What Makes Great Access Control

Having the latest in entryway technology means more than just letting residents into your building. An efficient and effective access control system encompasses multiple features to elevate and empower a multifamily or student living property. Residents not only need access to the main entrance of their building, but also to other access points, such as garages and their amenities areas.

Features such as self-guided touring have also become involved in creating effective access control systems. Pot

ential residents can tour a new property at their own pace, as well as have more flexibility in choosing when they can tour. Property managers benefit from this feature, as they can still have potential residents do tours of their property with social distancing in respect to COVID-19.

A great access control system also protects the resident’s data and privacy. A resident should be assured that their personal information won’t be leaked or hacked into, and that the property manager protects their data at all times. If needed, a resident can also be assured that they can have time-stamped images or videos of someone using their entryway system, provided that it follows the privacy policy of the building. An access control system should be compliant of state and federal rules, while also giving comfort to the resident that safety and privacy is of the upmost priority.

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Source: Latch, “Access Control and the Future of Smart Buildings”

Data and Privacy in a Smart Community

More and more products, such as Alexa and Google Voice, have become normalized in the market and branded as products that help consumers with their daily home tasks. According to TechCrunch, voice assistant use will triple to eight billion by 2023.One-third of current renters use these smart systems in their current living space, and some refuse to rent an apartment or multifamily property that doesn’t possess any smart home features.

With the rise of smart home features has also brought along the rise of concerns for data breaches and privacy. Renters want to know that transactions, such as online rental payments, are safe and won’t take important and personal information. Renters also want assurance that there won’t be data breaches or hackers able to find personal information while handling online transactions as well.

It’s important for property managers to consider an online system that protects their residents’ privacy while also offering online options, like rental payments or lease signings on the web, that make both residents and property manager’s lives easier. It is also important that property managers research and understand their current smart home features, so that they know the current privacy policies as well as how to elevate their residents’ current living spaces.

Vacancy Trends in 2022

With the COVID-19 pandemic entering its third year, trends are changing within the real estate and leasing industries. The environments in which people live, work, and learn have changed drastically with the implementation of working or earning a degree online at home. Students and the workforce alike realize the change to remote work, whether permanently or with a hybrid setting, results in having to make big decisions on their living space. The current workforce also considers factors such as location, cost of rent, and how much storage area they’ll need as they prepare to make their next big move.

With moving trends come trends in proptech as well. More and more residents look for flexibility and options to tour apartments during the pandemic. Property managers also must look for options to give residents when it comes to signing leases and paying rent either in-person or online as well. With 2022 around the corner, a rising trend for filling vacant apartments is for potential renters and current renters to schedule amenity reservations and viewing vacant apartments online at their own schedule. New innovations in proptech allow current residents to schedule amenities such as pools or gyms to use whenever they need without having to worry about double booking or sharing amenity space if that is not their preference. Potential residents can go online to view vacancy lists and choose whether to tour potential living spaces online or in-person.

How Invictus Fits In

Invictus stays on top of proptech trends by offering the latest innovations for current and potential residents. Current residents with Invictus can use the amenity reservations tool to book patios, pools, or gyms for whatever they need without the worry of double booking or sharing amenity space. Potential residents can also use Invictus by viewing vacant apartments with the Invictus kiosk, and can also use the self-guiding tour option to abide with social distancing guidelines and view potential residencies that aligns with their work and daily schedule. Invictus strives to elevate the resident community and continue to be innovative with the proptech industry.

How Virtual Touring is Becoming the Norm

The appeal for 3D or virtual tours had been growing for renters since 2018. 3D and virtual tours give potential renters the option to view a possible living space without having to travel or take time out of their busy days for an in-person tour. In 2020, the preference for 3D and virtual touring due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent study by Zillow, by the fall of 2020, sixty-four percent of renters agreed somewhat or completely that a 3D tour gave them a better feel for a potential living space than static photos. Fifty-six percent stated they wished more listings would have 3D tour options, while sixty-one percent expressed agreement that it would be easier for them to unlock properties with their phone for a tour on their own time.

Virtual and 3D touring offers the chance for renters to view a new living space from the comfort of their current homes. It gives more power to the resident, as they can view multiple virtual and 3D tours in one day instead of having to use time to commute to multifamily and apartment properties for in-person tours. Property managers also benefit from virtual and 3D touring, as they have more time throughout their work day for other tasks while potential residents can tour on their own time. Having 3D and virtual tours in place also shows that property managers emphasize the importance of integrating the newest technology on their properties and options for people to continue social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Invictus Fits In

Invictus allows potential residents to view vacant spaces through its kiosk. Property managers also have the option to send touring residents a map to navigate their multifamily and apartment properties, so that residents can tour at their own pace and time. In-person interaction is decreased to protect against COVID-19, and renters can continue to have the flexibility of choosing when they want to tour and have more agency in how to navigate their new living space.

