Multifamily Unpacked

Multifamily Unpacked

Our lane is multifamily tech, how it influences property management companies and ultimately renters' experience finding their next home. To be clear, we’ll stay in our lane. In this podcast, we are privileged to sit down with some of the best minds in multifamily, learn directly from them, and share what we learned with you. We’re here to have honest conversations with the leaders of this industry and the tech that defines it. Tune in to learn about what could be better, and the solutions that are changing the lives of renters, and everyone working at property management companies. No matter if you just Googled the words “multifamily industry” for the first time and stumbled onto our podcast, or are a multifamily veteran, as long as you’re curious about technology and the multifamily industry this podcast is for you. Multifamily Unpacked is presented by Funnel and hosted by Tyler Christiansen. 

  1. Clay Bavor — Sierra — Future of agentic AI

    4 DAYS AGO

    Clay Bavor — Sierra — Future of agentic AI

    Recorded live at Forum, this episode features a rare conversation with one of tech’s most influential minds: Clay Bavor, former head of Google Labs and now co-founder of Sierra. Clay joins Funnel CEO Tyler Christiansen to talk about the future of agentic AI—intelligent systems that don’t just respond, but act. Together, they unpack why this moment in AI is so significant, where the real impact lies, and how AI can elevate customer experiences by removing the rote and making room for what’s truly human. They also explore: The origin and mission behind SierraReal-world AI use cases across industries (including multifamily)The shift to resolution-based pricingWhy trust and thoughtful design matter more than everFunnel is proud to partner with Sierra to bring the best conversational AI to multifamily.  Whether you're shaping your AI strategy or just trying to understand what’s next, this conversation is packed with clarity, insight, and inspiration. Read the full recap here: https://funnelleasing.com/forum-recap-future-of-agentic-ai/ Don’t miss out next year. 2026 registration is open, can’t wait to see you there. Register today. https://meet.funnelleasing.com/forum-2026-registration To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    28 min
  2. Matt Slepin — Building careers and communities in real estate

    8 OCT

    Matt Slepin — Building careers and communities in real estate

    In this episode of Multifamily Unpacked, we sit down with one of the industry's most thoughtful observers and storytellers: Matt Slepin. As a longtime executive recruiter, former lobbyist, and host of the "Leading Voices in Real Estate" podcast, Matt has had a front-row seat to the evolution of multifamily real estate over the past four decades. Tyler and Matt dig deep on the past, present, and future of the industry—covering everything from the institutionalization of multifamily as an asset class to the slow but necessary shift toward centralization and tech-enabled operations. They unpack how the REIT era rewired expectations for leadership, why talent pipelines are still too shallow, and what it means to “play the long game” in a space defined by relationships, reinvention, and relentless change. What you’ll learn: Why multifamily wasn’t always considered an institutional investment class—and what changedThe unintended consequences of promoting from within in property managementThe balancing act of centralization in third-party managementHow AI and technology are reshaping operational leadership—and why human-centric leadership still mattersWhy career success in multifamily is less about the “perfect resume” and more about curiosity, context, and consistencyLinks + resources: Leading Voices in Real Estate Podcast: https://www.zrgpartners.com/leadingvoices/ZRG Partners: https://www.zrgpartners.com/our-team/matt-slepin/Listen to Tyler on Matt’s show: https://www.zrgpartners.com/insights/leading-voices-tyler-christiansen/Learn more about FoodExtra here: https://extrafood.org/If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love Forum. Register today. https://meet.funnelleasing.com/forum-2026-registration To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    48 min
  3. Forum highlight — Employee experience with the new operating model

