What have you seen/learned from a recent bid or RFP on the multifamily products/services you are buying for your property management company/team? What kind of savings did you see/enjoy? Were you able to receive the most savings based on volume discounts and incentives? When thinking about the multifamily industry vendors/suppliers who provide the products/services needed […]

Focused on policy and procedure manuals…is yours complete and comprehensive—especially related to recent changes in employer/employee laws? Would you like to know how your policy and procedure manuals compare to best-practices within the multifamily property management industry? With your policy and procedure manuals—do you know why it’s important to keep them separate? With a focus […]

The article below…is about swimming pools at hotels—being required to be ADA compliant—as of March 15, 2012. Like hotels, apartment communities…consider swimming pools an important onsite amenity. And because this new law was passed for hotels to provide access-lifts in-and-out of their *public* swimming pools…it’s not hard to imagine that apartment communities will one day […]

UK REIT Reform Could Open Housing Association Doors Your take on the article above? Your thoughts/insight on this news—based on what you know about real estate and multi family property management in the UK? To invite other multi family property management leaders in the UK to join this discussion thread—please forward to them the url […]

Industry Knowledge,  Multi Family Utility Bill Audits With a focus on utility billing errors, overcharges, remedies and refunds…how is your Multi Family property management company addressing each of these areas? Do you know that leading property management companies are saving $50,000 – $100,000+ a year on their utility bills? Are you and your Multi Family […]

How are the floor plans on your website helping with your marketing and sales/leasing engine? How do the floor plans on your printed brochures and those at your website compare to your direct Multifamily competitors? Which industry floor plan designers/vendors are you most impressed with? With a focus on apartment floor plans…what post, question and/or […]

For those who own and/or manage Multi Family apartment buildings, commercial buildings and other real estate buildings/assets…protecting the financial stability of your business is a prudent and smart strategy. One way to do this is through Workers Compensation insurance. Do you have an internal system in place to handle all situations that involve your employees—when […]

After sharing the Fair Housing story last year about the disability case with the disabled vet in Utah…I wanted you to see/read the conclusion of the court case below. Justice Department Settles Disability Discrimination Case Involving Disabled Veteran Your take on the article above? How are you and your multi family property management company addressing […]

After reading an article in the local apartment association newsletter on Multi Family Handicap signage, it pays to make sure that your property is in compliance. See http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/about/bulletins/parking.htm for detailed guidance. Also contact your local apartment association affiliate to see if your state or locale has additional requirements. Posted by Keith Lukin Lukin & Associates […]

What have you seen/learned from industry best-practices…related to resident screening and credit/criminal checks? When thinking about your prospective new multifamily residents/renters…what are the key steps for insuring they meet your credit screening requirements? What are the top two reasons—that a potential new resident/renter is denied from your rental community? Thinking about those on your multifamily […]

With the recent **very early** outbreak of tornado’s in the Midwest and the official hurricane season not too far away, does your team have a plan in place for your real estate assets, buildings and apartments? Have you and you rMultifamily property management team—reviewed your policies and procedures for disaster recovery planning? Below are several […]

I enjoyed reading the article below…with a focus on REITs in Canada—and their performance on the stock market related to other investment vehicles. Insatiable Appetite For Yield Drives Deal Making Your take on the article above? Your thoughts/insight on this news—based on what you know about multi family real estate and property management in Canada? […]

Apartment Rental + Ownership Options It’s been a number of years…since I have read about multifamily apartment rent-to-own programs like the one below being offered by Pinnacle Companies. Developer Introduces Two Purchase Programs For Luxury Units Your take on the article above? Is your company offering some kind of rent-to-own program? From your point of […]

Since the access to capital and funding choices/options has been tight over the last several years—always great to read an article like the one below, yes? Red Mortgage Capital Announces 2011 Highlights Your take on the article above? What are you finding in the way of capital and finance options? Are you able to find […]

In the spirit of green buildings and energy savings—I enjoyed reading the article below. Wells Fargo Finances Solar Project In New Mexico http://www.multifamilybiz.com/News/3783/Wells_Fargo_Finances_Solar_Project_in_New_Mexico_ Your take on the article above? Are you considering solar energy/power as an option this year? Are you finding lenders willing to finance this kind of energy construction loan? To learn more […]

Three updates on the Archstone deal…and the fireworks continue~ Equity Residential Hikes Potential Bid For Archstone Stake To $1.48B Bid For Apartment Giant Finds Zell On Familiar Turf Equity Residential Receives Extension On Potential Archstone Deal Your take on the articles above? What are you hearing about this deal? From your point of view…who is […]

Patricia McLoughlin • During these tight/tough economic times…I loved to read the news below about Pinnacle’s upcoming job fairs. Pinnacle Supports National Apartment Careers Month, With 15 Career Fairs http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pinnacle-supports-national-apartment-careers-month-with-15-career-fairs-around-the-country-2012-02-13 Your take on the article above? Have you been to a PM job fair? What did you learn/find? Was it successful? To learn more about […]

Patricia McLoughlin • I enjoyed reading the articles below…and to see the strong/positive trends for available capital/financing for multifamily projects and acquisitions. UDR And MetLife Form Second Real Estate Joint Venture http://www.marketwatch.com/story/udr-forms-second-real-estate-joint-venture-with-metlife-2012-01-12 Citizant Awarded HUD Grants Reporting Contract http://www.multifamilybiz.com/News/3782/Citizant_Awarded_HUD_Grants_Reporting_Contract Forest City Closes $300M In Financings http://nreionline.com/city-reviews/new-york/forest_city_300M_finance/ Most Powerful 2012 Mortgage Banking Firms http://www.multihousingnews.com/multimedia/mhnradio/power-index-podcast-2012-most-powerful-mortgage-banks/1004048308.html Freddie Mac’s […]

Any time I see/read news about Fair Housing…it causes me to pause—and read carefully what is being shared regarding this important law and its impact on our property management industry. Potential Landmark Accessibility Case Heads To Trial http://multifamilyexecutive.com/accessible-housing/potential-landmark-accessibility-case-heads-to-trial.aspx?cid=MFEBU011212 Your take on the news shared in this article? How are you and your team addressing the […]

Over the last 3-6 months…we continue to hear lots more buzz around student housing—and below are two recent articles. The demand for new amenities, lack of public funding and changes to campus footprints and strategies—is shifting the kind of specialized expertise needed for student housing. GMH Back In Game http://multifamilyexecutive.com/student-housing/gmh-gets-back-in-the-game.aspx?cid=MFEBU011212 Colliers Launches Student Housing Group […]