Property Management Insights: A Follow-Up Q&A with Matt Bremner

This week we had an opportunity to sit down again with the President of our company, Matt Bremner, to delve deeper into the current state of our company and discuss the rental market. If you missed our first interview with Matt, you can catch up here. Following the positive feedback we received from clients who read our first interview, we’re excited to bring you this follow-up discussion. 

Q: Since our last interview, what’s new at PhillyLiving Management?

Matt Bremner: We’ve been actively expanding our team to better support our growing portfolio and enhance the quality of our services. Recently, we welcomed a number of new hires to our family. Michele LeVan supports our condo management division and Chris Wickham is a licensed real estate agent who is building our short-term rentals division. If you are a landlord struggling to fill your vacant units and want to maximize your rental income, please reach out to chris@phillyliving.com.

We’ve also hired another agent, Mary Umoh, to help more renters find their way home. These new team members have allowed us to be more efficient in addressing the needs of our clients. Looking ahead, we plan to further bolster our team by adding another maintenance coordinator to efficiently handle the growing demands of our properties. 

Q. Is PhillyLiving Management involved in any community initiatives or partnerships?

Great question!  We’ve been actively involved in community events and have built strong relationships with some local businesses. For instance, in May, PhillyLiving Management had a tent at the Rittenhouse Row Festival, which was a great opportunity to meet new people and network in a neighborhood that we regularly work in. The kids definitely enjoyed the balloon artist, Mike Grandizio, that we hired at our tent! More recently, at the beginning of the month, we participated in the 2nd Street Festival in Northern Liberties. We sold our new t-shirts and handed out free prizes that were donated by our partners at F45 NoLibs, Sweat Fitness, and Spread Bagelry. 

At PhillyLiving Management, giving back is a core value. Most recently, we partnered with Cradles to Crayons, an incredible organization that provides essential items to children in need. We hosted a Holiday Drive at our office and were thrilled to collect numerous bags of clothes and shoes from our clients and team members. We’ve also donated our time as a company to feed the most vulnerable members of our community at Broad Street Ministries and look forward to future involvement with this great organization. Another initiative I feel strongly about is keeping the streets of Philly clean. In 2022, we partnered with Glitter to tackle the litter issue in our city, by pledging $20,000 to promote and fund block clean-ups in Philly neighborhoods such as Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze, Bella Vista, and Passyunk Square. To learn more about our participation, please read here.

Q: How has the Philadelphia rental market changed recently, and how is PhillyLiving Management adapting?

Matt Bremner: The Philadelphia rental market has experienced notable shifts, particularly with an increase in available inventory due to new construction in areas like Northern Liberties, Fishtown, and Kensington. With many buildings now competing for tenants, we’ve seen a rise in concessions being offered by landlords to attract and retain tenants.

To adapt, we’ve recently hired a new agent, Chris Wickham, as  I mentioned, who specializes in short-term rentals. He’s excited to build out this division of our business, helping property owners maximize their occupancy rates during this competitive time. 

Q: What are some of your goals for PhillyLiving Management in the coming years?

Matt Bremner: One of our primary goals is to enhance our service offerings and reach more clients through targeted marketing and operational improvements. We’re focused on updating our technologies to better support our marketing and operations, ultimately streamlining the customer experience. Living in the city, it’s important to me to promote small businesses to enhance Philadelphia’s offerings, not just for myself, but for all residents. Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue partnering with local businesses to offer client perks such as gift card giveaways, free workout classes, and more client appreciation events like happy hours, all while supporting the local economy.

Q: Can you share any upcoming projects or developments that excite you?

Matt Bremner: We’re particularly excited about expanding our work within the commercial space. In the last couple of months, we’ve listed more commercial properties, both sales and leasing opportunities. We’ve also been helping landlords promote their commercial properties off-market through our exclusive database of investors. This marks the beginning of our focused efforts in the commercial real estate sector, we’re so excited to continue growing the company! 

Q: What are some of the current challenges in property management, and how is PhillyLiving Management addressing them?

Matt Bremner: One significant challenge we’re facing is navigating the complex landscape of license requirements and compliance in Philadelphia. Recent changes and updates to licensing regulations have introduced new layers of complexity for landlords. To address these issues, we provide our clients with up-to-date information and expert guidance to ensure they meet all licensing requirements. Our team is dedicated to helping landlords understand and comply with these regulations, minimizing potential risks, and ensuring smooth operations.

Conclusion

PhillyLiving Management remains dedicated to providing top-tier property management services while adapting to the evolving landscape of the rental market. With a focus on innovation, community involvement, and client satisfaction, we’re poised for continued success and growth.

For more information or to discuss how we can help you manage your rental properties, contact PhillyLiving Management today.

About Matt Bremner

As President of PhillyLiving Management, Matt Bremner leads with a unique blend of expertise and passion. His innovative vision and commitment to excellence are key drivers of the company’s success. Outside of his strategic role, Matt enjoys exploring new destinations, skiing, sampling local restaurants, collecting sports cards, and delving into interior design. He also values spending quality time with his family and balancing his professional pursuits with personal interests.