Korman Communities' Lea Anne Welsh sat down with Multi-Housing News Senior Editor Laura Valean for an episode of Mission Success: Women in Multifamily, digging into how the American Dream has shifted for renters across generations. As COO of Korman Communities and President of AVE, Welsh brought more than three decades of firsthand perspective to the conversation, having held nearly every role within the organization since joining in 1992.
The discussion centered on a trend Welsh sees accelerating across AVE's communities in the U.S.: a growing share of residents choosing to rent not out of necessity, but by design. Welsh shared that today's renters are drawn to the choice, flexibility, and lifestyle that renting offers, often prioritizing community, convenience, and service over the traditional obligations that come with owning a home. That shift spans a wide range of residents, from young professionals and mid-career movers to a rapidly growing group of downsizers rethinking what home should look like at this stage of life.
Welsh also spoke to the emotional and practical sides of that decision, particularly for downsizers navigating a meaningful life transition. She touched on how thoughtful design, amenity strategy, and a hospitality-forward approach to service can ease that shift and make a new home feel welcoming from day one, while also addressing how flexible lease terms and evolving living arrangements are reshaping expectations across the industry.
Throughout the conversation, Welsh returned to a theme central to AVE's philosophy: leading with empathy. She shared stories from residents that have shaped her own perspective over the years, reinforcing why understanding what people truly want from where they live remains at the heart of how AVE approaches every community it builds.
