By Amy Alexander

Published Dec 3, 2024

Updated Dec 3, 2024

Managing move-ins for multiple communities is no easy feat, especially when working across several high-demand communities like Cobalt Lofts, Steel Works, and The Wyldes. As Carla Arizaga, Assistant General Manager at Bozzuto, knows well, juggling move-ins, move-outs, and resident inquiries requires strong organizational tools and a lot of teamwork. Thankfully, move management technology like Updater Pro | Onboarding has allowed her and her team to streamline these processes, leading to improved resident satisfaction and operational efficiency.

A streamlined approach to move-ins

As someone who oversees much of the move-in process at three large residential communities, Carla stresses the importance of efficiency and accuracy. “I oversee a lot of move-ins, move-outs, renewals, and delinquencies,” she explains. Her role involves ensuring that key details, like renter’s insurance and payments, are all in place before residents move in. “I’m always the final eyes before they’re moved in,” she says, emphasizing the importance of double-checking every detail.

One of the ways Carla ensures smooth move-ins is by leveraging Updater, a resident onboarding app designed to streamline these exact processes. Prior to using Updater, managing all of the paperwork and tasks associated with move-ins was much more time-consuming and manual. Now, with Updater, everything is centralized in one place, making it easier to track what’s been completed and what’s still pending. “It was nice because everything was on one screen for me,” Carla explains. “I knew where everything was for my own review and for my checklist.”

Resident experience and satisfaction

Carla emphasizes that the move-in process is the first touchpoint a resident has with the community and sets the tone for their entire experience. A smooth, well-managed move-in can make a lasting impression on residents and improve retention. “If they have a bad move-in experience, they will always remember that,” Carla explains. By using Updater, her team ensures that this crucial first interaction is positive, organized, and stress-free.

She has seen firsthand how a well-handled move-in can impact residents’ perception of the community. Residents have appreciated the clarity and simplicity that Updater provides, especially in a fast-paced environment like Harrison, New Jersey, where many residents commute to nearby cities. “They’ve had horrible experiences at other complexes,” Carla notes, “so they do notice a difference that it’s all in one central place.” By simplifying the move-in process, Updater has become an invaluable part of creating a strong first impression and boosting resident satisfaction.

Operational efficiency for the team

Managing over 1,000 apartments across three communities with just six team members requires a high degree of organization. With Updater, Carla’s team can stay on top of move-ins, move-outs, and renewals by tracking each step of the process with precision. “It’s all hands on deck,” she says, noting that the technology helps them manage the large volume of units without feeling overwhelmed.

The platform’s ability to centralize everything in one place has also freed up time for Carla and her team to focus on other important tasks, like planning resident events and maintaining the communities. “We have a lot of events and social media to plan,” she says. Thanks to Updater, the team can now spend more time on these activities, ensuring that not only is the move-in experience seamless, but every aspect of the resident experience runs smoothly.

Improved communication and task management

Since implementing Updater, Carla and her team have also found that communication with residents has improved dramatically. The platform’s ability to facilitate easy rejections and communicate what needs to be fixed has been a game-changer. “The feature that you’re able to reject [documents] and give a note—that’s so seamless,” says Carla. This helps avoid the common frustration residents might feel if they have to resubmit paperwork or update their renter’s insurance, making the entire process clearer and more efficient for both the management team and the residents.

This increased communication flow has also empowered the team to provide a higher level of service, ensuring that even small details, like insurance updates or utility setups, are handled without unnecessary back-and-forth. Carla highlights the importance of this feature: “It creates constant communication, which I think is very thorough when it comes to move-ins.”

Updater drives success at Cobalt Steels

For Carla Arizaga and her team, Updater has become an essential part of their daily operations at Cobalt Steels and Bozzuto’s other communities. From simplifying move-ins to improving communication with residents, the technology has helped streamline their workflow, allowing them to provide a better, more efficient service. By taking tasks off the team’s plate, Updater enables them to focus on creating a positive experience for residents from the very first interaction.

Amy Alexander

A Seattle transplant, Amy is passionate about B2B marketing, having led go-to-market strategies for both Fortune 500 companies and startups. Outside of work, Amy enjoys an active PNW lifestyle which includes kayaking and skiing. She’s also a proud mom to her son, who is currently attending Oregon State University, go Beavs!