All-Stars Sports Challenge Scores… December 22, 2019

A total of 46 teams competed in the 2016 All-Stars Sports Challenge. We were able to raise $25,000 for the Red Cross benefiting flood victims. We couldn’t have done it without everyone who participated. Sponsored by: AAA Plumbers, Apple Termite and Pest Control, Apartments.com, Appliance Warehouse, Arbor Contract Carpet, Camp Construction Services, Direct Energy, HD Supply, Hire Priority, The Liberty Group, Rasa Floors and RentPath. Here are the scores: 1            TexscapeServices 2 with 245.50 points 2            Greystarwith 2 235.00 points 3            KaryaProperty Mgmt 2 with 230.50 points 4            RentPathwith 207.50 points 5            TexscapeServices 1 with 203.50 points 6            MaintenanceSupply HQ with 200.50 points 7            Lincoln2 with 193.00 points 8            SMIRealty 1 with 187.00 points 9            CenturyA/C Supply with 186.00 10            Lincoln1 with 182.00 points 11            Greystar1 with 168.00 points 12            GaiaProperty Mgmt            with50.00 points 13            HDSupply with 160.50 points 14            Greystar5 with 154.50 points 15            GablesResidential with 150.00 points 16            Greystar7 with 142.50 points 17            TarantinoProperties with 141.50 points 18            AMLIResidential with 141.00 points 19            MilestoneMgmt 3 with 139.50 points 20            RockstarCap. Mgmt 3 with 139.00 points 21            KaryaProperty Mgmt 3 with 139.00 points 22            LaSalleService with 138.50 points 23            LBKMgmt. Service with 137.50 points 24            AllenHarrison Co. with 137.50 points 25            Greystar4 with 136.50 points 26            RockstarCap. Mgmt 2 with 133.50 points 27            Greystar3 with 126.00 points 28            CKRProperty Mgmt with 125.50 points 29            SparkleWash with 123.50 points 30            Greystar6 with 121.00 points 31            MilestoneMgmt 1 with 116.00 points 32            RockstarCap.l Mgmt 1 with 114.50 points 33            MilestoneMgmt 2 with 108.00 points 34            ValetWaste with..

HAA Honors Winners December 22, 2019

What a spectacular evening we had last night. We would liketo thank our wonderful hosts HAA President Alison Hall and industry speakerKate Good. The energy in the room last night at the Hilton Americas waspalpable. We had a turn out of roughly 1,100 guests – the biggest sit-down dinner held by HAA to date. Congratulations again to our 2016 HAA Honors winners.   We would like to give another special thank you to our sponsors for making last night possible: The Liberty GroupCrestmark Construction ServicesAAA PlumbersTPI PaintingGemstar Construction Development   Here are the 2016 HAA Honors winners: Individual Awards:   Maintenance Supervisor – Multiple                                                Jose Alvarado, CAMT                                    Rockstar Management                                    Maintenance Supervisor – Single                                    Miguel Orellana, CAMT                                    Francis Property Management                                    Oak Park Trails Maintenance Technician                                                Javier Chavez                                    Greystar                                    Preserve at Baywood On Site Manager 350 or more                                                Jennifer Ramos, CAM, CAPS                                    Greystar                                    Estates at Memorial Heights On Site Manager 1-150                                                Yaneth Luna, NALP                                    Relik Realty                                    Spring Brook Lofts On Site Manager 151-349                                                Richard Hester, CAM                                    Southhampton                                    Telfair Lofts   Portfolio Supervisor                                     John Dang, CAM, CAPS                                    Rockstar Management                                      Owner/Management                                                 Kelly Scott                                    Alliance Residential                                    Independent Owner                                                Robert Martinez, IROP                                    Rockstar Management                                      Marketing Training Director                                                Vi Lewis,..

US Dept of Labor… December 21, 2019

Provided by the National Apartment Association    NAA/NMHC have released guidance (link posted below, login required) for the apartment housing industry on the Labor Department’s overtime rule.   Prepared by Jennifer Redmond and Brian Fond from the law firm of Sheppard Mullin, the guidance describes the rule in detail and provides issues for owners, operators and developers of apartment housing to consider as they seek to comply with the new rule. Effective Dec. 1, the rule lifts the overtime pay threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 and is expected to impact 4.2 million executive, administrative and professional employees who are paid by the hour or earn less than the new threshold.     The overtime rule would harm the ability of apartment housing employers to implement, and their impacted employees (including property managers at traditional apartment and student housing developments) to take advantage of flexible scheduling options. In addition, it would limit career advancement opportunities for employees. The rule also goes far beyond the apartment housing industry and has the potential to affect employees at colleges and universities who serve student housing residents.   NAA/NMHC strongly oppose the overtime rule and are supporting all avenues that would either repeal or limit the rule. On July 14, immediately before adjourning for the summer recess, the House Appropriations Committee passed funding legislation that would prevent the Obama Administration from implementing the overtime rule.       In addition to Appropriations Committee action, Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced the on July 14. This legislation would require the Labor Department to phase-in the overtime pay threshold over three years..

