Apartment Living for Life? Exploring Low-Tech High-Touch Trends, Marketing Insights, and Building Community Ever thought about living as an “apartment dweller for life”? You're not alone! Today’s episode dicusses the growing appeal of lifelong renting and the marketing strategies shaping the multifamily world. In this lighthearted episode of 8 Stories, Sharon Cauthen and Jennifer Carter switch gears from tech and chat about a Reddit post on the virtues of lifelong renting — why more people are opting out of homeownership in favor of apartment living. They touch on how apartments today offer community-driven experiences, from book clubs to mural painting, that make renting more than just a place to live. Plus, we cover marketing strategies like branding, fostering community connections, and even the fun of quirky national holidays! If you’re curious about the future of multifamily living or just need some fresh marketing ideas, hit that like button and subscribe for more! We’re bringing you the latest trends and practical tips to enhance your property management game. Find future 8 Stories episodes @MultifamilyMediaNetwork or listen by searching for 8 Stories on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Join the Multifamily Community for Hurricane Helene Relief | Help Us Rebuild Lives Imagine everything you own is suddenly gone — your home, ID, phone, and basic essentials wiped away. Now, think of the people who actually face this today. Let’s do something together. Hi, I'm Sharon Cauthen, co-host of the Eight Stories podcast, and today I’m reaching out not just to our multifamily industry but to everyone who can lend a hand in the wake of Hurricane Helene. This unimaginable storm has ravaged areas covered by the Upper State Apartment Association, leaving thousands of people homeless and struggling to survive. The devastation is real — entire towns wiped out, and communities isolated. We in the multifamily sector dedicate our lives to serving people and their homes. The need is urgent and now we’re asking for your help. By visiting www.multifamilymedianetwork.com, you can donate directly to relief efforts. Whether it’s $5 or $500, every bit helps us rebuild homes and lives. After donating, please share this message with your network— we are more powerful when we come together to make an incredible difference. Please, take a moment to donate today and help spread the word. Like, subscribe, and share this video to raise awareness and amplify our impact. Let’s show how strong the multifamily community truly is.

Blueprint Conference Recap: Insights, AI, and Puppies! Welcome to another episode of 8 Stories, brought to you by the Multifamily Media Network! I’m Sharon Cauthen, and as always, I’m joined by my amazing co-host, Jennifer Carter. Today, we’re diving into highlights from the recent Blueprint Conference in Las Vegas. The conference was packed with insights shaping the multifamily industry going into 2025 and beyond. We explore the big trends—from AI everywhere to the push for centralization and automation in property management. And yes, there was a lot of talk about tech, but we’ll also touch on what’s really important — solving pain points for both operators and residents. Plus, we'll share some unexpected moments, like my personal mental health highlight — cuddling with adorable puppies at the trade show! 🐶 And Jennifer's front-row seat at the Property Brothers session. And, of course, AI was the buzzword of the event, but not all AI is created equal. We break down the difference between companies truly innovating with AI and others just “AI washing” for show. Spoiler: AI isn’t a magic fix — it’s about solving real business problems. Whether you’re curious about the future of maintenance tech or how to avoid falling behind in centralization efforts, this episode has something for everyone in the multifamily space. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insights from the world of multifamily! What are your hot topics for multifamily in 2025? Share them below and let's succeed together. Please take a moment and click the Like button and if you haven't already, please subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube. If you prefer to listen to our podcast, find 8 Stories on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.