Multifamily Tech Gurus

Kerry W. Kirby

The Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series brings you the latest real-world experiences of PropTech innovator Kerry W. Kirby and technologist James W. Lancaster. Kerry and Jimmy live on the technology side of the multifamily housing industry. Kerry has built an award-winning company, 365 Connect, the multifamily industry's leading innovator in AI-driven marketing, leasing, and resident engagement platforms, that he founded over two decades ago, and Jimmy leads product development at the company. Together, they are on the frontline of managing their team of developers, customers, and all the craziness in-between.

  1. 6D AGO

    Vendor Bender: The Margin Risk of Downstream Providers

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they unpack a growing but often overlooked risk in modern proptech: what happens when you bundle third-party services into your product—but don't control the economics behind them. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy explore the risk that comes with reselling or embedding services you don't fully control. From unexpected cost increases to contract misalignment and the challenge of passing those changes through to customers, they break down how quickly profitability can erode—and why most Proptech companies don't see it coming until it's too late. They discuss how dependency on third-party providers can shift power away from the product owner, creating a disconnect between what's sold and what's sustainable. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "The moment you bundle someone else's service into your product, you don't just inherit the functionality—you inherit their pricing, their decisions, and their risk. Every change they make—whether it's cost increases, service shifts, or policy changes—flows directly into your business and impacts your customer. And if you don't control those variables, you're not protecting your margin—you're exposing it. Because at that point, you're not just selling a solution—you're carrying the financial consequences of decisions you don't make." Resources: Uniquely curated integrations built for simplifying data.

    23 min

  2. MAY 14

    Expectation Inflation: Why Renters Expect More Than Ever

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they explore a powerful shift reshaping the renter experience and why the expectations of today's renters are no longer set by the apartment industry, as they are being shaped by the best digital experiences in everyday life, redefining what convenience, speed, and service truly mean. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy break down how modern renters no longer compare communities to other apartment properties—they compare them to the seamless, on-demand experiences delivered by companies like Amazon and Uber. From instant responses and transparent pricing to real-time updates and frictionless transactions, these digital-first platforms have redefined what good service looks like—and those expectations are now being carried directly into the renting experience. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "Expectation inflation isn't raising the bar—it's removing it. Renters now expect every experience to be seamless, instant, and intuitive, regardless of industry. What used to feel exceptional is now simply expected, and anything less creates friction. The question isn't whether we can meet that standard—it's whether we're willing to redesign how we operate to reach it." Resources: The Future of Multifamily Operating Models

    22 min

  3. MAY 7

    Staff Turnover in Multifamily: Rethinking the Onsite Experience

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they take on one of the most persistent challenges in the industry: staff turnover at the property level—and why fixing it requires more than just hiring faster, it's a signal that the onsite experience itself needs to be rethought. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy explore the reality of today's onsite roles, where leasing professionals and community managers are expected to juggle marketing, lead response, tours, applications, resident communication, and administrative tasks—often across disconnected systems and under constant pressure to perform. The result isn't just burnout—it's inconsistency, frustration, and a revolving door of talent that impacts both operations and the resident experience. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "The future of multifamily won't be defined by how many people we hire—but by how well we support the people we have. When we rethink the onsite experience, we don't just reduce turnover; we unlock the full potential of the teams that power our communities. That means giving them better tools, clearer processes, and the structure needed to succeed in an increasingly complex environment. When you remove friction and replace it with support, you don't just retain talent—you elevate performance." Resources: Driving transformation to bridge gaps and eliminate tasks.

    25 min

  4. APR 30

    The Risk and Reality of Digital Accessibility in Multifamily Housing

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they unpack the growing risks and hard truths surrounding digital accessibility in multifamily housing. What many operators assume is "compliant" often fails under real-world scrutiny—exposing communities to legal risk, reputational damage, and missed opportunities to serve all renters equally. In this episode, they separate perception from reality, breaking down why overlays fall short, what true WCAG compliance requires, and how accessibility must be engineered directly into websites, applications, chatbots, and resident-facing systems. They also explore how automation and modern development practices are reshaping compliance—transforming it from a reactive checklist into a built-in operational safeguard. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "Accessibility isn't a feature you add—it's a standard you build to. In today's environment, if compliance isn't engineered into your platform from the start, you're not just behind—you're exposed. Too many organizations still treat accessibility as an afterthought, layering on quick fixes instead of addressing the foundation. But compliance doesn't live in patches—it lives in the architecture, in the code, and in every interaction a user has with your digital experience." Resources: Expand the access of your digital services to a wider audience.

