IREM: From the Front Lines

In this episode, Ashkán Zandieh from CRETI, the Center for Real Estate Technology & Innovation, joins us to explore how investor-led, operations-first proptech is driving measurable NOI, as well as about where capital is flowing—electrification, fintech infrastructure, and applied AI—and the KPIs and guardrails property managers need to evaluate real ROI. To learn more about CRETI, visit creti.org. 

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It will be open until January 16th. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts—we really appreciate it!

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this episode, Joe Consolo, Industry Principal at Yardi, joins us to discuss how AI agents are transforming the world of property management. We’ll dive into the capabilities of Yardi’s AI platform, Virtuoso, and explore how it’s helping operators work smarter and faster. To learn more about Yardi, visit yardi.com. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

Budget season can feel like forecasting in a fog, especially when repair costs spike, insurance jumps or occupancy shifts. Today we're clearing the air with a practical on-the-ground playbook for multifamily operators. Today we are joined by Sarah Wicklein, Senior Regional Director with OMNIA Partners. Sarah helps operators translate T-12s, rent rolls and market realities into budgets that actually hold up without derailing on-site teams 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

Today we're talking about something many real estate owners and operators never really dig into—the true cost of their janitorial services contract. When you get that monthly invoice from your cleaning contractor, you probably see one lump sum, but hidden inside that number is not just the cost of labor, but also the cleaning products—paper, liners, chemicals—and here's the kicker: those products are often marked up, sometimes significantly. So the question is, are you paying more than you should for the basics that keep your buildings running? And if so, what can you do about it? In this episode, we'll uncover how unbundling your janitorial supplies from your service contract can save you money, improve transparency, and give you more control. Joining me today is Maura Wilson, Senior Regional Director at OMNIA Partners. Maura helps property teams standardize specs, unbundle inflated supply costs, and leverage national pricing without sacrificing quality. She’ll walk us through exactly how to turn hidden markups into real margin. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this episode, IREM Foundation’s Executive Director, Rebecca O’Brien talks to Russ Morningstar from Jackson Control and Giuls Kunkel from BGO to discuss the IREM Jackson Control Sustainability Awards and what they reveal about the future of energy, automation, and ESG performance. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this special bonus episode, Kimberly Vasseur ARM®, Learning and Development Manager at Jefferson Apartment Group and member of the IREM Technology Advisory Council, joins us to unpack the findings from the 2025 IREM & AppFolio AI Survey Report. AppFolio is a Gallery Level Industry Partner and this report was made possible thanks to their support through their 2025 Industry Partnership. We dive into how AI is streamlining property management tasks—from reputation management to financial reporting—and why its impact on employee experience remains complex. Kimberly also shares her perspective on the leadership strategies, training gaps, and workflow redesigns needed to unlock AI’s full potential across the industry. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this episode, Ashkán Zandieh from CRETI, the Center for Real Estate Technology & Innovation, joins us to talk about how misaligned interests between owners, managers, and lenders—known as the principal–agent problem—impact real estate. We also explore how technology, from AI-enabled property management platforms to real-time financial reporting tools, is reshaping those dynamics. To learn more about CRETI, visit creti.org. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this episode, Natalie Goodman, Founder and CEO of IncentiFind, talks to us about how her company helps property owners and managers uncover hidden green incentives, adapt to shifting federal policies, and drive sustainability through cost savings and innovative technology. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this special bonus episode of From the Front Lines, Jeffrey Lapin CPM®, ARM® , joins us to recognize the start of National Preparedness Month and talk to us about preparing for disaster in real estate management. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.

In this episode, IREM Foundation’s Senior Development Manager, Dana Gudel, talks to Maria Jordan, Janie Vasques, and Ed Peguero about the impact of IREM Foundation scholarships on IREM members’ careers. 

Find knowledge for the dynamic world of real estate management at irem.org.