Supporting their communities: How GSF Properties Inc. uses technology to make a difference

From paper to property management software

In 2023, Dan celebrated his 15th year at GSF Properties. As EVP of Operations, he develops the training, policies, and procedures that they use on a day-to-day basis and works with the executive team to shape the direction of the company. A few years after he joined, the company wanted to head in a new direction — finding and adopting a new property management software. 

They had a few reasons. First, they realized they were limiting their talent pool because most employees preferred digital workflows, and potential new hires didn’t want to use an antiquated system. Second, they knew investors wanted real-time data, but they didn’t have the capabilities to provide it.

Since many of their properties didn’t use any mobile technology, transitioning to AppFolio was a big deal for them. They were using ledger cards and carbon copies for accounting, dozens of papers for leases, and work order books for maintenance requests. “It’s like trying to explain to my kids what life was like before the internet,” Dan explained. “God forbid you make a mistake and then have to update three copies of anything: one for the resident, one for you, and one for corporate.”

“We were able to work with AppFolio and customize the platform to work for what we needed at the time. We looked at a few different software solutions, but what stood out was their great customer service team.”

Core values come to life

GSF Properties Inc. has managed affordable housing units since 1998. One of the largest clients they have is the Fresno Housing Authority. Serving nearly 50,000 residents in Fresno, the Fresno Housing Authority’s goal is to provide quality, stable housing, and Dan and his team share that sentiment. 

When it comes to affordable housing, Dan is a firm believer that there’s no reason that a renter should have to make compromises in the quality of their housing for it to be affordable. “Giving back to our community is one of our four core values. It’s really big for us, and this [affordable housing] is one of the avenues where we’re able to give back. We will do anything to make it more available by helping our partners be able to develop more of it or helping to manage it well so that no one feels like it’s less than any other type of housing.”

A partner from the very start

Because GSF Properties Inc. partners with their community, it was imperative for them to find a partner with their property management software solution. They believe in listening to their residents and employees, hearing what their pain points are, and finding ways to solve them, and Dan feels like his team at AppFolio also shares that same sentiment. “From the very start of working with AppFolio, they've always listened and asked us questions to help us troubleshoot issues. And even though we’re a bigger company — and they’re a big company — they’re still asking us those questions to this day.”

When logging on for the day, Dan loves to see the “What’s New” icon light up, letting him know there are new product updates to check out.

“The fact that they're always working and improving is great. They aren’t just waiting for us to ask them for things. They’re being proactive, and it feels like they’re growing with us.”