Lessons From IMN: What Tech Is Doing (And Not Doing Yet) For Property Managers

At the 6th Annual Single Family Rental Property Management, Operations, and AI Forum, we sat down with Michael Fisher, Head of Partnerships at PMI (Property Management, Inc). Michael shared his perspective on the intersection of AI, technology, and the evolving landscape of property management. Here are four key insights he provided that shed light on the future of the industry.

‍

1. What Has He Learned About AI at This Show?

Michael was enthusiastic about AI’s potential in property management. One standout observation was how AI can help property managers deliver more value with less manpower.

"Those who jump on board and make AI part of their service offering will be miles ahead,"

Michael said. He emphasized that early adopters would have a competitive edge, providing better services without the traditional reliance on human labor. By using AI to streamline operations, property managers can scale efficiently and stay competitive.

2. What Problems Is He Solving with Technology?

Michael pointed out that AI’s ability to “coordinate people and tasks more effectively” is significantly improving customer service and operational efficiency.

He sees AI assisting with task prioritization—automatically categorizing maintenance requests based on urgency and routing them to the appropriate department. This increased efficiency in handling routine operations is allowing property managers to focus on enhancing the resident and owner experience, an area that often suffers when day-to-day tasks become overwhelming.

3. What Problems Does He Think Technology Will Soon Solve?

Looking ahead, the biggest challenges in property management stem from scaling across various stages of business growth—from managing 150 units to thousands.

He sees AI as a solution to this scalability issue: “AI can start to tell us based on data when we should hire the next person, how we should use specific partners at different stages, and even predict operational needs,” he explained. AI helps by processing data and making recommendations that support growth at every stage 

4. How Is the Property Management Business Evolving?

Michael foresees a shift in property management away from mere task management and toward more sophisticated client relationship management, particularly on the owner side.

He stressed the importance of "communicating value"—ensuring that property owners know the value of the services provided. “If you do things in your business that add value but don’t communicate them, it’s like they never happened,” he noted. AI can play a key role here by automating updates to clients, ensuring they’re kept in the loop every step of the way.

As the economy shifts, Michael sees property managers competing not just against other companies, but against consumers’ overall spending priorities. With inflation and economic challenges, owners are choosing between “going on vacation or hiring a property manager.” To win that battle, property managers will need to clearly demonstrate the value they bring—something technology can help with by offering better communication, insights, and service delivery.

Conclusion: Technology as a Catalyst for the Future of Property Management

Michael’s insights underscore a broader trend: technology, especially AI, is set to play a pivotal role in the evolution of property management. From solving scalability issues to improving communication and service, the property managers who embrace these tools early will be the ones who lead the industry forward.‍

‍
The future of property management lies in leveraging AI not just to automate tasks, but to enhance relationships with owners and tenants. By providing real-time insights and improved communication, AI will help property managers create a service experience that adds value at every touchpoint.

‍