In multifamily, upping the competition means having a project with the best tech available, says PM Realty Group SVP Joan Maxwell, who joined the firm in September to lead in-house property management services for the multifamily division with EVP Bryant Nail. The group currently has three buildings under contract: the 34-story, 288-unit Confluence under construction in Denver (below); the 40-story, 254-unit 2929 Weslayan in Houston; the 23-story, 314-unit 1400 Hi Line in Dallas. Among tech its property management team is employing: an 80-inch, 4K resolution custom touchscreen in 2929 Weslayan, which can be used at the same time by multiple prospects or residents. It captures the information of the prospect and allows them to virtually tour the building's amenity space, floor plans, views and more.

Above, the Confluence. When a resident finally moves in, communication between the management team is primarily through text messaging, Joan says. The team also sets up private property social networks where residents can get to know one another, keep up with events at the property and area, and know what's going on in the building. And more residents are seeking state-of-the-art tech in their homes, she says, such as systems that allow the operation of thermostats, lights, sound systems and more from smartphones and tablets anywhere in the world. To learn more about how owners are embracing technology as people enter their buildings, check out these four cool, high-tech building lobbies.