On August 2, 2024, iBoard Living, an innovative platform designed to transform the rental property management experience, celebrated its official launch at the New World Hotel in Makati. The event marked a pivotal moment for the company, as it introduced its comprehensive solution tailored for property owners, managers, and tenants. The launch was attended by industry leaders, potential clients, and members of the media, all eager to explore the platform's capabilities and vision.
The Inspiration Behind iBoard Living
The journey of iBoard Living began with a personal story of struggle and inspiration. Zaira Verunque, CEO and Founder, shared her heartfelt experiences with the challenges of renting in the Philippines. From her days as a student in Tacloban City, where she endured noisy housemates and difficult landlords, to her professional life in Manila, where the fear of being displaced by higher-paying tenants was a constant concern—Zaira’s frustration grew.
Everything changed when Zaira moved to Dubai in 2018. The stark contrast in the renting environment there was eye-opening. Renters could secure an apartment, arrange services, and manage their entire rental experience with just a few taps on their phones. It was a level of convenience and efficiency she had never experienced before. This experience ignited a question in her mind: why couldn’t Filipinos have access to the same ease and comfort back home?
This question became even more significant as she witnessed the struggles of many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Dubai who were working tirelessly to achieve financial independence. Their dream was to retire early and return home, but managing properties remotely posed significant challenges. Issues such as financial transparency, high operational costs, and low occupancy rates during the pandemic made real estate investments risky and difficult to manage.
During the early days of the pandemic, while trapped in a lockdown in Pakistan, Zaira decided to turn these challenges into opportunities. With a clear vision and a determined spirit, she and her co-founders—Aldrin Vacal, Bianca Verunque Dapuran, and Katherine Taburada—created iBoard Living. The platform was designed to offer a more comfortable and convenient renting experience for Filipinos while empowering property owners to manage their investments with transparency and ease, no matter where they are in the world.
The Power of iBoard Living
iBoard Living offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to meet the needs of property owners, managers, tenants, and service providers. The platform is built to provide an all-in-one solution for rental property management, with features that streamline every aspect of the rental process.
• Marketplace for Rental Properties: Unlike platforms like Airbnb, Agoda, or Booking.com, which focus on short-term stays, iBoard Living’s marketplace is dedicated to long-term rentals. This makes it an ideal choice for expats, OFWs, and locals seeking stable, longer-term housing options. The marketplace allows potential renters to browse detailed property listings, take virtual tours, and secure leases with ease. The focus on long-term rentals provides a unique niche in a market saturated with short-term options.
• iRent: This feature is tailored for tenants, making it easy to search for rental properties, explore virtual tours, and complete the booking and payment process online. Tenants can filter properties by price, type, room configuration, and amenities, ensuring they find the perfect home. Once a property is chosen, tenants can manage their rental agreements, payments, and maintenance requests all within the app.
• iManage: Designed for property owners, iManage simplifies the process of listing properties, creating room configurations, and managing tenants. Property owners can quickly fill in property details, drag and drop locations on an interactive map, select amenities, upload logos and permits, and preview the final listing before it goes live on the marketplace. iManage also allows owners to set up an in-house service team (iServe) to handle maintenance requests efficiently.
• iManager: Property managers can use iManager to oversee multiple properties, manage tenant interactions, and ensure smooth operations. The platform enables property managers to monitor tenant status, track transactions, handle lease agreements, and manage maintenance requests from a centralized dashboard.
• iServe (Coming Soon): This upcoming feature will connect property owners and tenants with top-rated home service providers. Whether it’s routine maintenance, cleaning, or specialized services, iServe will ensure that all property upkeep needs are met efficiently and professionally.
What Sets iBoard Living Apart
iBoard Living stands out in the proptech industry for several reasons:
1. Long-Term Rental Focus: While platforms like Airbnb, Agoda, and Booking.com are tailored for short-term stays, iBoard Living is specifically designed for long-term rentals. This focus fills a gap in the market, particularly for expats, OFWs, and local renters who need stable housing solutions.
2. Comprehensive Management Tools: Unlike other rental platforms like Lamudi, Dormy.ph, and Zillow, iBoard Living offers an integrated suite of tools that covers every aspect of property management. From listing properties and managing tenants to handling maintenance and financial tracking, iBoard Living provides an all-in-one solution.
3. Transparency and Ease of Use: One of the key challenges in the property management industry, particularly for remote owners, is maintaining transparency and ease of use. iBoard Living’s platform is designed to be user-friendly and transparent, allowing property owners to manage their investments with confidence, whether they are located in the Philippines or abroad.
4. Scalability: iBoard Living caters to both individual property owners with a few units and large-scale property management companies. This scalability makes it an ideal solution for a wide range of users, from small landlords to enterprise-level property managers.
5. Community and Support: iBoard Living is not just a platform; it’s a community. The platform fosters engagement among users, providing opportunities for networking, support, and shared learning. This community aspect adds a layer of value that goes beyond mere property management.
Current Traction and Future Plans
As of August 2024, iBoard Living has achieved significant traction, demonstrating its potential to become a leading player in the proptech industry:
• Registered Trademark: iBoard Living has secured four registered trademarks, protecting its brand and innovations.
• DICT Startup Grant Fund: The company was awarded nearly 1 million pesos as part of the DICT Startup Grant Fund Cohort 1, further validating the platform’s potential and credibility.
• Client Base: For B2C, iBoard Living currently manages 150 properties and 380 rooms across the Philippines. For B2B enterprise solutions (white label), the company is active in the UAE, Germany, and the Philippines, providing tailored solutions for large-scale property management needs.
Future Plans (2024-2025)
iBoard Living’s roadmap for 2024 and 2025 includes several ambitious goals:
1. Nationwide Expansion: The company plans to expand its marketplace and property management services across key areas in the Philippines, including major cities in Visayas and Mindanao, beyond its current stronghold in NCR.
2. Launch of iServe: The anticipated launch of the iServe feature will enhance the platform’s value proposition by connecting users with top-rated home service providers, making property management even more seamless.
3. Strengthening B2B Solutions: iBoard Living will continue to develop tailored solutions for enterprise clients, including property management companies, real estate developers, and serviced hotels, further solidifying its position in the B2B market.
4. Community Engagement: iBoard Living will focus on building and nurturing its community, offering more networking opportunities, educational content, and support to its users.
Company Vision: Building a Better Future for Property Management
iBoard Living aims to redefine the rental property management industry by providing a platform that integrates all aspects of property management into one seamless experience. The company’s vision is to enhance the efficiency of property management, improve tenant satisfaction, and support property owners in maximizing their investments. With features like iRent for tenants, iManage for property owners, iManager for property managers, and the upcoming iServe for service providers, iBoard Living is poised to become a leader in the proptech industry.
The platform’s focus on transparency, ease of use, and scalability makes it a valuable tool for a wide range of users, from individual property owners to large property management companies. By addressing the challenges faced by both tenants and property owners, iBoard Living is committed to making property management more efficient, transparent, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
About iBoard Living
iBoard Living is a property technology startup focused on transforming the rental property management experience. Founded in 2020 by Zaira Verunque and her co-founders, the platform offers a comprehensive, easy-to-use solution that empowers property owners, managers, and tenants. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, iBoard Living is redefining the future of property management in the Philippines.
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