Background
Avail, established in 2012, is a comprehensive online platform designed to enhance the rental experience for independent landlords and tenants. The company's mission is to provide do-it-yourself landlords with the tools, education, and support necessary to manage their rental properties efficiently. By offering services such as property listings, tenant screening, digital lease agreements, rent collection, and maintenance management, Avail aims to simplify the rental process and foster positive landlord-tenant relationships. In December 2020, Avail was acquired by Move, Inc., the operator of realtor.com®, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
Key Strategic Focus
Avail's strategic focus centers on empowering independent landlords by providing an end-to-end property management solution that is both user-friendly and cost-effective. The platform specializes in streamlining the rental process through features such as online rental listings, tenant applications, digital lease agreements, rent payment processing, and maintenance request management. By integrating these services into a single platform, Avail targets the vast market of individual property owners who manage their rentals without the assistance of professional property management firms.
Financials and Funding
Prior to its acquisition by Move, Inc., Avail secured multiple funding rounds to support its growth and development. In 2017, the company raised $2 million from investors including Cultivation Capital, M25 Group, and Sandalphon Capital, which was allocated towards marketing efforts and feature enhancements. Subsequent investments included a $2.5 million round in 2019 and a $4.2 million round in 2020, both led by Cultivation Capital. These funds were utilized to expand the platform's capabilities and user base.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Avail distinguishes itself through a proprietary platform that consolidates various aspects of property management into a cohesive, user-friendly interface. Key technological features include:
- Online Rental Listings: Landlords can advertise vacant units across multiple channels directly from the platform.
- Tenant Screening: Comprehensive background checks and credit reports are accessible to ensure informed tenant selection.
- Digital Lease Agreements: State-specific, customizable lease templates facilitate legally binding agreements.
- Online Rent Payments: Secure processing of rent payments with automated reminders and tracking.
- Maintenance Management: Tenants can submit maintenance requests, which landlords can track and manage efficiently.
These integrated tools leverage modern web technologies to provide a seamless experience for users, reducing the complexity traditionally associated with property management.
Leadership Team
The leadership team at Avail comprises experienced professionals dedicated to enhancing the rental experience:
- Ryan Coon, Co-Founder and CEO: With a background in investment banking, Ryan co-founded Avail to address the challenges faced by independent landlords.
- Laurence Jankelow, Co-Founder and COO: Laurence brings expertise in data analysis and product development, focusing on creating user-centric solutions for property management.
Their combined experience has been instrumental in driving Avail's growth and innovation within the rental property management sector.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The property management software market is characterized by a diverse range of solutions catering to landlords and property managers. The increasing trend towards digitalization in property management has led to the emergence of platforms that offer comprehensive tools for rental management, targeting both individual landlords and larger property management firms.
Competitor Analysis
Avail operates in a competitive landscape with several notable competitors:
- Cozy: Offers online property management tools including rent collection, tenant screening, and lease management.
- Buildium: Provides a comprehensive platform for managing rental properties, featuring accounting, maintenance tracking, and communication tools.
- Rentec Direct: Focuses on property marketing, maintenance, and accounting, offering features like online rent payments and tenant screening.
- AppFolio Property Manager: Caters to residential, commercial, and student housing properties with features such as online rent collection and maintenance requests.
- TenantCloud: Designed for landlords, offering income and expense tracking, lease management, and tenant communication tools.
These competitors provide similar services, emphasizing the need for Avail to continually innovate and differentiate its offerings.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Avail has engaged in strategic collaborations to enhance its market position and service offerings. Notably, the partnership with realtor.com® has expanded Avail's reach and integrated its services with a leading real estate platform, providing users with a more comprehensive property management experience.
Operational Insights
Avail's strategic considerations include:
- User-Centric Design: Focusing on an intuitive interface to attract and retain independent landlords.
- Comprehensive Feature Set: Offering a full suite of tools to manage the entire rental process, reducing the need for multiple platforms.
- Affordability: Providing cost-effective solutions tailored to the budgets of individual property owners.
These factors contribute to Avail's competitive advantage in the property management software market.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
Looking ahead, Avail is positioned to capitalize on several strategic opportunities:
- Market Expansion: Extending services to new geographic regions and demographics to grow the user base.
- Feature Enhancement: Developing advanced analytics, automated communication tools, and integrations with other property management systems.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with additional real estate platforms, financial institutions, and service providers to offer added value to users.
By leveraging its current strengths and exploring these opportunities, Avail aims to solidify its position as a leading platform for independent landlords and tenants.
Contact Information
- Website: www.avail.co
- Social Media Profiles:
- Facebook: facebook.com/HelloAvail
- Instagram: instagram.com/helloavail
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/helloavail
- YouTube: youtube.com/@AvailCo
- Twitter: twitter.com/helloavail
These channels provide avenues for users to engage with Avail and stay informed about updates and new features.