    30 SEPT

    Forum highlight — Employee experience with the new operating model

    Turnover is a sticking point in multifamily. But what if a new operating model could actually solve for that? In this Forum highlight, Ginny Decker (SVP of Operations, Monument) and Jayde Kelley (Director of Innovation, RedPeak) sit down with Funnel’s Sarah Bozarth to talk about how centralized operations are giving teams more clarity, more support, and ultimately—more reasons to stay. You’ll learn: Why both operators started with team feedback before rolling anything outHow role specialization turned “one more task” into “one great job”The ripple effects on morale, retention, and resident experienceHow the right tech stack made the shift sustainableIf your goal is to create happier teams and stronger careers—alongside faster, efficient, scalable workflows—this episode is for you. This was recorded live at Forum. If you enjoyed this episode, you'd love Forum. Register today. https://meet.funnelleasing.com/forum-2026-registration To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    10 min
  4. Jay Parsons — Multifamily economics beyond the rate cut

    22 SEPT

    Jay Parsons — Multifamily economics beyond the rate cut

    Rate cuts grabbed the headlines, but they aren’t the whole story. In this episode, Tyler Christiansen, CEO, Funnel sits down with economist Jay Parsons—also the host of The Rent Roll with Jay Parsons podcast—to dig into what really drives multifamily performance right now, and what managers and operators should watch. They cover: — Why a 25 bp cut doesn’t move the needle — How supply peaks today set up a different market in 2026–2027 — The myth of home sales and rental demand (hint: strong for-sale markets often help rents) — What rent control proposals really mean for affordability — Fee transparency, “all-in” pricing, and the compliance burden operators are facing — Why resident retention has been trending up for a decade — The comeback (and risk) of concessions If you enjoy conversations like this, you’ll love Forum, the premier event for multifamily executives who believe in a better operating model. Forum sells out every year. Registration is open. Secure your spot today. https://meet.funnelleasing.com/forum-2026-registration Listen to Jay’s podcast, The Rent Roll: https://jayparsons.com/podcast/ Timestamps: 0:00 Jay Parsons — Multifamily economics beyond the rate cut 0:51 Episode introduction 1:38 Welcome Jay Parsons 2:42 What does the Fed rate cut mean for the multifamily industry? 4:26 What are the reasons to be optimistic about rent growth in multifamily? 5:39 Multifamily demand is good, but anything can happen 7:50 How does the for-sale market impact the rental housing industry? 9:09 The kicker is the hero, but not the key driver of the game 12:53 The myth about rent control 14:07 Don’t double down on what hasn’t worked 17:27 Use what is working across the country: supply 18:45 Supply vs. demand: Not that complicated 19:46 How is supply/demand impacting multifamily business? 21:02 Homebuilding ≠ apartment building 22:38 Homebuilders: Scarcity is your biggest enemy and your biggest asset 23:35 Fee transparency in multifamily 24:52 The rules for fee transparency are a moving target 27:13 Navigating the rules of the road in a multi-state business. 29:21 Compliance is important for all asset types, not just affordable 31:04 How can we lengthen the customer lifetime value in multifamily? 32:34 Apartment living is more attractive than it was 36:07 Technology + people have made multifamily better 36:51 What is going on with rental concessions in multifamily? 37:30 Be cautious when burning concessions To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    40 min
  5. Inside the Funnel — Beyond the lease with Jack Banask

    17 SEPT

    Inside the Funnel — Beyond the lease with Jack Banask

    In this episode of Inside the Funnel, we sit down with Jack Banask, Funnel’s Senior Director of Strategy and Operations. Jack’s role bridges product vision and operational reality, working closely with operators to simplify the most complex parts of the renter journey, from application through mid-lease. We explore how the resident experience is becoming a powerful lever for retention and efficiency—and how Funnel’s online leasing and resident portal are evolving to support that shift. In this episode, we unpack: — Why operational complexity in multifamily is often overlooked — How Funnel is connecting siloed tools into seamless, end-to-end workflows — Why self-service isn’t just a better experience—it’s a smarter path to scale — How AI and centralized data unlock new ways to cross-sell and retain residents — Where some of the most forward-thinking operators are focusing next If you enjoyed this episode you'll love Forum. Early bird registration closes November 2, 2025. Register today. https://meet.funnelleasing.com/forum-2026-registration To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    21 min
  6. Jessica Beck — The people-first path to property management 3.0

