Peter Lohmann's Newsletter - Issue #170

AppFolio and Beagle trade lawsuits. Jay Parsons reacts to WSJ coverage of rent control.

Author

Peter Lohmann
December 19, 2025

A no-fluff weekly publication for the property management industry.

Business Books I Read (& Actually Liked) in 2025

I still read a lot of books, mostly on old-school paper (though I do love my Kindle Paperwhite).

Trouble is, these days a lot of business books are junk. Overly-promoted, heavy on fluff, and light on practical takeaways. So I thought I’d save you some time and share the books that I actually enjoyed reading this year (even if they weren’t released this year), with my quick takeaways.

In no particular order:

  • $100M Money Models - by Alex Hormozi
    The most value per word you will ever find in a business book.

  • The Inner Game of Tennis (re-read) - by Tim Gallwey
    This book is not about tennis, it’s about mindsets. It will change how you think about performance.

  • Predictable Profits - by Stu Mclaren
    All about recurring revenue business models, especially communities.

  • Nonviolent Communication (re-read) - by Marshall Rosenberg
    A totally new way to think about conflict and communication. Essential for business leaders.

  • 2 Second Lean - by Paul Akers
    A short and fun introduction to Lean thinking (based on the Toyota Way).

  • The Comfort Crisis - by Michael Easter
    We’re not doing ourselves any favors by shying away from hard things. Great overview of the problem and some solutions.

  • Slow Productivity - by Cal Newport
    This changed how I think about getting big things done. A really enjoyable read.

What’s the one book you recommend I read in 2026? Reply and let me know!

THIS ISSUE IS PRESENTED BY PROPERTY MELD

The 2026 MX Summit is where property maintenance leaders come to get better at what they do.

And right now, there are only 54 pre-sale tickets left at $525.

At MX Summit, you’ll leave with a clearer vision, actionable strategies, and proven ideas to increase efficiency across your maintenance operation.

You’ll learn how top teams reduce resident churn, improve response times, and protect their business with steadfast processes. This is hands-on learning you can take back and apply immediately. Not theory. Not fluff.

The Summit takes place in Rapid City, SD on September 15–17, 2026.
Pre-sale pricing ends December 31, and prices go up after that.
So make sure to lock in the lowest MX Summit price now.

As a bonus, every pre-sale ticket holder will receive a customized item in their MX Summit ’26 swag bag. A small thank-you for committing early.

The Secretary Problem: Math Nerds Were Right All Along

I go live every week with Jon Matzner on Lazy Leverage - a systems-focused podcast where we break down real small business problems and share what’s actually working (and what’s not). We also share a lot of laughs.

In this episode, we explore the “Secretary Problem.” It’s a nerdy-sounding concept with wildly practical implications - from hiring and dating to picking a parking spot or knowing when to accept a quote. We get into why most small business owners settle too early, what your “bar” should be, and how to make better decisions with incomplete information.

Also: international salary expectations, tradeoffs in early-stage hiring, and the underrated art of selling yourself to candidates. Give it a listen:

(Check out other episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify)

New Property Management Companies For Sale This Week

This section is sponsored by Rentvine. Rentvine is the all-in-one platform for property managers who want clean accounting, connected workflows, and zero feature paywalls. This winter, get 3 months free + Apple AirPods if you manage 150+ units and enroll in our screening services (terms apply). Don’t miss the Winter Sale! Contact us today.

Industry News & Events

  • Beagle (they provide renter’s insurance compliance automation) sued AppFolio on Tuesday, claiming they acted anticompetitively in blocking Beagle’s access to their platform. This comes in response to AppFolio’s legal action against them and letter to their mutual customers last week. In the letter, AppFolio accused Beagle of making false claims about them and putting resident data at risk. In response to my requests for comment, AppFolio forwarded a copy of their letter to customers and Beagle provided this statement.

  • Some interesting data on late rent in a new survey conducted by RentRedi and BiggerPockets.

  • Love this rent control rant by Jay Parsons, using a new WSJ analysis of Minneapolis & St. Paul.

  • The deadline to get tickets for NARPM’s 2026 Capitol Summit is approaching fast.

  • A few industry leaders & OGs have partnered up to launch Property Management University, a new education-focused platform.

Closing Thought

A few quick things before you go…

PeterBot

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The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. I may have consulting agreements with, or financial interests in, companies mentioned in this newsletter. Additionally, some of the links included in this newsletter are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.