Heading into 2026, technology is set to play an increasingly central role in how multifamily owners and operators manage assets, engage residents, and drive performance. Eric Walsh, executive managing director for North America at MRI Software, shares his perspective on the tech trends shaping multifamily in the year ahead.
As you look toward 2026, what key technology trends or risks in multifamily are you watching most closely?
As we look toward 2026, one of the most important dynamics we're tracking is the increasing economic pressure on residents. Renters are becoming more price-sensitive, and that reality will shape key decisions, from how concessions are used to the pace of rent growth to expectations around payment reliability. Operators who recognize this shift early and adapt their strategies accordingly will be far better positioned to protect occupancy, strengthen resident relationships, and sustain financial performance in a more cost-conscious market. Technology that offers the ability to have individual resident-level data will be critical to offering personalized lease renewal offers.
AI is becoming embedded across property management technology. Where do you see it delivering the most meaningful gains, and how should operators balance automation with the need for human oversight and trust?
Automation handles the predictable, repeatable work across multifamily operations, while AI adds deep insights, judgment and prediction capabilities, and recommendations. But people remain at the center of the process. AI identifies the right next action, and automation executes it instantly and consistently while on-site teams provide the empathetic, context-based, and human-centric judgment and decision-making that renters expect. The result is a faster, more personalized renter experience where technology removes friction and people deliver the moments that matter. As AI proliferates, the human experience will become the competitive differentiator.
What strategic decisions made today around proptech will have the biggest impact on future performance and resilience?
Strategic proptech decisions today should center on measurable outcomes, with the renter experience as the north star. Start with a proptech platform that allows you to unify your technology and enables you to eliminate data silos, because fragmented systems drive cost, complexity, and inconsistent resident interactions. Prioritize AI tools that deliver clear return on investment, such as predictive maintenance and dynamic pricing, which not only reduce expenses and optimize revenue but also improve service reliability and fairness for renters. But technology, AI-powered or otherwise, is only as good as the people using it, so invest in the right training and support for your team. AI can't replace good judgment, relationship management, and industry experience. Don't overlook cybersecurity and compliance; these are nonnegotiable for protecting assets and maintaining resident trust. Finally, select solutions that scale with your portfolio while still enabling personalized, high-quality experiences at the community level. The investments you make now in efficiency, security, and adaptability will directly shape renter satisfaction, operational resilience, and long-term profitability.