When Robert McLeod launched his Edmonton-based brokerage in 2018, he took over a small property management company with just 185 units. “You couldn’t have picked a more antiquated business,” he recalls. Everything ran on spreadsheets, manual accounting and physical files.
Today, McLeod Realty & Management Ltd. manages approximately 2,900 residential units, 22 condominium corporations and close to 1 million square feet of commercial space. Their diverse portfolio spans single family and multifamily rentals, condo rental pools, commercial buildings and industrial properties — all supported by a team of just under 40 staff.
By adopting Yardi Breeze Premier early and building out a thoughtful rollout plan, the team replaced manual processes with automation, empowered staff across departments and positioned the company for long-term, scalable growth.
We spoke with Robert McLeod, president and broker, and Roxanne Johnson, vice president of operations and finance, about their technology journey and what they’ve achieved.
A growing team with a growing need for efficiency
With a team of nearly 40 people and thousands of units under management, they needed a platform that could handle operational demands without slowing them down.
Before Breeze Premier, everyday processes were time-consuming and fragmented. Roxanne Johnson, vice president of operations and finance, recalls just how inefficient things were.
“Our pre-authorized debit (PAD) pulls were done manually through the bank. It could take up to six days each month to process payments,” she explained. “Invoices were passed around on paper. Lease renewals, rent increases and vendor payments were all handled separately, and there was a lot of room for errors.”
The accounting team also spent valuable time chasing e-transfers and managing month-end processes across multiple bank accounts. With strict reporting deadlines and regulated financial controls, the risks of falling behind were real.
Replacing workarounds with reliable automation
The team implemented Breeze Premier step by step, starting with their biggest win: automating PAD payments. From there, things clicked into place. With one system across residential, commercial and condo portfolios, they streamlined approvals, reduced redundancy and improved their accuracy.
“The efficiency has improved tenfold, Roxanne said. “Our team can handle requests right away, whether it’s posting a credit, entering a tenant or managing a work order. Everyone can access what they need without waiting on someone else.”
Going paperless also transformed how the team worked. “I tried to find a stapler the other day and couldn’t,” Roxanne joked.
More importantly, property managers were empowered to work more independently. Instead of relying on accounting for every small task, they could pull reports, process payments, adjust ledgers and respond to tenant needs in real time.
“Now we don’t have those workarounds,” Robert added. “We trust the reporting that comes out, and the staff is spending time doing what they need to do, using the system that they now know works.”
Growth without growing pains
What started as a 185-unit portfolio has expanded to nearly 2,900 units, including 22 condo corporations and approximately 1 million square feet of commercial space. And they’ve done it without needing to double their staff.
“If we were still operating the old way, we’d need twice as many people,” Robert said.
The platform has also helped McLeod meet the stringent timelines required by the Real Estate Council of Alberta. “When we receive funds from an owner, we’re required to deposit them within two days,” Robert explained. “Condo reporting is regulated, too. Breeze Premier ensures we hit those timelines, and that’s essential for maintaining trust with our clients and staying compliant.”
In fact, when the regulator completed a five-year practice review, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “The auditor was thrilled with how easily everything could be accessed in Breeze Premier. That level of transparency gave them confidence, and gave us peace of mind.”
One process, one platform
One of the key reasons McLeod chose Breeze Premier was its ability to handle their entire mixed portfolio, from rental units to commercial strips to condo corporations, all in one system.
“We couldn’t imagine splitting the portfolio across different platforms,” Robert said. “The type of asset doesn’t matter. The process needs to be the same, and Breeze Premier allows for that.”
That consistency has also made it easier to train new team members and support cross-functional work. “One system, same process,” Roxanne said. “It gives our team the flexibility to move between portfolios when needed.”
Training that sticks, support that scales
The team’s experience with implementation was smooth and intentional. “We planned it step by step,” Roxanne explained. “Everyone on the team learned how to set up EFTs, and we started with the features that would give us the biggest impact.”
Ongoing training has been equally accessible. “The Help Centre is intuitive, with videos and articles anyone can follow,” said Roxanne. “We don’t need to create extra materials anymore. I’ve also been using the REfresh sessions,” Roxanne added. “They’ve been great for revisiting features, learning what’s new and figuring out how to get even more out of the system.”
Advice for others
For organizations looking to modernize their operations, Roxanne’s advice is simple: “Do your research. Know your biggest operational wins and plan your rollout around them. Train your staff in real time and make sure the system works across all asset types.”
Robert agrees: “Empower your people. Breeze Premier isn’t just for accounting, property managers use it every day. That makes their work more efficient and helps retain both staff and clients.”
