Jessica Hoff Berzac
Co-owner & Principal, UPholdingsEstablished: 2007 \ Location: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, California
Why AppFolio: \ To focus on reducing barriers and helping people improve their lives through housing, UPholdings knew they needed to consolidate their use of multiple solutions into one. With AppFolio Property Manager, they support their mission of providing essential services to their community.
Multifamily, Affordable Housing
Units Managed
1,800+
AppFolio Customer Since
2020
“I’m in the housing business. Not the property management business.”
That’s the first thing UPholdings Co-owner and Principal, Jessica Hoff Berzac, wanted to make clear. After moving to Chicago after college — with no background in rental housing or property management — Jessica’s journey to providing housing for people who needed it most was more than just random luck. “I was placed in a position that intersected with the affordable housing world and realized pretty quickly that my values were closely aligned to the work of housing and affordable housing in general,” she shared. “So I just stayed, and I’ve now been doing this work for 25 years.”
Evolving in an ever-changing industry
Prior to switching to AppFolio, UPholdings used a variety of software and technology solutions to manage their affordable housing portfolio.
UPholdings knew that choosing the right property management software for their business would be no easy feat, but once they found AppFolio Property Manager, their search for the right software was over. AppFolio had everything they needed, on one powerful platform, to help them reach their goals and beyond.
“After a thorough analysis of the market and other products, we became an AppFolio customer. Knowing that our business model is unique, we were looking for a product that was flexible and didn’t lock us into something that couldn’t adjust as our business continues to grow. We knew with AppFolio it wouldn’t be an issue.”
High performers need a high-performing platform
Since joining AppFolio in 2020, UPholdings has experienced a steady pace of growth, with no plans to slow down. Adding AppFolio to their day-to-day workflows has resulted in significant improvements in efficiency. “We’re all able to look at the same data at the same time, regardless of where we are. All of our staff have AppFolio on their phones and laptops, which means we have better communication tools to keep in touch.”
Because everything they do is technology-based, it’s important they have software they can trust to stay connected, maintain accurate data, and manage compliance. “AppFolio has created a more unified approach to the way we work since everyone’s working under the same platform. There aren’t any delays or waiting periods for real-time reports.”
Having software that can keep up with their needs means Jessica can focus on building projects that she can be proud of, like The Park at 1309: “The Park at 1309 is forever etched in my heart as a project that I’ll always be proud of because my personal story is integrated with that piece of real estate. In 2008, we used the property as the hotel block for family and friends who attended my wedding. Fourteen years later, UPholdings bought the hotel under a program called Project Home Key with the state of California. I’m lucky enough to own it and provide housing for people who have been unhoused through a remarkable twist of life events.”
A better approach to affordable housing management
When thinking of what it takes to manage compliance requirements for 25 affordable housing properties, Jessica compares it to “a huge web that is constantly being untangled.” In other words, it’s no simple task.
Now that UPholdings has AppFolio Property Manager, they have more peace of mind and can better plan for the future knowing they can efficiently manage and operate their affordable housing units, streamline their processes, and easily train and support employees.
“AppFolio works for our needs so that we can manage compliance across a very diverse portfolio. I didn’t realize AppFolio would help with data analysis so that it can ultimately help us develop new projects. By looking at our existing portfolio in a snapshot, we’re able to plan for the future much better and put together projects with realistic data inputs because everything is readily accessible.”
Jessica Hoff Berzac
Co-owner & Principal, UPholdings
Creating a culture of compassion
Every company has a culture, but UPholdings’ can be summarized in one word: compassion. Knowing the “who” and the “why” of those they serve allows them to do their work with compassion and makes their team proud of their daily effectiveness and outcomes. “I want our employees to be proud of the company they work for and the properties they manage. And I want them to be proud of their employer, the mission we aim to serve, and the fact that we do it well.”
As a leader, Jessica understands that the most important thing she can do is create an environment where people want to stay. It’s not just about cutting a ribbon or putting a golden shovel in the dirt. For her, it’s providing her team with the tools and resources they need to support the community.
“AppFolio has been a big benefit to our employees. The amount of data that we store within our database has made it easier to achieve day-to-day efficiencies. It saves time and reduces duplication of efforts. Now, we’re better able to manage expectations and track outcomes, which ultimately creates more high-functioning properties.”
Having a diverse portfolio that’s spread across thousands of miles and keeping up with fully remote employees could be overwhelming to some, but UPholdings doesn’t break a sweat.
Because Jessica and her team can rely on technology to stay connected and manage their compliance, they have space to find a better balance between serving those in their community and spending time with family.
“Anything that gives me space for more balance is good in my book. AppFolio has given me space to lean more into being a mom for my kids and not constantly feel the pull of being the CEO at the same time. The app on my phone is awesome, user-friendly, and pretty fast. Even if I’m sitting in a parking lot waiting for my kids’ soccer practice to end, it’s the same as if I was in my office, fully logged in.”
“With AppFolio, we’re able to focus more on the soft side of the work we do, like our resident outcomes. Our managers aren’t spending as many hours of their day with the basic property tasks because the technology allows those pieces to be more efficient.”
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