Peter Lohmann's Podcast

Peter Lohmann
  • 4.6 (21)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Helping Property Managers Streamline & Grow Their Businesses Peter Lohmann shares candid interviews and actionable insights from top operators, entrepreneurs, and industry experts in property management. Whether you're managing 100 doors or 10,000, this is your playbook for building a smarter, more scalable property management business.

  1. 5D AGO

    AI Agents, PM Policy Tracking & the Pod Hybrid Model with Wolfgang Croskey

    🔗 Register for Crane's Access Granted launch (April 2) This week on Peter Lohmann's Podcast:  What if your property management company had its own AI agents?... Ones you built yourself, running on your own server? Crane co-founder Wolfgang Croskey built two custom AI agents (Bruce and Sophia) that triage emails, delegate tasks via Slack, and pull AppFolio data, all on his own server.  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:03:09) - Meet Sophia and Bruce(00:04:23) - OpenClaw workflow wins(00:06:03) - Building agents on VPS(00:12:36) - Texting and voice assistants(00:18:03) - Crane HQ origin story(00:24:32) - Data providers and costs(00:29:00) - AI policy email alerts(00:31:33) - Crane launch details(00:36:53) - RL’s hybrid pod structure(00:43:31) - Early results and tradeoffs(00:50:09) - Phone and email setup(00:53:03) - Tech gaps and next steps(00:56:21) - Wrap up and outroWe get into the security scare that changed his approach, why messaging through your normal channels matters more than the AI itself, and what it takes to actually set this up. We also reveal a new Crane member benefit: an AI-powered local policy tracker that monitors city council, school board, and county meetings across your service area — down to cities with 2,000+ people. Then I break down something I haven't shared publicly: RL Property Management's shift from departmental to a pod hybrid model at 750 doors - the owner churn that drove it, how we structured one-person pods with centralized ops, and early results including two saves from churning clients this week. If you're thinking about AI agents, org design, or giving owners the relationship they actually want, this one covers it. 🔗 Wolfgang Croskey on LinkedIn Resources for Property Managers & Real Estate Entrepreneurs • Crane – Private PM Owner Community → Join a private network of property management owners and operators • Free TWICE Weekly Newsletter → Property management insights, strategies, and industry updates direct to your inbox • RL Property Management → Learn more about Peter’s company and services in Columbus, Ohio __ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

    57 min

  2. MAR 19

    AI, Fraud, and Tech Bloat in Property Management with Dom Beveridge

    AI, fraud, and tech bloat are quietly reshaping property management… most operators just haven’t connected the dots yet. In this episode, I sit down with Dom Beveridge (20for20) to break down what’s actually happening inside large multifamily portfolios - and what it means for single-family operators. We discuss: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:23) - The 20for20 annual report explained(00:04:44) - Deep vs wide research(00:05:51) - Multifamily vs scattered-site differences(00:07:47) - Maintenance operations deep dive(00:15:52) - Sponsor - DoorLoop(00:17:28) - Cross-learning between SFR and multifamily(00:34:14) - Sponsor: Enterprise Bank & Trust(00:35:38) - Tech consolidation(00:42:00) - AI impact on property tech(00:43:54) - AI-first vs AI-enabled software(00:48:53) - PMS vendors heading toward irrelevance(00:53:04) - Data as the ultimate moat(00:56:23) - Accessing the report and speaking engagements(00:57:22) - Closing remarks We get into why fraud isn’t really about “bad actors," it’s a bad debt problem hiding in plain sight. And why a lot of screening processes (yes, even yours) are more guesswork than science. We also unpack how tech stacks ballooned to 30–40+ tools, why that’s creating operational drag, and what companies are doing to fix it. Then there’s AI. We talk about the shift from “AI-enabled” to truly AI-first software, and why that distinction is about to matter a lot more than people think. Along the way, we compare multifamily vs SFR (especially in maintenance and leasing) and where each model is ahead (and behind). Learn more and connect with Dom here: Download the new edition of the 20for20 Annual SurveyLinkedInWebsite__ Resources for Property Managers & Real Estate Entrepreneurs Crane – Private PM Owner Community → Join a private network of property management owners and operators: https://joincrane.co/Free Weekly Newsletter → Property management insights, strategies, and industry updates direct to your inbox: https://peter.beehiiv.com/subscribeRL Property Management → Learn more about Peter’s company and services in Columbus, Ohio: https://rlpmg.com/__ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

