đź’¬ The NOLA Van Sessions
(And the dangerous trap of building your own software.)
My co-founder Chuck, our Head of Engineering Oskar, and I spent the much of the last week road-tripping from Florida to New Orleans for the Broker/Owner conference.
It felt like we were 22 again.
Oskar actually is 23. But between his AI-native engineering skills, his ability to rap “Ice Ice Baby” start to finish, and his encyclopedic knowledge of American movies, the Australian is definitely an old soul.
When we got to NOLA, we parked the mobile podcast studio van at our Airbnb and got to work. We interviewed ~10 software CEOs and industry leaders right there in the garage of our New Orleans Airbnb.
Aside from an ironic lesson on carbon monoxide poisoning and nearly killing Ray Hespen (I’m kidding, but you will have to watch the episode for the context), the lineup of conversations was incredible.
After hours of off-the-record discussions with the people building the infrastructure of this industry, three things are absolutely clear.
(1) The Golden Era is Here
This is a full AI takeover. We are entering a golden era for property managers. The operators who move out of the planning phase and into execution are going to make a lot of money. The efficiency gains are no longer hypothetical.
(2) The Vibecoding Trap
You all know I'm a huge fan of vibecoding. But... there is a dangerous trend emerging. PMs who try to do too much “vibecoding” themselves are going to end up accidentally building software companies. If you try to build everything yourself, you will amass massive tech debt. You will end up having to hire a CTO and engineers. You will completely defeat the efficiency AI was supposed to provide for your operation. Let the technologists build the tech (at least the hard problems). You focus on being an elite property manager.
(3) Acquisitions Are Firing Back Up in a Big Way
M&A is back, and the momentum is building fast. I expect multiples to go up. The best operators are going to build serious operational momentum using AI, and they will position themselves for massive exits.
The Leasing Software Divide
Because AI is progressing so quickly, every software category is about to become hyper-competitive.
Nowhere is that more obvious right now than in Leasing Software.
The category is transitioning from simple automation (if-then scheduling paths) to AI-native intelligence (instant, conversational responses). Your leasing software isn’t just a scheduling tool anymore. It is the revenue engine of your business.
Today, we are dropping the 2026 Leasing Category Report.
It is built on 410 verified operator evaluations and 687 verified client surveys.
We name the clear category leader.
We break down exactly how the massive incumbents are responding.
We reveal the verified data on which platforms actually fill vacancies the fastest.
Stop guessing on the tool that drives your revenue. Get the data.
The Founding Cohort
They've been filling quickly, but we still have a few spots remaining for our founding cohort.
This is not an invitation to buy a product. It is an invitation to build with us.
The companies that join this cohort will help us build and refine the BDR agent that prospects while you sleep.
Waiting is entirely okay. We expect a fully public release around July 1.
But if you want early access, and if you want to be in the room shaping the tools built specifically for your business, this is your moment. By the time this goes mainstream, the PMs in this cohort will have months of operational learning and custom agent-building on everyone else.
Spots are first come, first served.
You can apply for the Founding Cohort by setting up time with me directly.
Let's get to work.
Check out Unfiltered: PropertyManagement.com's Official Podcast
In this episode of Unfiltered, host Dylan Scroggins sits down with Chas Foote, CEO of Grove, about his journey into property management, the challenges and opportunities within the industry, and the importance of professionalizing operations. Chas shares insights on acquiring property management businesses, the significance of customer relationships, and the evolving landscape of property management.
Get Verified on PropertyManagement.com
Closing Thoughts
Before you get back to your day, here’s the simple takeaway: The AI transition is happening faster than anyone predicted, but you do not need to become a software engineer to win.
- Avoid the tech debt:Â Do not try to build a custom tech stack from scratch. Pay for the software. Focus on the data.
- Leasing is intelligence:Â The operators who choose an AI-ready leasing platform today will compound their advantage while competitors wait for their next product release.
- The M&A wave is coming:Â Build a clean, data-driven operation now. The rising multiples will reward the operators who get this right.
It was great seeing so many of you in New Orleans.