Transforming Cities

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Transforming Cities

Authentic

121 episodes

47 minutes ago

Transforming Cities interviews real estate developers and marketers who think progressively about the built environment. Brought to you by Chris Arnold of Authentic, the agency that builds premier brand experiences - helping you boost leasing velocity and ROI.

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Episodes (20/121)

Transforming Cities

RW25: Lessons from +200 Lease-Ups in Tough Markets

**Summary:**

It’s 2025, and the market is tough. Lease-ups are stalling, demand is soft, and developers are left wondering why their buildings aren’t filling. In this episode of Real Wins, Mike and Tori draw from over 200 multifamily lease-ups to break down the real reasons so many new properties are underperforming. From outdated tactics to internal disconnects, they explore how most operators are missing the mark and what it actually takes to win today. Whether it’s launching a more strategic brand, driving demand with better creative, or coaching leasing teams to close with confidence, this is the blueprint for elevating your go-to-market strategy and accelerating performance before it’s too late.

**You’ll Learn**

• Why most multifamily lease-ups are falling behind in 2025

• The hidden cost of internal disconnect between marketing and leasing

• How to build a demand engine that actually works today

• Why quality marketing and sales talent pays off

• The strategic advantage of starting early

**Perfect For**

Developers, asset managers, marketers, and leasing leaders ready to rethink their approach and outperform the market.

To claim 50% off your Marketing & Leasing Audit, visit:

[https://authenticff.com/multifamily-leasing-marketing-audit](https://authenticff.com/multifamily-leasing-marketing-audit)

---

**Keywords**

multifamily lease-up, apartment marketing, property marketing, leasing strategy, real estate branding, multifamily demand generation, market analysis, occupancy, leasing velocity, real wins podcast

**Takeaways**

* Lease-up performance is often hindered by outdated marketing practices

* Marketing and leasing teams are frequently misaligned, leading to wasted budget

* Creative is more important than ever for effective ad performance

* Social media should be strategic, not generic

* Most firms are underinvesting in revenue-driving talent

* Starting early with a cohesive brand and go-to-market plan makes a major difference

* Operators should build a real demand engine instead of relying on one-off tactics

* Strategic marketing and leasing spend can generate a 10x ROI

* The best teams outperform even in down markets

**Sound Bites**

* “You can’t always outspend the competition, but you can outbrand them.”

* “Most firms are leasing like it’s 2010.”

* “Creative is more important than ever.”

* “It’s not just tactics, it’s about building a strategy.”

* “Marketing and leasing need to be aligned from day one.”

* “Success insurance. That’s what we call it.”

**Chapters**

00:00 Welcome Back, Summer Catch Up

01:59 Market Overview and the 2025 Landscape

04:06 Root Causes of Underperformance

06:20 Why the Industry Is Behind

07:40 The Three-Part Go-To-Market Plan

08:54 Common Mistakes in Demand Strategy

10:46 The Power of Great Creative

13:06 Outdated Social Media Tactics

14:41 What Quality Leasing Strategy Looks Like

16:40 Disconnect Between Marketing and Leasing

18:00 Real Talk on Investment and ROI

21:12 Why Developers Must Prioritize Revenue Strategy

24:07 Getting an Audit and Taking Action

26:19 Final Words and Takeaways

---

**Related links for this episode:**

· Authentic – [https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com)

· Charlesgate – [https://www.charlesgate.com](https://www.charlesgate.com)

Be sure to support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!

Get on the list at [https://transformingcities.io](https://transformingcities.io) for future announcements.

