24 - No Building Is An Island

24 - No Building Is An Island

In this engaging interview, Breana Wheeler, https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanawheeler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanawheeler/], Director of Operations at BREEAM-USA, shares her journey from a young sustainability enthusiast to a leader in building science and green certifications. Discover how her work with BRE and BREEAM is transforming the real estate industry through science-backed sustainability standards, innovative technologies, and community resilience strategies. In this episode: - Breana Wheeler’s origin story and her early environmental activism - The evolution of building certifications from marketing tools to trust-and-verify frameworks - The scope of BREEAM’s standards across the entire building lifecycle: new, in use, and renovation - The importance of performance measurement and verification in sustainable buildings - How certifications influence asset value, tenant trust, and community resilience - Innovations in data center technologies that can be applied to broader building applications - The critical role of resilience and community collaboration in adapting to climate change - The promising future driven by science, technology, and holistic sustainability approaches Chapters 00:00 Breana's Origin Story and Passion for Sustainability 09:02 The Popularity of Sustainability in Real Estate 15:03 Understanding BREEAM Certification 20:57 The Business Case for Sustainability Certification 26:55 Innovations in Sustainability and Resilience 31:08 The Future of Sustainability in Communities This episode is brought to you by PlugOp. When it's time to build, PlugOp delivers turnkey installation and software design specifically for the unique needs of apartment communities. And after launch, their real-time dashboard analytics shows you how to scale smarter and optimize pricing over time. If you're looking to elevate your EV charging strategy, PlugOp is with you every step of the way from day zero and beyond. To Learn More: https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship [https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship] 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ [https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/] to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

23 - Stop Talking About Rent. Start Talking About Survival.

Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/] joins industry leader Bob Simpson https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobsimpson42/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobsimpson42/] to talk about impact principles in multifamily housing, the importance of affordability, and innovative water and energy management strategies. They explore how industry standards, technology, and behavioral insights can create sustainable, affordable communities while maximizing investor returns. Key Topics: -Impact principles in multifamily housing -Industry standards for impact investing -Water and energy management strategies -Affordability and sustainability in housing Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Multifamily Impact Council 05:43 Defining Impact in Multifamily Housing 08:59 The Importance of Affordability 12:01 Utility Costs and Their Impact on Affordability 14:54 Addressing Water Consumption and Leaks 17:44 Behavioral Economics in Utility Management 20:52 Conclusion and Future Conversations This episode is brought to you by Energy CX. Energy CX is a modern energy strategy firm built for volatility. We combine data, technology, and real market expertise to help businesses take control of one of their largest—and most unpredictable—operating costs. With more than 2 billion square feet under management across 20+ deregulated states, we’ve back tested and proven that our strategy consistently outperforms traditional procurement. Powered by ABEL™, our proprietary decision engine, we buy energy with the same discipline and timing as a trading desk—giving companies clarity, stability, and a long-term strategic advantage in every energy decision. To Learn More: https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness [https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness] 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ [https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/] to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

22 - The Three Forces Driving Real Estate’s Transformation

Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/] joins industry leader and MIT researcher, Steve Weikal https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-weikal/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-weikal/] to discuss the transformative trends in real estate, focusing on technology, climate impacts, and innovative repurposing of existing buildings, especially in multifamily. In this episode: - The role of MIT’s real estate transformation lab in advancing industry solutions - How climate change impacts real estate, particularly in hurricane-prone areas - The concept of "built environment transition" and trends like AI, electrification, and remote work - Opportunities in repurposing office buildings into residential spaces using new tools and data - How shorter lease models and flexible living are transforming multifamily dynamics - The potential of existing infrastructure for sustainable redevelopment - The analogy of real estate evolution from segregated uses to integrated "plates" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Transformation 05:21 The Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate 08:28 Built Environment Transition and Technology 11:23 Changing Dynamics in Multifamily Housing 14:18 Repurposing Existing Real Estate 17:26 The Future of Urban Living 20:28 Conclusion and Reflections This episode is brought to you by Public Grid https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicgrid/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicgrid/]. Public Grid helps multifamily operators see what’s normally invisible, simplify sustainability, and create better resident experiences — without adding operational burden. We bring visibility into property and portfolio-level utility usage that’s historically been opaque, give operators RECs and sustainability credit when residents choose greener energy, and make it easy for residents to sign up in just three easy steps — saving money and hours of effort. The result? Happier residents, cleaner data, and smarter decisions — all without changing how you operate your properties. Learn more: https://publicgrid.property/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=theutilityroom [https://publicgrid.property/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=theutilityroom] 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ [https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/] to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

