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Top 10 Findings: Voice of the Property Manager report by MRI Software

MRI Software is a national reseller partner for Propic. It released a critically important report in early 2022 called 'The Voice of the Property Manager' that triggered many important conversations, and critically, calls for industry change. Propic is passionate about a digital transformation in the property industry that releases people from archaic, soul-destroying repetitive tasks that can be automated into human-centric work that raises the profession back to being a people-first service industry that drives aspirational employment, and national economic growth.


Below is a summary of the Top 10 Findings of the landmark Voice of the Property Manager report for your easy reference, and we've added some of our insights from pioneering agencies using AI and proptech as to their experience:


1. Most Want to Close the Customer Experience Gap

Infographic showing 59% of property management agencies are prioritising better ways to improve landlord satisfaction while 43% are priorising tenant services
Source: MRI Software Australia 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

Propic customer Leah Jay Real Estate specialises in property management.

The 28-year strong agency receives about 15,000 inquiries per month. Using Propic Enliven AI technology 99.89% of those are now answered without any human interaction, including sending tenancy applications. The Leah Jay team went from 1,200 emails in their inbox to zero while providing 24/7 accessibility and responsiveness to clients.

“One of the great things about Propic, or having AI in our business, is it really operates like a silent employee. We are really, totally 100% hands off. It just operates in the background, providing that consistent service to our clients 24/7.” Cassandra Lantry, General Manager Leah Jay Real Estate

2. The Busyness Factor
31% of professionals with 200+ properties on their rent rolls report being "far too busy".
Infographic showing 16% of property managers say their role is far too busy with 31% of those managing rent rolls with more than 200 properties.
Source: MRI Software Voice of the Property Manager Report 2021 Edition

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

Propic research shows most property management tasks can be automated. Which means workload becomes more manageable, and professionals can focus on human-centric work that drives revenue, builds relationship, and enhances the investment of landlords and owners, and the experience of tenants. Our pioneering agency owners report being able to double and triple their rent-roll portfolio sizes with no change in headcount.

"Automation has allowed the [Leah Jay] team to be able to take on extra additional tasks, increase efficiency, and feel like they are actually kicking goals. Instead of answering ongoing thousands of inquiries we can actually dedicate more time to prospective tenants and their individual needs." - Rebecca Eveleigh, Leasing Manager, Leah Jay Real Estate


3. Aggressive or Abusive Landlords or Tenants

Infographic showing 60% of property managers say the biggest challenge of the job is dealing with aggressive or abusive landlords or tenants
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

Sentiment analysis is a feature of intelligent proptech we are big fans of at Propic. Its ability to detect an angry tone of voice or abusive language means your people are protected from front-line abuse via any digital channels, and the vast majority of issues can be resolved by your digital concierge, any time of day or night. Imagine how much a heads-up would minimise the trauma we see reported in disturbing figures like these 👆🏻 among 60% of our property managers. And principals, it's time to listen and believe your people.


"COVID definitely created a lot of challenging times and situations for owners, tenants and perspective tenants. Now if they have a complaint or an issue, Propic directs them to the right place so it's not lost in among emails. They get automatically directed to the right person who can then address and discuss that concern with them." - Rebecca Eveleigh, Leasing Manager, Leah Jay


4. They need #proptech tools
Infographic showing 52% of property management offices have changed software in the past two years. Only 34% says they have the tools they need to do their job properly.
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

Software upgrades every 2-5 years may have been enough in the past. But look around. When's the last time you paid in cash at the shops? When's the last time you watched a DVD? When's the last time you sent a fax? Posted a letter? Stood in line at a bank to deposit rent payments? The pace of change is unprecedented, and cloud-based PropTech is not a thing of the future anymore. It's now. This new generation of professionals will give you more if you give them what they need. And they need the right proptech tools. ASAP.


“Those businesses that were tech-enabled before COVID are now taking an awful lot of market share away from mainstream [agency] businesses”. - Kylie Davis, proptech analyst, speaker + author of Voice of the Property Manager as reported in REB


5. Most don't feel they have the right training
Infographic saying 34% of property managers believe they have been given the training they need.
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

6. Hybrid hopes
Infographic by MRI Software showing 39% of property managers intend to work from home at least one day a week.
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

7. Hopes dashed: most aren't allowed to work from home 🤷🏻‍♀️

8. The Great (RE)signation
Infographic from MRI Software showing 23% of property managers intend to leave the industry.
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition


9. Mental Health Struggles
Infographic by MRI Software showing 53% of property managers struggle with mental health and switching off after work.
Source: MRI Software Australia, 'Voice of the Property Manager' Report, 2021 Edition

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

This finding 👆🏻is one that hurt us the most to read, and gives us the most hope at Propic too: AI technology can and should relieve so much of this burden for your people. This incisive but very confronting article by news.com.au into some of the trauma and abuse behind these numbers is a difficult but necessary read. Change is urgent.

"There's more joy in my job now that everything's more automated with Propic." - Rebecca Eveleigh, Leasing Manager, Leah Jay

10. Career growth optimism slipping

👀 WHAT WE SEE in Pioneering RE(al) Life

Propic genuinely restores hope and professional positivity in property managers.


"I think the future is very bright for real estate and property managers. " - Rebecca Eveleigh, Leasing Manager for Leah Jay
"What I'm loving about the property management industry right now is the way it is evolving and innovating. With technology, specifically Enliven, we're able to connect with our clients in a much more seamless capacity. - Cathie Crampton, Head of Property Management, Place Estate Agents


Methodology

The Voice of the Property Manager 2021 Report surveyed 773 respondents from across the property management industry to identify benchmarks around key employment issues, satisfaction levels and priorities. It was conducted late 2021.

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