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Multifamily reputation management, earning resident trust during a transition
Oct 06, 2026Multi-Housing NewsRead more"Communication sets expectations, but follow-through builds trust."
—Jaime Sanmiguel, Vice President, Multifamily Rental Division
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How missing a single compliance deadline can cost NYC buildings their tax abatement
Aug 01, 2026Habitat MagazineRead more
Featuring Marc Kotler on managing building compliance, which requires proactive long-term planning rather than reactive responses to avoid significant financial penalties. -
Authentic and genuine engagement at the community is a key factor in resident retention
Jul 31, 2026NAA UnitsRead more
In an era of rising resident expectations and increasing turnover costs, one thing remains constant: people want to feel connected.
A recent National Apartment Association article explores how authentic, genuine engagement helps strengthen resident satisfaction and supports long-term retention. While residents may move for life changes, affordability, or new opportunities, the communities that foster meaningful relationships and consistently deliver on their promises are often the ones that create lasting loyalty."We place a strong emphasis on creating a true community atmosphere where residents not only enjoy the physical property itself but also feel connected to the staff, surrounding neighborhood and overall living experience."
—Calynne Oyolokor, Senior Vice President, FirstService Residential New York
At FirstService Residential, we know that resident experience is built through everyday interactions, responsive service, and a genuine commitment to community. Because successful residential communities are about more than buildings – they're about the relationships that make people feel at home.
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The human side of automation in multifamily property management
Jun 13, 2026Apartmentbuildings.comRead more"The most successful implementations aren’t about replacing people; they’re about allowing onsite teams to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time creating a positive resident experience, building relationships and addressing higher-value operational needs."
—Calynne Oyolokor, Senior Vice President, FirstService Residential New York
Every multifamily owner in NYC is asking the same question right now: where does AI actually move the needle in property ops? This ApartmentBuildings.com piece featuring FirstService Residential New York's Multifamily Rental Divisioin Senior Vice President Calynne Oyolokor breaks it down.
Faster data analysis, smarter leasing tools, automated access and building systems, but the human element (leasing, maintenance, resident trust) still drives retention and long-term asset value.
For developers and owners managing rental buildings across the five boroughs, this is the balance to get right: adopt the tech, don't lose the people.
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Changes to lending rules from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac alarm NYC condo buildings
May 18, 2026Brick UndergroundRead more"The new guidance from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued in March applies to condo buildings only and has several significant changes. Banks are going to be looking for financial stability, budgeted reserves or reserve studies to ensure that the board is planning for the long-term maintenance of the property. The result will be a more onerous condo questionnaire and review process, with more “back and forth” as some responses will raise additional questions."
—Marc Kotler, President, FirstService Residential New York
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A hospitality-driven approach to luxury residential development
Apr 28, 2026New York Real Estate Journal (NYREJ)Read more"To be hospitable means not only to provide excellent service, but to deliver comfort in all aspects. Whether you’re looking at a hotel or a luxury condominium, in order to execute your deliverables, you always have to understand the “why” behind the vision and anticipate the needs of both the client and the residents."
—Jeff Poirot, Senior Vice President, New Development Group, FirstService Residential New York
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New initiative to ease the burden of rising insurance costs in New York City
Apr 16, 2026Multi-Housing NewsRead more"The cost of claims is very high in a high-rise environment in a city as dense as NYC and an overflow can cost from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. With the reduction in the number of carriers, there seems to be less competition."
—Marc Kotler, President, FirstService Residential New York
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Multifamily Marketing Runs on Trust, and Trust Is Operational
Apr 07, 2026Multi-Housing NewsRead more
Calynne Oyolokor, senior vice president of the Multifamily Rental Division at FirstService Residential, sees that connection up close across on-site teams and resident workflows.
In her role, she helps guide the operating standards, staffing support and service systems that shape what residents experience every day, long after the tour ends.
Her perspective reframes “resident marketing” as the reliability of the product itself: clear ownership of issues, predictable response times and maintenance execution that matches the promises made during leasing.
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How to smoothly transition multifamily properties through seasonal change
Mar 18, 2026Multi-Housing NewsRead more"Clear communication with residents is a key step. When residents understand when seasonal amenities will open or when maintenance work is scheduled, it helps manage expectations and keeps the transition running smoothly."
—Jaime Sanmiguel, Vice President, Multifamily Rental Division
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The engine behind successful multifamily properties
Mar 13, 2026Connect CRERead more"With roughly one in three homes in the U.S. now part of a residential community, the scope of property management has become increasingly complex. Residents expect responsiveness, clear communication, and reliable follow-through. These expectations are shaped by experiences in other industries where service standards have steadily improved."
—Calynne Oyolokor, Senior Vice President, Multifamily Rental Division