In this episode of Peak Property Performance, Bill Douglas and Drew Hall speak with Andrew Reichert, a real estate operator who helped build a vertically integrated multifamily platform spanning approximately 3,600 units across multiple states. Andrew shares lessons from scaling the business, aligning ownership with property operations, using data to make better decisions, and creating value through NOI growth rather than relying on market appreciation. Vertically integrated real estate operations Multifamily investing and property management Ownership and operations alignment NOI growth and operational performance Resident retention and leasing velocity Real-time data and predictive analytics AI and machine learning in CRE Drew: What would you do differently if you were starting over? Andrew: Focus. Early on, we were operating multifamily, retail, office, construction, renovations, leasing, and property management. It was simply too much. Today, we have a tight niche: 100–150 unit, Class B workforce housing in the Midwest. It took nearly a decade to narrow that focus. Bill: Where do you see disconnects between ownership and operations? Andrew: Alignment starts during underwriting. Market data can create a great-looking pro forma, but until the team managing the property evaluates what it will actually take to execute, it's still theory. Operations needs a voice before the asset is purchased. Andrew: We once bought a B asset in a C neighborhood expecting to improve the tenant base and performance. The market couldn't support the business plan. No matter how strong the projections or operations team are, you can't outperform what the market will realistically support. Drew: Which operational metrics matter most today? Andrew: The old strategy of buying well and benefiting from cap-rate compression isn't enough anymore. Value has to come through NOI growth. We focus heavily on delinquency, unit turn times, leasing velocity, vacant days, and resident retention. Keeping an existing resident happy is much cheaper than replacing one. Andrew: Vertical integration isn't automatically the best solution. When entering a new market, a strong third-party manager may know the rents, vendors, maintenance teams, and local dynamics better. Once you build enough regional scale, bringing management in-house can become more effective. Andrew: Data tells the story, but it has to be good data. Instead of waiting for a month-end P&L, operators should use data and predictive analytics to make decisions in real time. One important lead measure is projected occupancy 30, 60, and 90 days ahead so teams can act before vacancies become a problem. Andrew: AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics will increasingly synthesize property data and tell operators what needs attention today instead of explaining what went wrong last month. Eventually, autonomous agents may move beyond recommendations and actually take action based on that data. Drew: Best career or life advice? Andrew: It's okay to fail. And ultimately, relationships and the lives we impact matter more than transactions. Bill: One habit that makes you more effective? Andrew: My morning routine—silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and journaling. Drew: Early bird or night owl? Andrew: I used to be a night owl. Today I lean toward mornings and get up at 6:00 AM for my routine. Andrew ReichertLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewreichert/ Email: areichert@birgo.com Website: https://www.birgo.com/ The Peak Property Performance Podcast is hosted by Bill Douglas and Drew Hall of OpticWise. The show explores how commercial real estate owners and operators improve performance through digital infrastructure, operational intelligence, AI, and better decision-making. Learn more: https://www.peakpropertyperformance.comhttps://www.opticwise.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PeakPropertyPerformance
