Peter Lohmann's Newsletter - Issue #183

Author

Peter Lohmann
March 20, 2026

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

Access Granted: Live Launch

Wolfgang Croskey and I are pulling out all the stops for a HUGE launch event in 2 weeks:

  • A sneak preview of the PM Trends 2026 report with special guest Jordan Muela.

  • ProfitCoach CEO Brad Johnson joins me on stage for a special announcement.

  • Crane applications re-open as we go live (we only open up twice a year).

  • Incredible, brand new Crane member benefits announced

  • Live Crane 1-Year membership giveaway

  • Crane Horizons 2027 location reveal

  • And more!

If you’ve heard about Crane and want to see what all the fuss is about, this is your only chance for the next 6 months.

All current and prospective Crane members should attend.

Crane’s Access Granted Live Launch Event on 4/2 at 2pm ET.

THIS ISSUE IS PRESENTED BY UTILITY PROFIT

The first utility tool that actually sets up utilities

This is new from Utility Profit, and I haven't seen anything else like it.

When a tenant signs a lease, they get a single link. They click it, fill out one form, and Utility Profit sets up their electric, gas, water, and internet accounts directly with the providers.

No phone calls. No chasing tenants for confirmation. No screenshots that may or may not be real.

The part that got my attention: you get confirmed account numbers pulled directly from the provider. Not self-reported. Verified. That's a first, as far as I know.

Free for you, free for the tenant.

What you might be getting wrong about fraud, screening, tech, and AI…

I had Dom Beveridge (20for20) on the podcast this week, and this one made me rethink a few things:

  1. A lot of what we call “fraud” isn’t really fraud. It’s bad debt.

  2. Most screening processes? Still largely guesswork. (Yes, mine too.)

  3. Some MFR operators are running 30–40 tools across their leasing offices… which creates exactly the kind of operational drag you’d expect.

Dom also made a distinction about AI I hadn’t fully appreciated: AI-enabled vs AI-first software. One is bolted on. The other changes how the system actually works. That gap is about to matter. We also compare MFR vs SFR (especially maintenance and leasing), and where the models don’t translate. If you’re thinking about your tech stack, screening process, or AI, definitely check this one out.

Available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Property Management Companies For Sale This Week

  • Here’s a boutique residential PM firm in Denver, CO (asking $450k, ~75 units under management)

  • 18-year HOA management business in Austin, TX (asking $950k, $260k annual revenue)

  • Fast-growing residential + HOA property management company in Coral Springs, FL (asking $300k, ~$342k annual revenue)

  • Long-standing HOA and apartment management business in Los Angeles, CA (asking $375k, ~$173k revenue)

Sponsored by Property Management University - this thing is BLOWING UP! In less than 6 months, they've grown to over 1,200 students, have awarded 784 certificates, & just added a 10-course Professional Track on Fair Housing by Monica Gilroy. Worth it.

Industry News & Events

Closing Thought

A few quick things before you go…

PeterBot Question of the Week:

If you have any pressing PM questions, chat with PeterBot, my AI clone (try the audio). It’s trained on almost everything I’ve ever written or said, and can help you talk through your most challenging PM questions and problems. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Software I’m using to scale my 700+ door property management company:

Note: These are affiliate links, but I’ve been recommending all these companies long before any financial arrangements came into place.

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.