Brought to you by Authentic: [https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com)

3 months ago

29 minutes 1 second

Transforming Cities

RW24: Stop the Bleed: Auditing for Underperforming Properties

When a property starts underperforming, vacancy creeps up, leads dry out, and concessions spiral, every day becomes more costly. Often, the onsite team is simply too close to the issue to see what is really broken. That is when a fresh perspective can make all the difference. In this episode, we dive into what happens when multifamily operators hit pause, zoom out, and bring in an experienced partner to audit their entire go to market strategy. From marketing campaigns to leasing team performance, we explore how a $5K audit can quickly identify root problems, deliver a clear action plan, and help your team course correct without wasting another dollar. This is not about pointing fingers, it is about progress.**You’ll Learn**- The early warning signs of an underperforming property• Why internal teams sometimes miss what is broken• What a go to market audit actually includes• How a $5K investment can unlock major returns• The value of inviting expert outside perspectives**Perfect For**Multifamily developers, asset managers, marketing leaders, and leasing teams looking to diagnose performance issues and accelerate ROI before it is too late.To claim 50% off Your First Audit, Visit https://authenticff.com/multifamily-leasing-marketing-audit---**Keywords**multifamily audit, leasing audit, marketing audit, multifamily leasing, multifamily marketing, real estate marketing, property management, leasing team, market analysis, occupancy, revenue growth**Takeaways**- Audits reveal both obvious and hidden breakdowns in marketing and leasing.- Many paid campaigns are misconfigured, leading to inaccurate data.- Most properties have a mix of things working and areas falling short.- Secret shopping competitors exposes weaknesses and opportunities.- Leasing teams often fall short in responsiveness or consultative selling.- The audit is a relatively small investment with high ROI potential.- The goal is actionable, honest feedback to drive immediate improvements.- Multifamily operators underestimate how much control they have over performance.- Data-driven decision-making is essential for NOI growth.**Sound Bites**- "Audit your entire ecosystem."- "We secret shop our own customers as well."- "It is never just one thing."- "What is a conversion? That is the question mark."- "Clients are surprised by what we find."- "Reach out to me directly on LinkedIn."**Chapters**00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:06 Why the Audit Service Was Launched04:09 The Current State of the Market06:09 Why the Industry is Behind on Marketing & Leasing07:59 The Audit Process Explained09:28 Real Audit Examples and Findings12:18 The Education Gap in Multifamily Marketing14:45 The Importance of Conversion Tracking15:59 Secret Shopping Competitors16:13 Secret Shopping the Client’s Own Leasing Team17:55 Deliverables and Client Reactions19:33 Why This Audit Drives Real Revenue23:45 The Bigger Opportunity in Multifamily Revenue Growth24:44 Final Takeaways25:35 How to Get an Audit---**Related links for this episode:**· Authentic - [https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com/)· Charlesgate - https://www.charlesgate.com/Be sure to support this podcast by subscribing and reviewing!Get on the list at [https://transformingcities.io](https://transformingcities.io/) for future announcements.Brought to you by Authentic: [https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com/)© 2025 Authentic Form & Function---

4 months ago

29 minutes 1 second

Transforming Cities

Empowered Returns – Christina Stacy of Urban Institute

On this episode of Empowered Returns, Mike welcomes Dr. Christina Stacy from the Urban Institute to tackle one of the most hotly debated issues in housing policy—rent control. Together, they unpack cutting-edge research powered by machine learning to understand how rent control policies are shaping affordability and housing supply across U.S. cities.

The conversation dives into the real-world tradeoffs: while some policies provide critical relief for extremely low-income renters, others risk stalling new development and limiting housing stock. With a data-driven lens, this episode explores the complex dynamics at play and what they mean for the future of urban living.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on YouTube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities –

[https://transformingcities.io](https://transformingcities.io)

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate –

[https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com)

[https://www.charlesgate.com](https://www.charlesgate.com)

5 months ago

44 minutes 8 seconds

Transforming Cities

RW23: How Boutique Buildings Compete with Institutions

On this episode, Chris and Michael DiMella delve into the world of boutique real estate development, discussing how smaller developers can effectively compete with larger institutional players. They explore the importance of differentiation, unique branding, and creating tailored experiences for residents. Through various examples, they illustrate how boutique buildings can thrive by focusing on thoughtful design and community engagement, rather than trying to replicate the amenities of larger complexes. The conversation emphasizes the need for developers to embrace their unique strengths and take calculated risks to achieve success in the market.

