We'll see you at NMHC OPTECH 2022, Nov 1-3 in Las Vegas – find us at Booth 1112. Schedule meeting: homebase.ai/optech
Skip to main content
Insights

ESG Investing: A Guide to Sustainable Multifamily Communities

Preparing for tomorrow

Sustainability. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot. Defined as “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level,” many around the world are asking what it takes for multifamily communities to grow sustainably. 

As costs of living rise, can we maintain efforts to conserve energy? What about work-life balance for property managers? It is clear that taking smart steps towards a long-term, sustainable multifamily community starts with the right investments. That’s where ESG comes in.

What is ESG investing?

Also known in the real estate industry as an RPI or responsible property investment; environmental, social, and governance investments are “made with consideration of the environment and human wellbeing, as well as the economy.” ESG reports generate a score  which is used as a measurement of sustainability within each of the three categories.

Why is this relevant? More investors are taking ESG scoring into account prior to investing. Many are specifically looking to fund projects that focus on sustainability. The higher your ESG score, the more sustainable, and opportunity-aware your community is viewed. For investors, this means higher opportunity and lower-risk investments.

Smart technology is a great route to take to incorporate ESG practices into any building and create an energy-efficient machine. Modern renters care about social responsibility, and Gen Z and Millenials are holding businesses accountable. Leveling up your property with smart technology impresses investors, appeals to residents, and sets your business up for sustainable success. What’s not to love?

Multifamily management made smart

Did you know that buildings and construction together account for 36% of global energy use? Smart technology can reduce your operating cost and wasteful energy usage drastically.

New levels of connectivity allow for all smart devices to be linked and managed on one platform. For example, Homebase will provide notifications to maintenance if issues arise with a smart appliance or a leak is detected in a resident unit. Faster detection avoids costly repairs, wasted resources, and unsatisfied residents.

We get it, walking to one vacant unit, three floors up, is a time-consuming hassle. Eliminating mundane tasks is part of the proptech appeal. While it once took twenty minutes to turn off the lights and lower the AC, now it only takes a second (and can be done remotely).

Property Managers can even automate vacant unit management by setting a temperature range for all smart thermostats and choosing times for all smart lights to turn off automatically.

In places in the country with energy markets, automated utility transfers take your conservation efforts to the next level by prompting residents to choose sustainable and cost-efficient energy bundles. The app also takes care of compliance needs and automatically transfers utilities back to the property when residents move out. 

When you add it all together, how much wasteful energy usage will this prevent for your community?

Building a brighter future

In the modern age, it’s never been easier to adopt energy-efficient operating habits. While these habits are beneficial for our planet, they also help your staff work more efficiently, reducing operating costs and guaranteeing a sustainable long-term investment. 

The possibilities with our technology solutions are endless. Our experts help you get the most benefit and profit from smart technology. Schedule a 15-minute demo to learn more.


Homebase brings the smart apartment experience to new build and retrofit multifamily with trusted technology that delivers intuitive building access control with smart locks, automation of property management, new revenue with property-wide WiFi, and IoT technology amenities residents enjoy. All completely installed and managed for the multifamily innovation leaders of this decade.