Pool Safety: Water Wise… December 21, 2019

Fun, sun and safety: HAA’s 2016 Water Wise Program  By Sidney Phillips, HAA Intern  Many Houstonians will be grabbing theirbathing suits and sunscreen to the beach, lake or local swimming pool thissummer. However, a fun day in the water can turn into an absolute tragedy formany parents of young children.   Drowning rates typically increase aroundIndependence Day weekend. So before children begin jumping or cannonballinginto community pools, it’s important that apartment owners, apartment managersand parents stay vigilant and educate children on proper pool safety.  According to the Center for DiseaseControl, unintentional drowning claims the lives of an estimated 3.882 peopleeach year in the United States, averaging 10 deaths per day.  Young children are at the greatest riskof drowning, as it remains the second leading cause of death among ages 1-14years old.  Not to mention, forevery one child that dies from drowning, another five require emergency roomcare.    In Texas, 51 children have already drownedthis year with 11 fatalities in the Greater Houston Area alone.  To combat the threat of drowningaccidents, the Houston Apartment Association has maintained a 10 year partnershipwith the YMCA to create the Water Wise Program.  The initiative provides free swimming lessons to children inparticipating Houston area apartments, and works to educate parents of propersafety precautions.    Thanks to the generosity of membercommunities, over the past nine years, the program has taught swimming lessonsto over 9,000 children, free of charge. This year HAA hopes to reach another 1,000 kids, across 80 differentlocations.    For more information about the WaterWise program, visit . Toprevent drowning..

​Cushman & Wakefield negotiates… December 20, 2019

 has negotiated the sale of The Vue at Belleair, a 339-unit luxury multifamily community in Pinellas County. , ,  and  of  represented Columbus, GA-based  in the sale. , of Suffern, NY, acquired the asset. The Vue at Belleair is a ±321,437-square-foot garden-style apartment community developed in 2019 on ±15.6-acre site at 1551 Flournoy Circle West. The property comprises 11 two- and four-story residential buildings with elevators, an integrated clubhouse and detached garage buildings. The Vue at Belleair offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The average unit is 948 square feet with an average market rent of $1,615 ($1.70 per square foot). The property was 93 percent leased at the time of sale. Apartments at The Vue at Belleair feature three designer finish options; nine-, 10- and 11-foot ceilings; hardwood style flooring; deep kitchen sinks with gooseneck faucets; stainless steel appliances; smooth surface cook tops; washers and dryers; granite or quartz countertops; ceiling fans with light kits; upgraded designer light fixtures; and large closets. Select units offer kitchen islands, French door refrigerators, separate showers enclosures and attached or detached garages. Community amenities include gated access; elevators; a rooftop terrace with views of Tampa Bay; a resident clubhouse; a gourmet coffee bar; two dog parks with dog wash centers; a car care center; a resort style, zero-entry solar and gas heated saltwater pool with cabanas; a pool pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and televisions; a performance fitness center with wellness and spin rooms; two massage rooms; two lakes with fountains; fire pits; a business center with a conference room; a video..

​Cushman & Wakefield negotiates… December 20, 2019

 has negotiated the sale of The Vue at Belleair, a 339-unit luxury multifamily community in Pinellas County. , ,  and  of  represented Columbus, GA-based  in the sale. , of Suffern, NY, acquired the asset. The Vue at Belleair is a ±321,437-square-foot garden-style apartment community developed in 2019 on ±15.6-acre site at 1551 Flournoy Circle West. The property comprises 11 two- and four-story residential buildings with elevators, an integrated clubhouse and detached garage buildings. The Vue at Belleair offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The average unit is 948 square feet with an average market rent of $1,615 ($1.70 per square foot). The property was 93 percent leased at the time of sale. Apartments at The Vue at Belleair feature three designer finish options; nine-, 10- and 11-foot ceilings; hardwood style flooring; deep kitchen sinks with gooseneck faucets; stainless steel appliances; smooth surface cook tops; washers and dryers; granite or quartz countertops; ceiling fans with light kits; upgraded designer light fixtures; and large closets. Select units offer kitchen islands, French door refrigerators, separate showers enclosures and attached or detached garages. Community amenities include gated access; elevators; a rooftop terrace with views of Tampa Bay; a resident clubhouse; a gourmet coffee bar; two dog parks with dog wash centers; a car care center; a resort style, zero-entry solar and gas heated saltwater pool with cabanas; a pool pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and televisions; a performance fitness center with wellness and spin rooms; two massage rooms; two lakes with fountains; fire pits; a business center with a conference room; a video..

