Customer Story
TMG: Tipping the Scales for Responsible Expansion
TMG Property Management Services NW
Established: 1985
Location: Washington, Oregon
Since 1985, TMG Property Management Services NW has been a trusted leader in the Pacific Northwest, providing exceptional property management services across Washington and Oregon. Known for its commitment to quality, integrity, and service, TMG has grown its portfolio to over 1,200 rental properties and 6,000 units. As the company expanded, its software needs evolved drastically, prompting the shift to AppFolio Property Manager in 2010.
Multifamily Residential,
Single-Family
6,000+
2010
Yardi Advantage
“The transition to AppFolio was a big one… It was our first jump into a web-based application. Over the years, we’ve had opportunities to acquire a couple of other businesses, so we really needed to support the onboarding and transition of those companies.”
Denise Dunkle
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Officer, TMG Property Management Services NW, 6,000+ units
A Leader in Innovation and Growth
Denise Dunkle, Chief Financial Officer, has been with TMG since 1990, playing a key role in its evolution from a 6-person team to a major industry player. With a deep understanding of property management operations, she continuously champions growth and innovation for the company, ensuring it has the right tools and technology to remain an industry leader.
“Early on in my career, as the President of TMG was looking to gain market share in the southwest Washington area, she saw my potential in both leadership and innovation.”
Expanding Into New Markets With New Technology
As its portfolio grew, it became clear that TMG’s legacy system couldn’t keep up. TMG needed a property management solution that enabled efficiency and could grow alongside the business. AppFolio’s scalable licensing model stood out because it allowed TMG to purchase units based on current needs, whereas other platforms required an upfront investment and payment for future needs. This flexibility has supported TMG’s strategic growth and acquisition efforts as the company expanded into new markets.
“We liked that AppFolio’s licensing model would scale with us and that we didn’t have to make a significant investment up front and hope the business followed. We could purchase the units under management and pay for additional units as we grew. There weren't really any other firms with that pricing model at the time.”
Driving Efficiency at Scale With a Platform-First Approach
Running a property management company at TMG’s size requires a technology-driven, platform-first strategy. Beyond pricing, AppFolio’s commitment to industry-leading innovation and continuous improvement was a key factor in TMG’s decision to switch from its previous platform.
Today, every residential property that TMG manages runs on AppFolio Property Manager. With reporting capabilities, marketing integrations, and an online owner portal, AppFolio’s robust suite of tools has transformed the way TMG operates, helping to streamline workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and eliminate repetitive tasks.
“We were really intrigued by where AppFolio started and how it had evolved … We had confidence it would continue to advance and, in addition to utilizing the platforms’ additional functionalities, that we'd be able to influence where AppFolio was going as we grew alongside.”
The Freedom of Digital Transformation
Before switching to AppFolio Property Manager, TMG relied on paper leases, filing cabinets filled with documents, and manual processes. Today, everything is digital, centralized, and accessible in real time. This digital transformation has freed their team from time-consuming tasks and allowed them to focus on what matters most — delivering outstanding service and driving efficient growth.
“We are truly off paper now. The actual retention and saving of contracts, lease agreements, and all the documentation that’s necessary to manage a person’s property is all in AppFolio.”
Strengthening Relationships With Stakeholders
The shift to AppFolio Property Manager didn’t just impact TMG’s internal operations. Through the owner portal, owners and investors can easily access property data, make investments, receive financial packets, and pay their proceeds via ACH — all online. This ease of access and transparency has bolstered relationships and improved communication between TMG and its stakeholders.
“The ability to invest online through a client portal was something we didn’t have before, so we were genuinely excited to introduce it. It was a perfect fit for us — and for our clients — because it really elevated their experience. They could see the innovation and think, ‘TMG is ahead of the curve’.”
Leasing With Confidence
Resident screening is one of the most critical aspects of property management. With FolioScreen™ Trusted Renter, TMG efficiently screens applicants with advanced fraud detection tools. This allows the company to fill vacancies quickly, protect properties, and remain in compliance.
Modernizing the Renter Experience From Leasing to Living
With AppFolio Property Manager, TMG has also transformed the rental experience into a fully digital process, making life easier for both residents and staff. In fact, 90% of TMG residents actively use the portal and enjoy the convenience of having a centralized place to do everything from paying rent to signing lease renewals. The maintenance process is no different, as 80-85% of requests are submitted through the portal, keeping communication streamlined and efficient.
“We’ve achieved about 90% adoption on our resident portals, with most payments coming in electronically — either as recurring or one-time transactions. We also handle all lease renewals directly through AppFolio, making the experience seamless for our residents.”
Building a Smarter Tech Stack
For TMG, AppFolio Stack™ has been a game changer in exploring, testing, and integrating technology. This partner ecosystem allows the company to customize its tech stack with leading proptech solutions to further streamline operations and automate key workflows. As app and solution partners are added to the marketplace, TMG always has an eye out for new, exciting tools that can help maximize efficiency.
“We were already using zInspector before it became an AppFolio Stack™ partner, and the transition was incredibly smooth. Once enabled, the integration worked seamlessly — data began syncing automatically, which was fantastic.”
A Long-Term Partnership for Lasting Success
For TMG, AppFolio is more than just a software solution; it’s a trusted partner that has evolved alongside the business since 2010. As TMG continues to grow, AppFolio’s commitment to innovation ensures the company has the tools it needs to scale without ever sacrificing quality.
“Oftentimes, we’ll get a call from AppFolio saying, ‘Hey, we’re considering this. Can we get your thoughts?’ Or, ‘We're getting ready to put this into beta. Do you want to be part of it so we can get your feedback and insight?’ We've never had a software provider that valued our input like that.”
Denise Dunkle
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Officer, TMG Property Management Services NW, 6,000+ units
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