    58 min

  3. MAR 5

    How PMI Built a 475-Location Property Management Franchise with CEO/Co-founder, Steve Hart

    What does it take to build a national property management franchise? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Hart, CEO and co-founder of PMI, a franchise network with nearly 500 locations and 35,000+ doors under management. We unpack how PMI grew from a startup during the 2008 financial crisis into one of the largest property management platforms in the country. We discuss: (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:25) - Meet Steve Hart(00:05:09) - Building a franchise platform(00:07:22) - Five pillars explained(00:13:21) - HOA margins and revenue(00:16:00) - Sponsor - appgentic.ai(00:17:48) - Who should franchise(00:24:20) - Brokerage as bridge(00:29:21) - Multi-location franchise growth(00:30:08) - Acquisition engine explained(00:35:11) - Aligned incentives model(00:37:13) - Sponsor - Rentvine(00:38:19) - Breaking the 100 door plateau(00:41:31) - Stop competing on price(00:43:53) - Guarantees that build trust(00:46:21) - Churn trends and fixes(00:52:36) - Saying no to PE offers(00:55:47) - Consolidation and multi-unit owners(00:58:53) - Protecting the brand(01:01:13) - Final wrap and where to followSteve explains PMI’s five-pillar model (residential, multifamily, HOA, commercial, and short-term rentals), why HOA management is growing 60% year over year, and how their franchise partners are acquiring millions of dollars in PM portfolios annually. We also dig into some practical operator questions: Why so many PM companies stall around 100 doorsWhen to stop competing on priceHow acquisitions are changing the industryAnd why Steve has repeatedly said "NO" to private equityIf you’re thinking about scaling, franchising, or buying doors, this one’s worth a listen. Learn more and connect with Steve here: PMISteve on LinkedInLearn more & connect with me here: ⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners.⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠⁠RL Property Management⁠

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 2

    PM News Recap March 1, 2026 (Investor Ban Update, HUD Section 8 Changes, NARPM Broker/Owner Dates)

    Here’s a quick recap of what happened in property management last week. 00:00:15 — White House Clarifies Proposed Investor BanWe finally have more details on the White House’s proposed restriction on large investors buying single-family homes. The threshold is 100+ homes. Existing owners would not be required to sell. Build-to-rent communities are excluded. So are investors who “heavily renovate” homes before renting them out. This proposal now heads to Congress. We’ll keep an eye on it. 00:01:39 — HUD Proposes Section 8 Eligibility ChangesHUD issued a proposed rule that would significantly revise Section 8 requirements. The overall practical impact is likely tighter eligibility, especially for mixed-status households. If you operate in markets with heavy voucher concentration, this is something to watch closely. It could materially affect demand. 00:02:39 — NARPM Broker/Owner Conference DetailsThe National Association of Residential Property Managers released more details about its Broker/Owner Conference. It’s happening April 27–30 in New Orleans. Registration opens at 4:00 p.m. Monday. The main conference kicks off Tuesday. There’s a party Tuesday night inside the Caesars Superdome. If you’re coming in for a short window, plan around that. The event wraps Thursday afternoon with a closing keynote that hasn’t been announced yet, but I’m told it’ll be worth staying for. That’s your property management news for the week of March 1, 2026.

