LUXER ONE BLOG

Rising Rents, Turnover, and Vacancy Rates: Navigating Multifamily Challenges in 2025

The economic pressures that dominated the multifamily housing landscape in 2024 are extending into 2025. Although rent growth has slowed in many areas, property managers are still grappling with high vacancy rates in certain markets, driven by oversupply and shifting demand. Meanwhile, resident turnover remains a persistent issue as renters continue to seek more affordable housing options amidst rising costs.

Recent reports reveal that nearly 51% of the top 100 metro areas saw rent declines in 2024. This trend has forced property managers to adopt more creative strategies to retain residents, such as offering attractive renewal incentives and prioritizing fee transparency. These efforts are critical to maintaining occupancy rates in a competitive and cost-sensitive market.

Increasing Resident Retention: A Top Priority

At the forefront of these efforts is the growing emphasis on resident retention. This was a central theme at Apartmentalize, the multifamily industry’s premier event, where experts and thought leaders highlighted the importance of bringing value to residents while adhering to tight budgets. In this environment, delivering meaningful benefits and cost-effective amenities has become essential to keeping residents satisfied and renewing their leases.

Budget-Friendly Solutions with Big Impact

One standout trend is the shift toward premium amenities that balance value and affordability. For example, companies like Luxer One, known for their innovative smart locker and package room solutions, are increasingly tailoring their offerings to meet the financial constraints of property managers.

Did you know, according to the 2024 renter study by NMHC, 67% of residents expect 24/7 secure self-serve package pick up to be available at their property? Of these residents, 70% prefer package lockers over other retrieval methods. Not only are they highly requested but these solutions address a critical pain point in today’s multifamily communities: the surge in package deliveries and the need for secure, convenient, and efficient management.

By implementing budget-conscious amenities such as package lockers, property managers can not only enhance the resident experience but also position their properties as forward-thinking and responsive to modern lifestyle demands. These types of investments pay dividends in the form of increased resident satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately improving retention rates.

Moving Forward in 2025

As economic pressures persist, the multifamily industry must continue to evolve. By focusing on resident retention, embracing transparency, and investing in cost-effective solutions, property managers can mitigate the challenges of rising rents, turnover, and vacancy rates.

By making strategic choices, property managers can navigate these uncertain times while providing residents with the value and experience they expect. The challenges of 2025 are significant, but with the right tools and mindset, they are far from insurmountable.

Forward-thinking companies like Luxer One are leading the charge, helping properties thrive in an increasingly complex market. Learn more about how their budget-friendly solutions can help you battle rising rents and vacancy rates when you contact us today.

Christina Draper

Christina Draper, Marketing Content Manager at Luxer One, creates storytelling-driven content that connects with property management professionals and highlights innovations in multifamily package management. With a marketing background from UNC Charlotte, she develops cross-channel campaigns that showcase how Luxer One is redefining the resident experience.

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Refrigerated Package Lockers & Their Benefit to Apartments

As grocery delivery, meal kits, and prescription drop-offs become part of everyday apartment living, package management is no longer just about boxes. Property teams are now responsible for time-sensitive, perishable deliveries that cannot sit in an office or hallway for hours.
That’s where refrigerated package lockers come in. Designed specifically to protect temperature-controlled items while maintaining secure access, refrigerated lockers help apartment communities reduce liability, streamline operations, and deliver a better resident experience. All while taking work off the onsite teams plates.
Below, we break down how refrigerated lockers work, why they matter, and how they fit into a modern package management strategy.

The Most Secure Way To Manage Package Delivery For Apartments

Package theft remains one of the most common and frustrating issues in multifamily communities. As online ordering continues to rise, property teams are under increasing pressure to protect resident deliveries while maintaining efficient operations.
So what is the most secure way to manage package delivery for apartments today?
While no system can eliminate theft entirely, automated package delivery solutions, specifically smart lockers and secure package rooms, offer the strongest combination of access control, visibility, and accountability available to apartment communities. When implemented correctly, these systems significantly reduce risk compared to unmanaged alternatives like office lobbies or doorstep delivery.
Below, we break down how these systems work, why they are more secure, and what properties should consider when evaluating package security.

The Benefits of AI-Powered Chat Bots for Customer Support

It’s no secret that customer support is a core part of the resident experience and a critical factor in how property teams manage their day-to-day workload. Residents expect fast answers. Property managers need reliable tools. And operators want partners who can support both without adding friction.
AI-powered chat bots are emerging as a practical and trustworthy first line of customer support. Not as a replacement for people, but as a way to ensure humans are available where they matter most.
From a proptech perspective, the conversation around AI has matured. The question is no longer whether AI belongs in customer support, but how it can be used responsibly, transparently, and effectively in multifamily environments.

How to Prepare Your Smart Lockers for the Cold Weather

Cold weather brings more than just resident complaints about icy sidewalks. Freezing temperatures, snow buildup, and moisture intrusion can quietly impact outdoor smart locker systems if they are not properly prepared. For property managers and on-site teams, winter readiness is less about emergency fixes and more about preventative care that keeps package operations running smoothly all season long.
Whether your lockers are fully outdoors or semi-exposed, taking a few proactive steps before temperatures drop can help protect hardware, reduce service disruptions, and extend the life of your system. Here is your practical guide to preparing smart lockers for cold weather.

The Future of PropTech in Multifamily: What Operators Need to Know Heading Into 2026

If there’s one word I’d use to describe the current state of proptech in multifamily, it’s this: cautious.
We are surrounded by technology. New platforms, new tools, new promises. And yet, adoption across the industry is still slower than many people expected. That doesn’t mean operators aren’t interested. It means they’re being thoughtful. They’re asking the right questions. And frankly, they’re navigating a lot of noise.
As we look toward 2026, I believe the future of proptech in multifamily will be defined less by flashy new tools and more by clarity, consolidation, infrastructure, and long-term flexibility. This is not about chasing trends. It’s about building a foundation that allows properties to adapt, scale, and deliver real value to both staff and residents.

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