PropertyCon 2025: Talent Retention Isn’t a Perk—It’s the Whole Game

Key lessons from IREM’s national conference in Boston—and why they matter for multifamily operators.

Attracting and retaining talent isn’t just a challenge for property management professionals—it’s the challenge. That theme rang loud and clear at this year’s PropertyCon, the Institute of Real Estate Management’s flagship national event, held in Boston.

We tuned in for takeaways, insights, and strategies that speak directly to what we hear from multifamily operators every day.

“Property managers are warriors.”

That’s how keynote speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky described the role during his opening address. He wasn’t exaggerating.

Property managers are on the front lines—navigating crisis moments, handling emotional situations, and solving complex problems in real time. Dr. Drew’s advice? Stop chasing comfort. The key to resilience isn’t bubble-wrapping your team—it’s helping them build real, earned confidence by facing difficulty over time.

“Resiliency is a process. It takes a long period of time to develop flexibility and resiliency.”
– Dr. Drew Pinsky

And when it comes to battling burnout? Start with delegation. As Dr. Drew said plainly, “Delegation is the skill you have to learn.”

The talent chase is real—and it’s heating up.

“Every one of us should consider this a high priority,” said Jasmyn Sylvester, Director of Property Management at LBX Investments. And she’s right.

In today’s market, recruiters are getting more aggressive. Employees want advancement opportunities—and if they don’t see a path forward, they leave. Replacing them costs time, energy, and momentum. The best operators know: retention is cheaper than replacement.

✔️ Bring more voices to the table.
✔️ Recognize and reward.
✔️ Respect personal time.
✔️ Thank people—often.

Those aren’t perks. They’re expectations.

Even small gestures matter. A “thank you” makes an employee 30% less likely to leave, according to Sylvester. Personal touchpoints—like remembering their kid’s zoo trip—build trust. And respecting off-hours means walking the walk: “If I’m working late, I do it offline. I don’t want my team to feel pressure to respond,” she said.

Mindfulness isn’t just wellness—it’s management.

Joe Greenblatt, CEO of Sunrise Management, made a simple but powerful point: if you’re leading a team, you need to be present for that team.

Multitasking? Myth. Time management? A misnomer. Greenblatt reframed it as “time allocation.” The question isn’t whether you’re busy. It’s what you’re busy doing—and who you’re making time for.

“Are you giving your team the time they need, or are you just answering emails all day?”
– Joe Greenblatt

Mindful leadership means slowing down enough to actually listen—and knowing when to bring in an executive coach to grow stronger as a leader.

Mentorship: not a bonus, but a strategy.

Mentorship is more than a check-the-box program—it’s a relationship built on intention. That’s according to Dr. Debbie Phillips, president of The Quadrillion.

She reminded the room that mentors don’t “fix” people—they walk with them. Good mentoring takes structure, follow-through, and real curiosity about who someone is beyond their resume.

💬 Get to know their family, hobbies, and goals.
📅 Create consistent 1-on-1s—and show up for them.
🎯 Set high standards, but don’t steal the reins.
🔄 Remember: mentoring is a two-way street.

And one last reminder: “Not everyone’s going to make it up the mountain at the same pace.” That’s okay. But good leaders help clear the path.

What this means for multifamily operators

Talent is your edge. Operations succeed or fail based on who you hire, how you lead, and how well you retain your team.

From frontline leasing professionals to corporate leaders, the expectations are rising—and the best companies are rising with them.

At Percy, we help multifamily operators build high-performing teams that stay engaged, deliver results, and grow within your organization.

Because a thriving asset starts with a thriving team.

Inspired by: This post was inspired by insights shared at IREM’s PropertyCon 2025 and originally reported in Multi-Housing News, "IREM Special Report: People Power in Property Management".