    4 min

  5. FEB 23

    PM News Recap Feb. 23, 2026 (Zillow vs Compass, FL Condo Kickbacks, Rentals in ChatGPT)

    Here’s a quick recap of what happened in property management last week (with Danny Piñeyro). Links and resources to each story are included below… 00:00:19 — Zillow vs. Compass Portal Fight Compass tried limiting listing distribution through “private exclusives,” Zillow pushed back with a broad-sharing rule, and a federal judge denied Compass’s request to block it. Bigger picture: this is a fight over who controls inventory — and control of inventory means leverage. 00:01:38 — Miami Condo Kickback Scheme A Miami condo manager is accused of approving payments to an unlicensed contractor and receiving roughly $95,000 in kickbacks. This is almost always a controls issue — too much authority, not enough oversight. 00:02:55 — Rentals Now Searchable Inside ChatGPT Zumper launched rental search directly inside ChatGPT, and renter use of AI search tools has more than doubled year over year. If attention shifts to AI interfaces, lead generation — and platform power — may shift with it. That’s all the news I have for you this week. Have a good one. 📩 My Newsletter: https://www.peterlohmann.com/newsletter🎙️ My Podcast: https://www.peterlohmann.com/podcast Crane: Joincrane.co

    4 min

  6. FEB 19

    Managing 360 Doors with No Employees (using AI) with Matt Luke

    What if you could manage 360+ units with no W2 employees?? That’s exactly what Matt Luke is doing in Sioux Falls. In this episode, we break down his lean, AI-powered property management model - from AI leasing agent “Serena” to AI maintenance coordinator “Max,” automated workflows in AppFolio and LeadSimple, and a vendor-first partnership strategy that keeps his margins high. 00:00 - Intro02:19 - Matt’s backstory04:42 - “No employees” explained06:35 - Pre-leasing playbook09:35 - The lean tech stack (including Haven.ai - https://www.usehaven.ai/)13:23 - AI leasing agent ‘Serena’15:36 - AI maintenance agent ‘Max’18:00 - Sponsor - Crane23:08 - Owner comms automation26:29 - Accounting without a bookkeeper28:53 - Application screening workflow30:43 - Process philosophy34:02 - AI tools that fell short38:09 - Margins & unit economics40:38 - Delinquency & evictions45:53 - The vendor partnership model50:46 - Touchless move-in52:58 - Inspections at scale55:05 - From property manager to wealth advisor01:03:06 - Pricing, adoption & upsell ideas01:05:42 - Wrap-upWe dig into how he pre-leases units 90 days out, runs daily bank recs without a bookkeeper, automates owner communication, and keeps friction out of the system (his word, not mine).But here’s the part that really stood out: Matt doesn’t just do property management. He positions himself as a wealth advisor, moving owners from day-to-day oversight into true asset management. Learn more and connect with Matt here:  Luke PropertiesLuke Properties on LinkedInLearn more & connect with me here: ⁠Crane⁠, the private community for property management business owners.⁠My Free PM Newsletter⁠⁠RL Property Management⁠

    1h 9m

  7. FEB 16

    Property Management News - Feb. 16, 2026 (Institutional Landlord Ban Update + $1M HOA Fraud + New Appfolio Benchmark Report)

