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.

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.

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.

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.

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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