If the last year in commercial real estate has taught us anything, it’s that standing still isn’t an option. Juggling tenant expectations, budget pressures, and the promise of new technology has become the new normal. So, where is the industry heading?
Our new report, The State of Property Management Technology, 2026, provides a clear answer: the industry is heading towards a more practical, data-driven, and efficient model of operations. Success in 2026 won’t be defined by chasing the next big trend, but by using technology to solve tangible, everyday problems that deliver clear business value.
The report, based on a survey of over 350 CRE professionals that Building Engines conducted in partnership with BOMA International, highlights three key areas where this shift from abstract ideas to practical application is already happening.
1. The Great AI Disconnect
The hype of AI isn’t making a big enough impact where it matters most: daily operations. Our research reveals a significant gap between understanding and implementation that represents a major opportunity for forward-thinking property teams.
As Aliza Carpio, JLL’s Director of Product Management, puts it in the report, “Don’t start with the technology — start with the problem you’re trying to solve. Show property managers exactly what AI can do for them in their daily work, and they’ll start to see it as a practical tool rather than an abstract concept.”
2. The Echo Chamber of Tenant Satisfaction
Our data reveals a telling paradox in how property managers perceive tenant satisfaction versus reality. While many believe satisfaction has improved, the underlying operational challenges tell a different story — one that involves significant time spent on inefficient communication processes.
The problem may be who we’re listening to. As Tyler Kethcart, Executive Vice President and Head of Experience Management at JLL, explains, “Property managers are mostly communicating with their main tenant contacts, and those people may be satisfied. What’s missing is, how do the rest of the employees feel?” The full picture requires a broader perspective than most teams currently capture.
3. When ‘Green’ Goals Meet the Bottom Line
Sustainability has shifted from a niche interest to a core business priority, with property managers taking an overwhelmingly practical approach in 2026. This proves that sustainability and smart business are two sides of the same coin.
However, our research also uncovered a critical blind spot that nearly half of all property teams are missing — one that represents both a compliance risk and a missed opportunity for operational efficiency. The teams getting sustainability right are connecting these initiatives directly to measurable business outcomes.
Connecting the Dots for 2026 and Beyond
These trends — the AI gap, the tenant satisfaction paradox, and practical sustainability — are not separate challenges. They are interconnected pieces of the same puzzle: running better buildings.
Properties that can turn AI’s promise into reality, listen to all tenant voices, and connect sustainability to the bottom line will not only operate more efficiently, they will build a lasting competitive advantage.
These are just a few of the insights from our comprehensive research. To get the full analysis, including specific data points, industry-specific breakdowns for retail and industrial properties, and actionable recommendations, download the complete report.