5 months ago

26 minutes 5 seconds

Transforming Cities

RW22: Why Generic Logos Hurt Your Property Brand

In this episode, Chris and Michael discuss the critical importance of branding in the real estate industry, emphasizing the need for differentiation and a comprehensive brand identity. They explore the common misconceptions surrounding logos and brands, the significance of naming with intention, and how effective branding can drive business success. The conversation highlights the necessity of aligning branding with architectural design and the overall experience of the property to create a compelling narrative that resonates with the target audience. The episode concludes with key takeaways for listeners to implement in their branding strategies.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

[https://transformingcities.io](https://transformingcities.io)

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

[https://authenticff.com](https://authenticff.com)

[https://www.charlesgate.com](https://www.charlesgate.com)

5 months ago

27 minutes 46 seconds

Transforming Cities

ER05: The Pricing Playbook for Maximized Revenue

On this episode of Empowered Returns, Tori and Mike discuss in depth how to set competitive condo prices without leaving money on the table.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

7 months ago

26 minutes 48 seconds

Transforming Cities

From 95% to 100%: The Developer’s Guide to True Stabilization

On this episode of Empowered Returns, Mike and Tori welcome CHARLESGATE President of Property Management Todd Mikelonis to discuss the question: whoever wrote the rule on 95% occupancy, and how to create a strategy that leaves properties at capacity year-round.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

7 months ago

26 minutes 26 seconds

Transforming Cities

Real Wins - Reputation Scores and Property Visibility

On this episode of Real Wins, multifamily marketer Tori Lewandowski joins me while we break down the critical role of reputation scores in property visibility. We go beyond the basics and discuss real, actionable ways to build and maintain a stellar reputation—without relying on outdated, ineffective tactics in the age of AI.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

7 months ago

26 minutes 55 seconds

Transforming Cities

Real Wins - Multifamily Rapid Fire with Chris

On this episode of Real Wins, Chris takes the hot seat as Tori fires off rapid-fire questions on residential real estate GTM. From industry frustrations to overlooked opportunities, Chris shares his unfiltered thoughts and opinions—plus, stick around for bonus rapid-fire takes at the end.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

8 months ago

26 minutes 23 seconds

Transforming Cities

Empowered Returns - The Real Problem with Most Real Estate Agencies Selling New Developments

On this episode of Empowered Returns, we’re addressing a big problem for developers: real estate agencies who focus more on their own image than selling your project.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

8 months ago

14 minutes 27 seconds

Transforming Cities

Empowered Returns - The Mistake That’s Costing Condo Developers Millions

On this episode of Empowered Returns, Tori and Mike dive into a critical topic—how the wrong approach to branding is costing developers millions.

But here's the twist—bringing a Condo to market is way more nuanced than a pretty logo and a trendy name. Today, they have a conversation on new development condo marketing to break down the biggest branding mistakes developers are making today and how they can fix them.

If you find this and our other episodes helpful, please like and subscribe on Youtube or your preferred podcast listening app!

Get more education and insight like this at Transforming Cities -

https://transformingcities.io

Brought to you by Authentic and Charlesgate -

https://authenticff.com

https://www.charlesgate.com

8 months ago

19 minutes 48 seconds

Transforming Cities

Jeff Hreben of Tandem

On this episode I’m speaking with Jeff Hreben, Senior Development Manager at Chicago-based Tandem.

Within Tandem’s entrepreneurial environment, he’s been responsible for leading market intelligence research and providing direction on programming, financial feasibility, investor relations, site selection, and more.

With a Master’s in City Planning from the University of Penn and a certificate of Real Estate Development from the Wharton School of Business, Jeff prides himself on bringing a balanced dose of technical knowledge with creative design thinking.