For Lexi Follbaum, every workday begins the same way: with a cup of coffee. But that's where the similarities between her old routine and new one end.

As Property and Business Development Manager at Real Property Management (RPM) Main, a part of the largest property management company in North America overseeing nearly 400 doors throughout Detroit's tri-county area, Lexi's responsibilities have evolved dramatically since implementing Findigs' screening technology in early 2024.

The old way: Reviewing apps by hand

Just over a year ago, Lexi's typical day looked vastly different.

"I usually have my coffee and I head to my office," Lexi explains. "My main role used to be the leasing manager, in which I would oversee our leasing agents and our leasing assistant who processed applications alongside myself.”

The process was tedious and time-consuming. For each application, her team would:

• Run credit checks through their software
• Manually calculate income qualifications
• Call previous landlords to verify rental history
• Print and file numerous documents

"I'm not a math girl," Lexi laughs, "it was not my favorite part... we would print out the paystubs and try to figure out all the equations for how we're going to determine each pay structure."

Applications would arrive at all hours, and Lexi often worked late on Fridays to prevent applications from sitting untouched over weekends. With multiple people handling applications, consistency was a challenge, and the process wasn't always transparent.

When applicants provided non-standard documentation like Cash App receipts or copies of checks instead of proper pay stubs, Lexi would have to halt the process to request additional information, creating delays.

The transition to Findigs: ‘Nervous at first’

In early 2024, RPM Main implemented Findigs.

Findigs replaced RPM Main’s manual application processing with a consistent, rules-based system. It now handles verification of identity, income, and rental history while detecting sophisticated fraud attempts through document analysis and behavioral patterns. 

The technology follows property-specific qualification criteria without human intervention, reducing the typical two to three day screening process to same-day reviews in many cases. 

Unlike traditional screening tools that flag suspicious activities but require leasing staff review, it provides clear approve/deny recommendations based on predetermined rules, ensuring every application receives identical treatment while freeing leasing teams to focus on higher-value activities.

"At first I was a little nervous, I was hesitant because there were two of us who were just processing all the applications," Lexi admits. "So to be able to let my hands go from something that is super serious to me was a little nerve-wracking."

That anxiety quickly faded as she watched applications getting processed efficiently and started opening new doors for her.

Time to work on what’s important

Today, Lexi's work has changed completely. Her mornings still start with coffee, but her responsibilities have expanded far beyond processing applications.

"I check my emails, I check my Lead Simple (CRM), and I determine anything that kind of has fallen through the cracks," she explains. "I can work on the things that are most important instead of working on processing applications."

With a promotion to Property and Business Development Manager, Lexi now:

• Handles client sales calls with property owners
• Maintains relationships with current clients
• Works with residents to solve problems
• Studies for her broker's license

"I feel that my role now is much more important because I'm looking for inefficiencies within the business that I can actually focus on fixing, while also building a clientele that is more profitable for us."

Added peace of mind

One significant benefit has been the consistency Findigs provides.

"One thing that we were always concerned about was liability and not knowing if myself and my virtual assistant were processing the applications exactly the same 100% of the time," Lexi explains. "Now we know that they're all done exactly the same."

This standardization provides confidence—particularly important in Detroit, where fair chance laws require specific screening procedures.

"The recommendations from Findigs haven't failed us," she notes. "I just have to look at the recommendations and give one of our other leasing managers the okay to approve applications instead of manually looking at every single detail."

Finding the opportunity to grow

The most surprising outcome for Lexi wasn't just saving time—it was how this change affected her career path.

"I did get the promotion. I make commission now on certain things that I didn't have the opportunity to do," she shares. "I didn't realize how much it was going to give me personal growth."

Her advice to other property managers considering similar technology is straightforward:

"It gives you the time to work on yourself, work on your business instead of working in your business. And I think that's super important."

For Lexi, what began as a technology implementation has become a significant career advancement opportunity—proving that sometimes letting go of some control creates space for bigger possibilities.