"The Risk is in Not Changing": Why Property Management Leaders Say Move to Ailo Now

Most property management businesses know they need to modernise. They've seen the writing on the wall - outdated systems, stressed teams, competitors pulling ahead. Yet they wait, hoping next quarter or next year will be the "right time" to make a change.

But according to property management leaders who've made the switch to Ailo, waiting is the real risk.

"I firmly believe that the pain of staying the same is worse than the pain of change in this case," says Lindsay Burne from LJ Hooker Dickson. "I think not going to Ailo will be worse for your team in the short term, let alone the long term."

For agencies still hesitating, the message from those who've already switched is clear: the perfect time will never come, and every day you wait is a day you fall further behind.

Brent Mason, co-director of Ray White Bendigo with 1,950 properties under management, doesn't mince words when describing the technology gap in property management.

"I think it's like anything, reflection in historical moments, it's like dial up internet and as opposed to NBN — the sooner you get on it, the faster you're gonna be able to move and grow."

His business partner Rory Somerville agrees, noting that legacy systems have essentially hit pause on innovation: "A lot of the legacy systems are I guess in a moment of pause like they're not progressive, they're not moving forward."

In property management today, that same divide is playing out between agencies clinging to legacy systems and those embracing modern platforms.

Zac Boothroyd, Managing Director at Ray White Lara, challenges the very premise of waiting. When asked what he'd say to businesses planning to address their technology "later," his response is blunt:

"Are you gonna be on the platform you're on 10 years from now? And most people would probably say no. And that's why are you gonna be on it tomorrow? You know, move, take the leap."

His team leader, Julia Demitrius, adds a dose of reality about the psychology of delay: "We kind of put it off because we weren't sure if we were ready, but I don't think you're ever gonna be ready. You need to take that chance, and then we've seen the benefits from day one. It was easy, it was simple, like we were waiting for something but there was nothing there."

One of the biggest surprises for business owners is discovering their teams are already aware of — and wanting — better technology. Rory Somerville from Ray White Bendigo has seen this firsthand through his other business, TaskBridge:

"We get to go into lots of offices... and we're seeing property managers are being aware of Ailo, they know about Ailo, they know the tech and as property managers they also want it in the business."

The fear of disrupting staff turns out to be misplaced. As Zac Boothroyd explains: "They don't wanna rock the boat, and I think they feel like they're protecting their staff by doing that, but... you're protecting them by moving forward with a platform that's gonna enable the team to grow and move forward."

Perhaps the most compelling argument comes from market pressure. Property investors aren't waiting around — they're actively seeking agencies with modern technology.

"What we've seen is the landlords have really embraced the technology, they're asking for it, they want the tech, they want the advancements," Brent Mason reports. "If we hadn't have made the move to Ailo... we wouldn't have been delivering effectively what our landlords want."

Across every interview, one theme emerges consistently - regret about waiting.

Joanne Lang from Barry Plant Caroline Springs, managing 750 properties, is emphatic: "Oh my god, I think it's the best thing that I've ever done... You'll be kicking yourself if you didn't sort of come across [to Ailo]."

Rory from Ray White Bendigo echoes this sentiment: "I think if I had have known all the by-products and the things that would have come out of Ailo into our business like less phone calls, better culture, better retention of staff... that the landlords love the system... we would have just made the move earlier."

For those paralysed by the fear of change, Joanne Lang offers reassurance born from experience:

"I know I remembered when moving across to Ailo I was absolutely scared... oh my God have I made the right decision... at the end of the night yes."

Her advice? "We all procrastinate, that's why we don't like changes... it's the word change — just do it. I mean as a business owner... as hard as it is, you just have to make that change."

Lindsay Burne's recommendation is unequivocal: "If the question is, would I recommend Ailo? wholeheartedly yes. I haven't looked backwards or questioned my decision to change to Ailo."

For agencies still waiting for the "right time," the message from those who've already switched is clear: that time is now. As Julia Demitrius simply puts it: "Make the change. Just do it, go for it."

The technology divide in property management is widening daily. The question isn't whether you'll eventually need to modernise - it's whether you'll do it while you still have a competitive advantage, or after your competitors and your own team have left you behind.

As Brent Mason warns with his dial-up internet analogy, some businesses are "back in prehistoric days" while others are "really moving forward." Which side of that divide do you want to be on tomorrow?