The Lease-Up

For property managers who want a seat at the table, it starts with thinking differently about your role and showing the value you bring beyond the day-to-day operations.

In this episode of Management Diaries, MHN’s Denile Doyle chats with Kelley Brine, president of Rose Valley Management, to explore how property managers can go beyond day-to-day operations and take on a more strategic role.

Here are a few highlights from this episode:

• How shifting from an operational mindset to an ownership mindset can influence long-term strategy (3:14)

• Why the small interactions add value, and how they reflect the kind of care and investment that owners expect (5:01)

• Why understanding the story behind the data is just as important as the numbers themselves (8:17)

• How leaders can empower their teams simply by asking the right questions (12:09)

• Why property managers should know their communities deeply and use their insights to shape smarter, more resident-focused decisions (19:26)

With tight supply and inelastic demand, manufactured housing is one of the most resilient and strategic sectors in the real state landscape, according to Kristin Millington, a Managing Director in the Manufactured Housing and Self Storage groups of Crow Holdings Capital. "I think it’s one of the most unique supply and demand stories that we see in real estate," Millington said in the July episode of the Mission Success: Women in Multifamily podcast series. "In all of the product types that I’ve touched, this is the only one where you don’t worry about the threat of new supply."

Press play for the entire conversation!

In this episode, Joe McDiffitt, Managing Director of Property Management at Coastal Ridge Real Estate, joins MHN’s Denile Doyle to share lessons from overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes student housing and traditional multifamily properties.

Operators need to have a strong framework, understand their residents and be responsive when things change, shares McDiffitt.

Managing multiple property types shouldn’t be siloed. Deploying resources where needed and being attentive to the leasing cycle of each property type can prevent teams from being overwhelmed and unprepared.

And despite key differences in these two markets, McDiffitt says they can still inform each other. Here are a few highlights from this episode:

• Key operational differences between student housing and traditional multifamily (4:40)

• How Coastal Ridge applies data from its multifamily portfolio, such as renewal conversion ratios, to improve student housing performance (8:19)

• Aligning the preleasing cycle with on-site teams to ensure smooth execution during peak periods (10:05)

• Where it makes sense to share resources across property types to improve efficiency (13:29)

• How relationships, mentorship and discipline can help you succeed in the industry (17:54)

"You need culture to create a thriving company,” is the phrase that shaped Amy Steadman’s career. While studying at UCLA, she heard one of her professors say this and it stuck with her ever since. Today, she's MidPen Housing's Chief People Officer, even though she doesn't have a multifamily background. But it's precisely that outside perspective that's helping her come up with creative solutions that contribute to MidPen’s mission. To her, HR is a strategic business partner that focuses on creating meaningful connections among the company’s nearly 700 employees spread over 12 counties in California. How does she do it? What are the principles that guide her work? Tune in to find out from this podcast hosted by MHN Senior Editor Laura Calugar!

1 in 5 Americans plan to quit their job this year, with 1 in 2 even considering switching industries, accord to a recent study from SideHustles.com. If multifamily is on their radar, they will definitely need some guidance through all of the different career paths that the industry has to offer.

To cater to the needs of those entering or currently in the residential property management industry, the National Apartment Association recently launched a career mapping tool that anyone can access, free of charge.

MHN Senior Editor Laura Calugar invited Tiana Heath, senior manager of Industry Relations within NAA, to talk about all the features this tool encompasses and how it can help professionalize the apartment industry during a turbulent time in the job market.

Campuses and student housing are no longer just a place to sleep for students, but rather the space that promotes connection and supports overall mental health. Whether it’s through fostering a sense of inclusivity, offering tailored amenities, or design, student communities are now embracing a more wellness-centric approach by integrating certain amenities and decisions that help them connect, study and feel better.

As we acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Month, I interviewed Beryl DePalma Alder, AIA associate and senior project designer at Moody Nolan, about what it means to design student housing projects with wellness in mind. Since well-being is not limited only to amenities and green spaces, Alder shared some insights on integrating natural light, biophilic design, adaptable layouts and certain colors into communities to foster connection and support students’ mental health.