21 - The First Thing to Look at When You Take Over a Property

Explore how utility management and sustainability practices can significantly enhance property value and operational efficiency in multifamily housing. With insights from seasoned industry professional Mark Copeland https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-copeland-993a591a9/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-copeland-993a591a9/], and The Utility Room host, Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/], this episode brings practical strategies and future trends shaping the industry. This episode is brought to you by PlugOp https://www.linkedin.com/company/plugop/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/plugop/]. EV charging in multifamily doesn't have to be complicated. PlugOp is the expert, so you don't have to be. As an end-to-end partner for multifamily portfolio owners and operators, PlugOp helps you launch charging programs that actually work. Starting with the planning phase, they provide the in-house research that powers their proprietary portfolio-wide intelligence reports, which determines exactly where chargers need to go and how many you truly need, all based on actual demand, local regulation, and available insights. When it's time to build, PlugOp delivers turnkey installation and software design specifically for the unique needs of apartment communities. And after launch, their real-time dashboard analytics shows you how to scale smarter and optimize pricing over time. If you're looking to elevate your EV charging strategy, PlugOp is with you every step of the way from day zero and beyond. To Learn More: https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship [https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship] In this episode: - How utility management and conservation efforts impact NOI and property valuation - The evolution of energy and water efficiency in Texas and across the US - Practical retrofits, including solar lighting and water leak detection - The role of data analysis in identifying utility challenges and opportunities - The importance of proactive regulatory compliance and leveraging financial incentives - Insights into multi-use conversions, such as hotels to multifamily, with energy-saving upgrades - Future trends in utility management driven by renewable energy and smart systems Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:54 Mark Copeland's Career Journey in Multifamily 04:01 The Evolution of Utility Management in Texas 06:54 Retrofitting Properties for Energy and Water Savings 09:35 Identifying Low-Hanging Fruits in Utility Data 12:44 The Role of Utility Management Advisory Group 17:39 Future Trends in Utility Management and Conservation 21:35 Converting Hotel Rooms to Multifamily with Retrofits 23:23 Closing Remarks and Industry Outlook 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ [https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/] to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

20 - Whole-Building Data Shouldn’t Be Like Las Vegas: What Happens In-Unit Shouldn’t Stay In-Unit

Discover how AvalonBay is leveraging utility data and sustainability initiatives to enhance building performance, resident satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Join us as Marta Schantz https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-schantz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-schantz/] shares insights on data-driven decisions, challenges, and innovative strategies in the evolving landscape of multifamily real estate. This episode is brought to you by Energy CX. Energy CX is a modern energy strategy firm built for volatility. We combine data, technology, and real market expertise to help businesses take control of one of their largest—and most unpredictable—operating costs. With more than 2 billion square feet under management across 20+ deregulated states, we’ve back tested and proven that our strategy consistently outperforms traditional procurement. Powered by ABEL™, our proprietary decision engine, we buy energy with the same discipline and timing as a trading desk—giving companies clarity, stability, and a long-term strategic advantage in every energy decision. To Learn More: https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness [https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness] Key Topics - The importance of holistic utility data collection for building performance and NOI - How resident energy consumption data influences sustainability and resident satisfaction - Challenges with utility data access, validation, and analysis (split incentives, data lag) - The role of infrastructure like Green Button and online benchmarking tools - Practical applications: resident campaigns, smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances - The shift towards performance-based metrics in sustainability and investment decisions Timestamps 00:41 - The urgent need for property managers to keep pace with energy market volatility 0:52 - How EnergyCX saves clients 15-20% on energy costs through smarter data use 1:23 - Protecting energy portfolios against volatility 1:29 - Introducing Marta Schantz and her role in sustainability at AvalonBay 2:39 - Marta’s background in green building and her journey into real estate 3:28 - Overview of AvalonBay’s size, markets, and vertical integration 4:16 - The benefit of owning and managing full lifecycle of properties 5:04 - The advantage of a vertically integrated approach for sustainability strategies 5:43 - The analogy of industry “Las Vegas approach” to apartment energy use 6:13 - The value and approach toward resident utility data 6:25 - Moving from avoiding to running toward resident data 7:20 - How resident data impacts Net Operating Income (NOI) and financial value 8:11 - Resident data’s role in resident retention, affordability, and satisfaction 9:13 - Increasing resident concern over utility costs amidst rising energy prices 9:59 - The growing importance of sustainability features in tenant preferences 10:18 - Regulatory compliance and benchmarking with utility data 11:22 - Challenges of accessing and analyzing unit-level utility data 11:56 - The industry’s “slow dance” with utility providers and data sharing hurdles 14:24 - Difficulties in interpreting raw utility data and validation issues 15:13 - The importance of quality control procedures in data analysis 16:00 - Infrastructure like Green Button making utility data more accessible 16:44 - AvalonBay’s use of utility data in asset management and strategic decisions 17:45 - The significance of whole-building data for effective operations and investments 19:45 - Operational insights from performance data, such as resident education and smart devices 21:33 - Future outlook: a shift towards performance-based metrics and improved energy performance standards 🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ [https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/] to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!