This content was originally published in our residential property management newsletter, Pillow Talk. Sign up here.
One of the primary conversations of the 2026 NARPM Broker/Owner conference was “vibe coding.”
If you aren’t keeping up with the hip AI lingo, vibe coding means using AI coding tools to build your own software. Lots of PMs are really getting into it, such as Todd Ortscheid and Wolfgang Croskey. They frequently post on LinkedIn about the things they’re building and their opinions on AI.
One of their key points is that PMs may no longer need vendors for certain tools because they can just build and maintain their own for less. There is a lot of technical nuance as to what PMs can actually achieve on their own, but I think Todd and Wolfgang have a very good point.
Peter Lohmann posted a newsletter the Friday before the conference that pointed out that the vibe coding conversation in PM is neglecting a key player: the owner! His point is that if PMs can use AI to code their own software, then so can owners.
He goes on to ask a very important question: If owners can build their own property management software, their own leasing software, maintenance coordination, etc., and if they’re willing to do a little “boots-on-the-ground work,” or to hire a contractor for it, then what do they need a property manager for?
Vibe coding is harder than it sounds for folks without a technical background, and there are many security risks if you don’t know what you’re doing. So I don’t think a big chunk of owners will revert to self managing anytime soon. But as the AI coding tools get easier to use and as tech-savvy Millennial/Gen Z owners enter the market, more and more will choose to self manage using open source tools or ones they’ve built.
That means right now is the time to make the strategic decisions that will set you up for success in the vibe coding era.
Property Management’s New Moat
A competitive moat is a major advantage you have over your direct competition. In this scenario, your direct competitors are owners who can vibe code their way into self management. What advantage do you have over those folks?
There’s actually a big one that I’ve been talking about for years: your real estate expertise.
Owners might be able to piece together some software that makes self managing easier than it was a year ago. But all they’ll be doing is managing the property. You – the property manager with a decade+ experience – can optimize the property. That’s your moat! Because no one understands better than property managers how to manage a property day-to-day so that its financial performance is optimized. In a way, your moat is the same as it’s always been: your skill sets help rentals perform better. Now, you have to take that value prop to the next level. Because again, it will soon be very easy for owners to do the property management basics on their own.
The next level is asset management. In residential property management, asset management means helping owners improve income, protect downside risk, grow equity, and make better hold, renovate, refinance, buy, or sell decisions over time. No AI coding tool can do that for self-managing owners.
The hard part is doing asset management at scale because it requires a higher level of personalized service. But if you figure that out, you’ll have a nice, cozy foxhole where you can endure the vibe coding era.
About Blanket
Blanket is transforming the property management industry with its innovative platform that helps property managers grow their portfolios and retain owners. By combining AI-powered insights, automated lead generation, and seamless integration with existing property management software, Blanket provides property managers with the tools they need to succeed. Blanket is backed by leading Venture Capital Funds like Foundation Capital, Symbol, Operator Partners, RE Angels, and industry-leading Angel investors. Together, we’re shaping the future of property management.