    30 min

  5. APR 23

    The New Leasing Engine: Combining Visibility, Experience, and Speed

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they explore how organic social, AI-driven search visibility, and high-performance websites work together with streamlined flows and real-time leasing tools to create an "everywhere" effect—capturing attention, removing friction, and moving prospects from discovery to signed lease without hesitation. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy break down why visibility and speed must operate as a single system to win in today's leasing environment. They examine how disconnected marketing efforts and slow leasing processes create hidden drop-off points that cost communities real leases. Drawing from real-world examples, they reveal how aligning discovery channels with frictionless website experiences and instant leasing tools creates a continuous path forward to convert prospects into residents. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "Leasing has evolved into a connected system—where visibility, experience, and execution all move together. If a prospect can find you instantly, navigate effortlessly, and lease without delay, you don't just compete—you convert. The communities that win today aren't just present everywhere—they're engineered to perform at every step, turning attention into action and interest into signed leases with speed and precision." Resources: Powering Search to Sofa Solutions for Today's Renters

    29 min

  6. APR 16

    Controlling The Data Flow: The Power Shift of Owning Your Integrations

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they unpack one of the most critical drivers of performance in modern property operations: control of your data flow. In today's multifamily tech stack, data moves across multiple systems—but operators often don't control how it flows; instead, fragmented vendor-controlled integrations often do. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy explore the power shift that occurs when operators take ownership of their integrations. They break down how controlling data pipelines unlocks real-time visibility, improves accuracy across marketing and leasing workflows, and enables smarter, faster decision-making. From eliminating data silos to reducing dependency on third-party constraints, the conversation highlights why an integration strategy has become just as important as the systems themselves. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "The systems don't matter if you don't control how they connect. The real power isn't in the software—it's in the flow of data between it. When integrations are fragmented, your visibility is limited, your decisions are delayed, and your operations become reactive. But when you own the way data moves across your ecosystem, everything changes—workflows become seamless, and your digital service becomes more robust. In today's environment, controlling your data flow isn't just a technical advantage—it's a competitive one." Resources: Uniquely curated integrations built for simplifying data.

    22 min

  7. APR 9

    AI-Generated Software: The Hidden Risk Nobody Talks About

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they take a closer look at one of the fastest-growing trends in technology—and one of its least discussed consequences: the hidden risks of AI-generated software. Behind the excitement of "10-minute apps" and autonomous coding lies a much more complex reality, and writing code is only the beginning. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy unpack the growing gap between AI-assisted development and enterprise-grade software engineering. They explore the risks of security vulnerabilities, poorly structured architecture, and compliance exposure that can arise when AI-generated code moves into production without experienced technical oversight. Most importantly, they tackle the critical question few are asking: when AI writes the software, who ultimately owns the responsibility if something goes wrong? Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "AI can generate code in seconds—but responsibility for that code doesn't disappear. Speed may be automated, but accountability never is. Just because a machine can assemble an application quickly doesn't mean the risks disappear. Every line of code still carries implications for security, performance, privacy, and reliability. When that software touches real users, real data, or real transactions, someone ultimately must stand behind it. AI may accelerate development, but the duty to review, secure, and validate that code still belongs to those deploying it." Resources: Tomorrow's Intelligence Built for Today's Renters

    22 min

  8. APR 2

    Approval to Obligation: The Art of Securing Pre-Lease Payments

    Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they explore one of the most overlooked and operationally sensitive moments in the renter journey: the window between application approval and lease execution. This is the space where intent must become commitment, and where operators must secure deposits, administrative fees, and financial obligations before the ink hits the lease. In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy break down the mechanics behind securing pre-lease payments the right way. When an applicant is approved, the clock starts ticking. Without a structured process to collect deposits and administrative fees promptly—and with proper disclosures—operators risk last-minute cancellations, inventory disruption, and unnecessary vacancy loss. They discuss how clear timelines, transparent fee communication, and digitally executed acknowledgments turn verbal intent into enforceable commitment. Kerry and Jimmy's Words of Wisdom: "The gap between approval and lease is where revenue quietly slips away. Deposits and admin fees aren't just payments—they're proof of intent. When structured properly, they transform a verbal yes into a financial commitment, protecting occupancy, stabilizing projections, and reducing last-minute fallout. In today's environment, securing those fees isn't about collecting money—it's about establishing obligation and ensuring that approval actually converts into an executed lease." Resources: Move Approved Applicants to Signature Ready Leases Instantly

    19 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series brings you the latest real-world experiences of PropTech innovator Kerry W. Kirby and technologist James W. Lancaster. Kerry and Jimmy live on the technology side of the multifamily housing industry. Kerry has built an award-winning company, 365 Connect, the multifamily industry's leading innovator in AI-driven marketing, leasing, and resident engagement platforms, that he founded over two decades ago, and Jimmy leads product development at the company. Together, they are on the frontline of managing their team of developers, customers, and all the craziness in-between.

Information

  • Creator
    Kerry W. Kirby
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Multifamily Tech Gurus