    10 SEPT

    Jessica Beck — The people-first path to property management 3.0

    Tyler Christiansen, Funnel’s CEO and host of Multifamily Unpacked, sits down with Jessica Beck, CEO of Alfred and leader of RKW Residential, and their most recent acquisition, Quarterra. Beck’s path is anything but typical. She started in consumer tech, made her way into multifamily through what was originally a services business, and now is operating a portfolio of communities at a national scale.  In this episode, you’ll learn: From startup to scale: Alfred’s journey from a home-services app to a resident-experience platform.People over gig work: Why Jessica bet on W2 employees and trust as the foundation of service.Resilience in action: Shutting down a core product during COVID and pivoting through acquisitions like RKW and Quarterra.Property management 3.0: How technology and operations must evolve together.AI + humans: Why the future of multifamily isn’t about replacement, but partnership.Leadership values: Empathy as a superpower, integrity when no one’s watching, and what renter-centric truly means.This episode blends entrepreneurial grit, operating insights, and a clear-eyed vision for where multifamily goes next. To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    39 min
  7. The Report — Acquisitions are back

    3 SEPT

    The Report — Acquisitions are back

    On this episode of Multifamily Unpacked, Alex Howe, SVP Marketing and Growth at Funnel, and Tyler Christiansen, CEO at Funnel, break down the trends reshaping the industry.  Forum registration is OPEN!  Acquisitions are back. Cortland, Morgan, Opiniion with RentGrata and RealPage to name a few.  Data blind spots: Conflicting public vs. private data on multifamily starts has made headlines, but Tyler argues the smartest operators focus on local market realities and owning their own data story. Fee transparency, why hidden “junk fees” are out, and clarity builds renter trust. AI hype vs. reality: What a 95% pilot failure rate really means, and why ROI depends on AI plus centralization. Policy watch on new legislation could reshape call centers and renter choice. To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    28 min
  8. Jason Terry — Leading with care in centralized student housing

    20 AUG

    Jason Terry — Leading with care in centralized student housing

    In this episode, Tyler Christiansen, Funnel CEO, sits down with Jason Terry from Redstone Residential—and a standout speaker from last year’s Funnel Forum panel on centralization. Jason brings a rare mix of operational insight and higher-ed heart. He talks about leadership, leasing velocity, and why building centralized teams starts with empathy—not just efficiency. His approach reflects a mindset we value deeply at Funnel: being prosocial.  His spirit of shared responsibility and team-first thinking is the throughline of Redstone’s model—and this conversation. You’ll hear: Why student housing is more than real estate—it’s a coming-of-age experienceHow Redstone is scaling care and community through centralizationWhat late-night leasing, tour guides, and lockout calls reveal about team structureThe limits of AI—and where it can really helpCareer advice that’s simple, powerful, and wildly underratedIf you care about building teams that lead with empathy and operate with purpose, this episode is a must. Connect with Jason Terry on LinkedInLearn more about Redstone ResidentialLearn more about Redstone’s partnership with Funnel.  To stay up-to-date follow Funnel on Linkedin and connect with Tyler there, too.

    39 min
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About

Our lane is multifamily tech, how it influences property management companies and ultimately renters' experience finding their next home. To be clear, we’ll stay in our lane. In this podcast, we are privileged to sit down with some of the best minds in multifamily, learn directly from them, and share what we learned with you. We’re here to have honest conversations with the leaders of this industry and the tech that defines it. Tune in to learn about what could be better, and the solutions that are changing the lives of renters, and everyone working at property management companies. No matter if you just Googled the words “multifamily industry” for the first time and stumbled onto our podcast, or are a multifamily veteran, as long as you’re curious about technology and the multifamily industry this podcast is for you. Multifamily Unpacked is presented by Funnel and hosted by Tyler Christiansen. 

Information

  • Creator
    Multifamily Unpacked
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Funnel Leasing
  • Show Website
    Multifamily Unpacked

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