    Here’s a quick recap of what happened in property management last week. Links and resources to each story are included below…00:00:20 — Housing for the 21st Century Act Passes (No Investor Ban Included) - House Republicans and Democrats just passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act. It’s largely a “build more housing, faster” package — clearing federal review delays, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and making it easier to develop missing middle and small multifamily housing. It also includes faster voucher lease-ups and some manufactured housing provisions. https://nypost.com/2026/02/11/real-estate/congress-advances-housing-bill-without-trumps-proposal-to-ban-investors/(One important note: the proposed ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes did not make it into the final bill. That piece was left out. So for now, there’s no federal restriction coming on large-scale homebuyers. The supply-side reforms advanced. The investor restrictions didn’t. Worth watching how that evolves.) 00:01:20 — HOA Manager Accused of Stealing $1M+An HOA manager has been accused of stealing more than $1 million in 2025, including at least $600,000 from one condo association. Allegations include forged checks and misdirected settlement funds. Wild story. But zoom out for a second — this is almost always a controls issue. One person had too much access and not enough oversight. Basic financial guardrails likely would have prevented this. Dual approval on disbursements, separation of reserve and operating accounts, bank statements going directly to board members. Processes are like plumbing — invisible when they work, a disaster when they don’t. https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/hoa-manager-allegedly-scammed-people-out-of-1-million-over-4-years/00:02:08 — AppFolio Releases 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report! AppFolio just released its 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report, and a few things jumped out. https://www.appfolio.com/resources/library/benchmark-reportThe top two challenges operators reported were higher vacancy and rising operating costs. That’s not surprising, but it’s validating to see it confirmed at scale. In response, 86% of property managers say they’re prioritizing resident experience — especially communication and reducing friction around move-ins.Fraud continues to go mainstream. More than half of respondents reported an increase in application fraud last year. That’s huge. Screening and verification are becoming table stakes.And then there’s AI. Forty-four percent of respondents say they’re already using AI tools, and those users expect faster portfolio growth than non-users. Interesting correlation. If you’re not experimenting yet, this might be your sign to start small and see what actually moves the needle.That’s all the news I have for you this week. Have a good one.📩 My Newsletter: https://www.peterlohmann.com/newsletter🎙️ My Podcast: https://www.peterlohmann.com/podcast__Disclaimer: The content of this news segment is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

    3 min

  8. FEB 9

    PM News Recap Feb. 9, 2026 (FTC Rental Fees, RentVine Conf, Rent Declines & more)

    Here’s a quick recap of what happened in property management last week. Links and resources to each story are included below... 00:00:04 — FTC Targets Rental Housing Fees The FTC announced it intends to regulate rental housing fees and will begin soliciting public comment on what it calls “deceptive or unfair fees.” This is early-stage, but it’s clearly aimed at long-term rental housing and the apartment industry. I break down what we know so far, why this matters, and why this one is worth watching closely. 00:00:59 — Rentvine User Conference Announced Rentvine just opened registration for its 2026 user conference, happening May 13–15 in Tampa, Florida. These conferences have a strong reputation, and if you’re a Rentvine customer (or considering the platform), this is probably worth a look. 00:01:16 — Property Manager Arrested for $600K Theft A Florida property manager was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 from a condo association — including forging hundreds of checks and redirecting insurance payouts. Wild story, but it also raises bigger questions about licensing, regulation, and due diligence in our industry. 00:02:24 — Apartment Rents Hit 4-Year Lows Apartment rents are reportedly at their lowest level in four years, with median rent down ~1.5% year-over-year. Vacancy has climbed to 7.3%, the highest level since Apartment List began tracking the data. I connect this back to supply, leasing pressure, and what you might be feeling on the single-family side. 00:03:48 — Peter & The Wolf Live Returns Peter and the Wolf Live is back for 2026. Wolfgang Krosky and I are kicking things off with a casual, live conversation about the year ahead, what we’re excited about, and what’s coming next for the show. Register hereThat’s it for this week. Let me know what you think in the comments. If this format is useful, I’ll keep publishing these short, news-style updates as part of the Tuesday edition of the newsletter.📩 My Newsletter: https://www.peterlohmann.com/newsletter🎙️ My Podcast: https://www.peterlohmann.com/podcast__Disclaimer: The content of this news segment is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this podcast. Additionally, some of the links included may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.

    5 min
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4.6
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Helping Property Managers Streamline & Grow Their Businesses Peter Lohmann shares candid interviews and actionable insights from top operators, entrepreneurs, and industry experts in property management. Whether you're managing 100 doors or 10,000, this is your playbook for building a smarter, more scalable property management business.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Lohmann
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    118
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Peter Lohmann
  • Show Website
    Peter Lohmann's Podcast

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