reminders, renewal notices, and policy updates without lifting a finger
Maintenance & Work Orders
- Smart request portals like Property Meld or SmartRent let residents submit requests, track progress, and even self-schedule
- Simple options: A Google Form tied to Gmail alerts can get you 80% of the way there for free
Access Control & Smart Tech
- IoT locks and thermostats from Quext, RemoteLock, or ButterflyMX let you grant remote access and streamline move-ins
- Wi-Fi cameras and sensors add security without expensive system upgrades
For Single-Family or Small Portfolios
- Cozy, TurboTenant, and Hemlane handle online rent collection, lease management, and maintenance tracking affordably
Most of these tools offer free trials or flexible pricing. You can test before you commit.
A Local Success Story: Dave Marcinkowski
Former LAA President Dave Marcinkowski is a great example of what forward thinking looks like. After helping lead LAA here in Lubbock, Dave co-founded Quext—now a national leader in smart apartment technology and IoT automation.
He still shows up at local events, and his advice is as practical as ever: "You don't have to automate everything overnight. But you do need to keep moving forward—one smart step at a time."
It All Comes Back to Retention
Here's the bottom line: keeping good residents has never been more important. More than a quarter of U.S. renters are severely cost-burdened, and they have options. If your property doesn't feel modern, responsive, and easy to live in, they'll find one that does.
Automated communication, fast maintenance response, and smart home perks aren't extras anymore—they're renewal factors. Operators using automation report 15–20% improvements in resident satisfaction and measurably better renewal rates.
Real Examples from the Field
These aren't case studies from a vendor deck. They're real operators:
- A mid-size property manager switched to automated messaging for renewals and late rent. Result: 35% fewer manual calls and twice as many on-time payments.
- An independent landlord started with Cozy for rent collection and Quext's Wi-Fi thermostats. Saved multiple trips to the property and got faster alerts during winter emergencies.
- A local LAA member installed Quext's smart locks and bulk Wi-Fi. Move-ins got faster, and resident feedback scores jumped—especially for "ease of living" and "communication."
Where to Start
You don't need a roadmap. Just start somewhere:
- Pick your biggest time-waster. What task eats up hours every week?
- Find one tool to fix it. Start small—one automation, one process.
- Test it. Sign up for a demo or free trial. Ask LAA members what they're using.
- Track the results. Watch response times, payment rates, or resident feedback.
- Keep learning. LAA events, webinars, and meetups are built for exactly this—real stories, honest advice, and local support.
If you're curious about a specific tool, want to compare options, or just need a sanity check, reach out to LAA. That's what we're here for.
Final Thought
Automation and AI aren't about replacing what you do—they're about freeing you up to do it better. The operators who win in this market aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones who take the next smart step, learn as they go, and stay connected to resources like LAA.
Let's keep the conversation going. What's working for you? What's not? The more we share, the stronger we all get.