Two Ways to Close the Digital Gap for Renters

According to a new study published by Zillow, the percentage of renters who expressed a preference for online payment skyrocketed from spring 2018 to summer 2021. By the fall of 2020, sixty-nine percent of renters surveyed stated they preferred electronic payments. Electronic payments are not the only digital renting aspect becoming more popular, as the use of tools for signing rental leases has also seen substantial gains in 2021. Thirty-five percent of renters currently sign leases online, which is a 5-point increase from 2020.

What this tells property managers and investors is that digital transactions are becoming the norm in renting a living space. And the two ways of doing so is implementing electronic payments for rent and other fees, as well as giving residents the option to sign leases electronically. These two options give residents more flexibility in maintaining their living space needs, as they can sign and pay for their living space from the comfort of their own home. And while it’s important to integrate these digital options, property managers should continue to offer in-person interactions to their residents in order to keep their residencies as inclusive as possible.

How Invictus Fits In

Invictus partners with Heartland payment processing so that residents have the option to complete rental payments through an online transaction. Through our mobile app, residents can view and pay all fees from wherever they are. The Invictus kiosks also offer potential residents the opportunity to view vacancies in whatever property they are interesting in renting that includes the Invictus technology. With Invictus, residents can solve all their needs via the mobile app from any location, as well as have the opportunity to change their living space and enhance their resident experience.

Embracing Virtual Leasing Assistants

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more apartment property companies are embracing industry technology. Innovations that would have trended in the next ten years are now becoming prominent today, including smart-home technology. Companies such as Amazon are now gearing products towards residents on the go, from amenity reservations on mobile apps to delivering groceries. And virtual leasing assistants are no exception to the growing trend of technology.

Virtual leasing assistants offer time and cost savings for property managers. Property managers no longer have to handle mundane tasks such as providing rent rates or setting up appointments for potential residents. This also benefits the potential renter, as they have more opportunity to schedule tours of apartment properties on their own time, giving them more flexibility.

How Invictus Fits In

The Invictus kiosks include the opportunity for property managers to increase occupancy with virtual leasing assistant. Potential residents have the option to view apartment vacancies 24/7 and inquire about rental applications. This feature helps property managers save time by no longer having to perform mundane tasks such as setting up touring appointments or giving rent rates. Potential residents can access renting information and self-guided tours on their terms, thus making them feel empowered in their community when having the opportunity to choose a new living space independent of a property manager’s schedule.

Two Ways Property Technology Benefits the Workplace

The main purpose of property technology is to simplify the way real estate businesses manage, sell, and rent properties. Although the real estate market has been slow in accepting technological and proptech trends, the proptech industry proved its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. With less in-person interaction and physical space, proptech tools can help property managers digitize the renting or selling process and make the most of their limited space. The top two benefits of property technology in the workplace include:

  • Reduced physical contact: In an effort to decrease the spread of germs, proptech solutions such as facial recognition and smartphone integration are now used for entryway systems instead of keys or fobs.
  • Space occupancy simplified: People are now finding that there is less space available as they return to the workplace. Through proptech, property managers can digitize and make the most of their space through a digital access system that allows residents to book apartment amenities to ensure their availability.

How Invictus Benefits the Workplace:

Invictus empowers the entryway system and works to modernize the entryway experience. Both residents and property managers are able to access entryway points through our Invictus mobile app, thus reducing physical contact and eliminating the use of keys and fobs. The Invictus mobile app also allows residents to reserve spaces such as an office room in their apartment or multifamily property. This answers the need for making the most of a limited space and ensuring all residents can use all apartment amenities during the time they see fit. With Invictus, both property managers and residents can enjoy a digitized process of renting needed spaces and making the most of a reduced space.

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Service and Technology Wins in Apartment Amenities

Modern apartments now include amenities from communal treehouses to sky terraces with firepits. While this may seem over the top, it shows a shift in what residents and developers look for in high-rise living. Adding that infusion of technology in a modern apartment can separate it from its competitors. Developers are beginning to realize that their new buildings need to be updated with the latest technology and amenities, and tech-enabled concierges and in-building messaging are drawing the eye of developers. The push for digital platforms that connect residents within their community is another driving demand, and will continue to be the force that persuades younger residents to continue living in modern, high-end residential buildings.

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Connectivity is Contactless

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed our view on contactless technology. Residents are more conscious of what surfaces they touch and the potential spread of germs and bacteria, and more property managers are asking for a solution to ensure the health and safety of their community. The answer? Incorporating more contactless technology in a business strategy

The benefits of contactless technology include:

  • Aid with operational efficiency
  • Lowering utility expenses by automating through a singular dashboard or app
  • Utilization of technology that can recognize and authenticate a users face (or hand)
  • Prevention of germs as less residents touch surfaces such as common area doors

Combining with platforms such as Openpath can provide a community with hands-free living. It is important for companies to find ways to incorporate contactless technology to help spread infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and future virus surges.

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