THE PROPERTY PLAYBOOK

When I started this podcast, the goal was pretty simple: create a place where people in multifamily could learn from the people actually doing the work—the property managers, regional leaders, marketers, operators, asset managers, and industry experts who are in the trenches every single day.And this first season has been more than I could have hoped for.I’ve loved the conversations we’ve had, but even more than that, I’ve loved hearing from YOU!Thank you for listening, sharing episodes, leaving reviews, sending messages, and telling me about the ideas you’ve taken back to your teams and your properties. Hearing that something from an episode helped you approach a conversation differently, become a better leader, solve a problem, or simply look at your career in a new way—that’s exactly why this podcast exists.And we’re just getting started.Season 2 of The Property Playbook is coming, and we’re going even deeper.See you soon! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.KEYWORDS: property managementapartmentsleadershipCREreal estate

What if centralization could lower payroll, improve leasing performance, increase occupancy—and actually create better career opportunities for your team?In this episode of The Property Playbook, Rory Anderson sits down with Keith Jones, President & CEO of Oakwood Management Company, and Kara Thompson, Vice President of Operations, for a practical look at what centralized property management actually looks like when you move beyond the buzzwords.Oakwood has spent the past year rethinking where work should happen across its multifamily portfolio. Their philosophy is simple: centralize the repeatable work, but protect the human experience.Keith and Kara share how Oakwood moved administrative tasks like application processing, resident accounting, renewals, invoicing, and other process-heavy work away from onsite teams—allowing leasing professionals and property teams to spend more time doing what they do best: serving prospects and residents.And the results are getting attention.Keith shares that Oakwood has seen a 17% decrease in property-level payroll compared with 2024, while tour conversion increased from the low 30% range to 41%, lead conversion climbed from single digits to 17%, and portfolio occupancy reached approximately 98%—even through a time of year when occupancy historically softened.But this conversation isn't just about cutting costs.Keith and Kara explain why some functions shouldn't necessarily be centralized. They discuss how Oakwood redesigned its staffing model, created new career paths for employees, used specialists instead of forcing everyone to be a generalist, and involved onsite teams in shaping the transformation.If you're an owner, asset manager, property manager, regional leader, or multifamily executive asking whether centralized operations can actually improve NOI without sacrificing the resident or employee experience, this episode is for you.Listen now, subscribe to The Property Playbook, and share this episode with someone rethinking how multifamily properties should operate.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to the episode and guests227:40:54 What does centralization mean at Oakwood?569:20:57 Crazy stories from property management15388:48:25 Goals and benefits of centralization20499:55:32 Functions and processes centralized at Oakwood276944:22:38 Efficiency gains across operations300555:29:33 Staffing model changes and employee morale428055:30:35 Measurable impact on property NOI487222:11:19 Risks of going too far with centralization544722:11:53 Financial differences after centralization578611:05:30 Lessons learned and leadership principles663611:06:10 Key takeaways and balancing efficiency with resident experienceTO CONTACT OUR GUESTS:KARA THOMPSONKEITH JONESKEYWORDS:property management, centralization, NOI, multifamily, operational efficiency, leadership, real estate, property management strategies

YOU CAN NOW WATCH EPISODES WITH FULL VIDEO ON APPLE PODCASTSAre you gaining years of experience—or repeating the same year over and over again?In multifamily, career growth doesn’t automatically come with time, a promotion, or a new title. It comes from staying curious, seeking feedback, building new capabilities, and being willing to admit, “I don’t know…yet.”In this episode of The Property Playbook, Rory Anderson sits down with Jared Forman, founder of AdaptIncrease and a workforce learning and performance expert with more than 15 years of experience in talent development, onboarding, leadership, and performance support.Together, they unpack what growth mindset actually looks like in multifamily—not as a motivational buzzword, but as a practical approach to becoming better at your job and building a stronger career.Jared shares how he entered affordable housing without deep industry expertise and learned to overcome the fear of looking inexperienced by surrounding himself with subject-matter experts and asking questions.The conversation also tackles one of the biggest questions in property management: How do you prepare for the next level before someone gives you the title?Jared explains why professionals should stop obsessing over promotions and start identifying the capabilities required for the role they want.Listen now, subscribe to The Property Playbook, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to take the next step in their career.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to growth mindset and its relevance in multifamily391:36:40 Jared Foreman's background and approach to learning and development9277:43:28 Defining growth mindset and its application in real-world scenarios13388:50:21 The importance of the word 'yet' and embracing learning18055:30:32 Navigating new roles with a growth mindset and courage21611:04:02 Learning from unfamiliar industries and the power of curiosity27722:10:53 Building relationships with subject matter experts32666:37:45 Creating a safe environment for team members to admit ignorance36583:17:56 Receiving and giving feedback with a growth mindset471111:05:00 Developing onboarding programs through feedback and collaboration542499:58:42 Building value before seeking a promotion608888:52:15 Preparing for leadership roles by learning and coaching646111:05:42 Staying curious after becoming an expert738888:52:40 Taking actionable steps to develop a growth mindset775555:32:48 The difference between stagnant and growth-oriented careers807499:59:35 Key takeaways for continuous growth and learningTO CONTACT OUR GUEST:Jared FormanLINKED IN [email protected] by Carol DweckKEYWORDSgrowth mindset in multifamilymultifamily leadershipproperty management leadershipproperty management career growthmultifamily career developmentleasing professional developmentproperty manager trainingmultifamily employee trainingleadership development in property managementmultifamily team cultureemployee feedback and coachingmultifamily operations