Even the smallest architectural or design decisions can make or break an environment. If done right, thoughtful design creates a sense of belonging and reduces stress. “Design is preventive care,” believes Alder and it can help reduce burdens by incorporating wellness into the daily lives of students.

Here’s what we talked about:

• What is purposeful design? (1:45)
• Elements that can make or break thoughtful design (03:20)
• A closer look at Moody Nolan’s work (07:02)
• How can wellness-focused design make a difference? (10:42)
• What’s in and what’s out for thoughtful design (13:30)
• Incorporating nature and flexibility into student housing (15:12)
• Amenities that shine (18:10)
• More listening, less designing (22:23)

In this episode, NAA Vice President of Meetings and Expositions Elizabeth Ambacher joins MHN’s Denile Doyle to preview Apartmentalize 2025, which kicks off on June 11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

From smart networking tips to can’t-miss programming to strategies for navigating a conference of this scale, this episode is your guide to planning your experience and getting more out of Apartmentalize, whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular attendee.

Here are a few highlights from this episode:

• What Apartmentalize is all about and its purpose (2:08)

• Navigating the conference as a first-time attendee (3:26)

• How to break out of your bubble and network with intention (7:25)

• Creative session formats that go beyond the standard panel (12:05)

• The professional impact of Apartmentalize on attendees (14:47)

Back in the '90s, Jessica Melendez was studying finance at the University of Miami. At one point, she decided to take an art class, which immediately sparked an interest in real estate.

“What really motivated me is not seeing many women in the development world at that time,” Melendez said in the May episode of the Mission Success: Women in Multifamily podcast series.  

Today, she is the senior vice president of development at Related Group, a company with a 40-year track record. It was founded by Jorge Perez, often dubbed “the condo king of South Florida.”

Tune in for a conversation about leveraging relationships and pushing deals forward in one of the hottest multifamily markets in the country.

Although it recently showed some cooling off and is influenced by the volatile economic environment, student housing remains a hotspot for investors. Tier 1 institutions have kept their strong fundamentals, including high preleasing rates, despite an overall decrease in rent growth. Several headwinds, such as construction slowdown and affordability, still pose challenges in the sector, but student housing remains high on investor appetite and has shown resilience in the face of broader multifamily volatility.

In this episode of Student Housing Unlocked, Coastal Ridge’s Co-Founder and & Co-CEO Patrick McBride joins me as we discuss the company’s history from a localized business to a national-scale company that is now present in over 50 markets, mostly focused on institutions in high-growth markets.

Investment success largely hinges on experience, which can significantly influence your overall strategy. McBride offers an overall look at investors’ appetite in today’s climate and shares the lessons that helped him scale the business, along with early-stage risks and affordability pressures. How did three college roommates go from investing in a single student asset to an almost $5.1 billion platform? McBride explains.

Here’s what we touched on:

• From college roommates to business partners (01:41)
• No shortage of early challenges in student housing (03:52)
• Mitigating risks and redefining investment strategies (05:48)
• Tier 1 markets remain the main hotspot (06:41)
• Is the student housing market cooling? (08:31)
• Where can you find opportunities in the sector? (09:54)
• How's investor appetite in student housing? (11:03)
• A value-add strategy is the go-to (12:00)
• Coastal Ridge's management approach to resident retention and satisfaction (14:11)
• Affordability remains one of the top concerns (16:45)

What does it take to build a purpose-driven, lasting career inmultifamily?

In this episode, John Carlson, CEO of Mark-Taylor Cos., joins MHN’s Denile Doyle to discuss what inspires someone to stay and grow in multifamily property management over the long term.

Carlson’s journey—from resident to CEO—is rooted in what he calls a “growth mindset.”

He shares how a supportive company culture and leaders who invest in their teams are essential for long-term success. It all begins with onboarding, he says, which presents the first opportunity to create an environment that supports growth.

Here are a few highlights from this episode:

• How onboarding sets the stage for long-term career growth (6:53)
• The value of both accidental and intentional mentorship—and why expanding your network matters (11:40)
• The role leaders play in accelerating employee growth and nurturing potential (16:44)
• Why explaining the “why” and “how” is critical to developing a strong, engaged workforce (18:24)
• Carlson’s leadership philosophy and how it can elevate an entire organization (21:41)