Time out with Kellie Tollifson: How to referee relationships as a property manager

Last updated
Jul 30, 2024
An interview with Kellie Tollifson: As the fulcrum between stakeholders, Kellie is an expert in managing the relationships between tenants, vendors, property managers, and investors. Her approach is about clarity, fairness, communication, and risk reduction.

Kellie Tollifson is the National Director of Rental Expansion and Global Team Strategy for RHOME.

She has decades in the residential real estate business, having launched, grown and sold her own company, T-Square Property Management, as well as served for years in the NARPM board and as President.

As the fulcrum between stakeholders, Kellie is an expert in managing the relationships between tenants, vendors, property managers, and investors.

Kellie says "It's about clarity, fairness, communication, and risk reduction."

We cover questions such as managing stakeholders, mitigating risk, making a great first impression, creating a stellar property, vendor relationships, staying aware of legislation, and finding the fun in property management.

Takeaways on managing stakeholders in real estate

  1. Maintaining value and mitigating risk are key priorities for property managers when dealing with stakeholders.
  2. A great first impression is crucial in building trust and credibility with clients and tenants.
  3. Clear communication, setting expectations, and treating people with respect are essential for successful property management.
  4. Property managers should stay informed about legislation and industry trends to adapt and provide the best service.
  5. Finding enjoyment in the industry and focusing on the positive aspects can help property managers avoid burnout.
About the author
Adrienne Kmetz
Adrienne is a marketing expert with a career history of working in startups of all sizes, from early stage to series A. She has 17+ years of experience writing about business, finance, and entrepreneurship. She went to Colorado College where she majored in skiing.
Engagement insider
Weekly tips you can skim in under 1min — sent at the same time every week. Bite sized, actionable insights for perks people.
Read about our privacy policy.
You're subscribed.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Editorial promise
Our editorial team aims to write trustworthy, helpful guides for business leaders building perks programs. We fact-check every article at the time of publishing.

Keep reading

AppFolio and resident rewards: closing the engagement gap

AppFolio and resident rewards: closing the engagement gap

Property managers running communities on AppFolio often assume the platform handles resident engagement on its own. In practice, AppFolio is built for operations, not motivation. This article breaks down where AppFolio resident engagement naturally falls short, what a dedicated rewards layer adds, and how property managers can use move-in perks, autopay incentives, and local discounts to close the gap, without replacing the software they already rely on every day.
Integrating perks into Entrata: A guide for multifamily operators

Integrating perks into Entrata: A guide for multifamily operators

Multifamily operators looking to strengthen resident retention are turning to Entrata perks integration to connect rewards directly with everyday leasing and payment events. This guide explains how the integration works behind the scenes, what data is shared between systems, and why automated, portal-based perks outperform manual engagement efforts. It also covers implementation steps, expected ROI, and what property managers should evaluate when choosing an Entrata-compatible perks partner for their portfolio.
Does RealPage Support Resident Rewards? What Operators Should Know

Does RealPage Support Resident Rewards? What Operators Should Know

Many property managers assume RealPage handles resident rewards on its own, but the platform is built for property operations, not incentive delivery. This article breaks down what RealPage does well, where the gaps are for resident engagement, and how operators can layer a dedicated rewards platform on top of their existing RealPage workflow. It covers autopay incentives, renewal rewards, ROI tracking, and what to look for in a RealPage-compatible perks partner.

See how businesses use perks programs to engage their customers