AppFolio > Case Studies > Transforming Property Management: A Case Study on JW Property Services and AppFolio

Transforming Property Management: A Case Study on JW Property Services and AppFolio

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
Networks & Connectivity - 5G

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Finance & Insurance

Applicable Functions

Facility Management
Maintenance

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Time Sensitive Networking

About The Customer

JW Property Services is a family-owned property management business based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Established in 2006, the company manages over 330 units, including small multifamily apartment complexes and single-family homes throughout the New Orleans-Metairie metro area. The company was founded by Josh Wilson, who started investing in real estate shortly after Hurricane Katrina. Over the years, JW Property Services has grown significantly and transitioned from managing others' properties to investing in and managing its own. Today, the company owns about 75% to 80% of the properties it manages.

The Challenge

JW Property Services, a family-owned property management business in New Orleans, was facing challenges in managing their growing portfolio of over 330 units. The company was initially using Excel spreadsheets and QuickBooks to manage their rental properties and handle their accounting operations. However, as the business expanded, these tools proved to be inadequate, leading to cumbersome processes, manual errors, and a significant amount of busywork. The company was in dire need of a software solution that could keep up with their evolving needs, streamline their operations, and reduce the manual workload. The challenge was to find a solution that was user-friendly, could automate their processes, and help them provide personalized service to their customers.

The Solution

JW Property Services decided to switch to AppFolio, a property management software solution. AppFolio's user-friendly interface and seamless data migration process made the transition easy for the team. The software automated many of their business-critical processes, reducing human error and saving time. Rent collection, which was previously a cumbersome process involving manual errors, was streamlined with AppFolio. The software also automated their accounts receivable and payable, making the process more efficient. AppFolio's communication tools allowed JW Property Services to provide personalized service to their customers, respond to queries promptly, and document all communications in one place. The software also facilitated contactless features like self-guided showings, automated lock boxes, and online payments, which proved to be invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operational Impact

The implementation of AppFolio has brought about significant operational improvements for JW Property Services. The automation of many business-critical processes has not only reduced manual errors but also freed up time for the team to focus on higher-value tasks. The company has been able to maintain a lean operation without the need to expand headcount, thereby maximizing their net operating income. The communication tools within AppFolio have improved transparency and made customer service more efficient. The software's contactless features have also enabled the company to continue serving their customers and completing workflows with minimal disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the continual product enhancements and innovations offered by AppFolio have helped JW Property Services stay at the forefront of the industry.

Quantitative Benefit