Before the upgrade, Magnolia Run Apartments, a 200-unit garden-style property, faced a challenge that’s all too familiar in multifamily operations: unreliable internet infrastructure that couldn’t keep pace with residents’ expectations—or with the property’s potential.

Residents were stuck with cable modem service delivered over aging coaxial lines. Performance was inconsistent, and getting connected meant waiting days after move-in—often involving missed appointments and calls to providers. For the leasing and service teams, this created tension right at move-in, when first impressions matter most.

Ownership recognized the issue wasn’t just resident frustration—it was lost revenue and a missed opportunity to elevate the property’s performance.

The Strategic Pivot: A Fiber-First Retrofit with Built-In Monetization

To address both resident satisfaction and bottom-line growth, the Magnolia Run team partnered with Internet Subway to deploy a complete fiber retrofit, delivering:

• New underground fiber cabling to each building and every unit
• Full integration with RealPage, enabling pre-move-in internet activation for every resident
• Internet Subway’s branded portal, allowing residents to customize, manage, or upgrade their service on demand
• Instant-on connectivity—no scheduling, no waiting, no support tickets

With the new system, every new resident walks into a unit where high-speed fiber internet is already live.

Improved Resident Experience

For residents, the change was immediate and meaningful:

• No installation delays—internet is active the moment the lease starts
• Seamless portal access for self-service plan upgrades (2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, or 8Gbps) and account management
• Reliable, consistent speeds for work, streaming, and smart home devices
• Full property coverage, including amenity Wi-Fi at the clubhouse, pool, and outdoor amenities

Residents don’t just notice the difference—they live the diference.

Financial Results: Over $2 Million in Net Property Value Added

The shift to a bulk internet model also opened up a powerful revenue stream:

• Bulk rate paid by property: $30/unit/month to Internet Subway
• Internet fee bundled with rent: $85/unit/month
• Monthly NOI per unit: $55
• Annual NOI per unit: $660
• At a 5.5% cap rate, that translates to $12,000 in value per unit
• After subtracting retrofit capex of $1,500/unit, the net value gain per unit is $10,500
• Total property value increase: 200 units × $10,500 = $2,100,000

With rapid return on investment, the fiber upgrade was not just a tech refresh—it was a value creation move.

Operational Benefits That Go Beyond NOI

Magnolia Run’s fiber transition also delivered real efficiencies:

• Fewer move-in headaches for leasing and service teams
• Less dependency on third-party ISPs and their timelines
• Improved online reputation due to better digital experiences
• Future-proof infrastructure that supports smart tech and resident upgrades

Infrastructure That Pays You Back

Magnolia Run transformed a weak spot into a competitive advantage. By solving a common operational pain point with a strategic, tech-forward solution, the property elevated its resident experience and realized over $2M in new asset value.

Looking to do the same at your community?

Connect with an Internet Subway multifamily strategist and start building NOI through infrastructure.