Build Production Data & Reporting System (AppFolio → Database → Power BI, API-Ready)

We are a real estate investment and operating company managing approximately 1,000 apartment units. We are seeking a freelancer to build the first production-ready version of our internal data and reporting platform. Our primary property management system is AppFolio. We currently do not have API access and will be working from scheduled data exports delivered via email. However, the system must be designed so that future migration to API-based ingestion can occur without significant redesign. This project is not simply dashboard creation. It includes data ingestion, automation, database design, metric definition, data modeling, and Power BI reporting. TARGET ARCHITECTURE Current State: AppFolio Scheduled Exports → Email Inbox → Automated Ingestion → SharePoint → Database → Power BI Future State: AppFolio API → Database → Power BI The database and reporting layers should remain largely unchanged when API access becomes available. SCOPE OF WORK Phase 1 – Architecture & Design • Design overall system architecture • Design database schema • Define data flow • Confirm metric definitions Phase 2 – Automated Ingestion • Automate processing of emailed AppFolio reports • Save reports into structured SharePoint folders • Create reliable and maintainable ingestion process Phase 3 – Database Layer • Build relational database (PostgreSQL preferred) • Create staging and reporting tables • Design for future scalability Phase 4 – Metrics Layer Implement and document: 1. Occupancy % 2. Vacancy Loss $ 3. Cash Collected vs Expected 4. Work Order Backlog 5. Average Turn Time 6. Units in Turn 7. Average Days Vacant 8. Maintenance Cost Per Unit 9. Leasing Conversion Rate 10. NOI Phase 5 – Dashboard Development Executive Dashboard • Core KPIs • Trends • Property filters Operations Dashboard • Work orders • Turns • Maintenance metrics Leasing Dashboard • Vacancy • Leasing funnel • Days vacant Phase 6 – Documentation & Handoff Required Deliverables: • Architecture diagram • Database schema • Data dictionary • Metric definitions • Power BI files • Source code/scripts • Video walkthrough • Administrative ownership transfer REQUIREMENTS • Strong SQL and database design experience • Strong Power BI experience • Experience with ETL/data pipelines • Experience with Power Automate or similar workflow tools • Ability to explain architecture decisions clearly • No black-box solutions TO APPLY Please provide: 1. Examples of similar work 2. Proposed architecture approach 3. Explanation of how you would make the system API-ready in the future 4. Estimated timeline 5. Confirmation that all deliverables will be fully documented and transferable