Kylan Yarbrough began his journey in multifamily real estate at just 17 years old. By 19, he had already advanced to regional property manager, and today he brings an owner-operator mindset to his 195 multifamily units. With a background rooted in ground-level operations and a passion for improving communities, Kylan is also developing property management software to bridge the communication gap between owners and operators.

 

 

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Key Takeaways

• How starting as a porter gave Kylan deep insight into every layer of multifamily operations

• Why owner-mindset thinking from day one accelerated his growth

• Common disconnects between owners and property management teams

• The importance of training and internal growth within property management companies

• How his new software aims to proactively flag performance issues before they become major problems

 

 

Topics

From Porter to Owner

• Kylan started in property management as a porter, cleaning and handling on-site tasks

• He quickly moved through roles by intentionally learning every position and system

• His approach was always guided by an owner’s mindset, even in junior roles

Owner vs. Property Manager Mindsets

• Many PMs lack ownership-level insight into KPIs, NOI, and long-term strategy

• Owners can benefit from ensuring their managers are trained to think like operators

• Proper onboarding and ongoing education within PM companies reduces turnover and improves resident experience

Building a Property Management Software

• Kylan is developing a tool focused on owner alerts, resolution pathways, and red flags

• The platform bridges the gap between raw data and actionable, ownership-specific insights

• It includes engagement scoring and automation to improve communication and oversight

Improving Team and Tenant Retention

• High staff turnover damages resident trust and community stability

• Owners should evaluate management companies based on their support structures for staff development

• Aligning incentives and visibility helps everyone perform with clarity and purpose

 

 

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Round of Insights

Failure that set Kylan up for success: Getting fired from a PM job for trying to underwrite a deal as a potential buyer motivated Kylan to fully transition to ownership, ultimately connecting him with key mentors.

Digital or mobile resource: Crexi – great for scanning deals quickly and connecting with brokers.

Book recommendation: Rich Dad Poor Dad – opened his eyes to financial expansion and real estate investing.

Daily habit that helps stay focused: Showing up consistently, even without motivation—plus micro workouts to reset energy.

#1 Insight for being an owner-operator: Have fun, stay growth-focused, and build genuine communities—not just portfolios.

Favorite restaurant in Dallas, TX: Shell Shack.

 

 

Next Steps

• Connect with Kylan via Instagram: @kylanmultikeys

• Email: [email protected]

 

 

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