Avail

Avail operates as a comprehensive property management software platform tailored for do-it-yourself (DIY) landlords. The company was co-founded in 2015 by Ryan Coon and Laurence Jankelow, both alumni of Gies College of Business. Coon, who serves as the CEO, drew from his background in investment banking at BMO Capital Markets and his family's involvement in real estate to identify a market need. He and Jankelow observed that while large institutional property owners had sophisticated software, smaller independent landlords were managing properties with makeshift solutions like spreadsheets and text messages.

The Chicago-based company provides an end-to-end online solution designed to streamline the entire rental process for landlords who own and manage their properties. This target market consists of individuals with 1-20 units who often manage their rentals as a side business. The platform enables landlords to advertise vacancies across numerous listing sites, including Zumper, Realtor.com, and Apartments.com, from a single dashboard. It facilitates tenant screening through customizable applications and access to TransUnion credit, background, and eviction reports. Furthermore, Avail offers state-specific, lawyer-reviewed lease templates that can be customized and signed digitally. A core function of the service is its online rent collection system, which allows for automated payments, reminders, and late fee assessments, moving landlords away from traditional paper checks. The software also includes tools for tracking maintenance requests and managing rental income and expenses.

Avail's business model is primarily freemium. A majority of its users utilize the free "Unlimited" plan, which provides all essential property management tools. Revenue is generated through its "Unlimited Plus" premium subscription, priced per unit per month, which offers advanced features like next-day rent payments (FastPay), waived ACH transfer fees for tenants, and the ability to create custom leases and property websites. In December 2020, Avail was acquired by Realtor.com, a subsidiary of Move, Inc., which itself is owned by News Corp. This acquisition was a strategic move by Realtor.com to expand its presence in the rental market and support the underserved DIY landlord segment. Following the acquisition, the entire Avail team, including its founders, joined Realtor.com to continue developing the platform.

Keywords: property management software, DIY landlords, online rent collection, tenant screening, lease agreements, rental listing syndication, real estate technology, landlord tools, rent payment processing, rental accounting, maintenance tracking, background checks, freemium saas, independent landlords, rental management, lease templates, Realtor.com, property management platform, rent tracking, expense management