Hurricane Harvey: The Aftermath December 20, 2019

Hurricane Harvey: TheAftermath   By: Howard M. Bookstaff,General Counsel   As Houston apartment professionals andowners work through the devastation of Harvey, many are asking a number ofquestions. Here are your answers.   Manycommunities in and around Houston suffered damages from the effects ofHurricane Harvey. Many lost power and numerous properties suffered substantial waterdamage. Roads turned into rivers. Cars were replaced with boats. Transistorradios replaced TVs.   Aswe work to recover from the devastation, apartment owners and managers have anumber of questions with respect to various owner/resident issues. Here aresome of the commonly asked questions, and some guidance with respect to theanswers. Please note that the answers to these questions presume the residenthas signed a standard TAA Apartment Lease Contract. If another lease is beingused, the lease should be reviewed to determine whether the answers givenshould be modified.    1.         If my propertyhas substantial damage, do I have the right to terminate leases?   Yes. Section 26.5 of the lease states that if theowner believes that catastrophic damage is substantial or that performance ofneeded repairs poses a danger to the resident, the owner may terminate thelease by giving at least five (5) days written notice.    2.         If I terminateleases, do I have to refund rent and security deposits?   Yes. Section 26.5 of the lease also states that if thelease is terminated, the owner will refund prorated rent and all deposits, lesslawful deductions.  The amount ofprorated rent refunded will depend on the date the lease is terminated. Sincethe property would have been substantially damaged, chances..

JLL sells 970-unit Midwest… December 18, 2019

JLL closed the sale of a 10-property, 970-unit multihousing portfolio located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sioux City, Iowa, on behalf of IRET announced today that it has closed the sale of a 10-property, 970-unit multihousing portfolio located in the Midwestern communities of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sioux City, Iowa, on behalf of for a total of $78 million.  JLL marketed the portfolio exclusively on behalf of the seller, IRET. purchased the seven Sioux Falls properties and purchased the three Sioux City properties. The Sioux Falls tranche totaled 526 units. The seven properties were completed between 1985 and 2000 and all provide residents immediate access to leading employers, entertainment venues and major thoroughfares, including Interstates 29 and 90. The Sioux City tranche comprises three communities encompassing 444 units. With completion dates ranging from 1970 to 1998, all of the properties are located within five miles of the city center, which provides residents access to downtown employers and major retailers. The occupancy for the entire portfolio at sale totaled 93 percent. The JLL Capital Markets team representing the seller included Senior Vice Presidents Mox Gunderson, Dan Linnell and Josh Talberg, Vice President Adam Haydon and Senior Director David Gaines. JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm’s in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients—whether investment advisory, debt placement, equity placement or a recapitalization. The firm has more than 3,700 Capital Markets specialists worldwide with offices in nearly..

20 Ways for Apartments… December 16, 2019

Looking for quick, easy-to-understand ways to get and keep a competitive edge— in leasing, marketing and in property management.1. Change your and incentives weekly. Many markets are fast-moving, and if we keep doing the same thing over and over, we’ll get the same results over and over.2. Add an Uber drop off and pick up location in your community. A sign works as a new amenity. These suggested locations are meant to make pickups easier and faster for riders and drivers. Make this area comfortable by adding a seating area. When selecting the location consider if possible protection from snow and rain, easy to charge a phone and easy to access without going past the security gates.3. Has your resident profile changed over the past 4 years? With all the new construction odds are likely that community profiles have changed. Has this information been reviewed? Has your website and models altered to reflect this new profile?4. Create “star” apartments every week. If you have sure apartment floorplans that are harder to lease, offer an additional incentive for renting those apartments.5. Create urgency among leasing staff. In some companies, regional managers make random, surprise calls to properties to give them unique,. For example, they might say, “Just for today, every lease signed, the leasing consultant will receive an additional $50.”6. Change your prices every day. Break every occupancy and leasing report down by floorplan, and set prices and concessions according to floorplan availability.7. Upgrade all associates’ computer skills. Everyone at every property should be able to..

20 Ways for Apartments… December 16, 2019

Looking for quick, easy-to-understand ways to get and keep a competitive edge— in leasing, marketing and in property management.1. Change your and incentives weekly. Many markets are fast-moving, and if we keep doing the same thing over and over, we’ll get the same results over and over.2. Add an Uber drop off and pick up location in your community. A sign works as a new amenity. These suggested locations are meant to make pickups easier and faster for riders and drivers. Make this area comfortable by adding a seating area. When selecting the location consider if possible protection from snow and rain, easy to charge a phone and easy to access without going past the security gates.3. Has your resident profile changed over the past 4 years? With all the new construction odds are likely that community profiles have changed. Has this information been reviewed? Has your website and models altered to reflect this new profile?4. Create “star” apartments every week. If you have sure apartment floorplans that are harder to lease, offer an additional incentive for renting those apartments.5. Create urgency among leasing staff. In some companies, regional managers make random, surprise calls to properties to give them unique,. For example, they might say, “Just for today, every lease signed, the leasing consultant will receive an additional $50.”6. Change your prices every day. Break every occupancy and leasing report down by floorplan, and set prices and concessions according to floorplan availability.7. Upgrade all associates’ computer skills. Everyone at every property should be able to..