What separates an average team from a championship team? According to Regional Manager and former race car driver Nik Putnam, it isn't talent—it's culture.In this episode of The Property Playbook, Rory Anderson sits down with Nik to explore the 10 behaviors championship teammates refuse to tolerate and how those same principles can transform multifamily property management teams.Drawing from his experience both behind the wheel of a race car and leading apartment communities, Nik shares why accountability, trust, belief, and peer leadership matter more than titles. Together, Rory and Nik unpack practical lessons for leasing professionals, maintenance teams, property managers, and regional leaders who want to build stronger cultures and achieve better operational results.You'll hear powerful conversations around:Why teammates—not just managers—must hold each other accountable.How cutting corners today creates bigger operational problems tomorrow.The hidden cost of negativity, excuses, and gossip on team performance.Why great leaders never ask their teams to do work they wouldn't do themselves.How respect is earned through action, especially during conflict and challenging moments.The importance of protecting your company's reputation both on and off the job.Why belief may be the most underrated leadership skill in property management.Nik also shares memorable stories from his career, including managing a major roofing disaster in student housing, turning around struggling communities, learning to "control the controllables," and accepting responsibility when leadership decisions don't go as planned. His experiences offer practical lessons in resilience, communication, and leading under pressure.If you're passionate about multifamily leadership, property management, team culture, accountability, leasing excellence, and personal growth, this is an episode you won't want to miss.🎧 Listen now, subscribe to The Property Playbook, and share this episode with a teammate or leader who's committed to building a championship culture.CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and guest background258:16:49 A story from property management: roof damage incident8833:17:09 Control the controllables: lessons from a property crisis13111:04:01 The post on championship team principles14833:17:30 Peer accountability and team strength17583:17:34 Avoiding corners and doing things right the first time21999:57:39 Teammates don't whine or complain26333:17:48 Handling negativity and fostering positivity28722:11:09 Don't make excuses and take ownership35361:04:43 Respect and treating teammates well42833:18:12 Avoid disrespect and lead by example508055:31:47 The importance of unity and avoiding division596388:51:58 Supporting teammates and leading with kindness676944:25:29 The value of positive reinforcement and recognition762499:59:07 The role of belief and mindset in leadership926666:39:34 The importance of reliability and not letting teammates down970555:33:02 Final leadership principles and closing thoughtsCONTACT OUR GUEST: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nik-putnam99/KEYWORDS: leadership, team building, property management, accountability, respect, team culture, underperforming assets, team accountability, leadership lessons

How do the best leaders in multifamily keep learning while the industry keeps changing?In this episode of The Property Playbook, Rory Anderson sits down with Brent Williams, founder of Multifamily Insiders, to explore what separates professionals who simply keep up from those who continually grow.Brent shares the story behind building the largest online community for multifamily professionals and explains why education, collaboration, and leadership development have never been more important. Together, they dive into the industry's biggest challenges—including employee turnover, resident retention, AI, centralization, technology overload, and the growing need for intentional leadership.You'll hear why retaining great employees directly impacts resident retention, how operators should evaluate new technology without chasing every trend, and why the fundamentals of communication, accountability, and professional development still outperform the latest shiny object.Whether you're a leasing consultant, property manager, regional manager, owner, or asset manager, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help you lead stronger teams, make better decisions, and continue growing in your career.In this episode, you'll learn:Why employee retention is one of the biggest drivers of resident retentionHow Multifamily Insiders became the industry's largest education communityThe biggest mistakes operators make when evaluating new technologyWhat AI and centralization really mean for the future of property managementHow the best professionals continue learning throughout their careersIf you're committed to becoming a better leader and building stronger communities, this episode is for you.🎧 Subscribe to The Property Playbook on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and share this episode with a teammate who's passionate about growing in the multifamily industry.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Brent Williams and Multifamily Insiders466:36:30 The Origins of Multifamily Insiders and Industry Needs11027:43:28 Addressing Employee Turnover and Resident Retention17972:10:19 Industry Trends and Future Predictions29111:03:56 Creating Valuable Education for All Experience Levels37583:17:35 The Power of Specific, Actionable Content45999:57:57 The Role of Technology and Demo Day in Industry Innovation566111:05:04 How to Get Involved with Multifamily Insiders702777:45:31 Long-term Sales and Industry Timing Insights834444:26:01 The Future of Multifamily Property Management891111:06:28 Leadership Principles and Personal DevelopmentCONTACT OUR GUESTBRENT WILLIAMShttps://linkedin.com/in/brentwilliamsSHOW NOTESMultifamily InsidersLeadership LabDemo DayFetch PackageKEYWORDSmultifamily industry, professional development, resident retention, industry trends, technology, community building, leadership, education, networking, AI